1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 162 × 75.1 × 8.7 mm | Mi 11 is taller, thinner, but realme 8 is wider. Difference might not be noticeable in daily use for most people. |
| Weight | 196g | 191g | The realme 8 is slightly lighter, which could make it more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.78" | Virtually the same screen size; negligible difference in experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1264x2780 | Mi 11 offers noticeably sharper and more detailed images due to the significantly higher resolution. |
| PPI | 515 | 450 | Mi 11's higher pixel density means text and images will appear crisper and less pixelated. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; Suitable for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11's display is significantly brighter, ensuring better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | realme 8 uses a newer chipset with a slightly more efficient manufacturing process, but Mi 11's processor is a flagship model from it's time. |
| Antutu Score | 806,139 | N/A | Mi 11 will likely have better benchmark performance; realme 8 Antutu score is unavailable, limiting direct performance comparison. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 732 | Adreno 732 is a newer generation GPU, providing better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 0 mAh | Mi 11 has a significantly larger battery, offering potentially longer usage time. The realme 8's capacity is unknown. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging, Wireless 50W | Standard charging | Mi 11 charges much faster (55W wired, 50W wireless) and includes reverse charging capability. realme 8 charging details are unknown. |
| Features | Reverse, wireless & reverse wireless charging | Standard features | Mi 11 offers wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging to power other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | N/A | Mi 11 has a high-resolution primary camera sensor with larger sensor size and larger pixels, capturing more detail and light. realme 8 has no available data. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | N/A | Mi 11 has a selfie camera. Realme 8 specs are not available. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | N/A | Mi 11 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5", 1.12µm | N/A | Mi 11 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS, Slow-mo | Up to 4K@60fps, OIS, EIS | Mi 11 offers higher resolution video recording with EIS, while the realme 8 has OIS and lacks a slow motion option. |
| DXOMark Selfie | Score: 112 (Photo: 100, Video: 133) | N/A | Mi 11's front camera is rated by DXOMark. |
| Features | Extensive camera features | N/A | Mi 11 offers more advanced shooting modes, manual control, and RAW capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | realme 8 has a newer OS out of the box, while Mi 11 can be upgraded. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | N/A | Mi 11 supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | N/A | Mi 11 has a newer Bluetooth version for better power efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS, Multiple systems | N/A | Mi 11 offers much more accurate positioning using multiple satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | N/A | Mi 11 allows the simultaneous use of two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | N/A | Mi 11 offers more internal storage options; both phones do not support expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | N/A | Mi 11 has significantly higher RAM, improving multitasking and gaming performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Mi 11 provides a more immersive audio experience with better quality and separation, plus multiple microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both provide standard fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Mi 11 offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Extensive sensor suite | Basic sensors | Mi 11 includes more sensors, for a better user experience for more demanding applications and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness for a noticeably sharper and more visible screen, especially in outdoor conditions.
- Flagship Level Performance: While the realme 8 has a newer chipset it is not comparable to the flagship performance of Mi 11's Snapdragon 888.
- Advanced Camera System: High-resolution main sensor, dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses, and more versatile video recording options (including 8K)
- Superior Battery and Charging: Larger battery capacity, fast wired and wireless charging, and reverse charging capabilities.
- Premium Audio: Hi-Res audio with stereo speakers for enhanced audio experience
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, newer Bluetooth version, and more precise GPS with multiple satellite systems.
- More Storage Options: Up to 256GB of internal storage and up to 12GB RAM for smoother multitasking.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Offers a more extensive set of sensors, enabling more features for advanced usage scenarios and games.
- Premium Build: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior screen protection
realme 8 Advantages:
- Newer Operating System: Ships with Android 14, potentially receiving updates longer.
- Potentially More Efficient Chipset: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 may offer improvements in efficiency and gaming.
- Potentially Better Value: The realme 8 could offer a better value depending on its pricing.
Trade-offs:
- The realme 8's main advantage is its potential efficiency and newer OS, but it lacks most of the premium features of the Mi 11 in nearly every category. The realme 8 also has several missing or incomplete specifications making a complete comparison difficult.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and content creation.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile camera system with excellent image quality and video recording.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who enjoy watching high-resolution videos, playing games, and listening to high-quality audio.
- Users who need good outdoor screen visibility: Those who need a phone that can be used in bright sunlight.
- Users who value premium features: Those who want a feature-rich phone with fast charging, good build quality, and more sensors.
Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Professional video recording (8K capability).
- Gaming on high settings.
- Working outdoors or in very bright conditions.
- Demanding productivity tasks.
- High-quality media consumption.
realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a newer phone at a lower cost.
- Users who want the latest OS: Users who value having the latest version of android available.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and don't need advanced features.
Specific Use Cases for realme 8:
- Basic smartphone tasks (calls, texts, social media).
- Casual gaming.
- Users that want the latest software.
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 is the clear winner in terms of specifications and overall user experience. Depending on the price of the realme 8, it may be a better option for budget conscious users, as it likely will have a lower price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Budget: What's your budget?
- Primary Use: How do you mainly use your phone (e.g., social media, gaming, photography)?
- Feature Importance: Which features are most important to you (e.g., camera, display, battery, performance)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance & Display Priority: If you prioritize high-performance, a superior display for media consumption, and an advanced camera, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget & Basic Usage: If you are on a tight budget and need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks, and also want the latest version of android, the realme 8 may be a better option, assuming the price point is significantly lower and the lacking information does not drastically affect the user experience.
- Scenario 3: Balance: If you want a balance between performance and cost, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is still a great option considering the features it offers. You should try to check the current price for the realme 8 and see if it may be a better option for your use case if its price point makes it extremely budget friendly.
My Choice:
I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11.
Reasons:
- Superior Overall Experience: The Mi 11 offers a much more premium experience across almost all aspects: a better display, significantly better performance, a more versatile camera system, superior battery performance and faster charging, enhanced audio quality, and improved connectivity.
- Future Proofing: While it's older, the Mi 11's flagship performance and premium features mean it will remain usable and enjoyable for longer.
- Value Justified: Even if slightly more expensive (depending on the price of the realme 8), the Mi 11's advanced features provide a superior value proposition for users who value a quality smartphone experience.
The realme 8 could be a decent budget option, but the lack of available specifications and the Mi 11's overwhelming superiority make it a clear winner for anyone not on a very tight budget and looking for a more capable, feature-rich phone. The Mi 11 is the better value in terms of user experience and future proofing given the information provided.
