1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-01 | 2024-01-24 | The S24+ is significantly newer, with newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm | Mi 11 is taller and thicker, while S24+ is slightly wider. The S24+ is likely to feel more compact. |
| Weight | 196g | 196g | Both feel equally hefty in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | The Mi 11 has a slightly larger screen which might be better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1440 x 3120 | Both are very sharp; differences are negligible in daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 513 PPI | Both are sharp, differences negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Mi 11 has AMOLED, which offers better colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes. The S24+ display technology is not specified. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2600 nits | The S24+ is significantly brighter, making it much better for outdoor use in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The S24+ chipset is newer and more powerful, leading to faster performance, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,639,695 | The S24+ has a significantly higher performance score, translates to better app performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | S24+ has a much newer and faster GPU offering better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | Mi 11 has higher resolution but smaller pixel size. S24+ has a larger pixel size for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 12MP, f/2.2 | Mi 11 has a higher resolution selfie camera, but S24+ has a slightly wider aperture which could result in better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm | S24+ offers optical zoom capabilities absent in the Mi 11. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | S24+ has larger pixels for better low-light performance. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5", 1.12µm | None | Mi 11 offers dedicated macro capability for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps | Up to 8K@24/30fps | Both offer similar video capabilities including 8K, stabilization and slow-motion. |
| DxoMark (Selfie) | 112 (overall) | Not tested | Mi 11 has a tested and rated selfie camera. |
| Camera Features | Includes OIS, Laser AF, RAW | Includes OIS, PDAF, Night Mode 2.0, Optical zoom | Mi 11 has extra features like laser AF and continuous focus, while the S24+ includes a dedicated night mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4900mAh | S24+ has slightly larger capacity for potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging | 45W fast charging | Mi 11 has slightly faster charging. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, Bypass Charging | Mi 11 has faster wireless and reverse wireless charging. S24+ has bypass charging, which allows power to directly power the system when connected without charging the battery, useful when gaming. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 21) | The S24+ ships with a much newer version of Android and is expected to receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24+ offers faster speeds and less interference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | S24+ has a newer Bluetooth standard for faster and more efficient connections. |
| GPS | More systems including NavIC | Fewer systems | Mi 11 has wider support for more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | S24+ offers the flexibility of using eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | S24+ has higher storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12 GB | S24+ has a minimum of 12 GB RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Mi 11 has a slightly higher quality audio with Hi-Res Audio, while S24+ has noise cancelling capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S24+ has a newer iteration of Corning glass. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Barometer, Geomagnetic, Hall | S24+ includes extra sensors for environmental and other data. Mi 11 has a heart-rate sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Slightly bigger screen for a more immersive media experience.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main camera for potentially more detailed images.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio quality for music enthusiasts.
- Faster Wireless Charging: Faster 50W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging.
- More GPS Systems: Wider support for satellite systems which might provide more accurate location services.
- Heart rate sensor: A convenient addition to track heart rates on the go.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Advantages:
- Newer and more powerful Chipset: Significantly faster performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
- Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility with 2600 nits peak brightness.
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom for better image quality at a distance.
- Larger Battery: Slightly bigger battery for potentially better battery life.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android with more future OS updates.
- Faster Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version for faster and more reliable connections.
- eSIM Support: Flexibility to switch carriers digitally.
- Bypass Charging: Gaming and heavy use without charging the battery which extends battery life.
- Larger pixel size sensors: Better low-light performance in the main and wide angle camera.
- Superior GPU: More advanced and faster graphics for gaming.
- Environmental Sensors: Includes a barometer which is useful in outdoor settings for better weather tracking
- More internal storage options: 256GB and 512GB for a higher storage capacity.
Practical Implications:
- Performance: The S24+ will offer a significantly smoother and more responsive user experience, especially in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Display: The S24+ is a better choice for users who frequently use their phone outdoors, while the Mi 11’s display is slightly bigger, but not as bright.
- Camera: Mi 11 offers a higher-resolution main sensor, but S24+ benefits from better low-light sensors, a telephoto lens for zoom, and more refined software processing.
- Battery: The S24+ has a slightly larger battery, while the Mi 11 offers faster wireless charging.
- Software: S24+ provides more software support and benefits from a newer version of Android.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a larger display and want high-res audio for media consumption.
- Users who want a good camera system with a dedicated macro lens.
- Those who value fast wireless charging.
- Users who don't need the latest processing power and may be on a stricter budget.
Use Cases:
- Watching videos and movies, browsing content.
- Taking close-up photos of objects.
- Listening to high-quality audio through headphones.
- General day to day tasks like calls and light social media use.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Ideal User:
- Users who want the fastest possible performance.
- Those who need a very bright display for outdoor visibility.
- Users who want versatile cameras with telephoto lens for zoom.
- Users who value software updates and future proofing.
- Those who use eSIM.
- Gamers who want the latest graphics and performance.
- Users who want better low-light image quality.
- Users who want a better battery life with bypass charging.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphic intensive games.
- Taking photos in varied lighting conditions.
- Capturing zoomed-in shots.
- Heavy multitasking and app usage.
- Using the phone outdoors in bright sunlight.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: Do you require the latest processing power for heavy gaming and multitasking, or is a mid-range processor sufficient for your daily use?
- Camera Priorities: Do you value a higher-resolution main sensor, macro lens, or do you prioritize low-light performance, optical zoom, and a versatile set of lenses?
- Display Importance: Is a brighter screen for outdoor visibility a must, or is a larger, although slightly dimmer display better for your use case?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Conscious User: If you're on a tighter budget and prioritize a larger screen and macro lens, the Xiaomi Mi 11 can be a good fit.
- Performance Enthusiast: If you need the best performance, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is the superior choice with a much better chip, GPU, more RAM, and future software updates.
- Outdoor Photographer: The Samsung Galaxy S24+ is better due to its brighter screen, telephoto zoom and superior low-light camera performance.
- Power User: For someone who will use their device heavily, and uses features like gaming, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is a better fit with better performance, bypass charging, and a more comprehensive software experience.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24+. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 has some attractive features like a larger display, dedicated macro lens, and faster wireless charging, the S24+ is superior in practically all other aspects that are important to me. The significantly faster processor, much brighter screen, better camera with the telephoto lens, superior low-light camera performance, and more reliable long-term software support and more internal storage are all compelling advantages that outweigh the Mi 11's benefits. The S24+ is simply a more future-proof device that will provide a better experience over the long run, and would be able to handle intensive workloads more smoothly.
