1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Mi 11 is slightly taller and thinner; ROG Phone 8 is wider and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier. |
| Weight | 196g | 225g | Xiaomi Mi 11 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use; Asus ROG Phone 8 is heavier which may feel more substantial. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 has the newer glass version with potentially better scratch resistance |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer large displays. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a significantly sharper display, resulting in finer detail and text clarity. |
| PPI | 515 | 388 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has noticeably higher pixel density, resulting in crisper images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and energy efficient displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers smoother scrolling and animations, particularly beneficial for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2500 nits | Asus ROG Phone 8 is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | Asus ROG Phone 8 uses a much newer and more powerful chipset, resulting in significantly faster processing and better efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 806,139 | 2,020,000 | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a much higher score, indicating superior performance in all tasks, especially gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a more advanced GPU, resulting in better graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33", Samsung S5KHMX, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890, 1.0µm | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a higher resolution sensor with larger size, but smaller pixel size; Asus ROG Phone 8 has bigger pixel size which is generally better for low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2, 0.8µm | 32MP | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers higher resolution selfies, but no sensor size or model is provided. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV13B10, 1.12µm | No Wide Angle Lens | Xiaomi Mi 11 includes a dedicated wide-angle lens for ultrawide shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5", Samsung S5K5E9, 1.12µm | 5MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a slightly wider aperture for the macro lens |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No Wide Angle + Macro | 13MP, f/2.2 | Asus ROG Phone 8 combines both ultrawide and macro into one. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps with HDR, EIS | Both offer high quality video capabilities, with 720p@480fps on the ROG Phone 8. |
| DXOMARK Selfie | Main: 112, Photo: 100, Video: 133 | Not tested | Xiaomi Mi 11's selfie camera is rated on DXOMARK, giving a benchmark for its performance. |
| Camera Features | Ultra stable video, Laser AF, AF assist Beam, RAW | Optical zoom, Gimbal, Laser autofocus (LAF), Exposure compensation, Night Mode | Both are feature-rich, but with different focus; Xiaomi for RAW and specific focus systems, Asus for Optical zoom and night shots. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 5500 mAh | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a larger battery, likely resulting in better battery life. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | 65W Fast Charging | Asus ROG Phone 8 charges slightly faster. Xiaomi offers wireless charging. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 2*2250mAh | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 includes reverse charging and split battery architecture. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offers a noticeably crisper display experience.
- Lighter: More comfortable for extended use due to its significantly lighter weight.
- Versatile Camera System: Offers dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses, with RAW image capture, catering to diverse photography needs.
- Wireless Charging: Provides convenience with 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.
- DXOMARK Selfie Score: Has a tested selfie camera that provides a benchmark for its performance.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Includes a heart rate sensor, which is a unique feature.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster performance due to the much newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip.
- Smoother Display: Higher refresh rate provides a smoother, more responsive visual experience, especially for gaming.
- Brighter Display: Much higher brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity, offering extended usage time.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging for faster replenishment.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, ensuring latest features and security.
- Better WiFi and Bluetooth Supports newer standards for better connection.
- More comprehensive video features: Features like optical zoom, gimbal stabilization, and laser autofocus that enhance video quality.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Sacrifices performance, battery life and display brightness for a lighter build and wireless charging.
- Asus ROG Phone 8: Heavier and bulkier than the Xiaomi Mi 11, without wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Ideal User: General users who prioritize a sharp display, a lightweight design, and versatile camera options for everyday use.
- Use Cases:
- Casual photography and social media sharing.
- Comfortable reading and content consumption.
- Users who prefer wireless charging for convenience.
- Users who require heart rate tracking.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for users seeking a balance between display quality, camera flexibility and price.
Asus ROG Phone 8:
- Ideal User: Gamers and power users who prioritize performance, smooth visuals, and long battery life, as well as content creators needing advanced video features.
- Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming with demanding graphics.
- Heavy multitasking and resource-intensive applications.
- Longer battery usage throughout the day without frequent charging.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Professional level video recording with optical zoom.
- Price-to-Value: Premium price justified for users demanding top-tier performance and gaming features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your priority: Display quality or raw performance? If you value a sharp, high-resolution display, go for Xiaomi Mi 11. If you need the best possible speed and gaming performance, pick the ROG Phone 8.
- How important is battery life? If battery endurance is key, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is the superior choice with a larger battery.
- Do you prefer a lighter build and wireless charging, or longer battery life and advanced video features? If you need a light, feature rich phone with wireless charging, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is for you. If you want top video features and a high capacity battery, the ROG Phone 8 is the better pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User - If you are a casual user who mainly browses the web, takes basic photos, and watches videos, and values a lightweight device, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is a great all-rounder with its sharp display and versatile camera system.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User - If you are a serious mobile gamer or a power user that needs the best performance, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is the clear winner due to its superior speed, higher refresh rate, and larger battery, even with the added weight.
- Scenario 3: Photography/Videography Enthusiast - If you value versatile camera features, especially with RAW image capture, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is for you, even with its lack of optical zoom; if you value advanced video features like optical zoom and gimbal stabilization, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is the obvious choice.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would lean towards the Asus ROG Phone 8. While the Xiaomi Mi 11's lighter build and wireless charging are appealing, the performance gap is too significant to ignore. As a user who values a fluid experience and often engages in resource-intensive tasks (not just gaming), the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the ROG Phone 8 provides a substantial advantage. Additionally, the brighter display is crucial for outdoor use, and the battery life is an important factor for heavy daily usage. Lastly, I find the better video features of the ROG Phone 8 to be of great advantage. Even though I may not be a heavy gamer, the improvements in speed and screen are well worth the extra weight and lack of wireless charging, making the ROG Phone 8 the better choice.
