1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | Mi 11 is wider, might feel less comfortable for one-handed use. Xperia 1 IV is taller and slightly thicker, but more narrow for comfortable grip. |
| Weight | 196g | 185g | Xperia 1 IV is noticeably lighter (11g) making it slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.5" | Mi 11 offers a larger display, which is beneficial for media consumption and multitasking. Xperia 1 IV is slightly smaller, making it more pocketable and manageable. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1644x3840 | Xperia 1 IV has a significantly sharper display with higher pixel density, leading to clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 643 | Xperia 1 IV's higher PPI results in noticeably crisper and more detailed visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. Minimal difference in practical use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and fluid animations. Identical user experience in this regard. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 has much higher peak brightness, significantly better visibility outdoors in sunlight. The provided 0 nits brightness for Sony is likely an error. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xperia 1 IV uses a newer generation chipset, resulting in better performance, efficiency, and potentially better thermal management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,076,100 | Xperia 1 IV demonstrates noticeably better overall performance, smoother operation, and faster loading times. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Xperia 1 IV's newer GPU handles demanding games and graphics-intensive tasks more smoothly and efficiently. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 12MP | Mi 11 has a much higher resolution sensor for detail capture, but may not translate to better image quality under all conditions. Xperia 1 IV has larger pixels, better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.7 | Xperia 1 IV with a wider aperture allows more light, better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 12MP | Mi 11 has higher resolution for selfies which may capture more details, depending on other factors. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.0 | Xperia 1 IV has wider aperture for brighter selfies, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | Yes | Xperia 1 IV offers optical zoom capabilities, absent in the Mi 11. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 13MP | 12MP | Minimal difference in wide-angle resolution. |
| Wide Angle Lens Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.2 | Slightly wider aperture on the Xperia 1 IV may allow a bit more light. |
| Macro Lens | Yes | No | Mi 11 can take dedicated macro shots; Xperia 1 IV requires other workarounds. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | Yes | Xperia 1 IV has depth-sensing for better portrait mode and AR applications. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@120fps | Mi 11 captures 8K video, Xperia 1 IV offers higher frame rates in 4K, suitable for slow-motion. |
| Slow-motion | 480fps | 960fps | Xperia 1 IV offers significantly higher frame rates for more dramatic slow-motion recording. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, 8K Video, Laser AF, AF Assist Beam | Quadruple camera, Optical zoom, Phase Detection Autofocus | Xperia 1 IV offers greater flexibility, more advanced autofocus. Mi 11 offers laser AF and AF assist beam |
| DXOMark | Selfie: 112 | Mobile: 105 | Mi 11's selfie camera scores higher, while the Xperia 1 IV has a slightly higher photo score. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 1 IV has a slightly larger battery, likely leading to longer battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 55W | 30W | Mi 11 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | Bypass Charging | Mi 11 offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, which is very convenient. Xperia 1 IV's bypass charging improves battery health. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Mi 11 is upgradable to a higher version than the Xperia 1 IV. The OS versions may vary depending on regional software release. |
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Xperia 1 IV offers higher storage options for users needing more space for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | Xperia 1 IV offers more RAM, which is better for multitasking, running multiple apps and demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards, so users are limited to internal storage. |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos | Xperia 1 IV supports higher quality audio and spatial audio, better audio immersion; Xiaomi Mi 11 has 2 microphones for enhanced voice input quality. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Xperia 1 IV has more convenient and faster fingerprint sensor access compared to the basic fingerprint sensor of Mi 11. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Mi 11 supports more satellite systems, possibly resulting in better location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Sony Xperia 1 IV supports eSIM, allowing digital carrier switching; Xiaomi Mi 11 supports using two physical SIMs simultaneously. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi MiMO | N/A | Xiaomi Mi 11 has Wi-Fi MiMO for enhanced WiFi performance. |
| Bluetooth | A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, GAVDP, GAP, HFP, HID, HSP, LE, MAP, PAN, SPP, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HDP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Sony Xperia 1 IV offers more bluetooth profiles, potentially better compatibility with more bluetooth devices, more functionalities. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Hall | Xperia 1 IV offers a more comprehensive sensor suite including a barometer, while Mi 11 includes heart rate monitoring. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages
- Larger and Brighter Display: Larger screen and significantly higher brightness, leading to better media consumption and outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 55W fast charging is significantly quicker than the 30W offered by the Xperia 1 IV.
- Wireless Charging: Offers 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging for greater convenience.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main sensor for detailed images, though not necessarily better overall quality.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens allows for close-up shots.
- Advanced GPS Support: Broader GPS compatibility could enhance location services in some situations
- Heart Rate Monitor: Integrated heart rate monitor offers basic fitness functionality
- Upgradable to a higher OS version (Android 14): Provides a longer software support timeline than Sony Xperia 1 IV
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for incredibly crisp visuals.
- Superior Performance: Newer and more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and Adreno 730 GPU, offers significant performance increase.
- Better Low-light Camera Performance: Larger pixel size, and wider apertures of both the main and selfie camera.
- Telephoto Lens with Optical Zoom: Allows for versatile zoom capabilities, absent on the Mi 11.
- ToF 3D Sensor: Enables better portrait mode and AR applications.
- More Advanced Video Features: higher slow-motion frame rate, OIS, EIS on all resolutions and frame rates.
- Larger Battery: Provides slightly longer battery life.
- More Bluetooth profiles: Better compatibility with bluetooth devices and a more extensive range of features.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: more convenient and faster unlock method compared to the basic fingerprint sensor on Mi 11.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Superior sound with spatial audio.
- Higher RAM and Storage Options: More RAM and storage available for power users.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Including a barometer for environmental data
- eSIM Support: Allows for digital carrier switching
Trade-offs
- Mi 11 sacrifices performance, telephoto lens, and advanced audio features for a brighter display and faster charging.
- Xperia 1 IV sacrifices charging speed and wireless charging for better display quality, performance, and camera versatility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who watch a lot of videos and want a large, bright display.
- Casual Gamers: Suitable for mobile gaming although not as smooth as the Xperia 1 IV.
- Users focused on battery charging: Ideal for users that need a quick top-up of battery throughout the day.
- Users who need wireless and reverse wireless charging: Wireless charging capabilities and power sharing are a plus for these users.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Ideal User
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value versatile cameras with optical zoom and advanced features.
- Power Users and Gamers: Those who require top-tier performance and smooth multitasking.
- Audio Lovers: Users who value high-quality sound reproduction.
- Users who want a comprehensive sensor suite: users who require a barometer.
- Users who value screen resolution and visual quality: Sharper resolution will greatly enhance user experience.
- Users who value battery life: The slightly larger battery of the Xperia 1 IV will help get through the day.
Specific Use Cases
- Mi 11: Watching movies outdoors, browsing the web, and occasional gaming.
- Xperia 1 IV: Capturing high-quality photos and videos, playing demanding games, and enjoying immersive audio.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The price difference would be a key factor, with the Mi 11 likely being more affordable due to its age. However, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is newer, with a newer chipset, better performance, and better cameras.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is your priority: display size/brightness and fast charging, or performance and camera versatility?
- Do you need high quality photos with optical zoom or a dedicated macro lens?
- Is wireless charging and fast charging important, or is battery life most important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Everyday Multimedia Use: If your primary use case is watching videos, browsing, and casual gaming and you value a larger screen and bright display, the Xiaomi Mi 11 would be suitable. You will also benefit from faster and wireless charging.
Scenario 2: Photography and Performance: If photography, gaming, and demanding apps are your focus, then the Sony Xperia 1 IV is the clear choice for its superior camera, performance, and display sharpness.
Scenario 3: Mixed Use: If you need a mix of features, consider which features are most critical (camera vs. charging vs. performance). If display and charging speed are the priority, choose the Mi 11, otherwise choose the Xperia 1 IV.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Sony Xperia 1 IV. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a larger screen and faster charging, the Xperia 1 IV has the edge in areas that are more important to me:
- Superior Performance: The newer chipset, GPU, and higher RAM of the Xperia 1 IV provide a smoother and more responsive experience, crucial for demanding apps and games.
- Camera Versatility: The addition of a telephoto lens with optical zoom, and ToF 3D sensor offers more flexibility in different shooting scenarios, something I value for content creation.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density on the Xperia 1 IV result in a crisper and more pleasing visual experience.
- Enhanced audio quality: Dolby Atmos and enhanced Bluetooth features will give an enjoyable audio experience.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Barometer allows for more environmental data.
While I would miss the faster charging and wireless charging from the Mi 11, the improvements in performance, camera capabilities, and display quality offered by the Sony Xperia 1 IV outweigh those advantages for me. The Xperia 1 IV is better suited for tasks where I want the best possible performance, visual quality, and camera versatility.
