Xiaomi Mi 11 vs Nokia X20 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Xiaomi Mi 11
Xiaomi Mi 11
Xiaomi
Nokia X20
Nokia X20
Nokia

General

Launch Date January 1, 2021 May 12, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 99.28 cm³ 122.5 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.47 "/g 3.03 "/g
Weight 196 g 220 g
Height 164.3 mm 168.9 mm
Width 74.6 mm 79.7 mm
Thickness 8.1 mm 9.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Gold
  • Cloud White
  • Violet
  • Midnight Gray
  • Horizon Blue
  • Special Edition Blue
  • Midnight Sun
  • Nordic Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.81 " 6.67 "
Resolution 1440 x 3200 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 91.4 % 79.8 %
Pixel Density 515 PPI 395 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1500 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 99.19 mAh/in² 100.47 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.33 mAh/cm³ 36.49 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4600 mAh 4470 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
GPU Adreno 660 Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 11
Maximum OS Version 14 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureXiaomi Mi 11Nokia X20Practical Impact
Dimensions164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm168.9 × 79.7 × 9.1 mmXiaomi Mi 11 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand; Nokia X20 is larger and might feel bulkier.
Weight196g220gXiaomi Mi 11 is lighter, more comfortable for extended use, while Nokia X20 is noticeably heavier.

Display

FeatureXiaomi Mi 11Nokia X20Practical Impact
Size6.81"6.67"Xiaomi Mi 11 offers slightly more screen real estate, suitable for immersive media consumption.
Resolution1440x32001080x2400Xiaomi Mi 11 has significantly sharper visuals, with a higher pixel density for clearer text and images.
PPI515395Xiaomi Mi 11 provides a noticeably crisper display, with finer details visible.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDXiaomi Mi 11 has richer blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, offering a superior viewing experience.
Refresh Rate120Hz60HzXiaomi Mi 11 offers smoother animations and scrolling, making the UI feel more fluid.
Brightness1500 nits0 nitsXiaomi Mi 11 provides superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The Nokia X20's brightness is not provided, making an accurate comparison impossible.

Performance

FeatureXiaomi Mi 11Nokia X20Practical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Xiaomi Mi 11 offers much faster processing, quicker app launches, and smoother multitasking.
AnTuTu Score806,139323,425Xiaomi Mi 11 provides significantly higher performance, suitable for gaming and demanding apps.
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 619Xiaomi Mi 11 offers better graphics capabilities for more visually intensive games and apps.

Camera

FeatureXiaomi Mi 11Nokia X20Practical Impact
Main Camera Resolution108MP64MPXiaomi Mi 11 captures higher resolution photos with more detail.
Main Camera Aperturef/1.85f/1.79Nokia X20 might perform slightly better in low light, although the difference will likely be marginal.
Selfie Camera Resolution20MP32MPNokia X20 captures higher resolution selfies with more detail.
Selfie Camera Aperturef/2.3f/2.0Nokia X20 should perform slightly better in low light for selfies.
Wide Angle Lens13MP5MPXiaomi Mi 11's wide-angle lens captures significantly more detail than the Nokia X20's.
Portrait ModeNo2MPNokia X20 has dedicated depth sensor that enhances portrait mode photos.
Macro Lens5MP2MPXiaomi Mi 11 captures more detailed macro photos.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@24fps/30fpsUp to 1080p@60fpsXiaomi Mi 11 is capable of capturing professional-grade video, with higher resolution options, while Nokia X20 has much more basic video recording options.
Video StabilizationYesNoXiaomi Mi 11 has an advanced video stabilization

Battery

FeatureXiaomi Mi 11Nokia X20Practical Impact
Capacity4600mAh4470mAhBoth phones offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable all-day usage.
Charging55W Fast Charging18W Fast ChargingXiaomi Mi 11 charges much faster, greatly reducing downtime.
Other FeaturesReverse charging, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse-wireless chargingNoneXiaomi Mi 11 has advanced battery features including wireless charging and power sharing.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher PPI, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness for much better viewing experience in all environments
  • Much Higher Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset offers drastically superior performance for demanding tasks and gaming
  • Advanced Camera System: High-resolution main sensor, superior video capabilities with 8K recording, and better ultrawide and macro lenses
  • Faster Charging: 55W fast charging allows for quick battery top-ups and also wireless and reverse charging.
  • Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers for more immersive sound experience

Nokia X20 Advantages:

  • Slightly Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for better detail and low-light performance.
  • Dedicated Depth Sensor: Provides a dedicated sensor for portrait photos with better depth perception.
  • Potentially lower cost: Nokia phones are known for their lower pricing compared to competitors.

Trade-offs:

  • Xiaomi Mi 11 Trade-off: Potentially higher price and slightly heavier than the Nokia X20
  • Nokia X20 Trade-off: Substantially lower performance, inferior display, and basic camera and video capabilities.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Mi 11:

  • Ideal User: Power users, gamers, multimedia enthusiasts, those who need top-tier performance and visual quality.
  • Use Cases:
    • Gaming: Demanding games at high settings.
    • Multimedia: Watching high-resolution content with vibrant colors and smooth motion.
    • Photography/Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
    • Productivity: Running multiple demanding apps simultaneously.
    • Everyday use with good responsiveness

Nokia X20:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize reliability, and basic functionalities, and those who need a long lasting phone.
  • Use Cases:
    • Basic Social Media: Casual browsing and simple content consumption.
    • Everyday Photography: Taking casual photos.
    • Long Battery Life: For users who need a phone that lasts all day with light use.
    • Reliable Communications: Dependable performance for calls and texts.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a superior experience across the board, justifying its potentially higher price for users who need these features.
  • The Nokia X20 may be more appealing for those on a tighter budget who want a durable and reliable phone, albeit with compromises on performance and features.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. How important is performance? Do you need a phone for demanding games, multitasking, or do you just need basic daily tasks?
  2. What is your budget? Are you willing to pay more for premium features, or do you prioritize affordability?
  3. What is your primary use? Is it multimedia consumption, camera usage, or reliable everyday communication?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer or Power User
    • Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11, for its superior processing power, graphics, and display quality.
  • Scenario 2: Casual User on a Budget
    • Recommendation: Nokia X20 for a reliable experience at a lower price point, as long as they accept the compromises in performance, camera quality and display.
  • Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast
    • Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11, for the higher resolution sensors, better video recording and more lens options.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. The significant difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and charging speeds makes it a much more compelling option for my needs. While the Nokia X20 has some advantages, such as the dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode and slightly better selfie camera, these are not enough to outweigh the vast differences in overall user experience. I prioritize a responsive and smooth user experience for daily use and gaming, and the Mi 11 offers it much better than Nokia X20. The vastly superior display is another major factor, making content consumption and general usage much more enjoyable.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.