1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | Mi 11 is slightly taller, but both have similar width and thickness; Realme 8 is more compact. |
| Weight | 196g | 177g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.4" | Mi 11 has a larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking; Realme 8 is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11's higher resolution offers much sharper visuals, better for viewing detailed content and images. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 411 PPI | Mi 11's higher PPI results in a noticeably sharper and clearer display, reducing pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; Display quality is similar in color rendering but the Xiaomi has a sharper resolution. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Mi 11's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations much smoother; Realme 8's 60Hz is standard. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1000 nits | Mi 11's higher brightness provides much better visibility in bright sunlight, essential for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mi 11’s flagship processor offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance; Realme 8's processor is mid-range. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 409,874 | Mi 11 has almost double the performance of the Realme 8. Mi 11 will be significantly faster in all tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mi 11 has a significantly more powerful GPU, better for intensive graphics and gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 108MP | 64MP | Mi 11 captures more detailed images with higher resolution; Realme 8 is still very capable for everyday photos. |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/2" | Mi 11's larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.79 | Realme 8 has a slightly wider aperture which is marginal difference; The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a bigger sensor and higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 20MP | 16MP | Mi 11 has a higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Selfie Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/3.13" | Realme 8's sensor is slightly larger, this is not a significant difference. |
| Selfie Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.45 | Mi 11 has a wider aperture, allowing for slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Mi 11 supports significantly higher video resolution, better for professional-grade video creation. |
| OIS | Yes | No | Mi 11 has optical image stabilization, reducing blur and improving low-light image capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 5000 mAh | Realme 8 has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing slightly better battery life. |
| Charging | 55W Fast | 30W Fast | Mi 11 charges much faster, reducing downtime; The Xiaomi 11 also has wireless charging |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | Not Supported | Mi 11 offers faster and wireless charging, a convenient feature not available on the Realme 8. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | No | Mi 11 can wirelessly charge other devices, a very convenient feature. |
| Other | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Mi 11 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, providing faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | Mi 11 has a more updated Bluetooth version for better device connections. |
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 11 | Xiaomi will get 3 OS upgrades and is guaranteed to reach Android 14. Realme is not guaranteed future updates. |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB or 128GB | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a larger storage capacity and a larger upper end storage tier. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | Xiaomi Mi 11 has more RAM. It also has a higher RAM configuration to handle more demanding tasks. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly faster processing speed, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities than the Realme 8's Helio G95.
- Much Better Display: The higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness of the Mi 11's display offer a substantially better viewing experience, especially outdoors and for detailed content.
- Higher Quality Camera: The Mi 11's 108MP main camera with a larger sensor captures more detail, and the 8K video capability is ideal for those needing high-quality recording. Additionally, the OIS will give better stability to videos and photos.
- Faster and Wireless Charging: The significantly faster 55W wired and 50W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging, provide greater convenience and flexibility.
- Stereo Speakers: The Mi 11 offers a richer audio experience with stereo speakers, great for media consumption and gaming.
- Future Proof: The Xiaomi Mi 11 also has a newer Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and supports more satellite systems for GPS. The Xiaomi Mi 11 also is guaranteed to receive Android 14, making the phone more future proof.
- Premium Build: The Xiaomi Mi 11 has Gorilla Glass Victus which is top of the line for screen protection.
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The Realme 8 is more comfortable to hold and carry, especially for those who prefer smaller phones.
- Slightly Larger Battery: A larger battery size means marginally longer battery life than the Mi 11.
- More Affordable: The Realme 8 is significantly more affordable than the Mi 11, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 is larger and heavier, which can be less comfortable for some users. The price of the phone is significantly more than the Realme 8.
- The Realme 8 compromises on performance, display quality, and camera features for affordability.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 - Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need maximum performance for gaming, heavy multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who value a high-quality display for watching videos, browsing photos, and enjoying vivid colors.
- Photographers & Videographers: Users who want advanced camera features, high resolution, and professional-grade video recording capabilities.
- Professionals: Those who want the most cutting edge phone with all the latest features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming on high graphics settings with no lag, and a vibrant screen for immersion.
- Editing photos/videos on-the-go using advanced features with detailed playback on the high quality screen.
- Consuming media like movies, shows, or videos with crystal clear detail and immersive audio with the stereo speakers.
- Frequent travelers who need a fast charging phone and wireless charging capabilities.
Realme 8 - Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a capable smartphone at a more affordable price.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks, social media, and communication, without needing top-end performance or display quality.
- Users who value compactness: Those who prefer a more portable and lightweight device that fits easily in pockets and is comfortable to hold for extended periods.
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily communication, social media use, and web browsing.
- Playing less demanding games.
- Users looking for a good price-to-value for a good battery life and solid camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What's your budget? The Xiaomi Mi 11 is significantly more expensive than the Realme 8.
- What is your performance need? Do you need a flagship phone with the best performance or is a good mid-range phone good enough for your usage.
- Which features are your priority? Do you prioritize display quality, camera quality, fast charging, or battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you want a top-tier performance phone with a high refresh rate display and cutting-edge features, choose the Xiaomi Mi 11, despite the higher price. This is for users who need the best of the best, and are willing to pay for it.
- Scenario 2: If you want a good phone that's good for basic daily tasks, good battery life, and is more affordable, choose the Realme 8. This is for users who want a good phone at a great price.
- Scenario 3: If you need a phone that's compact and lightweight, and you are not a power user, choose the Realme 8. The Realme 8 is more compact and more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Scenario 4: If you need the best display, wireless charging, and faster speeds, choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. The Xiaomi Mi 11 has significantly better features in all of these categories.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While the Realme 8 has a lighter and more compact design and bigger battery, the Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a significantly better experience in several categories that are more important to me. The Xiaomi's display is significantly better in resolution, refresh rate, and brightness making it superior for all tasks. The Xiaomi also has the latest processor, and better camera quality overall with more features. I am also willing to compromise on the smaller battery for the much faster charging speeds of the Xiaomi. Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 11 has a much higher level of hardware and features, and it is worth the price premium for the flagship experience.
