1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | The Mi 11 is slightly thinner (1mm) and narrower (1.3mm) making it more pocketable and easier to handle. The A02s is bulkier. |
| Weight | 196g | 196g | Both phones are the same weight and should feel similar in the hand regarding heaviness. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Mi 11 has significantly better scratch and drop resistance for the screen. The screen protection of A02s is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.5" | The Mi 11 offers a more immersive viewing experience with a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 720 x 1600 | The Mi 11 has a significantly sharper display with more detail. The A02s display will appear less crisp. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 270 | The Mi 11's higher pixel density results in noticeably clearer text and images. The A02s display will look less defined. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | The Mi 11 has superior color vibrancy, deeper blacks, and better contrast. The A02s will have less vivid colors and less impressive blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Mi 11's screen will appear smoother and more responsive, especially during scrolling and fast animations. The A02s display will appear less fluid. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The Mi 11 has much better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. The A02s is essentially unusable outdoors in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | The Mi 11 offers dramatically faster processing, smoother app launching, and superior multitasking. The A02s will struggle with demanding apps and games and feel sluggish at times. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 74,800 | The Mi 11's performance is far superior, providing a much smoother and more responsive user experience overall. The A02s has very low benchmark performance, making it only suitable for basic tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 506 | The Mi 11 provides significantly better graphics performance, enabling smoother gameplay and better visuals in apps. The A02s will struggle with even basic 3D games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108 MP | 13 MP | Mi 11 captures photos with much greater detail, enabling larger prints and more flexibility in editing. The A02s will have lower detail, especially in low light. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.8 | Both have a very similar aperture which affects low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20 MP | 5 MP | The Mi 11 captures significantly sharper and more detailed selfies. The A02s will have lower quality selfies with low detail. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.2 | The A02s has a slightly wider aperture for slightly better low light performance |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13 MP | None | The Mi 11 has a wide-angle lens that allows capturing more of a scene. The A02s lacks this versatility. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2 MP | A02s has depth sensor to allow better portrait images with a bokeh effect. The Mi 11 lacks this feature. |
| Macro Lens | 5 MP | 2 MP | Mi 11 captures more detailed macro photos for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K | Up to 1080p | The Mi 11 is capable of recording professional-grade video quality. The A02s is limited to basic Full HD recording. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes (OIS + EIS) | No | Mi 11 offers smoother and stable video due to image stabilization. A02s will be very shaky. |
| Slow Motion | Yes (Up to 480fps) | No | Mi 11 allows very high-speed slow-motion video, while the A02s does not have slow motion features. |
| DxOMark Selfie | Overall: 112, Photo: 100, Video: 133 | Not Tested | The Mi 11 has a good selfie camera according to DxOMark. No data is available for the A02s. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 5000 mAh | The A02s has a slightly larger battery, which may result in marginally longer battery life, although this is dependent on use and display demands. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | The Mi 11 charges significantly faster allowing for much faster recharge times and less downtime. |
| Battery Features | Reverse Charging, 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse-Wireless | None | The Mi 11 has superior battery and charging features. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 10 (Upgradable to 12) | The Mi 11 provides a newer OS with more features and longer-term software updates. The A02s uses an older OS with fewer features and updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11n | Mi 11 has faster and more reliable Wi-Fi with greater range, better performance in crowded networks. A02s has slower, less reliable connection. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 4.2 | The Mi 11 has faster speeds, more efficient power consumption, and better audio codec support compared to the A02s. |
| GPS | Advanced GPS with Dual Band | Basic GPS | Mi 11 will be more accurate and faster in pinpointing your location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones allow using two SIMs simultaneously. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 32GB or 64GB | The Mi 11 offers significantly more storage space for apps, photos, videos, and other files. The A02s storage is very limited. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 3GB or 4GB | The Mi 11 handles multitasking and demanding applications more smoothly due to its more RAM. The A02s will struggle with multiple apps running at once. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage options. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | The Mi 11 will have significantly better audio playback with richer sound and a wider soundstage through its stereo speakers. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | Mi 11 offers a fingerprint sensor for fast and secure access. The security features for the A02s are not specified. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Proximity | The Mi 11 has a much richer sensor suite, enabling advanced features such as fitness tracking, and more accurate motion sensing during gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, high resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and high brightness provide an exceptional viewing experience.
- Much Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers a huge performance advantage, making apps and games run smoothly.
- Far Superior Camera System: High-resolution main sensor, wide-angle lens, 8K video, and OIS offer much greater versatility and quality.
- Faster Charging: 55W fast charging and wireless charging support significantly reduce charging times.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher RAM and storage options for smoother multitasking and more storage space.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more stable connections.
- Hi-Res Audio with Stereo Speakers: Significantly better audio quality for media consumption.
- Advanced Sensors: Includes a wide range of sensors for enhanced features, including a fingerprint sensor.
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: May offer marginally longer battery life, depending on usage, although this will most likely be offset by the more demanding display of the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Cheaper Price: Typically comes at a much lower price point.
- Depth Camera: This allows for a bokeh effect in portrait shots which the Mi 11 lacks.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 is a significant upgrade across most performance, display, and camera aspects, but is likely much more expensive.
- The Samsung Galaxy A02s sacrifices nearly every aspect to come in at a much lower price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Demands top performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Enjoys watching movies, videos, and playing games on a high-quality display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Wants a versatile camera system with high-resolution photos and 8K video recording capabilities.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Wants the latest features, including a high refresh rate display, fast charging, and wireless charging.
- Users who value premium experience: Prefers a premium phone, with a great display and high performance, and is willing to pay more for it.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional video recording in 8K and other high-definition formats.
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games with high refresh rate.
- Multi-tasking between several heavy apps without performance issues.
- Enjoying high-quality media consumption.
Samsung Galaxy A02s Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Needs a functional smartphone at a low price.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Primarily uses the phone for calls, texts, and basic app usage.
- Users with low performance demands: Does not use intensive applications or play games.
- Users who prioritize long battery life: Needs a phone that can last throughout the day with basic use.
Specific Use Cases:
- Making calls and sending texts.
- Browsing social media and the internet with basic apps.
- Basic photography in good lighting.
- Light use or non-intensive tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a superior value for users who prioritize top performance, display, and camera capabilities.
- The Samsung Galaxy A02s offers a basic experience at a lower price, which is suitable for basic smartphone usage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Mi 11 is expected to be substantially more expensive.
- What are my performance needs? Do I need smooth multitasking, gaming, or just basic app usage?
- How important is display and camera quality? Do I need a high-end experience with professional photo/video capabilities or just basic image capturing?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget is critical): If your budget is extremely limited, the Samsung Galaxy A02s might be the only option, as it is a much cheaper device for basic tasks.
- Scenario 2 (Balanced Needs): If you need good performance and display at a reasonable price, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3 (Performance is Paramount): If you want the best possible display, camera, and performance available, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the only real choice.
What would I choose and why?
I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While the Samsung Galaxy A02s has a larger battery, that's the only advantage it holds over the Mi 11, and the difference in battery life is likely to be marginal considering how much more efficient the Mi 11's chipset is. The Mi 11 excels in every other category that matters to me: display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and fast charging. I am a power user and frequently multitask, game, and use the camera, so the Mi 11's superior specifications make it a much more suitable device for my daily usage. The A02s is just too slow for anything but the most basic tasks, so spending more for the Mi 11 makes the most sense for me.
