Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Samsung offers a larger screen when unfolded, more compact when folded. Xiaomi has a more traditional form factor. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm (unfolded) | Xiaomi is taller and thicker, while the Z Fold6 is much wider when unfolded. Xiaomi is more pocketable when compared to the Z Fold 6 unfolded, Z Fold 6 has the benefit of being more compact when folded |
| Weight | 196g | 239g | Xiaomi Mi 11 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for longer durations. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 7.6" | Z Fold6 offers a larger screen area for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity, while Xiaomi Mi 11 has more pocketable form factor. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1856 x 2160 | Xiaomi has a sharper screen, resulting in better text clarity and image details. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 374 PPI | Xiaomi has significantly sharper display, especially noticeable with text and intricate details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Xiaomi offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and vibrant colors. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones have smooth scrolling, but this benefit is negated by the different display qualities of each phone. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi is significantly brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Z Fold 6 brightness isn't specified. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Z Fold6 has a much newer and more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 2,200,000 | Z Fold6 offers significantly higher performance. Expect the Z Fold6 to be much faster and more capable with demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Z Fold6 has a more advanced GPU, offering superior graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Xiaomi captures more detail on the main lens. Samsung main camera performance isn't specified. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.8 | Samsung main camera captures more light and is better for low light photography. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 10MP | Xiaomi has higher resolution for sharper selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.2 | Samsung selfie camera captures more light for low light conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP | Z Fold6 offers optical zoom capabilities for versatile photography. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Both have a similar wide angle camera, with similar specifications. Samsung has a wider aperture allowing for better low light performance, but a less defined wide shot. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0 | None | Xiaomi can take close-up shots with the dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both devices offer high-resolution video recording. |
| DXOMark | Selfie: 112 (main), 100(photo), 133(video) | Mobile: 133 (main), 132(photo), 128(video) | Z Fold6 has a higher rating on main camera performance, while Xiaomi has higher video performance on the selfie lens. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 4400 mAh | Xiaomi has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 55W | 25W | Xiaomi charges much faster, reducing downtime for charging. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 15W | Xiaomi offers faster wireless charging. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 10W | 4.5W | Xiaomi can charge other devices wirelessly at a faster rate. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI resulting in superior clarity.
- Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility, crucial for use in sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots.
- Lighter and More Compact (Standard Form Factor): Easier to handle and pocketable.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Advantages:
- Foldable Display: Larger screen for better media consumption and productivity.
- Significantly Higher Performance: A newer chipset with superior processing and graphics capabilities.
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom for more versatile photography.
- More Storage Options: Up to 1TB of storage, which is significantly more than Xiaomi's 256GB max.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Better compatibility and power management with newer Bluetooth accessories.
- eSIM support: Allows for more flexibility with mobile plans.
Trade-offs:
- The Z Fold6's foldable design comes with the trade-off of higher weight and a more expensive price point.
- Xiaomi Mi 11's older chipset means it will have a shorter lifespan compared to the Z Fold6.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Seeking good performance and a sharp display without paying a premium.
- Users Prioritizing Screen Clarity: Those who value sharpness and outdoor visibility.
- Users who value fast charging: If quick charging is a priority this device will be more suitable.
- Users who value photography: If macro and front camera photos are a priority, this device will be more suitable.
Use Cases:
- Daily web browsing, social media, and video consumption (indoors).
- Casual gaming and basic productivity tasks.
- Everyday photography, especially macro shots.
- User's who prefer a more traditional form factor for pocketability.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Demanding users who need top-tier performance.
- Productivity-Oriented Users: Those who utilize multi-tasking and large screen spaces for work.
- Multitasking Enthusiasts: Those who utilize the extra screen space for multi-tasking and enhanced viewing experiences.
- Users who value versatility: If you want to take zoom shots this is a more suitable phone.
- Users who value new technology: This is a cutting-edge phone, and more expensive.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and intensive tasks.
- Multitasking between apps, and working on-the-go.
- Content creation and media consumption.
- Those who prefer the experience of the foldable display for media and gaming.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Z Fold6 is significantly more expensive.
- Do I value a foldable screen or prioritize a sharper, brighter, more conventional screen? This will dictate the design that you should opt for.
- Do I need top-tier performance for demanding tasks, or is good everyday performance sufficient? If you need performance, the Z Fold 6 is the only option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11. You'll get a great screen and solid performance for the price.
- Scenario 2: Performance Power User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. It has the most powerful processor for demanding applications and workflows.
- Scenario 3: Content Consumption & Productivity
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. The large foldable screen is far more suitable for this than the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Scenario 4: Photography-focused:
* **Recommendation:** If you want to take macro photos, the Xiaomi Mi 11 may be more suitable, or for telephoto shots, the Z Fold 6 is more suitable.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would personally opt for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. While I appreciate the Xiaomi Mi 11's sharper display and faster charging, the Z Fold6's foldable screen and superior processing capabilities are far more compelling for my use case. I frequently multitask and consume media on my phone, and the larger screen is a major advantage for those activities. Additionally, the future proofing provided by the newest chipset ensures longevity. Although it is a significantly more expensive phone, the innovative technology makes it more compelling.
