1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 is slightly taller and wider, Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is a bit thicker, differences are minor, impacting grip and pocketability slightly. |
| Weight | 196g | 198.5g | Negligible difference in weight, both feel similar in hand. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-folding smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.67" | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Xiaomi Mi 11's higher resolution results in sharper images and text, noticeably clearer for reading and detailed viewing. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a significantly sharper display with more detail and smoother text rendering. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. The difference is minor and barely noticeable. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers slightly smoother scrolling and animation, particularly noticeable in games. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1250 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 provides better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra's newer chip offers significantly faster processing, better power efficiency, and improved performance in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,231,300 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra's GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming and demanding graphical tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 200MP, f/1.95, 1/1.22", 0.64µm | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra captures more detailed images due to higher resolution. Xiaomi Mi 11's wider aperture might perform slightly better in low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.64µm | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra captures much higher detailed selfies with a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/1.6 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra provides optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without digital zoom artifacts. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra has a much higher-resolution wide-angle, capturing more detail in landscape shots, but with a smaller pixel size. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5", 1.12µm | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 can capture detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both can record high-resolution videos. Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers slightly higher slow-motion capabilities. |
| DXOMark Selfie | Score: 112 | Not Available | Xiaomi Mi 11's selfie camera quality is tested, which shows its capabilities. |
| Features | OIS, EIS, Laser AF, Continuous AF | OIS, EIS, PDAF, Optical Zoom, Night Mode | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers more advanced focus (PDAF), optical zoom and night mode for low light scenarios. Xiaomi has ultra-stable video and laser autofocus. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4610mAh | Both phones should offer similar battery life for typical daily use. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | 125W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 2*2250mAh | None (besides 50W/10W wireless) | Both have wireless and reverse wireless charging. Xiaomi's battery is split into two cells, which is better for battery health and efficiency. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offer a noticeably crisper and more detailed viewing experience.
- Brighter Screen: Better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight due to higher brightness.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens allows for capturing detailed close-up shots.
- Dual Cell Battery: Xiaomi has a dual-cell battery, which is better for the battery's health and efficiency.
- Tested Selfie Camera: With a DXOMark score for its selfie camera, users have a better idea of the selfie quality.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer chipset provides superior speed, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Superior Main Camera: 200MP main sensor captures more detailed images.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens enables optical zoom for closer shots without quality loss.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution, wider aperture and a larger sensor for better image quality.
- Faster Charging: 125W fast charging reduces charging times significantly.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display offers slightly smoother animations and scrolling.
- Advanced Focus: Features like Phase detection autofocus (PDAF) for faster, more accurate focusing.
- Night Mode: Allows for enhanced images in low-light conditions.
Trade-offs
- Xiaomi Mi 11: The older chipset and lower performance compared to the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra: Lacks a dedicated macro lens, lower screen resolution and brightness compared to the Xiaomi Mi 11.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User
- Media Consumers: Those who prioritize a sharp and immersive display for watching videos, reading, or browsing content.
- Casual Photographers: Those who appreciate a versatile camera system with a macro lens for close-up shots.
- Budget-Conscious: Users seeking a premium display and camera experience without the highest cost.
- Users needing great outdoor screen visibility: Users who would prefer a brighter screen with higher nits for visibility in direct sunlight.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows in high resolution.
- Capturing detailed close-up photos of objects and nature.
- Everyday browsing and social media use where display clarity is important.
- Users who are on the go in very bright conditions.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Ideal User
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and power users who demand the fastest possible performance and smooth multitasking.
- Photography Lovers: Those who want a versatile camera with high resolution, a dedicated telephoto lens, and excellent low-light capabilities.
- Users needing a quick charge: The fast 125W charging is great for on-the-go users with busy schedules.
- Users who prioritize smooth visuals: Higher refresh rate is beneficial for gamers and anyone who wants a smoother experience.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various scenarios.
- Frequent travelers who need fast charging on the go.
- Users who appreciate smooth scrolling and animations.
- Users who want the best low-light capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Display? Do you prioritize the fastest possible performance and multitasking (Motorola) or a higher resolution, brighter display (Xiaomi)?
- Zoom or Macro? Do you need optical zoom for distant shots (Motorola) or the ability to capture extreme close-ups (Xiaomi)?
- Charging Speed or Battery Efficiency: Is fast charging crucial (Motorola), or do you prefer a dual-cell battery that can potentially improve long term battery health (Xiaomi)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Media Consumer: If you value display quality and don't need top-tier performance, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is a good pick.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Camera Enthusiast: If you need the fastest performance and better camera flexibility, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User Needing Fast Charging: If you are always on the go and need super-fast charging, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is better suited.
- Scenario 4: Detail Oriented User: If you need the absolute best clarity for reading and viewing, and would prefer better outdoor visibility, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is better suited.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
Here's why: While the Xiaomi Mi 11 boasts a sharper display and a macro lens, the improvements offered by the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra in performance, camera versatility with telephoto, and especially its significantly faster charging are more appealing for my typical usage scenarios. I value the snappier experience of the newer processor for daily multitasking and gaming, and I often find myself taking pictures in a variety of situations where the versatility of the camera system on the Motorola would be a huge benefit. Moreover, the much faster charging is a practical advantage that would make my daily life easier. I often appreciate the benefits of optical zoom for getting better image quality at a distance. The 144hz display refresh rate is also a benefit to me, as I enjoy a smoother experience, especially while gaming. Ultimately, I prioritize a combination of performance, camera versatility, and convenience, all of which lean towards the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
