1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 is slightly taller, while Realme 12 Pro is a bit thicker. The Realme might feel slightly more bulky in hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 190g | Realme 12 Pro is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2412 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a much sharper display with significantly more detail. Text and images will appear noticeably clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 394 ppi | Xiaomi Mi 11 has significantly higher pixel density resulting in a sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks, but image quality might differ due to resolution and brightness. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 950 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers much better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) | Xiaomi Mi 11's Snapdragon 888 is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 574,000 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers better overall performance, especially for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 710 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers more powerful graphics performance, better for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 5000 mAh | Realme 12 Pro has slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12 Pro charges faster. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 2*2250mAh, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse-wireless charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers wireless charging and reverse charging, Realme 12 Pro doesn't. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a larger sensor and more megapixels, potentially capturing more detail and offering better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 16MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a higher-resolution selfie camera with a wider aperture, potentially leading to better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" | Realme 12 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for wider landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Realme 12 Pro has a combined wide-angle/macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 supports higher video resolution, better for content creators. |
| DxoMark (Selfie) | 112 | Not Tested | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a tested and better selfie camera. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Scene mode, Self-timer, AF assist Beam, RAW | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers additional manual controls and RAW capture; Realme 12 Pro has optical zoom. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro comes with the latest Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Both have identical WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | 5.2, LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Both offer good Bluetooth audio codecs. Realme 12 Pro offers a bit more. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1, B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Xiaomi Mi 11 has more comprehensive GPS support for higher accuracy |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Realme 12 Pro has larger storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both have ample RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro offers superior audio features, with better spatial audio and clearer voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have a standard fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 has much better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Mi 11 has more comprehensive sensor suite, including heart rate monitor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers a superior experience for gaming and demanding applications.
- Sharper, brighter display: Higher resolution, pixel density and brightness are beneficial for outdoor visibility and overall image quality.
- Better main camera sensor: Larger sensor and higher resolution can lead to improved image quality and more detail, especially in low light conditions.
- Additional Camera Lenses: Offers dedicated wide angle and macro lenses for versatile photography.
- Advanced Camera Features: Including 8K video, manual controls, and RAW capture.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Convenient for quickly charging the phone or other devices on the go.
- Comprehensive GPS support: Offers superior GPS accuracy due to its more comprehensive range of satellite support.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a heart rate sensor, compass and ultrasonic proximity sensor
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box, while the Xiaomi is upgradable to that.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, a huge advantage for zoomed photography.
- Potentially longer battery life: Larger battery capacity can lead to slightly better battery life.
- Faster Charging: The 67W charging is quicker.
- Larger Storage Options: Can be configured with more internal storage.
- Superior Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos and a noise cancellation microphone for better overall audio experience.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 compromises on battery life and storage options. It also lacks a dedicated telephoto lens and has an older operating system out of the box.
- Realme 12 Pro sacrifices performance and screen quality for the benefits listed above. It also lacks a dedicated wide angle and macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Power users: Those who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and running demanding applications.
- Media consumers: Individuals who prioritize a high-resolution, bright, vibrant display for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality images, manual camera controls, and advanced video recording capabilities (including 8K).
- Users who require advanced GPS capabilities: Suitable for outdoor enthusiasts and navigators that require accurate location services
Users who value wireless charging
Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photography, content creation, outdoor navigation, media consumption, VR experience
Realme 12 Pro Ideal User:
- Casual users: Those who prioritize a modern OS, good battery life and telephoto lens.
- Social media users: People who enjoy taking zoomed photos.
- Multimedia consumers: Users that like the Dolby Atmos experience.
Users that like large storage options.
Use Cases: Social media photography, everyday tasks, general content consumption, travelling.
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 is a former flagship device, with an older, but better chipset. It provides superior performance for its price point.
- The Realme 12 Pro is a newer mid-range phone, with more modern software and good battery life, which are great for its price range.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize top-tier performance for gaming and demanding applications, or are you okay with mid-range performance for everyday tasks?
- Camera Priorities: Do you prefer versatile photography with an emphasis on detail, or is a dedicated zoom lens more important to you?
- Display Quality vs. Battery Life: Do you prioritize screen resolution and brightness, or is battery life more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are a mobile gamer or professional content creator who needs top-tier performance and advanced camera features, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the better choice, despite its lack of a telephoto lens and slightly older software.
- Scenario 2: If you are a casual user who prioritizes modern software, telephoto camera capabilities, a large battery, and excellent audio, the Realme 12 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 3: If you prefer a balance between modern software and good performance, and are willing to compromise on camera and screen quality for the sake of battery life, Realme 12 Pro is also a good option.
- Scenario 4: If you are looking for a premium display with accurate GPS and advanced sensor suite, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the better option.
My Choice:
I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While the Realme 12 Pro is a newer phone with a newer OS and a better audio experience, my priority leans towards performance and display quality. As a user who enjoys mobile gaming and consumes a lot of visual content, the Snapdragon 888 and the higher resolution, brighter display of the Mi 11 are huge advantages. The wireless charging capability also adds a layer of convenience. While the camera system of the Mi 11 might lack a telephoto lens, I am still satisfied with its versatility thanks to its dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses. The superior performance outweighs the benefits of a telephoto lens for my specific usage patterns. The additional sensor features of the Xiaomi Mi 11 also add to the overall premium experience of the device.
