1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm | Xiaomi is slightly taller, OnePlus slightly thicker; negligible real-world difference. |
| Weight | 196g | 198.5g | Both are similarly weighted, feeling almost identical in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.62" | Xiaomi offers a slightly larger display for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | Xiaomi’s display is noticeably sharper with finer details. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 397 ppi | Xiaomi screen is sharper making text and images look crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi is much better in bright sunlight or outdoor use; OnePlus brightness is not specified making it difficult to assess its performance in various lighting conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 888 5G | Identical processing power for day-to-day tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 881,700 | OnePlus 9RT 5G is marginally faster in benchmarks, offering slight performance edge in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Identical graphics performance for gaming and media. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | Xiaomi has higher resolution sensor; OnePlus has larger pixels and wider aperture, likely better low-light performance. |
| Rear (Wide) | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" | OnePlus offers a wider angle and slightly more detailed shots |
| Rear (Macro) | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | 2MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi takes higher resolution macro shots and has wider aperture |
| Front (Selfie) | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | Xiaomi has higher resolution and wider aperture while OnePlus has larger sensor |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps | Up to 4K@30/60fps | Xiaomi can record higher resolution video; both have great stabilization |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 112 (Photo 100, Video 133) | Not Tested | Xiaomi selfie camera performs well, OnePlus performance is not available |
| Features | More features, including Laser AF and 8K video | Includes PDAF, exposure control, night mode | Xiaomi provides higher-end video features, OnePlus offers better low-light capture |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 4500 mAh | Similar capacity; battery life will likely be comparable under normal usage conditions. |
| Charging | 55W wired, 50W wireless | 65W wired | OnePlus charges faster wired; Xiaomi has wireless charging |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse Charging | Double battery cells | Xiaomi offers more flexible charging options; both phones use dual cells. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Xiaomi will have one additional major OS update. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have the same modern Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, AptX, LDAC | 5.2, AptX, LDAC | Similar high-quality Bluetooth audio on both. |
| GPS | More systems, dual-band | Dual-band | Xiaomi may have more accurate positioning in some locations due to additional satellite support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Identical storage options; Plenty for most users. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Sufficient RAM for all kinds of multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus provides better spatial sound and noise cancellation during calls; Xiaomi has Hi-Res certified audio for high-fidelity listening. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Sensor | Basic Sensor | Both use basic fingerprint sensor for basic biometric unlock. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi has better screen scratch and impact protection |
| Sensors | Heart rate, virtual proximity | Standard proximity | Xiaomi offers Heart Rate sensor for health tracking and virtual proximity sensor; OnePlus has a standard proximity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and brightness make it noticeably sharper and more visible in bright sunlight.
- Higher Quality Video Recording: Offers 8K recording capabilities for high quality video creation.
- Wireless Charging: Includes fast wireless and reverse charging, providing more flexibility.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Additional biometric sensor for health tracking.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better scratch and impact resistance.
- More GPS systems: Offers more GPS options for more accurate tracking.
- Better Macro Camera: Offers better resolution and wider aperture for better macro shots
- Higher OS upgrade: One additional major OS upgrade compared to OnePlus.
OnePlus 9RT 5G Advantages:
- Marginally Better Performance: Benchmarks show a slightly better performance, resulting in a more fluid user experience with demanding apps and games.
- Faster Wired Charging: 65W charging replenishes the battery more quickly.
- Better Wide Angle Camera: Offers slightly higher resolution.
- Dolby Atmos: Has a spatial and more immersive sound technology for music and movies
- Better Low Light Camera Performance: Larger aperture and pixels provide better low light performance.
- Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF): Offers slightly faster and more accurate autofocus, ideal for fast-moving subjects.
- Night Mode: Optimized for better low-light photography
- Better Noise Cancellation: Has a dedicated noise cancellation microphone
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi trades slightly lower benchmark scores for a superior display and wireless charging options.
- OnePlus trades a slightly faster charging for a lower quality screen compared to the Xiaomi.
- Xiaomi offers higher resolution video quality, while OnePlus is optimized for slightly better low-light and wide-angle photo performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize high-quality displays for videos, movies, and content creation.
- Outdoor Users: Individuals who need excellent screen visibility in bright sunlight.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Those seeking versatile video capabilities with 8K recording and advanced features.
- Power Users: Those who appreciate the convenience of wireless charging and additional features like heart rate tracking
- Long-term users: Those seeking future OS upgrades for longer device life
Use Cases:
- Watching HDR videos on the go.
- Editing photos and videos.
- Mobile gaming that benefits from a high refresh rate display.
- Health and fitness tracking.
- High quality videography on the go
OnePlus 9RT 5G Ideal User:
- Gamers: Users who value a slightly better benchmark score for slightly faster loading and performance.
- On-the-Go Chargers: Individuals who need rapid wired charging.
- Casual Photographers: Those looking for a versatile camera system, especially for low light photography.
- Users who value audio: Individuals who desire immersive sound experiences, and noise-free calls
- Users looking for slightly better performance: Those who need more resource-demanding tasks like gaming.
Use Cases:
- Gaming on the go.
- Capturing detailed photos in various lighting conditions, particularly low-light.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
- Watching movies or listening to music with enhanced Dolby Atmos.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Assuming similar pricing, the Xiaomi Mi 11 offers better value for users valuing the display, camera video capabilities, and wireless charging options.
- The OnePlus 9RT 5G offers better value for those focused on slightly better performance, slightly faster charging, and slightly better low-light photo and audio quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize higher resolution and brightness for media consumption, or is a standard FHD+ display sufficient?
- Charging Habits: Is wireless charging a must-have, or do you prefer faster wired charging?
- Camera Use: Are you seeking higher-end video quality with more features, or better low-light performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Media Enthusiast): If you frequently watch videos and prefer a high-quality display, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Gamer & On-the-Go User): If you prioritize slightly better performance, faster wired charging, and slightly better low-light photography, the OnePlus 9RT 5G is more suitable.
- Scenario 3 (Versatile Use): If you need a balanced phone with all-around good performance, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is better due to the higher-end features it offers.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11.
Here's why:
- Superior Display: The higher resolution and significantly higher brightness of the Xiaomi’s display make it more enjoyable for watching videos, browsing, and reading, particularly outdoors. This is a feature I value highly.
- More GPS Options: The additional GPS systems will allow for a better and more precise location tracking, which is very useful for me.
- Versatility of Features: The combination of 8K video, wireless charging, heart rate sensor, and superior screen protection offers more flexibility and future-proofing. These are very useful features to have.
- Balanced Performance: While the OnePlus 9RT 5G may have a slightly higher benchmark score, the Xiaomi Mi 11 provides excellent performance for daily tasks, and the advantages of display, additional sensors and better camera features outweigh the marginal performance difference.
- Long term usage: The additional OS upgrade allows for the phone to stay relevant and secure for a longer period of time.
While the OnePlus 9RT 5G is a solid phone, the Xiaomi Mi 11 better suits my needs due to its superior display, more advanced features and slightly more versatility. The slightly slower charging is a trade-off I'm willing to make for the added benefits.
