1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 158.8 x 72.8 x 8.5 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 is taller and wider, while Huawei P50 Pro is slightly thicker. P50 Pro may feel more compact in hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 195g | Virtually identical; both phones are relatively lightweight for their size. |
| Build Material | Glass & Metal | Glass & Metal | Both use premium materials. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.6" | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1228x2700 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers significantly sharper image quality and text clarity. |
| PPI | 515 | 450 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a noticeably crisper display, beneficial for reading and detailed content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar visual quality overall. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing gaming and general UI experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11's display is significantly more readable outdoors in bright sunlight. The Huawei P50 Pro's brightness is missing, limiting analysis of visibility in different lighting conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Kirin 9000 | Different chipsets, but both are high-end; Xiaomi Mi 11 has a marginally better CPU for overall responsiveness |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 697,566 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a slightly higher benchmark score for smoother day-to-day usage and better performance in intensive tasks like gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G78 MP24 | Different GPUs, impacting graphics performance; Adreno 660 typically fares better in gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a higher megapixel count for more detail when cropping, while P50 Pro has a wider aperture which might perform better in low-light settings |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.55" | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a larger sensor for better light capture and potentially improved image quality, especially in low light. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Huawei P50 Pro has larger pixels, capturing more light per pixel for improved low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 13MP | Xiaomi Mi 11 has higher resolution selfie camera for more detailed selfies |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.4 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 64MP | Huawei P50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 captures more of a scene in a single shot, useful for landscapes and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 can capture close-up detailed shots of small objects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 13MP | Huawei P50 Pro offers the convenience of capturing both wide angle and macro shots with single lens. |
| Black & White Lens | No | 40MP | Huawei P50 Pro offers dedicated Black & White camera for specific artistic styles and potentially improved low light. |
| Video Resolution | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 allows for higher resolution video recording. |
| Slow-motion Video | 480fps | 960fps | Huawei P50 Pro has the ability to capture more detailed slow-motion shots. |
| DxOMark Score | Selfie: 112 | Mobile: 143, Selfie: 144 | Huawei P50 Pro has significantly better overall camera performance, particularly for its main camera system. |
| Additional Camera Features | Laser AF, AF assist Beam | Optical zoom, PDAF, CDAF, LAF, Dual front camera, Exposure compensation, Night Mode | Huawei P50 Pro has more advanced focusing and more versatile shooting modes. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4360mAh | Xiaomi Mi 11 has slightly larger battery capacity, potentially leading to longer usage. |
| Charging | 55W wired, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 66W wired, 50W wireless, Reverse wireless | Huawei P50 Pro charges faster with the included charger. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 2*2250mAh | Reverse wireless charging | Both offer wireless charging, Xiaomi offers more reverse charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI for better visual clarity, making text and images appear crisper, ideal for reading and detailed content.
- Brighter Screen: Significantly higher peak brightness, improving outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. This is a major advantage for users in sunny climates.
- Higher Benchmarks: A slightly higher AnTuTu score indicating better performance for demanding apps and gaming.
- 8K Video Recording: The ability to record videos in 8K resolution which is better for content creators.
- Wider Variety of Sensors Offers a Heart Rate sensor and Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor.
Huawei P50 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: Significantly better performance in photo and video, as demonstrated by DXOMark scores, with more versatile lenses (telephoto, wide-angle + macro, and a dedicated B&W sensor).
- Faster Charging: 66W wired charging is faster than the 55W offered by Xiaomi.
- More versatile camera Has additional features like optical zoom and dual front camera.
- More Storage Options: Offers a 512GB variant for users needing maximum storage.
- Better Slow-motion video: Can capture detailed slow motion shots at 960fps.
- Additional Sensor: Offers Barometer, Gravity, Hall, RGB sensors.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 users get a sharper, brighter screen, but sacrifices advanced camera versatility, charging speed, and slow motion capability.
- Huawei P50 Pro users gain camera prowess and faster charging, but have less visible display outdoors and lower display sharpness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Those who watch videos, browse content, or play games often on their phone. The larger, higher-resolution, and brighter display makes it ideal for enjoying content, especially outdoors.
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want a slightly better benchmarked performance, useful for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Users looking for a more complete sensor package: For users who want the extra heart rate sensor and ultrasonic proximity sensor.
Use Cases:
- Outdoor navigation and usage in bright sunlight due to the high brightness display.
- Gaming on a bigger, sharper screen with smoother performance.
- Daily content consumption like browsing and videos.
Huawei P50 Pro Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize versatile camera systems with superior image quality, optical zoom, and advanced features.
- Users who appreciate fast charging: Users who value fast charging to minimize downtime.
- Users with demanding storage needs: Users who require more than 256 GB of internal storage.
- Users looking for better slow motion video: The ability to capture more detailed slow-motion shots at 960fps would appeal to users interested in video.
- Users who want a more versatile set of sensors: For users who want Barometer, Gravity, Hall, and RGB sensors.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography or videography.
- Capturing detailed photos with zoom capabilities and various shooting styles.
- Quickly charging the phone during busy days.
- Storing high amounts of videos and photos.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality for outdoor usage?
- If outdoor visibility is crucial, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the superior choice.
- What are your camera needs?
- If a versatile, high-quality camera with superior image quality is essential, the Huawei P50 Pro excels.
- Is fast charging a priority?
- If so, Huawei P50 Pro has the edge over the Xiaomi Mi 11.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the frequent traveler/outdoor user: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its display brightness.
- For the aspiring photographer: Choose the Huawei P50 Pro for its versatile camera system.
- For the gaming enthusiast: Both are good, but Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a slight edge with its better benchmark scores.
- For the user who values high storage: Choose Huawei P50 Pro as it offers a 512GB variant.
My Choice and Explanation
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Huawei P50 Pro. While I value a great display, especially outdoors, the overall camera system of the Huawei P50 Pro is significantly more appealing to me. The superior performance in photo and video, coupled with the more versatile lens setup (telephoto, wide angle + macro, B&W), aligns better with my use case. Furthermore, the faster charging is also a key benefit, which makes my daily usage more efficient.
Although the Xiaomi Mi 11 has a slightly sharper and brighter screen, I do not work outdoors daily, so the difference for me would be minimal. I also prefer the additional storage that the P50 Pro offers as I store lots of media on my devices. Finally, the improved slow motion video of the P50 Pro is a nice to have which is missing from Xiaomi Mi 11.
