Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 vs. Asus ROG Phone 5
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | The Asus ROG Phone 5 is noticeably larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use and pocketing. The Mi 11 is slimmer and more compact. |
| Weight | 196g | 238g | The Xiaomi Mi 11 is significantly lighter (42g difference), making it more comfortable for extended use. The ROG Phone 5 might feel more hefty and substantial. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.78" | Minimal difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2448 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a sharper and more detailed image due to higher resolution. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a noticeably sharper display, better for reading text and viewing high-resolution images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers slightly smoother scrolling and gaming. The difference might not be noticeable to all users. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The Mi 11 has much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The ROG Phone 5's brightness is unknown and may be problematic in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Both offer high-end performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 806,139 | 883,000 | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers slightly higher raw performance for gaming and demanding apps. The difference is noticeable in benchmarks but less so in everyday use. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Similar graphics performance for both phones. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 6000mAh | The Asus ROG Phone 5 has a significantly larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life, especially during heavy use and gaming sessions. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus ROG Phone 5 can charge slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 2*2250mAh, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse-wireless charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. The Asus ROG Phone 5 offers bypass charging which prevents battery degradation during prolonged gaming sessions. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" sensor | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor | Xiaomi Mi 11's larger sensor and higher resolution may offer more detailed images in good lighting, while Asus might perform better in low light given its wider aperture. |
| Front Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor | 24MP, f/2.45, 1/2.8" sensor | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a higher resolution and larger sensor, potentially better selfies. Xiaomi Mi 11 has wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | 13MP, f/2.5, sensor unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11’s wider aperture may result in slightly better low-light performance in wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | 5MP, f/2.0, sensor unknown | Both provide similar macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@30fps with EIS, 4K@120fps | Both offer high-quality video, but different stabilization methods are used. The ROG Phone 5 has a slight edge with its 4K 120fps. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 112 (Photo: 100, Video: 133) | N/A | Only Mi 11 has DXOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Ultra Stable Video, Laser AF, RAW | Optical Zoom, PDAF, Night Mode | Xiaomi Mi 11’s OIS and Laser AF can improve image quality, while the Asus has Optical Zoom, and a night mode. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | The Mi 11 will receive Android updates longer than the ROG Phone 5. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ad | Both support high-speed WiFi, with ROG Phone 5 supporting additional spec. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 (LE, AAC, aptX, LDAC) | 5.2 (A2DP, AVRCP, EDR, GAP, HSP, MAP, OPP, PBAP/PAB, aptX, LDAC) | Both phones provide high quality audio codecs. The Asus has additional profiles for different usage scenarios. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1,B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1, B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Both offer precise location tracking with a wide range of systems, though some differences in supported systems exist. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Standard dual SIM functionality on both phones. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Asus offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a significant RAM advantage, especially for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No expandable storage for either phone. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 4 mics | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers enhanced surround sound and better voice capture with 4 microphones and noise cancellation. |
Security & Build
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers more modern and durable screen protection. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall | Both have comprehensive suites. The Xiaomi offers heart rate and ultrasonic proximity, while Asus offers standard proximity and hall sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density (1440x3200, 515 PPI) for more detailed visuals.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced durability.
- Significantly Brighter Display: 1500 nits for much better outdoor visibility.
- Wireless Charging: Includes 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Lighter and Slimmer: More comfortable for prolonged use and pocketing.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Added biometric sensor for health monitoring.
- Longer Software Support: Likely to receive more Android updates.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh for significantly longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging for shorter charging times.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz for slightly smoother scrolling and gaming.
- Better Performance: Marginally higher AnTuTu score.
- More RAM: Available with up to 18GB RAM for demanding tasks.
- More Storage Options: Available in a 512GB variant for higher storage capacity.
- Enhanced Audio: DTS/DTS X, noise cancellation microphone, and 4 microphones for superior audio.
- Bypass Charging: Allows charging without battery degradation while gaming.
- Optical Zoom and PDAF in camera: Provides better image quality in specific scenarios.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11: Smaller battery, less RAM, bulkier size compared to its competitors, missing optical zoom and PDAF.
- ROG Phone 5: Lower display resolution and PPI, no wireless charging, lacks heart rate sensor, heavier and bulkier, shorter software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Everyday User: Someone who values a high-quality display, sleek design, and a comprehensive feature set in a manageable size and weight.
- Content Consumer: Those who watch a lot of videos or read frequently.
- Photography Enthusiast: Users who want a very capable camera system with a focus on detail.
- Users who value wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Browsing the web and social media due to the higher-resolution display.
- Outdoor photography and videography in bright sunlight.
- Long commutes with the ability to use wireless charging in various places.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Ideal User:
- Hardcore Gamers: Users who prioritize performance, battery life, and audio for gaming.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Individuals who run many applications simultaneously.
- Power Users: People who value maximum battery life and appreciate a faster charging experience.
- Users who need professional audio: users needing high quality microphones and sound.
Specific Use Cases for Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Intense gaming sessions for long periods away from a charger.
- Mobile content creation needing high quality microphones and audio playback.
- Running multiple demanding apps at once for productivity.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers great value for general users who need a great display, good cameras, and a good design.
- The Asus ROG Phone 5 is targeted at a niche of high-end gamers and heavy users, who may find its high RAM and large battery worth the extra cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize display sharpness and outdoor visibility, or battery life and raw performance? The Mi 11 excels in display quality, while the ROG 5 has the edge in battery and performance.
- How important is wireless charging and software support? The Mi 11 has wireless charging and will likely receive more Android updates, which could matter for long-term use.
- What is the primary purpose? Gaming, media consumption or everyday use.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Everyday Use and General Content Consumption: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its sharper, brighter display, slimmer design, and wireless charging.
- Scenario 2: Intense Mobile Gaming and Multitasking: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 5 for its higher performance, larger battery, additional RAM, enhanced audio and charging capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Professional Content Creation Choose the Asus ROG Phone 5 for its superior audio features, higher quality video and increased processing capabilities.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11. While the Asus ROG Phone 5 has some appealing features like its larger battery and slightly better gaming performance, the Mi 11's sharper and significantly brighter display is more important for my day-to-day usage. I consume a lot of media and appreciate a display that is clear and viewable under bright light. I also appreciate its more lightweight and comfortable design for everyday carrying. The Mi 11’s inclusion of wireless charging also adds another layer of convenience. Finally, the superior screen protection is a practical benefit and I prefer more up-to-date software. While I'm not a hardcore gamer, the Mi 11 offers sufficient performance for my casual gaming needs and has more than enough processing power for everyday use. The heart rate sensor is a great feature for everyday use.
