Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 vs. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Mi 11 is taller and slightly thinner; A52 5G is wider and thicker; Mi 11 may feel larger, while A52 5G more compact in hand |
| Weight | 196g | 189g | A52 5G is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. The 7g difference is minor. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.5" | Mi 11 provides a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking, but A52 5G is more comfortable in one hand. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 offers significantly sharper and more detailed visuals, while A52 5G's display is still high-quality, but less sharp. |
| PPI | 515 | 407 | Mi 11 screen will appear crisper, with finer details and smoother text, while A52 5G has a high pixel density and it looks great to the eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction, deep blacks and high contrast for vibrant visuals. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations; the same experience for gaming or fast scrolling UI. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits (likely an error) | Mi 11 screen will be much easier to view under direct sunlight. Note: Samsung A52 5G's brightness is likely higher than 0. We'll assume its likely around 800 nits for comparison purposes. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Mi 11’s chipset provides significantly higher performance; faster app loading, smoother gaming, better multitasking performance for demanding applications and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 384,853 | Mi 11 performs significantly faster, with double the benchmark score; Offers faster processing speeds. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 | Mi 11's GPU provides a clear advantage in gaming performance with higher frame rates and better graphics rendering than A52 5G. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4500mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, should provide all-day use for most users, with Mi 11 having a minor advantage. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Mi 11 charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime spent waiting for a full charge. |
| Battery Features | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | QC2.0, AFC | Mi 11 provides versatile charging options such as reverse and wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" | Mi 11 main camera captures more detailed and higher-resolution images; Mi 11 should perform better in low light due to the larger sensor, but the A52 5G has wider aperture (f/1.8 vs f/1.85). |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | A52 5G selfie camera captures more detailed images with a wider aperture (f/2.2 vs f/2.3) and larger sensor, meaning it should perform better in low light and overall detail. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1" | The A52 5G wide angle has a wider aperture while Mi 11 has slightly larger sensor. Overall comparable wide angle experience between the two. |
| Portrait (depth) | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos, Mi 11 lacks a dedicated portrait sensor but can use software processing to produce similar results. |
| Macro lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | 5MP, f/2.4 | Mi 11's macro camera has a wider aperture for better light sensitivity and background blur. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Mi 11 can record higher resolution video and thus produce sharper results; Both phones have video stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 14 | Android 11, upgradeable to 14 | Both phones offer similar software experience (Android 11 upgradeable to Android 14), but will have different interfaces from each brand. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 | Mi 11 supports newer Wi-Fi 6 standard for faster and more reliable wireless connections, also has MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with aptX, LDAC, AAC | 5.0 with EDR, HID, ANT+ | Mi 11 has a newer Bluetooth version and higher quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | More Satellites | Standard Satellites | Mi 11 provides potentially more accurate location tracking with the inclusion of dual-band GPS, the difference will be minor for most people. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256 GB | 128GB or 256 GB | Both offer the same storage options but neither supports expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB or 8GB | Mi 11 has more RAM, which will help with multitasking and handling memory-intensive tasks and applications more smoothly. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Mi 11 provides better audio reproduction due to its Stereo Speakers and Hi-Res Audio certification, but A52 5G also offers great audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a standard fingerprint sensor for basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 has a more durable screen with better scratch and drop resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity | Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Mi 11 offers additional sensors such as Heart Rate, Compass, and an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset and Adreno 660 GPU offer significantly higher processing power and graphics capabilities.
- Higher Quality Display: Larger size, higher resolution and pixel density, and better brightness for better media consumption, clarity and outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 55W wired charging and 50W wireless charging significantly reduce charging times.
- Advanced Camera: Higher resolution main camera with larger sensor and 8K video recording.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer faster, more reliable wireless connections, as well as better GPS and location accuracy.
- Higher Quality Audio: Hi-Res Audio, stereo speakers for better sound quality.
- More Durable Screen: Gorilla Glass Victus provides better screen protection.
- More Sensors: Includes additional sensors like compass and heart rate.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor on the selfie camera for better details and better low-light performance.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Dedicated portrait mode sensor for better background blur.
- Slightly lighter: Slightly lighter makes it more comfortable for extended use.
- Additional Sensors: Hall and Geomagnetic sensors.
Trade-offs
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Trades better selfie quality and dedicated portrait mode sensor for higher performance, better display, faster charging, and better audio.
- Samsung Galaxy A52 5G: Trades higher performance and a premium display for a better selfie camera and lighter weight.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal Users
- Gamers: Demanding games will run much better on the Mi 11 due to its more powerful processor.
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily, run intensive apps, and value raw performance.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who watch a lot of videos, browse content, and appreciate a high-quality, large display with great audio.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want higher quality main camera with 8K video recording.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal Users
- Casual Users: Those who use their phone for everyday tasks like social media, web browsing, and taking photos.
- Selfie Lovers: Users who value a high-quality selfie camera and portrait mode.
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those who want a good, reliable phone with a decent camera and a good battery life.
- Users who prefer one-hand usage: Those who value a smaller, lighter phone.
Specific Use Cases
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Editing videos on the go, playing graphics-intensive mobile games, outdoor use in bright sunlight, listening to music with Hi-Res audio.
- Samsung Galaxy A52 5G: Taking selfies for social media, portrait photos, everyday usage, video calling.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 is the higher-end device, offering a premium experience with high performance. If the price is not a concern, it is the better value as the hardware is significantly better.
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is a mid-range phone, and it offers great features for the price, although it is less powerful. If budget is a concern, it is the better value.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance: How important is raw performance for you? Do you play demanding games or use intensive applications?
- Camera Preferences: Do you prioritize the main camera for higher resolution and video quality or the front camera for selfies?
- Display Quality: Do you want a larger, higher-resolution display, or a smaller, more compact phone?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance User: If your priority is top-tier performance and a high-quality display, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the clear winner.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: If you want a solid, dependable smartphone with a good camera and a great selfie experience without paying top dollar, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Selfie-Focused User: If your priority is taking excellent selfies, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the better choice.
My Choice and Why
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has a better selfie camera and a portrait mode depth sensor, the Mi 11 provides a significantly better overall experience that aligns with my usage patterns. The vastly superior performance provided by the Snapdragon 888 chipset is a major factor as I use my phone for more demanding tasks and gaming. Additionally, the higher quality display is also a factor as it provides a much better experience with greater detail and higher brightness for outdoor use. Finally the faster charging on the Mi 11 means less time being tethered to the wall. While the lack of a dedicated depth sensor and potentially lower quality selfies are downsides, the overall package of the Mi 11 is simply more appealing given my priorities. The difference in performance is substantial, and I value that over the selfie camera of the A52 5G.
