1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Google Pixel Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Google Pixel Fold offers a larger screen experience when unfolded, transforming from a phone to a small tablet. The Xiaomi Mi 11 remains a traditional smartphone with a fixed screen size. |
| Physical Size | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 139.7 × 158.7 × 5.8 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 is taller and thicker when compared in their closed form factors, making it more pocket-friendly. Google Pixel Fold is wider when unfolded, offering a more expansive screen experience. |
| Weight | 196g | 283g | Xiaomi Mi 11 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. Google Pixel Fold's weight is substantial, reflecting its foldable design. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Google Pixel Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 7.6" | Google Pixel Fold has a larger screen, providing more screen real estate for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity. Xiaomi Mi 11 is a more standard screen size, better for single-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1840x2208 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a moderately higher resolution, leading to slightly sharper text and images. Both will appear crisp. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 378 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has significantly higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably sharper display. Text and fine details will appear more defined. |
| Technology | AMOLED | - | Xiaomi Mi 11 uses AMOLED, offering deeper blacks, better contrast, and vibrant colors. Google Pixel Fold's technology is not specified, making this a potential weakness. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both displays offer smooth scrolling and animations at 120Hz. The overall user experience will feel fluid in both phones. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1500 nits | Both devices offer high peak brightness. They are usable under bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Google Pixel Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | Both are high-end chipsets, but the practical performance depends on software optimization. They will handle demanding tasks and graphics-intensive games with minimal slowdown. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 793,800 | Both have very similar benchmark scores, meaning overall performance should be comparable. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G710 MP7 | Different GPUs, but both capable of handling gaming and graphics-intensive tasks smoothly. Actual gaming performance may vary depending on specific game optimization for each GPU. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Google Pixel Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33", 0.8µm, Samsung Bright S5KHMX | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a significantly higher resolution main sensor, allowing for more detailed photos. However, Google Pixel Fold with its wider aperture could capture more light in low-light scenarios, which often trumps pixel count. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm, Samsung S5K3T2 | 8MP, f/1.9 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers much higher resolution selfie photos. Google Pixel Fold's wider aperture may result in better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10.8MP, f/3.0 | Google Pixel Fold has a dedicated telephoto lens, providing optical zoom capabilities for better-quality zoomed images. Xiaomi Mi 11 lacks this feature. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06", 1.12µm, Omnivision OV13B10 | 10.8MP, f/2.2 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has slightly higher resolution and smaller aperture. Google Pixel Fold's wide-angle camera has a slightly wider aperture for capturing more light in low-light scenarios. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5", 1.12µm, Samsung S5K5E9 | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. Google Pixel Fold does not have a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30/60fps with HDR | Xiaomi Mi 11 can record videos at a higher 8K resolution, making it better for video creation. Both phones offer HDR support for improved dynamic range in video recording. |
| DXOMARK Score | Xiaomi Mi 11 Selfie: 112 (100 Photo, 133 Video) | Google Pixel Fold Mobile: 133 (137 Photo, 131 Video) | Google Pixel Fold has the better overall DXOMARK score compared to the Xiaomi Mi 11's selfie camera. However, no information was provided about the Xiaomi Mi 11's mobile camera. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Laser AF, AF assist Beam, RAW | Face unlock, Optical zoom, PDAF, CDAF, LAF, Exposure compensation | Xiaomi Mi 11 excels with 8K recording, pro-level manual focus, RAW support, and additional focusing assistance. Google Pixel Fold provides Optical zoom, more advanced autofocus options, and face unlock. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Google Pixel Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4821mAh | Google Pixel Fold has a slightly larger battery, potentially leading to marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Xiaomi Mi 11 charges significantly faster with its 55W charging, minimizing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse-wireless charging | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly, providing greater flexibility. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (515 PPI) results in a noticeably sharper display compared to Google Pixel Fold (378 PPI).
- Faster Charging: 55W fast charging allows much quicker battery replenishment compared to 30W on Google Pixel Fold.
- Advanced Camera Features: Offers 8K video recording, RAW support, manual focus, and a dedicated macro lens.
- Lighter and More Compact: Weighs significantly less and has a more compact traditional form factor, making it more comfortable for one-handed use.
- Additional Audio Features: Hi-Res Audio, and two microphones compared to the Google Pixel Fold's stereo speakers.
- More Satelite Systems: Xiaomi Mi 11 has GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System compared to Google Pixel Fold which does not.
- More Bluetooth Features: Supports APT-x, LDAC, AAC in addition to A2DP and LE.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging for other devices.
Google Pixel Fold Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a unique user experience with a larger screen when unfolded, enhancing multitasking, media consumption, and productivity.
- Larger Display: 7.6" unfolded screen offers more screen real estate than the 6.81" screen of Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Telephoto Lens: Provides optical zoom capabilities that are missing from the Xiaomi Mi 11 for higher-quality zoomed images.
- More Recent OS: Ships with Android 13.
- eSIM support: Offers the option of using an eSIM for digital carrier switching.
- More Storage Option: Comes with a 512GB storage option compared to the Xiaomi Mi 11's 256GB.
- More Sensors: The Pixel Fold features Barometer, Hall and Magnetometer sensors.
- Better Camera DXOMARK Score: Google Pixel Fold has the better DXOMARK score of 133 compared to the Xiaomi Mi 11's 112 for the Selfie camera, there is no information for the mobile camera for the Xiaomi.
Key Trade-offs:
- Weight vs. Screen Size: Xiaomi Mi 11 is lighter and more compact, while Google Pixel Fold is significantly heavier but offers a larger, foldable screen.
- Charging Speed vs. Battery Size: Xiaomi Mi 11 offers faster charging while Google Pixel Fold has a slightly larger battery.
- Camera versatility vs. Zoom: Xiaomi Mi 11 has a macro lens, and Google Pixel Fold includes a telephoto lens for zoom. Xiaomi also offers an overall more professional camera suite.
- Standard vs. Cutting-Edge: The Xiaomi Mi 11 is a traditional flagship phone; the Google Pixel Fold is a cutting-edge foldable phone, but with some unkown spec details like display technology.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal Users:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a sharp display, high-quality audio, and advanced video recording capabilities.
- Mobile Photographers: Users who value a high-resolution primary camera, macro photography, and extensive manual camera controls.
- Power Users: Individuals who appreciate fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse charging features for convenience.
- Users who prefer standard form factor: People that do not require a foldable device.
- Price Conscious: Likely to be more budget friendly due to its older age.
Google Pixel Fold Ideal Users:
- Multitaskers: Individuals who need a larger display for productivity tasks like editing documents, working with spreadsheets or using multiple apps simultaneously.
- Content Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos, browsing the web, or reading on a larger screen.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want to experience the latest in foldable phone technology with an innovative form factor.
- Users who prefer newer Android: Individuals who value the latest version of Android.
- Users who want more Storage: People who want the larger storage option of 512GB.
Specific Use Cases:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Ideal for capturing high-resolution photos and videos, mobile gaming, and day-to-day tasks where fast charging is beneficial.
- Google Pixel Fold: Best for business travelers or those who frequently multitask, consume media, or need a tablet-like experience in a portable format.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you value a large, foldable screen more than lightweight design and sharp display?
- Do you prioritize fast charging and a greater camera feature set, or is a telephoto lens and larger storage more critical?
- Are you more concerned about cutting-edge, foldable technology or a traditional flagship phone with more advanced specifications?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need a high-performance, more traditional smartphone and value fast charging and camera versatility: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- If you want the unique experience of a foldable device with a large display for multitasking and media consumption and telephoto camera: Choose the Google Pixel Fold.
- If price is a key factor: The Xiaomi Mi 11 may be a more affordable option due to it's older age.
- If you need the latest Android version: Choose Google Pixel Fold.
Final Choice
If I were to choose, I would lean towards the Google Pixel Fold. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 has some compelling advantages like a sharper display, faster charging and better camera versatility, the foldable form factor of the Google Pixel Fold is a game changer. The large display for multitasking and media consumption is very appealing, and the telephoto lens, even with its smaller sensor, makes it more versatile in general use. It is also a newer device with an updated operating system and better mobile DXOmark score. While the weight and charging speed are downsides, the overall experience of a large screen device that can fold into a phone is something that I find more interesting and useful.
