1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a breakdown of the key specifications of the Xiaomi Mi 11 and Motorola Edge 50 Pro, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 is slightly larger, may be less comfortable for one-handed use; Motorola Edge 50 Pro is more compact |
| Weight | 196g | 186g | Motorola Edge 50 Pro is lighter, potentially more comfortable to hold for extended periods |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Both offer premium glass protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a slightly larger screen, potentially better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1220 x 2712 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a noticeably sharper display due to the higher pixel count; text and images will be crisper |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 446 PPI | Xiaomi Mi 11 has significantly sharper text and image details |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; P-OLED is very similar to AMOLED and shouldn't result in a significantly different viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations; most users may not notice the difference |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2000 nits | Motorola Edge 50 Pro will be significantly more readable under direct sunlight, critical for outdoor use |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Motorola Edge 50 Pro is newer, but the Snapdragon 888 is a higher tier chip. However, the practical performance difference is not that big, with the Motorola phone actually scoring higher in benchmarks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 866,863 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro has a slightly higher score, indicating somewhat better performance for intensive tasks |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 720 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro's newer GPU may offer better graphics performance for gaming and graphically demanding apps |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Xiaomi Mi 11 captures more detail; may be useful for cropping and printing large photos, Motorola's larger pixel size will improve low light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.4 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro should perform better in low light conditions because of the wider aperture |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 50MP | Motorola Edge 50 Pro captures more detail in selfies |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/1.9 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro should perform better in low light |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 10MP (f/2.0) | Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed-in photos |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 13MP (f/2.3) | 13MP (f/2.2) | Motorola Edge 50 Pro slightly wider aperture; both capture similar wide-angle shots |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (f/2.0) | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 can capture close-up shots |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers higher resolution video recording for professional use |
| DXOMark Selfie | Overall: 112, Photo: 100, Video: 133 | Not Tested | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers good selfie camera performance |
| Camera Features | OIS, Laser AF | OIS, PDAF, Optical Zoom | Motorola Edge 50 Pro has better autofocus, Xiaomi has ultra stable video option |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4500mAh | Both should offer similar battery life; real-world usage will vary |
| Charging | 55W | 125W | Motorola Edge 50 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing time spent plugged in |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 50W | Both offer fast wireless charging |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 10W | 10W | Both phones can wirelessly charge other devices |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | Motorola Edge 50 Pro has a newer, more secure operating system and will likely get more future updates |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro has newer Wi-Fi standard that allows higher speeds and greater stability on supported networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version offering greater connection stability and range |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | Less Satellite Systems | Xiaomi Mi 11 will have more accurate location tracking, especially in challenging environments |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers the flexibility of an eSIM, allowing more plans and options |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers significantly more storage; better for users who store large numbers of files, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | Motorola Edge 50 Pro has more RAM which allows better multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos | Both offer excellent audio quality; Dolby Atmos is known for creating an immersive sound experience; Hi-Res audio focuses on fidelity |
| Microphones | 2 | 3 | The Motorola Edge 50 Pro should offer better voice capture quality. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both offer standard biometric security via fingerprint sensors |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Heart Rate sensor, ultrasonic proximity sensor | Standard Proximity Sensor | Xiaomi Mi 11 provides heart rate monitoring and more responsive proximity sensing |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Significantly sharper display with 515 PPI for crisper visuals. This is a big advantage for reading text and for visual fidelity.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers high-resolution video capabilities that are great for professional-grade video content creation.
- Wider Range of GPS: Xiaomi Mi 11's support for more satellite systems offers better location tracking.
- Heart Rate Sensor: This is a unique feature, and may be very appealing to health focused users.
- More advanced proximity sensor The Xiaomi Mi 11 features a more responsive ultrasonic sensor.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Advantages:
- Newer OS: Launched with Android 14, offers access to the latest software and features, alongside additional years of upgrades.
- Brighter Display: 2000 nits of brightness drastically improves outdoor visibility.
- Newer Chipset Although benchmarks slightly favor the Edge 50 Pro, the practical difference is not large.
- Faster Charging: 125W fast charging is much faster and a key advantage for users who want less charging time.
- Telephoto Camera: Offers optical zoom, lacking in the Xiaomi Mi 11, and a larger main camera sensor size for better low light performance.
- More Storage: Storage options go up to 1TB, better for storing large files, photos, and videos.
- More RAM: Up to 16GB of RAM for greater multitasking capabilities.
- Newer Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster and more stable connections.
- eSIM Support: This makes it much easier for people with multiple phone plans.
- Dolby Atmos: Better audio immersion than the Xiaomi offering.
Trade-offs
- Xiaomi Mi 11 sacrifices some display brightness and processing power for a higher resolution screen and 8k video capability.
- Motorola Edge 50 Pro gives up the sharpest display available, a macro camera and 8k video recording for faster performance and better connectivity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a sharp, high-resolution display for watching videos and viewing photos, also those that need 8K video recording.
- Navigation Users: Users who need precise GPS tracking with a high degree of reliability.
- Camera Users: While not the best low-light, the Mi 11's 108MP main sensor and included macro lens are great for versatile photography.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Ideal User:
- Frequent Travelers: Those who need fast charging, a reliable connection, and a very bright screen for outdoor use.
- Power Users: Those who need the latest software, and are looking for a device with the highest degree of responsiveness and multitasking.
- Social Media Content Creators: Users who frequently take selfies, videos and use their phone's camera in low-light conditions.
- Gamers : The faster charging, better GPU and larger RAM will benefit gamers greatly
Use Cases:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Great for graphic designers, photographers, and anyone who consumes media on the go. The higher resolution screen is ideal for professional use.
- Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Ideal for users who are always on the go and need a responsive, fast phone. Perfect for travel, content creation, and heavy gaming.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 is an older phone, and can be found for a lower price than the Motorola Edge 50 Pro.
- The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is more expensive, but offers newer features and technologies that could be worth the additional cost for some users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your main use case? (Media consumption, photography, gaming, daily use)
- How important are cutting edge technologies and features? (Latest OS, faster charging, newer connectivity standards)
- How important is screen clarity? (Highest resolution for sharper images vs brighter for outdoor visibility).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Media Lovers): If you primarily watch movies and videos, the Xiaomi Mi 11's sharper display might be more appealing. However, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro might offer a better experience with it's more advanced audio and high brightness.
- Scenario 2 (Outdoor Use): If you are frequently outdoors and use your phone in direct sunlight, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the clear choice because of it's higher brightness.
- Scenario 3 (Heavy Users): If you prioritize speed, multitasking, and the latest features, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro would be a better option because of its improved processor, faster charging, and larger RAM.
- Scenario 4 (Budget Conscious Users): If you are on a tighter budget, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is a strong contender if you don't mind missing some of the newer technologies.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would pick the Motorola Edge 50 Pro.
Reasoning:
While the Xiaomi Mi 11's higher resolution display and 8K video are appealing, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers a more compelling package for modern usage. The brighter screen is a practical necessity for me, as I often use my phone outdoors. The dramatically faster charging and newer connectivity standards are important quality of life upgrades. The performance and increased RAM are also greatly preferable. Although the Mi 11 has a good camera, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers greater all-round camera capabilities that will suit my photography needs more effectively. I also value having access to the latest software and features, along with improved security and extra storage. While the Mi 11 is a great phone, the Edge 50 Pro offers a clear overall upgrade.
