Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 vs. Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-01 | 2024-05-15 | Motorola is significantly newer, likely benefiting from updated technology and software. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | Mi 11 is slightly taller and wider, while the Edge 50 Ultra is slightly thicker. The difference is not drastic. |
| Weight | 196g | 197g | Both phones feel very similar in hand, the 1g difference is negligible. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a slightly larger screen, but the difference is marginal and won't drastically impact user experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1220x2712 | Mi 11's display will appear noticeably sharper due to higher pixel density, text and images will look clearer. |
| PPI | 515 | 446 | Mi 11's higher PPI means finer detail and sharper images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer excellent image quality with deep blacks and vibrant colours. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 50 Ultra offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, but the difference isn't huge in everyday usage. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2500 nits | Edge 50 Ultra is much better for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Edge 50 Ultra's newer chipset offers vastly superior performance with better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,523,879 | Edge 50 Ultra is significantly faster, loading apps and multitasking will be noticeably smoother. Suitable for gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 735 | Edge 50 Ultra's GPU provides a massive boost in graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4500mAh | Both should offer similar battery life, likely a full day for moderate use. |
| Charging | 55W | 125W | Edge 50 Ultra will charge much faster, going from 0-100% in much less time. |
| Battery Features | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | Both have similar wireless charging capabilities, no significant difference. Xiaomi Mi 11 has a unique split battery design. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3" | Edge 50 Ultra has wider aperture and larger pixel size for better low light performance despite the lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76" | Edge 50 Ultra has a higher resolution, wider aperture and larger sensor, resulting in better selfie quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.4, 1/2" | Edge 50 Ultra has a telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities that the Mi 11 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" | Edge 50 Ultra's ultra-wide camera offers superior image quality due to significantly higher resolution, wider aperture and larger sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | None | Mi 11 has dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, Edge 50 Ultra lacks this. |
| Video | Up to 8K | Up to 4K | Mi 11 records in 8K video. Both have good video capabilities, but Edge 50 Ultra offers better 1080p slow-motion capability. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 146 | Edge 50 Ultra's camera was tested to perform very well for both photo and video quality |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 112 | N/A | Xiaomi Mi 11 Selfie was tested to perform with good video quality |
| Camera Features | Digital Zoom, OIS, Laser AF, 8K Video, AF assist Beam | Optical zoom, PDAF, Time-Lapse, Night mode, Dual Capture | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a couple of unique features like laser autofocus but overall Edge 50 Ultra provides a better camera feature set. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | Edge 50 Ultra has a newer OS and will receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Edge 50 Ultra has significantly faster and more reliable Wi-Fi due to newer standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Edge 50 Ultra has a more modern Bluetooth version, offering slightly better efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | Less Satellite Systems | Xiaomi Mi 11 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Edge 50 Ultra offers the convenience of eSIM alongside a physical SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 512/1024 GB | Edge 50 Ultra offers significantly more storage, great for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | Edge 50 Ultra offers more RAM for smoother multitasking, especially when using heavy apps or multiple apps at once. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Edge 50 Ultra offers Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience, while the Mi 11 has Hi-Res Audio support for audiophiles. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer fingerprint sensor security, no difference in user experience. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both phones have the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Heart Rate; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Mi 11 has Heart Rate Sensor, while Edge 50 Ultra has Proximity Sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Offers a sharper viewing experience due to significantly higher pixel density and resolution.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of recording high-resolution 8K video.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Provides basic biometric info, useful for some fitness applications.
- Laser Autofocus: Can offer faster focus lock in some scenarios.
More GPS Satellite Systems: Better accuracy in locations.
Practical Implications: The sharper display is great for reading and viewing detailed images. 8K video is useful for those who need high-resolution video output, but it can also be limiting in terms of storage.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The newer chipset offers superior performance for all tasks.
- Much Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility and overall image quality in bright conditions.
- Faster Charging: Charges significantly faster, reducing downtime.
- Superior Camera System: Better image quality from both main, selfie, and ultrawide cameras, including a telephoto lens.
- Newer Software: Comes with a more recent Android OS and longer support window.
- More Storage and RAM: Provides more room for files and better multitasking capabilities.
- Advanced WiFi: Benefits from the latest WiFi standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Enhanced audio for spatial sound.
eSIM Support: Provides flexibility in switching carriers digitally.
Practical Implications: The faster performance is noticeable in everyday use, from app launching to gaming. The superior camera system delivers better photos in various conditions, the telephoto lens being very useful. The faster charging is a huge convenience.
Trade-offs:
- Display Sharpness vs Brightness: Xiaomi Mi 11 has higher resolution but is less bright than the Edge 50 Ultra.
- Video Resolution: The Xiaomi Mi 11 supports 8K video, but the Edge 50 Ultra doesn't.
- Macro Lens vs Telephoto Lens: Xiaomi Mi 11 has a macro lens but lacks a telephoto lens, while the Edge 50 Ultra has a telephoto lens but lacks a macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize display sharpness: For reading, viewing text, and high-detail images, the Mi 11 excels.
- Video enthusiasts needing 8K: Professionals and content creators may value the 8K video capability and the unique sensor features.
Budget-conscious buyers: Given its age, the Mi 11 might be available at a lower price point compared to the newer Edge 50 Ultra.
Use Cases: High-resolution media consumption, basic photo/video, and users who prefer a very sharp screen.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Ideal User:
- Performance and speed enthusiasts: Users who want the fastest performance for gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those looking for a versatile camera system, especially for low-light and telephoto shots.
- Users valuing a brighter display: Those who spend a lot of time outdoors or in bright sunlight.
- Users who want fast charging and battery: Users who want to be charged in the shortest time.
Users who want to receive the latest updates: The latest version of Android and further updates.
Use Cases: Heavy gaming, photography/videography, outdoor use, professional use, demanding mobile workflows, and users that want a future-proof device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Is display brightness or sharpness more important to you? Consider whether you prioritize outdoor visibility (Edge 50 Ultra) or the highest sharpness for text and images (Mi 11).
- How much do you value performance and camera quality? If high performance and versatile cameras are your focus, the Edge 50 Ultra is the better choice.
- What is your budget? The Mi 11, being an older model, may be more affordable, but the Edge 50 Ultra offers superior technology and longer support.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If budget is the primary concern, and you mostly need basic smartphone functions, the Mi 11 can still be a reasonable option with a sharp display, although with older technology overall.
- Power User/Gamer: The Edge 50 Ultra is the clear winner for anyone needing the best performance and gaming capabilities with the most powerful GPU and CPU.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Edge 50 Ultra's versatile camera system with telephoto lens and superior sensors will provide better image quality.
- Outdoor User: The much brighter screen on the Edge 50 Ultra makes it much more suitable for visibility in bright sunlight.
My Choice:
I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.
Reasons:
- Significantly better performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a massive performance jump over the Snapdragon 888, which is essential for future-proofing and running demanding apps smoothly.
- Superior Camera System: The Edge 50 Ultra’s camera setup is far more versatile, with better performance across main, selfie, and wide-angle, and the addition of the telephoto lens. This is crucial for my photography needs.
- Brighter Display: The 2500 nits brightness makes a real difference for outdoor use, which is a factor for me, even if it has a slightly lower resolution.
- Faster Charging: The 125W charging is a major convenience, as I often find myself needing a quick charge.
- Newer Software: Longer software support and a more recent Android version are also important for the long term.
- eSIM Support: As I use more than one number, eSIM compatibility is convenient.
While the Mi 11 has its merits with 8K video and a sharper display, the overall package of the Edge 50 Ultra makes it the clear winner for my needs. The performance boost, the superior cameras, and the brighter display outweigh the Mi 11's advantages in resolution and 8K video capability.
