1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm | Mi 11 is taller and narrower; (2a) Plus is wider and thicker, might feel bulkier in hand |
| Weight | 196g | 190g | (2a) Plus is slightly lighter, less fatigue during long use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are typical smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Mi 11 has slightly larger screen for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2412 | Mi 11 offers significantly sharper images, better for detailed content, smaller text. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | Mi 11's higher pixel density means much clearer text and sharper images |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1300 nits | Mi 11 is noticeably brighter, better outdoor visibility in sunlight |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Mi 11's Snapdragon is flagship-class from 2021; (2a) Plus's Dimensity offers good mid-range performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 805,721 | Similar real-world performance in daily tasks and general gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Different GPUs, but AnTuTu scores indicate similar gaming capabilities |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera |
| Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Mi 11 captures more detail in good lighting. |
| Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.88 | Mi 11's wider aperture captures slightly more light, better low light performance. |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.56" | Mi 11 larger sensor collects more light, better dynamic range |
| Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 1.00µm | (2a) Plus has larger pixels, better in low light |
| Selfie Camera |
| Resolution | 20MP | 50MP | (2a) Plus has higher resolution, detail in selfies. |
| Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.2 | (2a) Plus wider aperture, better low light selfies. |
| Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/2.76" | (2a) Plus larger sensor, better low-light selfies |
| Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 0.64µm | Mi 11 has larger pixels but smaller sensor, (2a) Plus larger sensor overall |
| Wide Angle lens | 13MP | None | Mi 11 can capture wider scenes |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | Mi 11 captures close-up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP | (2a) Plus captures ultra wide and macro shots with the same lens |
| Video | Up to 8K | Up to 4K | Mi 11 offers higher resolution video for advanced users |
| Video Stabilisation | EIS | EIS | Both have electronic image stabilization for smoother videos |
| Slow Motion | 480fps | 240fps | Mi 11 supports higher frame rate for more dramatic slow motion. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 112 | N/A | Mi 11 selfie camera has been independently rated |
| Features | Many (8K, Triple cam, OIS, Laser AF) | Many (Time-Lapse, Dual cam, PDAF, Night Mode) | Mi 11 offers more advanced camera features; (2a) Plus offers enhanced versatility |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | (2a) Plus has a larger battery, potentially longer battery life |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 50W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Mi 11 has slightly faster wired charging. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless, 2 x 2250mAh | No charger included in box | Mi 11 supports wireless and reverse wireless charging; (2a) Plus user needs to purchase a charger separately |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | (2a) Plus has more up-to-date software and future support. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have the latest standard for fast Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | (2a) Plus has a newer standard |
| GPS | Full suite + NavIC | Full suite + NavIC | Both offer accurate GPS, Mi 11 has a more comprehensive suite of satellite options for precise tracking |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256 GB | Both offer ample storage, (2a) Plus does not have the option for 128 GB version |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12 GB | Both can handle heavy multitasking, (2a) Plus only has the 12GB option |
| Expandable | No | No | No option for more storage via SD cards |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res, 2 Mics | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res, 3 Mics | Both offer high quality sound, (2a) Plus has 3 microphones which should capture sound more clearly |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint | Basic sensor | Basic sensor | Both offer similar fingerprint-based security |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 offers more robust screen protection. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Heart rate, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Mi 11 has a few more sensors for more advanced features |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Significantly higher resolution and pixel density provide a much clearer viewing experience, especially for text and detailed images.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better scratch and drop resistance.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens, macro lens, and 8K video recording, suitable for advanced photographers/videographers.
- Faster Charging: 55W wired charging and additional features like wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- More sensors: Additional sensors like Heart Rate monitor.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, offering more up-to-date features and longer software support.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery potentially offers longer usage between charges.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution front camera with wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light.
- Simpler and More Versatile Macro/Wide Camera: Utilizes a single sensor for wide and macro, simplifying usage.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 offers a more stable connection
- More Microphones : 3 vs 2
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 trades larger battery, newer software and an improved selfie camera for a sharper display and a more versatile rear camera system
- The (2a) Plus trades the sharper display and a more versatile rear camera for a larger battery, newer software and an improved selfie camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Ideal User: Those who prioritize display quality for consuming media, mobile gamers who need the higher resolution, users who want more camera features (telephoto, macro, 8k video) and users who like wireless charging.
- Use Cases: Watching high-resolution content, professional photography/videography, power users who want all available features.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Ideal User: Those who want a balanced device with good performance, focus on the software experience, those who prioritize selfie quality, a good battery life and future updates.
- Use Cases: Daily social media use, capturing good quality selfies, extended battery life for long work days or travel, users who like a clean UI and longer software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display sharpness to you? (If you need the sharpest possible display, the Mi 11 is better; if not, the (2a) Plus is more than adequate.)
- Do you prioritize a more versatile rear camera system, or better selfie camera and battery life? (The Mi 11 offers more rear camera features; the (2a) Plus offers a better selfie and battery life.)
- How important is future software updates? (The (2a) Plus offers more recent and future software support)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: You are a content creator who watches lots of videos on their phone, and you want to take amazing photos and videos
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 - The sharp display and the camera versatility, paired with wireless charging and 8K capabilities, make it suitable for this.
Scenario 2: You are a professional who prioritizes good software, a clean UI, long battery life and selfies, and you're more concerned with the software experience than top of the line hardware.
- Recommendation: Nothing Phone (2a) Plus - Its bigger battery, newer software, and higher resolution front camera make it a solid pick for those priorities.
Scenario 3: You need a phone for everyday use, with a good screen, good performance and good camera, but you also need long term software support.
- Recommendation: Nothing Phone (2a) Plus - it represents a good balance of all features, with an advantage in software support
My Choice
Based on my analysis, I would choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 has a better display and a more versatile rear camera system, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's advantages in newer software, longer software support, better selfie camera, larger battery, and good balance across all features make it a better fit for my needs. I prioritize the software experience, and the long-term updates. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s camera system is good enough for my everyday use and the improved selfie camera, battery life, and future software support give it a clear edge for me.
