1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 168.2 × 75.5 × 8.1 mm | TCL 50 SE is slightly taller and wider, but both have the same thickness; negligible real-world difference in pocketability. |
| Weight | 196g | 195g | Virtually identical weights; neither will feel significantly heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.78" | Minimal difference in screen size; negligible in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2460 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers significantly sharper and clearer visuals. Text and images appear more detailed. This is noticeable, especially with smaller fonts or detailed images. |
| PPI | 515 | 396 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably sharper and clearer display. The difference is significant in daily use when reading and looking at details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and superior power efficiency, especially with dark mode. TCL 50 SE will have shallower blacks, and the display will be less vibrant. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Mi 11 provides a slightly smoother scrolling and animation experience, though not significantly noticeable for all users. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 900 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 provides dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The screen will remain readable in direct sunlight, unlike TCL 50 SE. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | Xiaomi Mi 11's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming, and a more future-proof device. TCL 50 SE is noticeably less powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 250,000 | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers far superior performance. The difference in scores reflects the huge disparity between the devices' power. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a more powerful GPU, offering a better gaming experience and faster graphics rendering. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8 | Xiaomi Mi 11 captures images with much higher resolution, resulting in more detailed photos. TCL 50 SE has a slightly wider aperture which could be beneficial in low-light situations, but the difference is marginal. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Xiaomi Mi 11 produces significantly higher resolution selfies with more detail. TCL 50 SE has a wider aperture that allows slightly more light, potentially benefiting low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP | Not Available | Xiaomi Mi 11 allows for wider field of view shots, suitable for landscapes and group photos, while TCL 50 SE cannot offer these types of pictures. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi Mi 11 captures higher resolution macro photos with a wider aperture. |
| Video | Up to 8K with HDR & EIS, Slow-mo | 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 can capture significantly higher quality video with more features like HDR, EIS, and slow-motion recording. TCL 50 SE is limited to basic 1080p video recording. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5010mAh | TCL 50 SE has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 33W fast charging | Xiaomi Mi 11 charges much faster and offers additional wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | TCL 50 SE launches with a newer version of Android out of the box, but the Xiaomi Mi 11 can upgrade to the same version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Xiaomi Mi 11 supports faster WiFi speeds and better performance on crowded networks, with Wi-Fi MIMO for more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with aptX, LDAC, AAC | 5.1 with EDR | Xiaomi Mi 11 has a newer version of Bluetooth and supports higher-quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | More systems | Fewer systems | Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a more accurate positioning system due to the number of systems it can access. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options, sufficient for most users. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB/6GB | Xiaomi Mi 11 can handle heavy multitasking and demanding apps far better than TCL 50 SE. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage; users must choose the storage option that suits their needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Mi 11 has higher quality audio playback, better audio separation and immersion, and improved voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | TCL 50 SE has a more advanced and convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor that is faster and more intuitive to unlock. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Xiaomi Mi 11 provides a comprehensive set of sensors suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel, much higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate offer a significantly better visual experience.
- Exceptional Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides dramatically faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution main camera, superior selfie camera, dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses, and 8K video recording give it a much more versatile and higher quality imaging experience.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Options: Much faster wired charging, plus wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Better Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster wireless connections, more satellite systems for accurate location tracking.
- Better Audio: Hi-res audio and two microphones for higher audio quality.
- Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus for superior protection.
- More Sensors: More advanced sensors like a gyroscope and a heart rate sensor.
TCL 50 SE Advantages:
- Newer OS out-of-the-box: Ships with Android 14, though Xiaomi Mi 11 can be updated to the same version.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly better battery life.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A more advanced and convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Sacrifices slightly larger battery capacity for superior display, performance, camera, and connectivity.
- TCL 50 SE: Offers a more modern Android version out of the box, slightly longer battery life, and a more convenient fingerprint sensor at the cost of significantly lower performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and build quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality displays for watching videos, editing photos, and consuming visual content.
- Photography and Videography Lovers: Those who want a versatile camera system for capturing high-resolution photos and videos in various scenarios.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest features, faster connectivity, and advanced features.
TCL 50 SE Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for a more affordable smartphone for basic daily tasks.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who prioritize slightly longer battery life over performance.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Those who mainly use their phone for social media, browsing, messaging, and some casual photography.
Specific Use Cases:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Gaming (high graphics, smooth frame rates), Professional Photography & Videography, VR and AR applications, mobile content creation.
- TCL 50 SE: Everyday browsing and social media, making calls and messaging, casual photo capturing, watching some video content.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a premium experience and justifies the higher price point with its superior display, performance, and camera.
- The TCL 50 SE caters to the budget segment, providing acceptable performance for basic tasks at a lower cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? Are you willing to spend more for a top-tier experience, or is budget your primary concern?
- How do you use your smartphone? Do you need high-end performance for gaming and demanding tasks, or do you primarily use it for basic functions?
- Which features are most important to you? Do you prioritize display quality, camera capabilities, performance, battery life, or a modern operating system?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming and Media Consumption. Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11. The Snapdragon 888 and AMOLED display are essential for a smooth and immersive experience.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User with Basic Needs. Recommendation: TCL 50 SE. It offers acceptable performance for daily tasks at a lower price point.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast. Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11. The advanced camera system, including various lenses, is much more versatile and capable than the TCL 50 SE's basic configuration.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While the TCL 50 SE is a newer phone with a slightly larger battery and a more modern Android version out of the box, it's clear that the Xiaomi Mi 11 offers a dramatically better overall experience, specifically in key areas like display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
As a user who values high-resolution and high refresh rate display, the Xiaomi's AMOLED is a must-have for a crisp, smooth, and vibrant visual experience. The massive performance difference due to the Snapdragon 888 will be highly noticeable for multitasking, launching apps, and gaming. The camera system on the Xiaomi is also far more versatile and can record professional-grade videos in 8K resolution with HDR and EIS for better image stabilization. For me, these are core features that I prioritize, making the extra cost well worth it.
