1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Very similar size. The nova Y90 is slightly thicker, may feel marginally bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 195g | Virtually identical weight, no noticeable difference in portability. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus Screen | Unknown Screen Protection | Mi 11's screen has superior scratch resistance and durability. Y90 screen protection is unspecified. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Mi 11 offers a marginally larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2388 | Mi 11 has a much sharper and clearer display, noticeably better for detailed content, text, and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 391 | Mi 11 offers a significantly crisper image, more comfortable for prolonged reading and viewing of detailed graphics. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Mi 11 displays deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast. Superior for media consumption in all lighting conditions. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11's smoother scrolling and animations are visibly more fluid, particularly noticeable during gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 is significantly better for outdoor use, with superior visibility in bright sunlight. The Huawei Y90 brightness is not specified, limiting comparisons. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) | Mi 11's chipset offers much faster processing, better for demanding games, multitasking and future-proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 249,000 | Mi 11 delivers a significantly smoother experience, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. This is a dramatic performance advantage for the Mi 11. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Mi 11 provides a much more powerful graphics processing, crucial for high-end gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33", 0.8µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.7µm pixel size | Mi 11 captures more detail and better performance in low light due to larger sensor and higher resolution. The Y90 has a slightly wider aperture but smaller sensor size. The Mi 11's much higher pixel count results in sharper photos and more cropping flexibility |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.0, pixel size unknown | Mi 11 takes significantly higher quality selfies with more detail and clarity, but less low-light performance, due to the smaller aperture. The Huawei Y90's pixel size is unknown, limiting direct comparison. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06", 1.12µm pixel size | Not available | Mi 11 captures wider landscape shots, a versatile feature. The Y90 does not offer this capability |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5", 1.12µm pixel size | Not available | Mi 11 can take close-up shots with good detail; the Y90 lacks this feature. |
| Secondary Camera | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size unknown | Y90 has additional depth sensing camera, the practical advantage is minimal given the low resolution and pixel size. |
| Tertiary Camera | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size unknown | Y90 has additional depth sensing camera, the practical advantage is minimal given the low resolution and pixel size. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, Slow-motion 480fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion 30fps | Mi 11 offers dramatically better video recording, with higher resolution, HDR, EIS, and a range of frame rates, suitable for professional-grade videography. The Y90 is limited to Full HD recording. |
| DxOMark Selfie | Overall: 112, Photo: 100, Video: 133 | Not available | Mi 11's selfie camera is rated well for photos and excellent for videos, according to DxOMark. Y90 has no publicly available score for comparison. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Laser AF, RAW | PDAF, Exposure Compensation | Mi 11 has advanced camera features like OIS for steadier shots and RAW for editing, while Y90 offers phase detection for faster focusing, and exposure compensation for manual control over lighting |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | Y90 has a slightly larger battery, which might lead to longer battery life, but depends heavily on real usage patterns and software optimisation. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 40W Fast Charging | Mi 11 charges significantly faster with its 55W wired and 50W wireless charging. The Y90 is slower with 40W, and lacks wireless charging capabilities. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 2*2250mAh | Non-removable | Mi 11 offers versatile power options with reverse charging and ability to charge compatible devices. Y90 lacks such features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, significantly higher resolution and pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and very high brightness provide a vastly better viewing experience, especially in bright conditions.
- Much Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset and Adreno 660 GPU offer vastly higher performance, making it better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, wide-angle, and macro lenses, plus superior video recording capabilities (up to 8K) and stabilization, make it much more versatile.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 55W fast wired charging, 50W wireless, and reverse wireless charging allow for faster charging and greater versatility.
- More Advanced Features: Superior Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and audio features, plus additional sensors, provide a more versatile and high-end experience.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Slightly larger battery, which may translate to longer usage times if software optimisation is effective.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Slightly more convenient placement than a basic fingerprint sensor, but this is a subjective advantage.
- Lower Price Point: It is likely that the Y90 would have a significantly lower price than the Mi 11, being a mid-range phone.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11: Slightly smaller battery capacity, and likely a higher price.
- Huawei nova Y90: Significantly lower performance, lower-quality display, inferior camera system, slower charging, and lacks key high-end features present in the Mi 11.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, and media consumers who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games with smooth frame rates.
- Creating and editing high-resolution video content.
- Consuming media, enjoying vivid colors and crisp details.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight, where high brightness is necessary.
- Users who want wireless charging and reverse wireless charging options.
- Demanding multitasking and running resource intensive applications.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a premium experience and advanced features, justifying its higher price point.
Huawei nova Y90:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a reliable daily driver, not requiring high performance or advanced features.
- Use Cases:
- Basic communication and social media browsing.
- Casual photo-taking, not requiring high image quality.
- Users who prioritise battery life and want a functional phone.
- Everyday use for general tasks, without gaming or heavy workloads.
- Price-to-Value: Provides basic functionality at a lower price, suitable for cost-conscious buyers, making compromises on high-end features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary use case for the phone? (e.g., gaming, photography, general use)
- What is your budget?
- What features do you value the most? (e.g., display quality, camera performance, battery life, charging speed)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (High Performance): If gaming, video editing, and overall speed are essential, choose the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Scenario 2 (Budget Conscious): If you are on a tight budget and need a basic functional phone, choose the Huawei nova Y90.
- Scenario 3 (Media Consumption): If you prioritise display quality for media consumption (streaming, browsing), choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 due to its vastly superior AMOLED panel, resolution and brightness.
- Scenario 4 (Battery Life): If battery life is the single most important factor, and you are not bothered by having less performance or features, the Huawei nova Y90 is a reasonable choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. My decision is based on the fact that while the Huawei nova Y90 has a larger battery, it is vastly outmatched in almost all other important categories. For my use cases, which includes high performance gaming, photography and daily usage, the dramatically superior screen quality, the faster processor, the significantly better cameras, and the wireless charging features, makes the Xiaomi Mi 11 the obvious choice. The trade-off in battery size, while slightly significant in numbers, can easily be resolved by simply charging the phone throughout the day or using a fast charger. However, I can't upgrade the inferior screen, cameras or performance of the Y90, so for my needs, the Mi 11 is a no-brainer.
