1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm | Mi 11 is slightly taller; Nova 8i is a bit thicker. Both feel similar in hand due to almost identical widths. |
| Weight | 196g | 190g | Nova 8i is negligibly lighter (6g difference), potentially making it slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Mi 11 offers superior screen protection; Huawei's screen protection is unknown, which might be a point of concern. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.67" | Mi 11 has a slightly larger screen, offering a bit more viewing area for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2376 | Mi 11's significantly higher resolution makes text and images much sharper; better for detailed content consumption. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 391 PPI | Mi 11's higher PPI provides a noticeably crisper display with better clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Mi 11 has vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes, ideal for media consumption. Nova 8i has traditional LCD display. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Mi 11 provides much smoother animations and scrolling, making the user experience feel more fluid; great for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 has vastly superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Huawei's brightness spec is unavailable. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mi 11's flagship chip offers significantly faster performance for all tasks; games, app loading and multitasking are noticeably smoother. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 201,000 | Mi 11 offers vastly superior performance, reflected in dramatically higher benchmark scores. Much more future-proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Mi 11's GPU provides superior graphics performance, crucial for high-end gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP f/1.85, 1/1.33" Samsung S5KHMX | 64MP f/1.9 | Mi 11 captures more detailed images with its higher resolution sensor, particularly in good lighting. Mi 11's wider aperture helps in low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP f/2.3, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 16MP f/2.0 | Mi 11 has higher selfie resolution, capturing more detail; Nova 8i's wider aperture will provide brighter photos in low light. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP f/2.3, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10 | 8MP f/2.2 | Mi 11 has higher wide-angle resolution, capturing more detailed wide shots. Nova 8i has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.0, 1/5" Samsung S5K5E9 | 2MP f/2.4 | Mi 11's macro lens offers higher resolution, capturing more detailed close-up shots; also has a wider aperture. |
| Depth Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Nova 8i has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects, while Mi 11 relies on software for depth estimation. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@240fps | 1080p@30fps | Mi 11 records videos at significantly higher resolutions and frame rates, also has EIS. Nova 8i is limited to 1080p recording. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Laser AF, 8K Video, RAW, EIS | PDAF, Quadruple Camera | Mi 11 has advanced features such as OIS for better low light photos, laser autofocus, and RAW capabilities. Nova 8i has a quadruple camera setup and PDAF. |
| DxoMark Score (Selfie) | Main:112, Photo: 100, Video: 133 | Not tested | Mi 11's selfie camera performance is very good. Nova 8i's camera has not been evaluated by DxoMark. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 4300 mAh | Mi 11 has a slightly larger battery, likely offering marginally longer usage times between charges. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Nova 8i charges faster than Mi 11, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse | Non-removable | Mi 11 has wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, offering greater convenience, Huawei lacks these features. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 10 | Mi 11 runs a newer OS version (upgradable to 14), meaning more features and better app compatibility. Huawei is older, and its max version is unavailable. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Mi 11 supports faster Wi-Fi speeds with better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Mi 11 supports a newer bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | Dual-Band L1+L5 | Single-Band | Mi 11 provides better accuracy, especially in dense urban areas and more demanding navigation scenarios. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | Mi 11 offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6 GB | Mi 11 offers more RAM, providing a smoother multitasking experience for heavy users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers Hi-Res Audio, while Nova 8i offers Noise cancellation microphone, both have Stereo speakers |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Side-Mounted Fingerprint | Huawei's fingerprint scanner is more practical for everyday use; Xiaomi offers a basic fingerprint scanner. |
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Ultrasonic proximity | Proximity, Gravity | Mi 11 has a more complete sensor suite including Heart Rate sensor, and Ultrasonic proximity. Nova 8i has Proximity and Gravity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, much higher brightness, resulting in crisper images, vibrant colors, smoother animations, and better outdoor visibility.
- Flagship Performance: Significantly faster Snapdragon 888 chipset, leading to smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher-resolution sensors, 8K video recording, and features like OIS and laser autofocus, resulting in better picture quality, versatile video recording options, and improved low light performance.
- Better Battery Features: Wireless and reverse wireless charging provides greater convenience
- More Modern OS: Has a newer and upgradable OS
- More Modern Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Dual-Band GPS.
- More Storage and RAM: Up to 256GB internal storage and 12GB RAM.
Hi-Res Audio: Offers High resolution audio playback.
Practical Implications: The Mi 11 is noticeably better for users who prioritize top-tier performance, display quality for media consumption, photography/videography and future-proofing.
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging provides a quicker top-up time, which can be helpful for people constantly on the go.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Arguably a more convenient and faster way to unlock the phone than a basic fingerprint sensor.
Noise Cancellation Mic Offers better voice clarity in calls.
Practical Implications: The Nova 8i is a more budget-friendly device with faster charging and an arguably more convenient fingerprint scanner. It's suitable for casual users who don't need the best performance and prefer faster charging over wireless options.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Mi 11: Higher cost, slightly heavier, slightly larger than Nova 8i.
- Nova 8i: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, less advanced camera system and a dated OS. Lacks a variety of sensors and advanced connectivity features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Power Users: People who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who watch a lot of videos, movies, and other visual content and appreciate superior display quality.
- Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Users who need a high-quality camera for photos and videos, including 8K footage and advanced stabilization.
Tech Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate the latest features and a modern OS.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming with demanding graphics.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Watching high-resolution content outdoors.
- Using advanced navigation apps with dual-band GPS.
Huawei nova 8i Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a good smartphone with a large screen and fast charging at a more affordable price point.
- Casual Smartphone Users: People who primarily use their phones for social media, basic web browsing, and casual photography.
- Users Prioritizing Battery and Charging: Those who prefer faster charging over advanced features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Web browsing and social media.
- Basic photography and video recording.
- Everyday communication.
- Users who want to quickly charge their phones while on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is my budget? The Mi 11 will cost substantially more than the Nova 8i.
- What are my priorities? Is it top-tier performance, high display quality and advanced camera features, or just a reliable phone with fast charging?
- What is my use case? Will the phone be used primarily for media consumption, gaming, or simple everyday usage?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance is key and budget is secondary. Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its superior processor, display and advanced camera features.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious with a need for fast charging. Choose the Huawei Nova 8i for its fast charging and affordability.
- Scenario 3: Balanced user who prioritizes a quality display for media consumption and decent performance. Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11, as it provides the best balance of these features, though at a higher price.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11. While it comes at a higher cost, the dramatic differences in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and modern features make it the superior choice for a long-term investment. For my needs, I prioritize these advanced features and am willing to pay a premium for a better overall experience. The Mi 11's flagship performance will ensure smooth multitasking and gaming experiences, and its high-quality display will make media consumption far more enjoyable. I also value the wireless charging capabilities for convenience and the advanced camera features for capturing high-quality photos and videos. Though the Huawei is lighter and has faster charging, its compromises in other areas would be too limiting for my needs.
