Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 vs. Honor Magic V3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Honor Magic V3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Honor Magic V3 offers a larger screen that folds for portability, a completely different user experience compared to the standard design of the Xiaomi Mi 11. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 156.6 x 145.3 x 4.35 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 is taller and thicker, while the Honor Magic V3 is significantly wider when unfolded. The Honor Magic V3 when folded is likely more compact than the Xiaomi Mi 11. |
| Weight | 196g | 226g | Xiaomi Mi 11 is lighter by 30g, making it more comfortable for extended handheld use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 7.92" | Honor Magic V3 has a significantly larger display when unfolded, offering more immersive media consumption and multitasking experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 2156x2344 | Honor Magic V3 has a higher pixel count, which can result in sharper images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 402 PPI | Xiaomi Mi 11 has noticeably sharper screen due to higher pixel density, beneficial for reading and detail-oriented tasks. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers superior display technology (AMOLED) with deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors. The Honor Magic V3 display technology is unknown from the data. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones offer a smooth visual experience for animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 5000 nits | Honor Magic V3 offers superior outdoor visibility under bright sunlight, making it better for outdoor usage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | Honor Magic V3 has a newer generation chipset, which will result in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance with better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 2,220,000 | Honor Magic V3 has substantially higher benchmark scores, translating to significantly faster and more responsive performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Honor Magic V3 has a newer, more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics processing performance, ideal for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5150mAh | Honor Magic V3 has larger battery for potentially longer battery life, which is especially important given the bigger screen. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor Magic V3 offers faster charging for quicker battery top-ups. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, Wireless, Reverse Wireless | Wireless | Xiaomi Mi 11 has more versatile charging options, with reverse charging and reverse wireless charging. Both phones support wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a higher resolution sensor; however, resolution is not the only factor determining image quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.6 | Honor Magic V3 captures more light with a wider aperture, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.55" | Xiaomi Mi 11 has larger sensor, potentially better light capture & dynamic range, but other factors matter too. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | Both have identical resolution for selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.2 | Honor Magic V3 has a slightly wider aperture for selfies, which could mean slightly improved low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 50MP f/3.0 | Honor Magic V3 offers optical zoom capabilities which is not present in the Mi 11. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP f/2.3 | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 has an ultrawide lens to capture more of a scene. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.0 | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 40MP f/2.2 | Honor Magic V3 offers a wide angle + macro camera which is not present in Mi 11. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K | Up to 4K | Xiaomi Mi 11 can record videos at a higher resolution up to 8K, better for professional videography. Honor Magic V3 is limited to 4K, but the stabilization is enhanced. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Selfie - 112 | 137 | The Honor Magic V3 demonstrates better overall camera performance compared to the Xiaomi Mi 11 based on available DxOMark results, but only for main cameras. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | Honor Magic V3 comes with a newer version of Android out-of-the-box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both phones offer similar Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Honor Magic V3 has a newer version of Bluetooth, which could offer slightly improved connection stability and efficiency. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | Honor Magic V3 offers the option for an eSIM, providing greater flexibility for mobile plans, particularly useful for travelers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Honor Magic V3 offers significantly more storage capacity options, better for users with large media libraries and apps. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | Honor Magic V3 offers larger RAM configurations for smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has the option for external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | Honor Magic V3 offers a more advanced audio setup with DTS/DTS X for enhanced audio experience and noise cancellation for better calls. Xiaomi Mi 11 does offer Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Honor Magic V3 has a more convenient side-mounted sensor compared to a basic one that Xiaomi Mi 11 has. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 has known, high-quality screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Heart Rate; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a heart rate sensor and an ultrasonic proximity sensor. Honor Magic V3 has a proximity, gravity and Hall sensors. Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a broader range of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (515 PPI) leads to a sharper image quality, beneficial for reading and detailed viewing.
- More versatile charging options: Offers reverse and reverse wireless charging.
- 8K Video Recording: Higher video resolution for professional-grade videography.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens provides specific close up photography capabilities, that the Honor Magic V3 lacks.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Additional sensor for monitoring physical wellbeing.
- Established Standard Smartphone Form Factor: More familiar and potentially robust as a standard smartphone compared to a foldable device.
- Known Screen Protection: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus, offering protection against scratches and minor drops.
Honor Magic V3 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Unique form factor offering a larger screen and the ability to fold for better portability.
- Significantly Better Performance: Newer chipset and higher AnTuTu score for better speed and performance in all tasks.
- Significantly Higher Brightness: 5000 nits brightness makes the display far more usable under direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Larger battery for longer use between charges.
- Faster Charging: Faster wired charging for quick battery replenishment.
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom capabilities for better photography.
- Wide angle + Macro: One lens offers dual functionality not present in Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with a newer version of Android.
- More RAM and Internal Storage Options: Offers configurations of up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
- Enhanced Audio Quality: DTS / DTS X and a noise-canceling microphone for better audio.
- eSIM Support: Provides more flexibility for carrier switching.
- Better camera performance: According to available DxOMark results, it performs better in comparison to Xiaomi Mi 11.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Sacrifices raw performance, brightness, and battery life for a standard form factor, slightly sharper display, better charging versatility, and 8k video. The older chipset also puts this device further behind in terms of software updates.
- Honor Magic V3: Has a higher price point due to being a more complex foldable device, reduced sharpness of display, and sacrifices the 8k video, macro lens, and heart rate sensor of the Mi 11.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Ideal User: Someone who values a sharp display, versatile charging, and is not overly concerned with having the absolute best in-class performance or screen size.
- Use Cases: Daily usage, social media, media consumption, occasional gaming, photography, and videography where 8k video is necessary.
- Price-to-Value: A good option for users looking for a feature-rich device at a lower price point compared to cutting-edge foldable devices.
Honor Magic V3:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiast, heavy multi-tasker, gamer, or anyone who wants the latest and best in mobile technology, and desires a larger screen for improved productivity and media consumption.
- Use Cases: Demanding tasks, gaming, professional video editing, multitasking with multiple apps, immersive media consumption, and travel.
- Price-to-Value: A premium choice with a significant cost, but offers a high-end experience for the price, targeting those who want a cutting-edge experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Form Factor Preference: Do you prioritize portability and a standard smartphone experience, or a large display for enhanced productivity and immersive media in a foldable design?
- Performance Needs: Do you need the best available processing power for heavy multitasking and gaming, or is good performance with a focus on other features sufficient?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need the best main camera possible, including zoom and wide angle, or the ability to record in 8K, even if it sacrifices other camera features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you're looking for a capable device at a more affordable price, the Xiaomi Mi 11 provides great value, a good camera system, and a sharp screen.
- Performance-Focused User: If performance is paramount and budget is not a concern, the Honor Magic V3's latest chipset and higher RAM will provide a superior experience, particularly for heavy use and gaming.
- Media Enthusiast: If you're looking for an immersive experience with the largest possible display, the Honor Magic V3 is the superior option, especially if viewing content outdoors is a priority.
- Photography Enthusiast: If you value macro photography and 8K video, Xiaomi Mi 11 is an okay choice; however, if you value optical zoom, a superior main camera performance, and overall versatility, the Honor Magic V3 is the superior choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Honor Magic V3. While I appreciate the sharp display of the Xiaomi Mi 11, the performance, battery life, and superior camera system and, more importantly, the significantly brighter screen of the Honor Magic V3 are major factors. The foldable form factor, while increasing the cost, offers a unique experience with a larger screen for more immersive media and multitasking, while being relatively more compact when folded. As someone who values a future-proof device with the best possible performance, as well as a great camera for various situations, the Honor Magic V3 fits my needs better, making the additional investment worthwhile.
