1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Mi 11 and Huawei Mate 50 Pro, focusing on real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Physical Size | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 162.1 × 75.5 × 8.5 mm | Xiaomi is slightly taller and thinner, while the Mate 50 Pro is slightly wider and thicker. Differences are minimal for daily use. |
| Weight | 196g | 205g | Xiaomi Mi 11 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable for prolonged use. |
| Build Material | Not Specified | Not Specified | The build materials are not specified so the feel and perceived quality in hand cannot be compared |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.74" | Negligible difference in screen size. Both offer immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1212x2616 | Xiaomi's display will be noticeably sharper and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 428 PPI | Xiaomi has noticeably sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar high-quality display tech. Expect vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi is significantly better for outdoor use in direct sunlight. The Huawei brightness spec is missing and should be investigated further. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Mate 50 Pro has a newer, more efficient chip, but it is only 4G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,022,043 | Mate 50 Pro is faster for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Mate 50 Pro has a more powerful GPU for smoother gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" | Xiaomi has higher resolution, but Huawei has wider aperture and slightly larger pixel size. Huawei is likely better in low light |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 13MP, f/2.4, sensor size not provided | Xiaomi offers higher resolution and a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Available | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | Mate 50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, a feature missing on the Xiaomi. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | 12MP, f/2.2, sensor size not provided | Similar wide-angle performance, with slightly wider aperture on Huawei |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | Not Available | Xiaomi offers dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xiaomi can record higher resolution videos. Huawei has more slow motion options. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | Not Available | 149 | Huawei performs exceptionally well in mobile camera tests. |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | 112 | 145 | Huawei's Selfie camera performs better in tests. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4700mAh | Both have similar battery capacities offering comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Mate 50 Pro charges slightly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 50W | Both offer fast wireless charging capabilities. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 10W | 7.5W | Xiaomi provides slightly faster reverse wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density results in a sharper, clearer screen, crucial for reading and viewing detailed content.
- Brighter Display: Significantly brighter screen makes it usable in direct sunlight.
- 8K Video Recording: Higher resolution video recording for professional content creation.
- More RAM (12GB): Faster multitasking and better performance with demanding apps, especially the higher RAM variant.
- Hi-Res Audio and Dual Microphones: Enhanced audio recording and playback capabilities.
- Wider variety of GPS systems supported: Better location accuracy.
- Additional sensors: Heart Rate, Ultrasonic proximity virtual
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Advantages:
- Newer & More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers faster performance in daily tasks, faster app loading and gaming.
- Superior Camera System: Better main camera (in low light, according to the results in the "camera" section), telephoto lens and better selfie camera performance.
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster wired charging for quicker top-ups.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher DXOMark score, indicating superior photo and video quality.
- More internal Storage: 512GB option offers more space for media and files
- Additional Sensors: Barometer and better Proximity sensors.
- Optical zoom: Offers more range for photographers.
- Night Mode: Better pictures taken in low light conditions
Significant Trade-offs
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Lower camera performance, No telephoto lens.
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Missing brightness specifications, no macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize screen quality and brightness for watching videos or browsing the web in different lighting conditions.
- Gamers: Benefit from high refresh rate and high RAM options.
- Everyday Users: Those who prioritize sharp display, and don't require high quality photos or optical zoom in their mobile photography.
- Budget Conscious: A potentially more affordable option, depending on current prices.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value camera quality, optical zoom, and low-light performance.
- Performance Seekers: Users who need smooth performance for heavy multitasking and gaming.
- Professionals: Those who can benefit from high quality picture and videos and who need the highest amount of internal storage possible.
- Those who prefer a more comprehensive sensor suite: For advanced features.
Use Cases:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Watching movies outdoors, casual gaming, everyday tasks, and video recording at home.
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Professional photography, mobile gaming, multitasking demanding applications, and detailed work in low light conditions.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display sharpness and brightness for your daily use?
- How often do you use your phone for photography, and do you need optical zoom?
- Do you need the most cutting-edge gaming performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Media Consumption): If a very sharp and bright screen is crucial for watching videos and browsing, choose the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Scenario 2 (Photography): If capturing high-quality photos and videos with zoom capabilities is a priority, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is better.
- Scenario 3 (Gaming & Performance): If you need faster performance and the latest chipset the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is a better choice, but if you are looking for more RAM, the Xiaomi Mi 11's 12GB option may be more appealing.
- Scenario 4 (All-Around): If you need an all-around phone with good enough performance, and don't require outstanding photo quality or optical zoom the Xiaomi Mi 11 is a better choice, as it is more cost effective.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
My Reasoning:
- Camera Priority: As someone who values mobile photography, the significantly better camera performance of the Mate 50 Pro (better low-light capabilities, telephoto lens, higher DxOMark score) is a crucial factor.
- Performance Edge: While the Mi 11 has more RAM in its higher configuration, the Mate 50 Pro has a newer more efficient processor, which should result in better overall performance for demanding tasks and games.
- Future Proofing: The newer tech in the Mate 50 Pro will most likely keep it relevant for longer than the Mi 11.
- Internal Storage: The 512GB option provides more space for media and files.
While the Mi 11's brighter and sharper display would be nice, the Mate 50 Pro excels in areas that align more with my needs. If display quality and brightness was more of a priority than camera performance, the Mi 11 would be a valid consideration.
