1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 163 × 76 × 8 mm | Similar size overall, but the Mi 11 is slightly taller, and the Edge 20 Pro is slightly wider. May impact one-handed usage, but differences are marginal. |
| Weight | 196g | 190g | Negligible difference in weight. Both feel fairly substantial but the Edge 20 Pro will be slightly easier to hold for long durations. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Mi 11 offers slightly more screen real estate for content consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 provides a noticeably sharper and more detailed viewing experience. Text and images appear clearer. |
| PPI | 515 | 385 | Mi 11's higher pixel density results in a significantly crisper display, making text and images look sharper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both technologies offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. AMOLED and OLED are similar, practical impact is marginal. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 20 Pro offers slightly smoother animations and scrolling. Can be noticeable in fast-paced content and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits (Data Missing) | Mi 11 has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight, where the Edge 20 Pro's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Mi 11's Snapdragon 888 offers slightly better raw performance, especially in graphics-intensive tasks, but both perform similarly in real-world use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 813,800 | Virtually identical performance in benchmark testing. Both handle demanding apps and games smoothly. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 650 | Mi 11’s slightly newer Adreno 660 GPU allows for better gaming performance in graphically demanding games. The difference will be minor for most use cases. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery life, both should comfortably last a full day with typical usage. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Mi 11 charges significantly faster, reducing time plugged into the wall. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse wireless, 2*2250mAh | Reverse charging | Mi 11 offers more versatile charging options including wireless and reverse wireless charging, beneficial for users with compatible accessories. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" | Mi 11 boasts a larger sensor and wider aperture, suggesting potentially better low-light performance and overall image quality, though software plays a big part. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 32MP, f/2.3 | Edge 20 Pro has a higher-resolution selfie camera, but sensor size is unknown, the Mi 11 also has better quality selfies. The real-world quality will depend on the sensor and software. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 8MP, f/3.4 | Edge 20 Pro provides optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without significant digital distortion. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | No | Mi 11 allows for a wider field of view, capturing more in a single frame; very useful for group shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | No | Mi 11 includes a dedicated macro camera for detailed close-up shots; usefull in specific scenarios. |
| Wide + Macro Lens | No | 16MP, f/2.2 | Edge 20 Pro includes a wide angle and a macro sensor in one module allowing for wide and macro shots from one sensor. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps, EIS, HDR | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS | Similar video capabilities. Mi 11 offers more HDR options, which could result in superior video quality, but both devices allow for professional videography. |
| Slow Motion | 480fps | 960fps | Edge 20 Pro has a higher slow-motion frame rate, capturing more details in fast-moving scenes. |
| DXOMark Score | 112 (Selfie) | Not Available | Xiaomi Mi 11’s selfie camera scored well in DxOMark. Motorola edge 20 Pro’s selfie camera score is not available. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 11 | Mi 11 is guaranteed to get OS updates to Android 14, making it more future proof than the Edge 20 Pro. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards, ensuring high-speed wireless internet. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Mi 11 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, which could translate to slightly better connection stability. Both offer similar sound profiles. |
| GPS | More satellite systems | Fewer satellite systems | Mi 11 can provide better location accuracy due to the use of additional sattelites. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 12GB | Both phones have a high amount of ram. Edge 20 Pro has 12GB as its only option, so for heavy multitasking and demanding games, it could be a better choice. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | Mi 11 offers superior audio quality with enhanced features that improve sound quality. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic | side-mounted | Side-mounted fingerprint sensors are faster than classic fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 features a more durable screen that’s less prone to scratches and damages. |
| Sensors | Heart rate, ultrasonic proximity | Proximity | Mi 11 has a more comprehensive sensor set with a heart rate sensor that can be used for basic health features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, PPI, and significantly better brightness make the display sharper and more visible outdoors.
- Faster Charging & More Battery Features: 55W fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging offer more flexibility.
- Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers deliver a much better audio experience for media consumption.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior scratch and drop protection.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Set: Additional heart rate sensor and ultrasonic proximity sensor offer basic health and faster reaction time features.
- Main Camera Sensor Size: The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a bigger main camera sensor allowing for better quality pictures.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Advantages:
- Slightly Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate offers slightly smoother animations in certain scenarios, but the difference is subtle.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens with optical zoom allows for better zoomed-in shots without loss of quality.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP front-facing camera may result in more detailed selfies, but real world quality depends on software.
- Higher Slow Motion Frame Rate: 960fps allows for more dramatic slow-motion capture.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Faster unlock speeds than traditional fingerprint sensors.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: The Motorola edge 20 Pro combines its wide angle and macro cameras in one module, allowing for high quality macro and wide angle shots.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom.
- Motorola Edge 20 Pro: Has a lower resolution display and its screen brightness is unknown, meaning it may have poor outdoor visibility, has an older generation of bluetooth, has basic audio and does not have a macro or wide angle lens (uses a wide angle + macro).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Ideal Users: Media consumers, gamers, users who value display quality, and those who need fast charging and versatile battery options.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos with vibrant colors and high clarity.
- Playing graphic-intensive games.
- Taking photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Regular outdoor use where high brightness is needed.
- People who enjoy listening to music.
- Users needing fast wireless and reverse wireless charging.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Ideal Users: Photography enthusiasts who want optical zoom, users interested in high frame rate slow motion video, and individuals who prefer a slightly smoother display with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Use Cases:
- Taking zoomed-in photos with the dedicated telephoto lens.
- Capturing high frame rate slow motion footage.
- Users who prefer to unlock the phone by using a side mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Users who take high quality macro and wide angle shots.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality and outdoor visibility? If these are paramount, the Mi 11 is the better choice.
- Do you need optical zoom or slow-motion video capabilities? The Edge 20 Pro excels in these areas.
- How important is fast charging and wireless charging for you? The Mi 11 has much faster charging and more charging options.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Media Consumption & Gaming: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its superior display, audio quality, and more versatile battery features.
- Scenario 2: Photography with Zoom & Slow Motion Focus: Choose the Motorola Edge 20 Pro for its telephoto lens and high slow-motion frame rate.
- Scenario 3: Balanced performance, general user: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its overall better quality and specifications.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11. While the Motorola Edge 20 Pro has its advantages, the Mi 11 offers a more balanced and superior overall experience. The significantly brighter and higher resolution display, combined with the much faster charging, versatile battery features, and better audio, make it a more compelling choice for my daily usage. I prioritize a top-tier display and user-friendly features which outweigh the benefits of the telephoto lens and slightly smoother refresh rate of the Edge 20 Pro. The Mi 11’s higher quality main sensor and screen protection is also a major benefit.
