1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy M52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-01 | 2021-10-03 | The Galaxy M52 5G is a newer model, potentially with more up-to-date software support. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 164.2 x 76.4 x 7.4 mm | The Mi 11 is slightly shorter, less wide, and thicker, while the M52 5G is thinner and wider. |
| Weight | 196g | 173g | The Galaxy M52 5G is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy M52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | The Mi 11 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | The Mi 11 offers significantly sharper visuals due to higher resolution; text and images appear much clearer. |
| PPI | 515 | 393 | The Mi 11 has a much higher pixel density, resulting in more detailed and crisp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animation, crucial for gaming and fluid user interface. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 800 nits | The Mi 11 has a much brighter display, making it far more usable under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy M52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | The Mi 11's chip is more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 589,200 | The Mi 11 scores higher on benchmarks, indicating better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | The Mi 11 has a more powerful GPU, leading to superior gaming graphics. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy M52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" sensor | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.97" sensor | The Mi 11's larger sensor and higher resolution result in superior image quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | The M52 5G has higher resolution and a larger sensor for better selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3 | Not available | The Mi 11 can capture wider scenes. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | Not available | 5MP, f/2.4 | The M52 5G can take portrait photos with background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0 | Not available | The Mi 11 can take close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | Not available | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor | The M52 5G has a combined wide-angle and macro lens for versatile photography |
| Video | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps (with HDR, EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | The Mi 11 offers far more video capabilities, including 8K recording and higher frame rate options at 1080p |
| Features | 8K Video, OIS, Ultra stable video, Laser AF, RAW | Exposure compensation | The Mi 11 has optical stabilization, better video stabilization, manual focus, laser autofocus, RAW support and 8K video |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 112 (Photo: 100, Video: 133) | No data | The Mi 11's selfie camera has been tested by DxOMark |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy M52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | The M52 5G has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a bit longer battery life. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Mi 11 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | None | The Mi 11 offers wireless charging and can charge other devices wirelessly. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy M52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | The Mi 11 will receive Android updates for longer |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, MiMO | WiFi 6 | The Mi 11 has MiMO for improved wireless performance |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Mi 11 has a newer and more efficient Bluetooth standard |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS | The Mi 11 offers more accurate GPS navigation thanks to dual band |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128 GB | Mi 11 offers more storage space and has a 256GB option |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB | Mi 11 has significantly more RAM, beneficial for multi-tasking and demanding tasks |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | Mi 11 offers higher fidelity and stereo sound. M52 5G offers a wider soundstage |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side mounted fingerprint scanner is generally more convenient |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 offers better screen protection with Victus |
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Ultrasonic Proximity, Compass | Proximity, Geomagnetic | Xiaomi has a more comprehensive sensor suite |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and significantly brighter screen for better visual experience, especially outdoors.
- Higher Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Superior Main Camera: Higher resolution and larger sensor result in better image quality, especially in low light.
- Enhanced Video Capabilities: Offers 8K video recording and higher frame rates, with better stabilization features for professional results.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 55W charging and wireless charging capabilities.
- Premium Audio Experience: Features Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers for a superior audio experience
- Longer Software Support: Xiaomi Mi 11 has one more major Android update
- More storage and RAM options: More storage space and RAM configurations
- Improved Connectivity: WiFi MIMO, Bluetooth 5.2 and dual-band GPS for improved connectivity
Practical Implications: The Mi 11 is a powerhouse with a top-tier display and camera, offering a premium experience for media consumption, gaming, and photography.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Might offer slightly better battery life.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and a wider aperture for enhanced selfie quality.
- Portrait mode and Wide Angle+Macro lens: More versatile and enhanced photography features with dedicated depth sensor and wide angle + macro lens.
- Dolby Atmos: Provides a better spacial audio
Practical Implications: The M52 5G provides a lighter, more comfortable design with decent camera and audio features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 has a more powerful processor, display, and main camera but it is heavier and thicker than the M52 5G.
- The M52 5G has better front-facing camera and a slightly larger battery but falls behind the Mi 11 in performance, main camera, screen quality, and charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos, browsing, and enjoying content.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a superior camera system with professional video capabilities and low-light performance.
- Users who prioritize fast charging and wireless charging
- Users who prefer faster performance and are willing to sacrifice battery life.
- Users who value extended software support
Use Cases: High-end gaming, professional photography and videography, consuming multimedia in bright conditions, heavy multitasking, and intensive use.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Ideal Users:
- Everyday Users: Those who prioritize a lightweight and comfortable design for daily usage.
- Casual Photographers: Users who need a decent camera for everyday shots and selfies.
- Users who prioritize longer battery life and don't need intensive performance.
- Users who prefer a device with a lighter design
- Users looking for a device with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Use Cases: Daily communication, social media browsing, casual photography, basic gaming, general media consumption, and everyday tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers higher overall value in performance and display for users who are looking for a premium experience.
- The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G offers good value for users that are looking for a lightweight phone with an acceptable camera and battery.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and display quality? If you are a gamer or media enthusiast, the Mi 11 offers significantly more power and visual fidelity. If you're a casual user, the M52 5G might be sufficient.
- Do you prioritize camera quality or lightweight design? The Mi 11 boasts a superior main camera and video capabilities, while the M52 5G has a lighter design and slightly better selfie camera.
- Is fast charging crucial for you? The Mi 11 has significantly faster charging capabilities, which might be essential for users on the go.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming and Media: If you play graphics-intensive games or watch videos often, choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its powerful hardware and high-quality display.
- Scenario 2: Casual Use and Everyday Photography: If you primarily use your phone for social media, calls, and casual photos, the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G offers a more comfortable and lightweight design with good camera features.
- Scenario 3: Premium User: If you want the best-in-class performance, display, camera and are willing to sacrifice battery, then choose the Xiaomi Mi 11
- Scenario 4: Battery Life: If you need all-day battery, choose the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G as it has a slightly larger capacity.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11.
While the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G offers a more comfortable design and a slightly larger battery, the Xiaomi Mi 11 significantly outperforms it in several key areas that matter most to me.
The superior display with higher resolution and brightness would greatly enhance my daily experience, especially when watching videos or using my phone outdoors. I also value the significantly better performance of the Snapdragon 888, which ensures smooth multitasking and intensive application usage. The higher-quality main camera and enhanced video capabilities, including 8K recording, would allow me to capture high quality content. The addition of a faster charging experience and wireless charging is also very convenient for my daily routine. The improved audio experience provided by Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers is a bonus for media consumption. Finally, the longer software support ensures that I can use this device longer.
Although the M52 5G is lighter and has a slightly better front-facing camera, the areas where the Mi 11 excels are more important to my usage patterns. As a power user that consumes a lot of media and often takes photos, the Xiaomi Mi 11 aligns better with my needs, despite being less comfortable to hold.
