Xiaomi Mi 11 vs Samsung Galaxy A53 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Xiaomi Mi 11
Xiaomi Mi 11
Xiaomi

General

Launch Date January 1, 2021 March 24, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 99.28 cm³ 96.7 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.47 "/g 3.44 "/g
Weight 196 g 189 g
Height 164.3 mm 159.6 mm
Width 74.6 mm 74.8 mm
Thickness 8.1 mm 8.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Gold
  • Cloud White
  • Violet
  • Midnight Gray
  • Horizon Blue
  • Special Edition Blue
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Peach

Display

Screen Size 6.81 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1440 x 3200 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 91.4 % 85.4 %
Pixel Density 515 PPI 405 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 800 nits
Peak Brightness 1500 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 99.19 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.33 mAh/cm³ 51.71 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4600 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 660 Mali-G68

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 12
Maximum OS Version 14 16

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureXiaomi Mi 11Samsung Galaxy A53 5GPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm159.6 × 74.8 × 8.1 mmMi 11 is taller (4.7mm), potentially less comfortable for smaller hands; Both have similar width and thickness.
Weight196g189gA53 is lighter (7g), potentially more comfortable for long use periods.
Display
Size6.81"6.5"Mi 11 offers more screen real estate, better for media consumption and multitasking.
Resolution1440x32001080x2400Mi 11 provides sharper visuals, clearer text, and better image detail.
Pixel Density (PPI)515405Mi 11's higher PPI results in a noticeably sharper display, especially noticeable for users with keen eyes.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great contrast.
Refresh Rate120Hz120HzBoth provide smooth scrolling and animations.
Brightness1500 nits0 nitsMi 11 has significantly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. A53 brightness is unknown, could be an issue in bright sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 888 (5 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)Mi 11's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother gaming, and better multitasking.
AnTuTu Score806,139475,448Mi 11 offers considerably better performance, suitable for heavy users and gamers.
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G68Mi 11's GPU is more powerful, resulting in better graphics performance.
Battery
Capacity4600mAh5000mAhA53 may have slightly better battery life, but real-world usage depends on other factors.
Charging55W Fast Charging25W Fast ChargingMi 11 charges much faster, reducing downtime.
Features50W Wireless, 10W Reverse WirelessNo in box chargerMi 11 offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities. A53 has no in box charger which needs to be considered.
Camera
Main Camera108MP, f/1.8564MP, f/1.8Mi 11 has higher resolution sensor, potentially capturing more detailed images. A53 has slightly wider aperture.
Selfie Camera20MP, f/2.332MP, f/2.2A53 has higher resolution and slightly wider aperture.
Wide Angle Lens13MP, f/2.312MP, f/2.2Mi 11 has a slightly higher resolution sensor. A53 has slightly wider aperture
Depth LensN/A5MP, f/2.4A53 has a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode.
Macro Lens5MP, f/2.05MP, f/2.4Mi 11 has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light macro shots.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 4K@30fpsMi 11 offers higher quality video recording (8K) and higher frame rate options.
DXOMark ScoresSelfie: 112 (Photo: 100, Video: 133)Mobile: 79 (Photo: 98, Video: 45)Mi 11 excels in selfie camera performance. Samsung Galaxy A53 performs decently in photo capabilities but lacks in video.
Software
OSAndroid 11 (up to 14)Android 12 (up to 16)A53 comes with a newer Android version out of the box and will likely receive longer software support.
Connectivity
WiFiWiFi 6WiFi 5Mi 11 supports the newer WiFi standard for potentially faster speeds and lower latency.
Bluetooth5.25.1Mi 11 has a newer Bluetooth version with a slightly improved connection.
GPSL1+L5, L1, B1, E1+E5a, B2Standard GPS (L1)Mi 11 offers more precise location data.
Storage
Internal128/256 GB128/256 GBBoth offer the same storage options.
RAM8/12 GB4/6/8 GBMi 11 has more RAM for smoother multitasking and app performance.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither supports memory cards.
Audio
QualityHi-Res, Stereo, 2 MicrophonesDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersMi 11 boasts slightly better audio quality and microphone capabilities. A53 offers Dolby Atmos for enhanced spatial audio.
Security
FeaturesBasic FingerprintBasic FingerprintBoth use basic fingerprint sensors.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionGorilla Glass VictusGorilla Glass 5Mi 11 has more robust screen protection.
Sensors
SensorsHeart RateGeomagneticMi 11 has heart rate sensor, while A53 has geomagnetic.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:

  • Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Exynos 1280.
  • Higher Resolution and Sharper Display: The 1440x3200 resolution and 515 PPI display provide a noticeably clearer and more detailed viewing experience.
  • Superior Display Brightness: The 1500 nits brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
  • Faster Charging: 55W charging replenishes the battery much faster than the A53's 25W charging.
  • Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: These features offer greater convenience.
  • Superior Camera Performance: The higher-resolution main camera and excellent video recording capabilities make it suitable for content creators.
  • Higher DXOMark Score for Selfie Camera
  • Faster WiFi: Support for WiFi 6 offers potentially better speeds.
  • More RAM: Up to 12GB of RAM allows smoother multitasking.
  • Better Screen Protection

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Advantages:

  • Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 12 out of the box and will likely receive longer software updates.
  • Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000 mAh battery may provide marginally better battery life, although this is impacted by chipset efficiency and display resolution.
  • Dedicated Depth Sensor: The dedicated depth sensor allows for better portrait mode photos.
  • Has in built Geomagnetic sensor
  • Wider aperture for selfie and wide angle lenses

Trade-offs:

  • Mi 11 Trade-off: Older Android version out of the box, No expandable storage
  • A53 Trade-off: Significantly lower performance, lower screen resolution and PPI, much lower screen brightness, slower charging, no wireless charging

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal Users:

  • Power Users: Those who demand top-tier performance for multitasking, demanding apps, and gaming.
  • Media Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy watching high-resolution videos and appreciate a large, vibrant screen.
  • Mobile Photographers/Videographers: Users who want high-quality still photos, 8K video recording capabilities and are focused on selfies.
  • Users who value fast charging and wireless charging
  • Users who need accurate location tracking

Use Cases:

*   Playing graphic-intensive games.
*   Editing videos on the go.
*   Viewing HDR content in bright sunlight.
*   Using the phone for navigation in remote areas.
*   Taking professional grade photos and videos.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Ideal Users:

  • Everyday Users: Those who need a reliable phone for daily tasks, browsing, social media, and photography.
  • Users who prioritize long software support
  • Users looking for a good value mid-range option

Use Cases:

*   Social media browsing
*   Taking casual pictures.
*   Watching streaming services.
*   Daily communication.
*   Long term use

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • Mi 11: Higher price, but it justifies the extra cost with premium features, superior performance, and higher video and selfie camera quality.
  • A53 5G: More affordable, offering a good balance of features and performance.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. How important is raw performance? If you need top-tier performance for gaming or heavy multitasking, the Mi 11 is the better option. If you are just using for everyday tasks, then the A53 is sufficient.
  2. How important is display quality? If you prefer crisp, detailed visuals and bright outdoor visibility, the Mi 11 excels. If you aren't too fussy, A53 can suffice.
  3. How important are battery features and charging? If you need fast charging and wireless capabilities, the Mi 11 is the better choice. The A53 has a larger battery, but it is likely balanced by a less efficient chipset and display.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: The Gamer:

    • Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11. The powerful processor, better GPU, and high refresh rate display make it the clear winner.
  • Scenario 2: The Casual User:

    • Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G It provides a smooth experience for day-to-day activities and is more budget-friendly.
  • Scenario 3: The Photographer (Selfies):

    • Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11. It has significantly higher DXOMark score in selfie and video performance.
  • Scenario 4: Long-Term User:

    • Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G. With more OS upgrades and a newer OS out of the box, the A53 is a better long-term investment in software.

My Choice

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally go for the Xiaomi Mi 11. Here's why:

  • Performance: The sheer power of the Snapdragon 888 is a significant advantage. As a user who often multitasks and plays graphic-intensive games, the responsiveness and speed of the Mi 11 are essential for me.
  • Display Quality: I appreciate a sharp, bright display, and the higher resolution and brightness of the Mi 11 are incredibly appealing. I need to be able to see my screen clearly, especially outdoors.
  • Camera Quality: While the A53 has a good camera system, the Mi 11's camera is a big leap forward, and this is something I would benefit from.
  • Fast Charging: I often need to charge my phone quickly and having fast charging is a massive plus.
  • Screen Protection: The Gorilla Glass Victus of the Mi 11 is superior to the Gorilla Glass 5 found in the A53.
  • Selfie Camera: The Mi 11's selfie camera is far superior based on DXOMark.

While the Galaxy A53 5G is a good mid-range device, the Xiaomi Mi 11 excels in the areas that matter most to me. The older Android version doesn't concern me much, as I am comfortable with flashing custom ROMs for future updates.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.