1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-01 | 2024-04-29 | The Pura 70 Ultra is a much newer device with potentially more modern features and support. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Mi 11 is slightly taller but thinner; Pura 70 Ultra is wider and thicker. Overall similar size, but Pura 70 Ultra might feel more substantial. |
| Weight | 196g | 226g | Mi 11 is significantly lighter, potentially more comfortable for long use. Pura 70 Ultra is heavier, might feel more premium but less convenient. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.8" | Virtually identical screen sizes. No practical difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2844 | Mi 11 has a sharper display. Text and images will appear clearer and more detailed on the Mi 11. |
| PPI | 515 | 460 | Mi 11 has a higher pixel density. The difference might be visible to keen eyes, resulting in slightly crisper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use excellent display tech. Very similar visual quality, rich colours and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, no practical difference. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Ultra is much brighter and offers significantly better outdoor visibility, particularly in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Pura 70 Ultra has a newer chipset, potentially offering better performance and efficiency, but details about the chipset are limited. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 869,707 | Pura 70 Ultra scores higher, indicating potentially smoother overall performance, but the difference is not massive. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPUs; Pura 70 Ultra's GPU might be optimized for Huawei's software, unclear real-world impact. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5200mAh | Pura 70 Ultra has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Pura 70 Ultra charges much faster. Significantly reduced charging times. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 10W reverse | 80W wireless, 20W reverse | Pura 70 Ultra offers faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1" | Mi 11 has higher resolution; Pura 70 Ultra has a larger sensor with larger pixels for better low light and wider aperture. Pura 70 Ultra is likely better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 13MP, f/2.4 | Mi 11 has a higher resolution selfie camera with wider aperture. Mi 11 is likely to capture more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.1 | Pura 70 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities; this is a significant advantage. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7" | Pura 70 Ultra has a higher resolution and larger sensor for better wide-angle images with better details. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | None | Mi 11 includes a dedicated macro lens, a feature not present on the Pura 70 Ultra. |
| Video | Up to 8K 24/30fps | Up to 4k | Mi 11 supports higher resolution video, which is significant for video enthusiasts. Pura 70 Ultra's video capabilities are unclear, but the missing 8k makes it worse in video capabilities. |
| DxOMark | Selfie: 112 | Mobile: 163 | Pura 70 Ultra has a significantly higher overall DxOMark score for its main camera. Mi 11 has a dxomark score only for the selfie camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 14 | Unknown | Mi 11 has Android. Pura 70 Ultra's software is not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer similar Wi-Fi capabilities, no practical difference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, APT-x | 5.2, SBC | Similar Bluetooth version. Mi 11 has more advanced codec support. |
| GPS | Extensive | Extensive | Both offer advanced GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM cards, no practical difference. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 512/1024GB | Pura 70 Ultra offers significantly more storage for large media libraries and apps. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 16GB | Pura 70 Ultra has more RAM, which can improve multitasking, especially with heavy applications and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage, limited flexibility for large data users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo, 2 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Mi 11 has more features like Hi-Res audio and two microphones. Both devices have stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both have standard fingerprint sensors, no practical difference in terms of sensor technology. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Mi 11 has Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Ultrasonic proximity | Proximity, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Mi 11 has a heart rate sensor, while the Pura 70 Ultra has Gravity, Hall and RGB sensors. Both have the basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density, leading to crisper images and text.
- Video Recording: Supports 8K video recording, ideal for video enthusiasts.
- Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for potentially better selfie quality.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- More Advanced Bluetooth Codecs: Supports APT-x for higher quality audio streaming.
- Heart Rate sensor: Dedicated sensor for heart rate measurement.
- Known Screen protection: Gorilla Glass Victus is known for its high resistance to scratches and breaks.
- More Extensive GPS: Supports more satellite systems, resulting in better accuracy.
- More audio features: Hi-Res audio and two microphones.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Advantages:
- Newer Device: Released over 3 years later, likely with newer technologies and software.
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life and better battery endurance due to higher capacity.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging capabilities.
- Superior Main Camera: Larger sensor with larger pixels, resulting in better low-light performance.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens for improved zoom capabilities.
- Higher Storage Options: Comes with significantly more internal storage (512GB or 1024GB).
- More RAM: Higher RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking.
- Better DxOMark Score: The Pura 70 Ultra has a significantly higher DxOMark score for its main camera.
- More Sensors: Gravity, Hall and RGB sensors.
- More advanced charging: 80W wireless charging and 20W reverse wireless charging.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 has better display sharpness and video recording but is outperformed by the Pura 70 Ultra in camera quality and battery performance.
- Pura 70 Ultra does not have a Macro lens.
- The Mi 11 has unknown software updates.
- The Pura 70 Ultra does not have an established screen protection.
- The Mi 11 does not have a telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Video Creators: Users who prioritize high-resolution video recording and want 8K capabilities.
- Selfie Lovers: Users who frequently take selfies and value front-facing camera quality.
- Display Purists: Users who want the sharpest possible display for viewing text and images.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users who value high quality audio.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Might be a more affordable option due to its age, if available on the market.
- Users who value a lighter phone: Prefer a lighter device for better long-term comfort.
Use Cases:
- Creating 8K video content for professional use.
- Capturing high-detail selfies for social media.
- Enjoying media content with very crisp visual details.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality, especially low-light performance and zoom capabilities.
- Heavy Smartphone Users: Users who need excellent battery life and quick charging.
- Outdoor Users: Users who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight.
- Multitaskers: Users who want seamless performance when running multiple apps or games.
- Power Users: Users who require large amounts of storage for apps and media.
- Users who value a modern device: Seek a phone with the latest tech.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos in various lighting conditions, including low-light scenarios.
- Long days away from power outlets with high smartphone usage.
- Enjoying media on a bright display, even outdoors.
- Running demanding applications without performance issues.
- Storing a large collection of photos, videos, and files.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11, being an older device, will likely be more affordable but it lacks advanced features like the telephoto lens, fast charging and the latest software.
- The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra, being a newer flagship phone, is likely to be priced higher, however, it offers advanced camera capabilities, large storage, better battery performance and modern technology.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Is Camera Performance a Priority? If yes, the Pura 70 Ultra, with its superior main camera and telephoto lens, is a better choice. If you need 8K video recording, the Mi 11 might suit you better.
- Is Long Battery Life and Fast Charging Crucial? If yes, the Pura 70 Ultra’s larger battery and significantly faster charging are significant advantages.
- Is Display Sharpness or Outdoor Brightness More Important? If sharp details are more important then the Mi 11 has the better display. For better outdoor visibility, the Pura 70 Ultra is a significantly better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer: The Pura 70 Ultra with its higher dxomark score and better main camera and telephoto lens and the Mi 11 with 8K video recording provide the better options. Depending on the priority, either can be a good choice.
- Scenario 2: Daily Commuter/Heavy User: The Pura 70 Ultra is ideal due to its longer battery life, quick charging, and bright display for outdoor use.
- Scenario 3: Casual User/Social Media: If budget is a major concern, the Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a decent overall experience for less money. However, the selfie camera and the macro camera are a benefit.
- Scenario 4: Heavy Gamer/Multitasker: The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra's 16GB of RAM gives it an advantage when it comes to games and multitasking.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.
Reasoning:
While the Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a sharper display and 8K video recording, which are attractive features, the overall package of the Pura 70 Ultra is more compelling for my usage needs. My primary focus is on the camera's low light performance and its versatility which the Pura 70 Ultra provides with its excellent main camera and telephoto lens. The significantly brighter display is also very useful for outdoor use. Furthermore, the superior battery life and significantly faster charging means that I can easily use the phone all day. While the lack of a macro lens is a drawback, I believe the other advantages outweigh this issue. In conclusion, the Pura 70 Ultra is a more modern device that offers a significant advantage in camera technology, battery performance, display brightness, charging speed, RAM, and storage which suit my needs.
