1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 164 × 77 × 8.2 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 is slightly narrower, while Nothing CMF Phone 1 is a bit wider. Both have very similar height and thickness. Negligible in daily use. |
| Weight | 196g | 197g | Virtually identical weight. Both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.67" | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a significantly sharper display. Text and images look noticeably more detailed and less pixelated. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | Xiaomi Mi 11 provides noticeably sharper visuals, especially when viewing small text and high-resolution images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2000 nits | Nothing CMF Phone 1 is significantly better for outdoor use in bright sunlight, offering much better screen visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | Xiaomi Mi 11's chipset generally offers better raw performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 673,000 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has higher benchmark performance, suggesting smoother heavy gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G615 MC2 | Xiaomi Mi 11's GPU is generally more powerful, resulting in better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | Nothing CMF Phone 1 may offer slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 33W fast charging, Li-Ion | Xiaomi Mi 11 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | Non-removable | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a more versatile battery with wireless charging and reverse wireless charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 108MP | 50MP | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a significantly higher resolution sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.79 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better in low-light. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/2" | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a larger sensor, better for light gathering and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 20MP | 16MP | Xiaomi Mi 11 has slightly higher resolution for selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.0 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a wider aperture, potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/3.1" | Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a slightly larger sensor for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a wider perspective for photography. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | No | Yes | Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a dedicated depth lens for better portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | Yes | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 can record much higher resolution video for more detail, useful for professional content creation |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 has electronic image stabilization, which can help smooth out shaky video footage. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 112 (Overall) | N/A | Xiaomi Mi 11 selfie camera is evaluated to be better based on DXOMark scoring |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a newer version of Android, ensuring longer software support and newer features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering slightly better efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | More systems | Less systems | Xiaomi Mi 11 supports more satellite systems for potentially more accurate GPS tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers up to 12GB RAM for more seamless multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage; user will need to manage storage effectively. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio features | Xiaomi Mi 11 provides superior audio with higher resolution output, immersive sound, and better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers better screen protection than Nothing CMF Phone 1 |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Ultrasonic Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers more sensors, adding to the functionality of the phone; Nothing CMF Phone 1 uses standard proximity sensor, potentially less accurate than ultrasonic sensor in Xiaomi Mi 11 |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density, leading to sharper and more detailed visuals.
- Stronger Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU, delivering smoother performance in demanding tasks and games.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main camera, wide-angle lens, macro lens, and better video recording capabilities (up to 8K).
- Faster Charging & Battery Features: Significantly faster 55W wired charging, plus wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio, stereo speakers, and better microphone configuration for superior audio experience.
- More GPS Systems: Supports more satellite systems, for better location tracking.
- More Sensors: Better for more advanced features and gaming, such as heart rate sensor.
- Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus for better drop protection
Nothing CMF Phone 1 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with a newer version of Android and longer future software update support.
- Brighter Display: Higher brightness for better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery for potentially longer battery life.
- Better Bluetooth: Uses more updated Bluetooth Version 5.3, which can help with battery life and connectivity.
- Wider Aperture Front Camera: Slightly better low-light performance with the front facing camera.
- Portrait Mode Lens: Depth sensor for better portrait mode photos.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 sacrifices some battery life and brightness for better performance, camera, and display resolution.
- Nothing CMF Phone 1 compromises performance, camera versatility, and charging speed for better software support and battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and heavy app usage.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-resolution images, video recording, and versatile camera capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos, movies, and games and want the best possible visual experience on a smartphone screen.
- Users who want the best possible audio: Those who want best possible audio quality from a smartphone, from both speakers and microphone.
- Users wanting wireless charging: People who enjoy wirelessly charging their phone.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 is Ideal For:
- Everyday Users: Those who prioritize battery life, a smooth experience, and a good display for daily tasks.
- Outdoor Users: Individuals who often use their phone in bright sunlight and need good screen visibility.
- Users who want a long software update support: People who prefer the latest software and a longer software update life.
- Users who prioritize selfie quality: Those who take a lot of selfies, specially in low-light environments.
Specific Use Cases:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Professional photography, high-end gaming, graphic design work, immersive media consumption.
- Nothing CMF Phone 1: Everyday social media usage, navigation, casual gaming, video streaming, outdoor photography.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance and display quality over battery life and future software support? (If yes, Xiaomi Mi 11 might be preferable)
- Is outdoor screen visibility a critical factor for you? (If yes, Nothing CMF Phone 1 might be preferable)
- Are you a heavy user of wireless charging and advanced camera features? (If yes, Xiaomi Mi 11 might be preferable)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast - Choose Xiaomi Mi 11 due to its superior chipset and GPU.
- Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler - Choose Nothing CMF Phone 1 for longer battery and brighter screen.
- Scenario 3: Photography Buff - Choose Xiaomi Mi 11 for its versatile camera system and higher-resolution output.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User - Evaluate current pricing, but either could be a good choice depending on preference
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the Xiaomi Mi 11. Here's why:
- Display Experience: The higher resolution and pixel density of the Xiaomi Mi 11 are a significant advantage for my use case. I frequently watch videos and browse high-resolution images, and the clarity difference would be noticeable.
- Performance: While both phones offer good performance, the more powerful chipset of the Xiaomi Mi 11 would provide a smoother experience for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Camera Versatility: As a photography enthusiast, the versatility offered by the multiple lenses, including the wide-angle and macro options, is very appealing. The 8K video capabilities are a nice-to-have feature as well.
- Wireless Charging: Being able to wirelessly charge my phone and have the option to reverse charge other devices is a big plus, which the Nothing CMF Phone 1 lacks.
While the Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a brighter screen and longer software support, those factors aren't as important to my specific needs as the performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. Additionally, the faster charging on the Xiaomi Mi 11 is a big advantage over the slower charging speeds of the Nothing Phone CMF 1.
In short, for my use case, the Xiaomi Mi 11's strengths outweigh the advantages offered by the Nothing CMF Phone 1.
