1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 160.5 × 75.7 × 6.8 mm | Mi 11 is taller and thicker, Lite NE is wider and thinner. Mi 11 is larger and may be less comfortable in smaller hands. Lite NE is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 196g | 158g | Lite NE is significantly lighter, more comfortable for long use and one-handed operation. Mi 11 might feel heavier in hand. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 has superior screen protection, offering better scratch and shatter resistance. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.55" | Mi 11 provides a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. Lite NE is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11's higher resolution offers sharper images and text, more detailed visuals. Lite NE is still sharp but less so. |
| PPI | 515 | 402 | Mi 11 has a significantly sharper display. Text and images will look more crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11 has smoother scrolling, animations and a more fluid visual experience. Lite NE is still fluid but less so. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 offers superior outdoor visibility and can handle bright sunlight much better. Lite NE's brightness is unknown, so may not be ideal for outdoor use. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) | Mi 11 has a more powerful flagship chipset, leading to faster app loading and better performance in demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 806,139 | 589,200 | Mi 11 has significantly higher benchmark scores. It will perform better for gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | Mi 11 offers better graphics performance, important for gamers and those doing graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 64MP | Mi 11 has higher resolution, allowing for more detailed photos and better cropping. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.79 | Lite NE has slightly wider aperture for potentially better low light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.97" | Mi 11 has a larger sensor, captures more light, and has the potential to perform better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | Both have the same resolution, so detail levels will be similar. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.24 | Lite NE has slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 13MP | 8MP | Mi 11 has higher resolution wide angle photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.2 | Lite NE has slightly wider aperture for wider angle photos. |
| Macro Lens Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.4 | Mi 11 has wider aperture for potentially better macro shots |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Mi 11 offers higher video resolution and framerate options for professional use cases. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS, OIS | EIS | Mi 11 has Optical image stabilisation making it superior for stable video capture |
| Slow Motion | Up to 480fps | Up to 960fps | Lite NE captures up to 960fps slow motion. |
| Camera Features | OIS, 8K Video, RAW, Laser AF, etc. | Exposure compensation, Night mode | Mi 11 has more features suited for advanced photographers. Lite NE has features suited for casual photography. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 4250 mAh | Mi 11 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 55W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Mi 11 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Additional Features | 50W Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | None | Mi 11 offers wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System (Max Version) | Android 14 | Android 12 | Mi 11 is guaranteed to get two more OS updates which will extend it's life span. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB or 8GB | Mi 11 offers better multi-tasking capabilities for the 12GB variant. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Lite NE has a faster side-mounted sensor |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi MIMO, Bluetooth 5.2 (AptX), GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1) | Wi-Fi (no MIMO), Bluetooth 5.2 (EDR, HID), GPS (L1+L5), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Mi 11 has MIMO for faster Wi-Fi and APT-x audio. Lite NE has more satellite compatibility. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly better performance for demanding games, multitasking, and heavy applications.
- Higher Resolution and Brighter Display: Sharper images, text and much better sunlight visibility.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main sensor, larger sensor size, optical stabilization, 8k Video, and more advanced camera features make it ideal for photography and videography enthusiasts.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 55W wired and 50W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging.
- Longer Software Support: Guaranteed to get two more OS upgrades than the Lite NE.
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable for one-handed use and easier to carry around.
- Potentially Better Low Light Selfie Camera: Slightly wider aperture on the selfie camera may result in slightly better low-light performance.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted sensor offers a faster and more reliable unlocking experience.
- Higher Slow Motion Frame rate: Up to 960fps.
- Potentially more accurate GPS: More satellite systems.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 is heavier, bulkier, and more expensive but offers a far more premium experience in terms of performance, display, camera and battery features.
- The 11 Lite 5G NE is lighter and thinner, and has a potentially more accurate fingerprint reader but suffers in terms of performance, display brightness, camera capabilities and does not offer any wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11
- Ideal Users: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, content creators.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games at the highest settings.
- Shooting high-quality photos and videos, including 8K footage.
- Multitasking between resource-intensive apps.
- Longer outdoor use, enjoying a bright display in any conditions.
- Those who need long term software support.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance and features for the price, good value for those who demand top-tier performance.
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
- Ideal Users: Casual users, style-conscious individuals, users who prioritize comfort and portability.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday smartphone use, such as browsing the web, social media, and messaging.
- Taking casual photos and selfies.
- Users who need a lightweight and compact device.
- Those who prefer a faster side mounted fingerprint scanner.
- Price-to-Value: More affordable, offers excellent value for a light user.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize top-tier performance for gaming and heavy tasks, or is a moderate level of performance acceptable?
- Display Quality: Do you value a super sharp display, high refresh rate and excellent outdoor visibility, or is a more basic display sufficient?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need advanced photography features like 8k video, OIS, and RAW capture, or is a capable but basic camera system enough?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Power User): If you are a power user needing maximum performance, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the clear choice due to its superior chipset, GPU, and faster charging.
- Scenario 2 (Casual User): If you prioritize portability, a comfortable design, and a more budget-friendly price, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is a better fit.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Enthusiast): If you care about camera quality, then the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the better choice due to it's higher resolution sensor, OIS, 8k Video and more advanced camera features.
- Scenario 4 (Outdoor Use): If you use your phone a lot outside then the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the only option due to its higher brightness display.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While I appreciate the lighter design and side-mounted fingerprint sensor of the 11 Lite 5G NE, my needs lean towards a device with better overall performance, a brighter and higher-resolution display, and an advanced camera system. The superior performance of the Snapdragon 888, combined with the sharper display, faster charging, and enhanced camera capabilities of the Mi 11, outweigh its bulkier form factor for my use case. I often find myself multitasking between apps and sometimes play graphically demanding games and take photos and videos, for these use cases the Mi 11 is superior.
