Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 vs. Samsung Galaxy A52
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Mi 11 is taller, A52 is slightly thicker; impacts pocketability and one-handed use |
| Weight | 196g | 189g | A52 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended holding |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.5" | Mi 11 offers a more immersive viewing experience, A52 more compact |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 displays sharper, more detailed visuals; better for high-res content |
| PPI | 515 | 407 | Mi 11 has a significantly sharper display |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11 provides smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 excels in outdoor visibility in bright sunlight (Samsung A52 brightness data is missing) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mi 11 provides significantly faster processing; better for demanding apps and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 341,212 | Mi 11 is much faster in benchmarks; noticeable performance difference |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 618 | Mi 11 handles graphics-intensive tasks, including gaming, significantly better |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Main) | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" sensor | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor | Mi 11 captures more detail with larger sensor, better low-light performance likely, but A52 has a slightly wider aperture |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | A52 captures higher-resolution selfies and has better low-light potential with a wider aperture and larger sensor |
| Wide-Angle | 13MP, f/2.3 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Similar performance; A52 has slightly wider aperture |
| Portrait Mode | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.0 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Mi 11's macro lens allows slightly better close-up shots with a wider aperture |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Mi 11 can record higher-resolution video, offering professional options |
| DXOMark Selfie | 112 (overall), 100 (photo), 133 (video) | N/A | Mi 11 Selfie performance is tested and rated, data missing for A52 |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery capacity, expected to have comparable battery life |
| Charging | 55W fast charging, 50W wireless charging | 25W fast charging | Mi 11 charges significantly faster; also supports wireless charging and reverse charging |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging | QC2.0, AFC | Mi 11 has wireless and reverse charging. A52 uses older QuickCharge (QC2.0) and Adaptive Fast Charge (AFC). |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 14 | Android 11, Upgradable to 14 | Both phones have similar OS versions but the version of Android on the Samsung A52 is 14 rather than 11. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Mi 11 has faster Wi-Fi with higher performance |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Mi 11 has a newer, more efficient version; Supports higher-quality codecs. |
| GPS | L1+L5 Dual-band | Single band | Mi 11 has better location accuracy using dual-band GPS |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer similar storage options |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 4/6/8GB | Mi 11 offers significantly more RAM for heavy usage |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers; A52 has more immersive audio with Dolby Atmos; Mi 11 supports Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar basic fingerprint security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 has superior screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Mi 11 has additional heart rate, compass sensor, and a virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset offers vastly superior processing power and gaming capabilities.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and refresh rate provide a sharper and smoother viewing experience. Significantly higher peak brightness makes it much more usable outdoors.
- Faster Charging: 55W wired and 50W wireless charging significantly reduce charging times.
- More Advanced Camera: Main camera has a higher resolution and larger sensor, better video recording capabilities with support for 8k video and more features, and tested good front camera scores in DxoMark.
- Newer Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster and more stable connections.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior screen protection
- Enhanced sensor suite: Additional heart rate monitor and compass.
- More RAM: Up to 12GB of RAM which is a significant boost for multitasking.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lower Cost: Typically more affordable than the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Includes a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait photos.
- Slightly Lighter: A bit lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods of use.
- Wider Apertures on Front and Wide-Angle cameras: Offers better performance in lower light situations compared to the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Provides a slightly more immersive and spatial sound experience.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11: Higher price, slightly larger and heavier.
- A52: Significantly lower performance, less impressive display, slower charging, and older connectivity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize speed, gaming, and demanding applications.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who want a top-tier display experience for videos and games.
- Photography and Videography Buffs: Those who need excellent camera performance and 8K video recording.
- Power Users: Users who utilize their phones heavily and need fast charging, top-of-the-line performance, and wireless charging.
- Tech Savvy Users: Those who want the latest standards in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive mobile games at high frame rates.
- Editing and viewing high-resolution photos and videos on the go.
- Multitasking between resource-intensive applications.
- Utilizing the 8k recording capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Users seeking a solid smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Users who don't require high-end performance but still want good display quality and a decent camera.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy taking selfies and sharing photos with friends.
- Everyday Users: Those who need a reliable smartphone for daily tasks, communication, and media consumption.
Use Cases:
- Browsing social media and general web browsing.
- Taking casual photos and selfies.
- Streaming videos and music.
- Everyday use with reliable performance.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Mi 11 offers significantly more performance and features for the extra price.
- The A52 is a better value option for users on a budget, offering a good experience without top-tier features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is the main concern, the A52 is the better option.
- How important is performance to you? If high-end performance for gaming, heavy multitasking and high-quality media is needed, the Mi 11 is the clear choice.
- What features are most important? If a better camera and faster charging is important, Mi 11. If a lower price and dedicated depth sensor is needed, A52.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Mi 11 for its superior chipset, GPU, and higher refresh rate display.
- Budget-Conscious Buyer: Choose the A52 for its lower price while still providing a solid mid-range experience.
- Photography Lover: Choose the Mi 11 for the higher resolution main camera and video recording capabilities as well as DXO Mark rating for the selfie camera..
- Everyday User: If performance is not a priority, the A52 will suffice for daily tasks. If you are using your device heavily, Mi 11 is the better choice.
My Choice and Explanation
I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11.
While the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a perfectly capable smartphone, the Mi 11 offers a significantly more premium experience. The performance difference between the Snapdragon 888 and the 720G is huge, especially for gaming, app loading, and multitasking. The Mi 11's higher-resolution display and faster refresh rate also makes a significant difference for everyday use. While the A52 offers a dedicated depth sensor, the overall camera capabilities of the Mi 11 are far more versatile and of better quality, particularly in video. The fast wired and wireless charging is a big plus for me, and the newer connectivity standards (Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2) make the device future-proof. While the A52 does have a lower price point, the additional benefits that the Mi 11 provides are significant enough to justify the higher cost.
I am not a casual user and I need the best of what the device can offer, and hence the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the clear winner.
