1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Razr 50 Ultra offers a unique foldable design, more compact when closed, while Mi 11 is a standard slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 171.4 × 74 × 7.1 mm | Razr 50 Ultra is taller and thinner, Mi 11 has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 196g | 189g | Razr 50 Ultra is slightly lighter, which may be preferable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.9" | Very similar screen sizes. The difference is negligible in everyday use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2640 | Mi 11 has a significantly sharper display due to higher resolution, leading to clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 413 | Mi 11 offers a noticeably higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper and more detailed viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Mi 11 has superior display technology (AMOLED vs Unknown) with better contrast, black levels, and color vibrancy; Razr 50 Ultra technology is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Razr 50 Ultra offers smoother scrolling and animations, providing a more fluid visual experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 3000 nits | Razr 50 Ultra is significantly brighter, making it much better for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Razr 50 Ultra has a newer, more efficient chipset, likely offering better performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,625,000 | Razr 50 Ultra has significantly higher performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 735 | Razr 50 Ultra's newer GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks and games more smoothly. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96", 0.7µm | Mi 11 has higher resolution and larger sensor for better detail and low-light performance; Razr 50 Ultra has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | None | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Razr 50 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto camera for better portrait shots and zoom capabilities, Mi 11 lacks this. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3", 0.7µm | Razr 50 Ultra has higher resolution for more detailed selfies; Mi 11 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | None | Mi 11 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single frame; Razr 50 Ultra does not have a wide angle camera. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5", 1.12µm | None | Mi 11 has a macro camera for close-up shots, Razr 50 Ultra does not have one. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps, with HDR & EIS | Up to 4K@60fps, with HDR & EIS | Mi 11 records higher resolution videos (8K); both offer EIS for stabilization; Razr 50 Ultra has 960fps slow-motion vs 480fps on Mi 11 |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Triple camera, OIS, Laser AF, HDR and more. | Time-Lapse, Optical zoom, Dual camera, OIS, LAF, Night Vision and more. | Xiaomi Mi 11 has more camera features, while Motorola Razr 50 Ultra has specific capabilities such as Time-Lapse, Optical zoom and Night Vision mode |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4000mAh | Mi 11 has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging | 45W fast charging | Mi 11 charges slightly faster than the Razr 50 Ultra. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 15W Wireless, Reverse Charging | Mi 11 has faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging than Razr 50 Ultra, but Razr 50 Ultra has Wireless charging at 15W |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages
- Higher Display Resolution & Pixel Density: Sharper display for detailed images and text.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life for extended use.
- Faster Wired Charging: Quicker to fully charge when using a cable.
- More Camera Lens Options: Includes a Wide Angle and Macro lens for more versatility, 8K recording.
- Faster Wireless Charging: 50W vs 15W charging rate.
Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Advantages
- Foldable Design: Unique form factor, more compact when folded.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother display with 165Hz refresh rate.
- Significantly Higher Brightness: Much better outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Significantly higher benchmark scores with better performance.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers better zoom and portrait capabilities.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Improved connectivity and efficiency with Bluetooth 5.3.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standards: Faster speeds and better performance in crowded areas.
- Newer Android Version: Provides the latest Android features and longer software update support.
Trade-offs
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Trades off performance and display brightness for a better camera system with more lenses and a larger battery.
- Motorola Razr 50 Ultra: Trades off camera versatility (no wide angle and macro) and larger battery for cutting edge features such as foldable screen, and vastly improved performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prefer a more versatile camera with wide-angle and macro lens options and record in 8K.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching high-resolution content and want a sharper display.
- Heavy Users: Users who need extended battery life throughout the day.
- Value Seekers: Users who prioritize good value for money over cutting-edge features.
Use Cases:
- Capturing detailed photos with diverse lenses.
- Watching high-resolution movies and shows.
- Extended usage without frequent charging.
- Cost-conscious users looking for good camera and screen quality.
Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users interested in the latest technology, particularly foldable phones.
- Outdoor Users: Users who need a bright display that is readable in direct sunlight.
- Performance Users: Users who prioritize speed and responsiveness in daily tasks and gaming.
- Portability Seekers: Users who value the compact form factor of a foldable phone.
- Portrait & Zoom Users: Users who prioritize optical zoom and dedicated portrait lens.
Use Cases:
- Using a phone that is compact and pocketable when folded.
- Viewing content outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Enjoying smooth gaming and demanding applications.
- Capturing photos and videos using the optical zoom lens.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do I need a foldable phone and is the unique form factor important to me? (Razr 50 Ultra is foldable)
- Is display quality or camera versatility more important? (Mi 11: sharper display, more lenses vs Razr 50 Ultra: brighter display, dedicated zoom)
- Do I prioritize battery life, cutting edge performance or portability and compact form factor? (Mi 11 has a larger battery, Razr 50 Ultra has better performance and is foldable)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Focused: If you prioritize a versatile camera with multiple lens options, especially a wide-angle and macro, choose the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Use and Performance: If you need a phone that is easily visible in direct sunlight and has the best performance, choose the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra.
- Scenario 3: Cutting Edge Tech and Unique Form Factor: If you value the unique foldable form factor and don't need the versatility of a macro and wide angle lens, choose the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 has some advantages in camera versatility and battery, the Razr 50 Ultra's superior performance, significantly brighter screen, and the unique foldable design are more compelling to me. The performance difference, combined with the ability to have a smaller, more pocketable phone when folded outweighs the benefits of the Mi 11. Additionally, as I often use my phone outdoors, the increased brightness is a major advantage, and the dedicated telephoto lens would be more useful to me than a macro lens. Finally, the updated software, and newer wireless technologies (WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3) make it a more future-proof and appealing device.
