1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Physical Size | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | Both phones have a very similar size and are easily handled in one hand. The Motorola G04s is negligibly smaller and thinner but will not be very noticeable. |
| Weight | 196g | 178.8g | The Motorola G04s is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. The Xiaomi Mi 11 may feel slightly heavier. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.56" | The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption and gaming, while the Motorola G04s is slightly more compact. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1612 | The Xiaomi Mi 11's significantly higher resolution results in much sharper text, images, and videos. The Motorola G04s will appear less crisp and detailed, especially when viewed up close. |
| PPI | 515 | 269 | The higher PPI of the Xiaomi Mi 11 translates to a much sharper and more detailed display. Fine details will be more apparent. The difference will be very noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The AMOLED display on the Xiaomi Mi 11 delivers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, making it better for media viewing. The IPS LCD of the Motorola G04s has less impressive colors and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the Xiaomi Mi 11 results in smoother animations and scrolling, making the phone feel more responsive. The 90Hz on Motorola is still good but not as smooth. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The Xiaomi Mi 11's vastly superior brightness makes it much easier to view in bright sunlight. The Motorola G04s's display will be very difficult to see under bright lighting, as the brightness level is not available. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G | Unisoc T606 | The Snapdragon 888 in the Xiaomi Mi 11 is a significantly more powerful chip, resulting in much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The Unisoc T606 in the Motorola G04s is less powerful, suitable for basic tasks only. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 220,000 | The Xiaomi Mi 11's dramatically higher AnTuTu score indicates much better performance, smoother user experience, and improved gaming capabilities. The Motorola G04s will struggle with demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Adreno 660 in the Xiaomi Mi 11 offers significantly better graphics performance, ideal for gaming and demanding graphical tasks. The Mali-G57 in the Motorola G04s is suitable for less intensive graphic usage. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" sensor, 0.8µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 1.00 µm pixel size | The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a much higher resolution main sensor allowing for more detailed and larger photos. While the Motorola G04s has a larger pixel size on paper, the significant sensor size difference on the Xiaomi Mi 11 means it can capture more light and detail overall. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor, 0.8µm pixel size | 5MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a much higher resolution selfie camera for clearer and more detailed selfies. The Motorola G04s has a wider aperture, but the large resolution difference makes the Xiaomi a much better choice for most selfie takers. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.12µm pixel size | Not available | The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, enabling more versatile photography and allowing users to capture more in the scene. The Motorola lacks such option. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" sensor, 1.12 µm pixel size | Not Available | The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a dedicated macro lens which allows users to take close-up shots. The Motorola G04s lacks this functionality. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The Xiaomi Mi 11 supports much higher video resolution, allowing for more professional quality video footage compared to the Motorola G04s which only goes up to 1080p. |
| Camera Features | 4K, 8K Video, OIS, EIS, various modes, RAW | OIS, EIS, various modes | The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers more advanced video features, such as 8K recording and RAW capture, which provides more control and flexibility for editing. Motorola has fewer advanced options. |
| DxoMark Score | 112 (Selfie) | Not tested | The DxoMark score for the Xiaomi Mi 11 indicates good selfie performance, while the Motorola G04s does not have a published score. This means that the Xiaomi Mi 11 selfies have been evaluated and found to be good while we lack the data to form an informed opinion about the Motorola. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | The Motorola G04s has a slightly larger battery, which may result in slightly longer battery life, although this can be negated by other factors such as screen and processor efficiency. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging | 15W fast charging | The Xiaomi Mi 11 charges significantly faster, allowing users to quickly top up the battery. The Motorola G04s will take much longer to charge. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless charging | Non-removable | The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which are not available on the Motorola G04s. This offers more flexibility in how users charge their devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, AMOLED technology, higher refresh rate, and much higher brightness provide a vastly superior visual experience, especially for media consumption and outdoor usage.
- Much Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly better processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution main camera, dedicated wide-angle lens, macro lens, and much higher video recording capabilities make it much more versatile for photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: 55W fast charging ensures that the phone can quickly be charged, along with wireless charging.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Supports the latest WiFi standard and more GPS systems.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides enhanced scratch and damage resistance.
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable to hold for long durations.
- Slightly Larger Battery: May offer slightly longer battery life due to larger capacity, however this can be negated by the more efficient chipset on the Xiaomi.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14, providing the latest software features, security updates, and software optimisations.
- More Affordable: Likely to be more budget-friendly.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: The only real drawback is its weight, which is slightly heavier.
- Motorola Moto G04s: Significant compromises on display quality, processing power, camera capabilities, and charging speed. It is designed for basic tasks, and heavy users should avoid this phone.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11: Ideal Users
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality displays for watching videos, browsing photos, and gaming.
- Gamers: Users who need a powerful processor and graphics for smooth gaming performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value versatility and high image quality in their camera system, along with advanced features such as RAW capture and 8K video recording.
- Power Users: Users who need fast charging and superior multitasking performance.
- Travelers: Users who need high brightness for outdoor usage and good GPS capabilities.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest technology and features in their smartphone.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming on high settings
- Capturing professional quality photos and videos
- Editing photos and videos on the go
- Using the phone as a media center
- Navigation in various environments
Motorola Moto G04s: Ideal Users
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who prioritize affordability over performance and features.
- Basic Users: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, basic web browsing, and light social media.
- Users Needing a Light Device: Users who prefer a lightweight phone for comfortable handling and pocketability.
- Users Needing the Latest Android: Users who prefer to have the newest software available.
Specific Use Cases:
- Simple browsing
- Making calls and sending texts
- Basic social media and light application usage
- Light media consumption
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Offers a higher price but provides significantly better features and performance across the board. This would be considered the better value overall.
- Motorola Moto G04s: Offers more value to budget users and those with very basic needs, however its low specs will mean it is a lower value device for anyone beyond those users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for the phone? (e.g., media consumption, gaming, photography, basic communication)
- How important is display quality and performance to you? (e.g., do you need a sharp, vibrant screen and smooth multitasking?)
- What is your budget? (Are you looking for the best value possible, or do you need a phone with very specific features?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy user who prioritizes performance and camera quality: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. Its superior performance, camera system, and display make it the clear winner.
- Scenario 2: User who prioritizes affordability and basic functionality: Choose the Motorola Moto G04s. Its low price and lightweight design are suitable for very basic tasks.
- Scenario 3: User who wants a balance of features and performance, but is cost-conscious: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While it is likely more expensive, it offers far greater performance and value compared to the Motorola.
- Scenario 4: User who wants the newest software: Choose the Motorola Moto G04s. It ships with Android 14 out of the box, while the Xiaomi Mi 11 ships with Android 11.
Personal Recommendation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While it may be more expensive, the sheer difference in performance, screen quality, camera capabilities, and charging speed makes it the far superior device. The Motorola G04s is severely limited by its low performance, poor screen, and basic camera, and would not meet the demands of even a moderate user. The Mi 11 offers far more versatility and capabilities, and would provide a much better user experience for years to come, while the Motorola will struggle with even daily tasks in a short period of time. For anyone who uses their phone for anything more than basic calls and texts, the Mi 11 offers better value overall.
