1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.8 mm | Xiaomi is taller, iPhone is wider and slightly thinner; impact on pocketability and one-handed use |
| Weight | 196g | 203g | Xiaomi is slightly lighter, could be noticeable during long usage |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Xiaomi has slightly larger screen, better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1284x2778 | Xiaomi has higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper and more detailed display |
| PPI | 515 | 458 | Xiaomi’s display appears noticeably sharper |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and color accuracy, but with slightly different brand implementations |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Xiaomi has smoother scrolling and animations making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits | Xiaomi is much brighter, easier to view outdoors in direct sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Different architectures; A15 has higher benchmark scores, generally performs better in tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,330,312 | iPhone performs significantly better across most tasks, handles heavy apps and games better |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Apple GPU (5-core) | Different GPUs; Apple’s GPU likely offers better gaming performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4325mAh | Xiaomi has slightly larger capacity, may offer slightly longer usage time |
| Charging | 55W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Xiaomi offers much faster wired charging |
| Features | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi wireless charging | Xiaomi offers faster wireless and reverse charging. Apple offers MagSafe compatibility |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66" | Xiaomi has significantly higher resolution, iPhone has a wider aperture for better low-light, sensor size is larger on Xiaomi |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 12MP, f/1.9 | Xiaomi has higher resolution, iPhone has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies |
| Wide Angle lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55" | Xiaomi has higher resolution and wider aperture, iPhone has larger sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | N/A | Xiaomi has dedicated macro lens, better for close-up shots |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR, Stereo Sound | Xiaomi has higher video resolution. Both have HDR and video stabilization. iPhone has stereo sound recording |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 133 | Apple iPhone 14 Plus provides a better overall Mobile camera experience based on DxoMark scores |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 112, Photo: 100, Video: 133 | Main: 144, Photo: 138, Video: 153 | iPhone has considerably better selfie camera based on DxoMark scores |
| Features | 8K video, laser AF, triple camera | Audio Zoom, night mode, dual camera | Xiaomi has 8K video, laser autofocus and triple camera and iPhone has an audio zoom feature, Night Mode. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | iOS 16, upgradable to 18 | Different ecosystems, user preference. iOS updates are generally more consistent and timely. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Direct, Display, MiMO | WiFi 6, MiMO | Both offer modern WiFi standards, Xiaomi offers direct and display functionality |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, APT-x, LDAC | 5.3 | iPhone has newer Bluetooth version; Xiaomi offers APT-x and LDAC for higher-quality audio codecs |
| GPS | More systems supported | Standard systems | Xiaomi offers more satellite systems, potentially more accurate location tracking |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone offers eSIM capability for digital carrier switching, while Xiaomi supports using two physical SIMs |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | iPhone offers more storage option |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6 GB | Xiaomi provides more RAM for smoother multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers | iPhone has enhanced spatial audio and surround sound capabilities; Xiaomi has Hi-Res Audio support |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Basic Features | Xiaomi has Fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi has superior screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Compass, Heart rate, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity, Barometer | Xiaomi has more Biometric sensors and iPhone has more environmental sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper and Brighter Display: Higher resolution and significantly higher peak brightness. Ideal for outdoor usage and media consumption.
- Faster Charging: 55W wired charging and 50W wireless charging are significantly faster than the iPhone's charging.
- More RAM: 8GB/12GB of RAM for better multitasking and heavy app usage.
- More Versatile Camera System: Dedicated macro lens and 8K video recording for greater flexibility.
- Wider Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, more satellite systems for better GPS and Audio formats like APT-x, LDAC.
- Fingerprint sensor: Provides basic biometric security.
- Lower Weight: It is lighter, 7g difference compared to the iPhone which can be significant for long use.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Advantages:
- Superior Performance: A15 Bionic chip offers much better benchmark scores and real-world performance compared to the Snapdragon 888.
- Better Camera Overall Quality: Higher DxoMark scores and overall better camera performance, especially in low light.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher DxoMark scores and overall better selfie performance, especially in low light.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Has Bluetooth 5.3
- More Consistent Software Updates: iOS has a track record for timely and consistent updates.
- MagSafe Ecosystem: Offers MagSafe wireless charging and ecosystem compatibility.
- Better Audio Features: Enhanced spatial audio, surround sound, clearer calls.
- More Storage Option: Up to 512GB.
- eSIM support: eSIM capability for digital carrier switching.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a better display and charging features but falls short in performance and camera quality compared to the iPhone.
- The iPhone 14 Plus excels in performance and camera quality but has a lower refresh rate display and slower charging speeds.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal Users:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a vibrant, sharp display and consume a lot of video content.
- Gamers on a budget: Users who value refresh rates and want a smoother gaming experience.
- Power Users: Those who want faster charging and do not mind that the performance is not top-tier.
- Photography Enthusiasts (budget-minded): Those who like versatility in their camera system and enjoy macro shots.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Playing mobile games with high frame rates.
- Taking macro photos of objects and small details.
- Quickly charging the device throughout the day.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Ideal Users:
- Performance Seekers: Users who demand the fastest app loading, gaming, and overall smooth performance.
- Camera Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize overall camera quality, especially for social media and casual photography.
- iOS Ecosystem Users: Those who prefer the iOS ecosystem and its consistent updates.
- Users wanting an Ecosystem: Users who already own other Apple products and benefit from the ecosystem's seamless integration.
Use Cases:
- Heavy multitasking, such as switching between multiple apps.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos, especially in low-light.
- Using Apple services and apps for daily use.
- Seamlessly integrating with other Apple devices.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 likely offers a better price-to-value ratio for users who value display and battery charging, not performance.
- The iPhone 14 Plus offers better performance, software consistency, and a better camera experience for a higher price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for the phone? (Gaming, media consumption, photography, daily productivity, etc.)
- How important is performance versus other features? (Do you need the absolute fastest performance or are you willing to compromise for other benefits?)
- Which ecosystem do you prefer? (Android vs. iOS)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy gamer or power user with a budget: If you are an avid gamer or need the highest refresh rate available on a budget, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is suitable, although it is outperformed by the iPhone in overall performance.
- Scenario 2: Photography enthusiast who cares about quality and consistency: The iPhone 14 Plus is the better choice for superior image quality, especially in low-light scenarios, and a more consistent experience.
- Scenario 3: Casual user with a focus on media consumption: The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a larger and brighter display with faster charging, perfect for watching movies and TV shows while the Apple one will still be good for watching but the display is less vibrant and the charging is slower.
- Scenario 4: User within Apple Ecosystem: The iPhone 14 Plus is suitable if you need the software consistency and ecosystem integration.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the two, I would personally choose the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 has some appealing features, including a sharper and brighter display, faster charging, and more RAM, the performance difference between the two phones is considerable.
The Apple A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Plus offers a significantly smoother and more responsive user experience, making it much better for demanding tasks and for future proofing. Additionally, the camera system on the iPhone is more consistent and reliable, especially with its DxoMark scores that far exceed the Xiaomi.
While the Xiaomi Mi 11 is very capable, the iPhone provides more consistent software updates, seamless integration with other Apple devices, and a smoother overall experience that outweighs the benefits of a higher refresh rate and faster charging, for my needs. While the iPhone has a 60Hz display I have personally never had an issue with this and the brightness will still do fine outdoors even with less nits.
