Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 vs. Motorola Moto G52
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specifications, along with their practical impact on user experience:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G52 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 160.1 x 74.5 x 8 mm | Mi 11 is slightly taller, but both have similar width/thickness. G52 is more compact and easier to hold |
| Weight | 196g | 169g | G52 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G52 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.6" | Mi 11 has slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 offers a much sharper display with more detail, noticeable in text, images and videos. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 402 PPI | Mi 11 displays crisper text and finer details on the screen. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11 provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 is drastically brighter and more usable in direct sunlight. Motorola Moto G52's brightness information is not available. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G52 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) | Mi 11 offers significantly faster processing, better for gaming, video editing, and demanding apps. G52 is more suitable for basic tasks and lighter apps |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 216,000 | Mi 11 has drastically higher benchmark score, indicating significantly superior overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Mi 11 provides much better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G52 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | G52 may offer marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Mi 11 charges much faster. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | No wireless or reverse charging | Mi 11 offers greater convenience with wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Moto G52 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Mi 11 captures higher-resolution photos with more detail and performs better in low light due to a larger sensor, although Moto G52 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1.0µm | Mi 11 captures higher resolution selfies and performs slightly better in low light due to a wider aperture. G52 has a slightly larger pixel size |
| Wide-Angle | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | Mi 11 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens with a slightly better performance in low light situations. Moto G52 has a slightly wider aperture |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5", 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Mi 11 has a higher resolution macro lens and performs slightly better in low-light conditions. Moto G52 has a narrower aperture |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, EIS, HDR, slow motion up to 480fps | 1080p@30fps, no slow motion | Mi 11 offers much higher video recording capabilities for more professional-looking footage, plus advanced video features such as 8k. |
| DXOMark | Selfie: Overall 112, Photo 100, Video 133 | Not tested | Mi 11 has objectively superior selfie camera performance according to DXOMark. |
| Features | 8K Video, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, many more | PDAF, Exposure compensation, some others | Mi 11 has a suite of advanced features useful for more professional photographers. Motorola G52 has a simpler camera setup with a different focusing technology |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages of each phone:
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chip offers significantly better processing power, ideal for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Higher Quality Display: The higher resolution and refresh rate display provides a much sharper, smoother, and more vibrant viewing experience, significantly better for media and content consumption
- Significantly Better Camera System: Captures higher resolution photos and videos with more detail, better low light performance, more advanced features, and objectively superior selfie performance based on DXOMark.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Charges the battery much faster and has the added convenience of wireless charging and reverse charging.
- More Advanced Features: Includes additional sensor features like Heart Rate and advanced connectivity with Wi-Fi 6.
Motorola Moto G52 Advantages:
- Lighter Build: More comfortable to hold and carry for extended periods.
- Marginally Better Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery may provide slightly longer usage times, especially for light to moderate usage.
- Newer OS: Launches with Android 12.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers convenient and reliable biometric security.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Trade-off: It is heavier and lacks expandable storage.
- Moto G52 Trade-off: Sacrifices processing performance, screen quality, and camera capabilities for a lower price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Here's who each phone would be suitable for:
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Power Users & Gamers: Individuals who need the highest level of performance for demanding apps and gaming.
- Content Creators: Users who value high-quality photo and video capabilities and want to use the best features.
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who value a sharp, vibrant display for watching videos and consuming content.
- Tech Savvy Individuals: Users who appreciate advanced features and want the latest technology.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with high frame rates and demanding graphics.
- Video editing and photo processing.
- High-resolution media consumption.
- Multi-tasking with multiple apps seamlessly.
Motorola Moto G52 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability and want a reliable phone for everyday tasks.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for social media, web browsing, and basic communication.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last a full day without frequent charging.
- Users who need a lighter device: Those who need a more comfortable and lighter device.
Motorola Moto G52 Use Cases:
- Everyday social media browsing and messaging.
- Basic photo capture and video recording.
- Web browsing and email.
- Media consumption with a decent display experience.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide the purchase decision:
- What is your budget? The Mi 11 is a premium phone with a higher price tag, while the G52 is more budget-friendly.
- How important is performance to you? The Mi 11's performance is significantly superior, while the G52 is suitable for basic tasks.
- What kind of experience do you value? The Mi 11 has a better screen, camera and features, while the G52 has better portability and slightly better battery.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming or heavy app usage. Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its superior performance and graphics.
- Scenario 2: Budget-constrained with essential needs. Choose the Motorola Moto G52 for its better portability and battery life.
- Scenario 3: High-quality media consumption, content creation and photography. Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for it's superior display and camera systems.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11.
While I appreciate the lighter build and potentially better battery life of the Moto G52, the Xiaomi Mi 11’s advantages in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and charging speed are far more compelling for my typical usage patterns. I frequently engage in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, consume a lot of media and prioritize camera quality. The superior performance and premium features of the Mi 11 outweigh the trade-offs of added weight and lack of expandable storage, making it the better all-around phone for my needs.
