Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 vs. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-01 | 2022-03-04 | The Motorola is newer by over a year, potentially offering more updated software and features at launch. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm | Xiaomi is slightly taller and thinner while the Motorola is wider and thicker; consider if you prefer a slimmer or more substantial feel. |
| Weight | 196g | 196g | Both phones feel similar in hand regarding weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Xiaomi offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Xiaomi's higher resolution will result in a sharper, clearer image with more detail, especially noticeable with small text and high-res images. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 393 ppi | Xiaomi has a sharper display, meaning less visible individual pixels. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; slight differences in power efficiency but mostly negligible. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola's higher refresh rate will result in a slightly smoother experience when scrolling or playing fast-paced games. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi offers significantly better visibility under direct sunlight due to its much higher maximum brightness. Note: Motorola's brightness is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola offers a newer, more powerful and slightly more efficient processor resulting in better performance across most tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,061,400 | Motorola will provide noticeably faster app loading and better responsiveness in demanding applications due to better benchmark performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Motorola will have an edge in graphically intensive tasks like gaming, offering better frame rates and more detail. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 4800 mAh | Motorola has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a slightly longer usage time depending on real-world usage. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging | 68W fast charging | Motorola charges slightly faster, meaning less time waiting to get back to full power. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless | Xiaomi has significantly faster wireless charging and reverse wireless, great if you utilize these features, while Motorola has a lower but capable wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Main | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | Xiaomi captures higher-resolution photos with a larger sensor. Motorola captures more light in individual pixels due to their larger size. |
| Selfie Main | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.61µm | Motorola will capture more detailed selfies with a higher-resolution sensor, while Xiaomi has a slightly better aperture in low light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape shots, something the Motorola lacks. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Motorola has a dedicated depth sensor, which can improve the quality of portrait shots with background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5", 1.12µm | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated macro lens to capture close-up photos of small objects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Motorola has a dedicated ultrawide and macro camera that allows the phone to take wide-angle or close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K/60fps, with HDR & EIS | Up to 8K/60fps, with HDR & EIS | Both offer high-quality video recording; The Motorola offers a 960fps slow-motion option compared to the 480fps on the Xiaomi. |
| DXOMARK Scores | Xiaomi has Selfie score: 112, photo: 100, video: 133 | Motorola has Mobile score: 101, photo: 107, video: 102 | DXOMARK gives the Xiaomi a higher Selfie score overall, while the Motorola has a slightly better overall score. |
| Features | Laser AF, AF assist Beam, RAW | Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual PDAF, Exposure compensation, Night Mode | Motorola has additional focusing and exposure features, as well as a dedicated night mode. Xiaomi allows for RAW capture and has an AF assist beam. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Motorola starts with a newer version of Android, but will have one less upgrade than the Xiaomi. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Xiaomi offers MiMO features, potentially resulting in faster and more stable WiFi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, aptX, LDAC | 5.2, aptX, LDAC, SBC | Both have good Bluetooth options; Motorola supports SBC. |
| GPS | More satellite systems | Fewer satellite systems | Xiaomi should have better location accuracy in more areas with its more comprehensive satellite system. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Motorola has a 512GB version, offering more storage for those needing it. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both provide sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking; performance would be the same. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, which might be a drawback for those with large media libraries. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Motorola has spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, better audio separation and immersion. Xiaomi has Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Motorola offers a faster and more convenient side-mounted fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi has superior screen protection; will be more scratch and shatter resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Biometric: Fingerprint, Heart Rate; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi has a heart rate sensor, Motorola features a standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Significantly higher resolution and pixel density for a more detailed viewing experience.
- Brighter Screen: Much higher maximum brightness, making it far superior in bright sunlight.
- Faster Wireless Charging: Significantly faster wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Wider Angle and Macro Lenses: Provides dedicated lenses for different creative photography options.
- More GPS Systems: More accurate location tracking.
- Better Screen Protection: Has the latest generation gorilla glass on screen
- Selfie Camera DXOMARK: Has a better selfie score than the Motorola.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Newer and Faster Chipset: More processing power for demanding apps and games.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Slightly smoother visual experience, especially for gamers.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life due to the larger capacity.
- Faster Wired Charging: Faster charging speeds, minimizing downtime.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Better details in selfie photos.
- More Storage Options: 512GB storage option for users with many files.
- Better Audio Features: Dolby Atmos with more microphones for better audio capture.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor: Convenient and ergonomic.
- Night mode feature: Takes clear photos even in low light.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: Loses out on performance and battery life compared to the Motorola, and the screen won't be as smooth.
- Motorola: Loses the sharp, bright display of the Xiaomi and dedicated macro and ultrawide lenses, settling for a combo lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Ideal Users: Media consumers who prioritize display quality, those who frequently take pictures in daylight or bright conditions, or those that use the wireless charging feature. Users who want the sharpest display possible.
- Use Cases: Watching high-resolution videos, browsing, outdoor photography, using wireless charging and reverse charging frequently.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for display quality and features, but the older processor might impact the value to a user wanting the latest and greatest performance.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro:
- Ideal Users: Gamers, power users, users who use the camera often, and those who need long battery life.
- Use Cases: Gaming, running demanding apps, all-day use without frequent charging, taking selfies and video.
- Price-to-Value: High value for gamers and power users with a focus on performance, battery life, and camera. The missing display quality might be a trade-off worth taking for some.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is display quality to you? If the highest possible resolution and brightness are critical, the Xiaomi is the better choice. If you care less about display sharpness and care more about speed and battery life, the Motorola is the better pick.
- How important is the most powerful performance? The Motorola will be noticeably faster in daily usage and games due to the new chip. The Xiaomi's processor is still great, but not as great.
- What are your camera priorities? Do you need a wide-angle and macro lens, or is having better focusing, night mode and a higher resolution selfie camera more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Photography and Media: Choose the Xiaomi for its superior screen brightness and sharp resolution.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Performance: Choose the Motorola for its higher refresh rate, faster processor, and better GPU.
- Scenario 3: All-day Battery Life: Choose the Motorola due to it's slightly larger battery.
- Scenario 4: Best Overall Camera Performance: Choose the Motorola for better focusing and a higher-resolution selfie camera.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 has a fantastic display and wireless charging, the Motorola's newer processor, larger battery, faster charging, better selfie camera, audio, and software updates makes it a more well-rounded package that I personally value more. The performance difference is also significant, and as a power user, I'd prefer the faster experience. I also prioritize battery life over a sharper display in most use cases. Ultimately, both are fantastic phones, and my decision is based on my specific usage preferences.
