1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 13T Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 162.2 × 75.7 × 8.5 mm | Mi 11 is slightly taller and thinner, 13T Pro is wider and thicker. 13T Pro has a larger overall volume, potentially feeling more substantial in hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 200g | Both are very similar in weight, negligible difference in terms of portability. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11's Victus provides superior scratch and shatter resistance compared to 13T Pro's Gorilla Glass 5. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 13T Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.67" | Mi 11 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption, but may be less comfortable to hold for some. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1220x2712 | Mi 11's higher resolution offers sharper images and text, with noticeably more detail in visuals. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 446 | Mi 11's higher PPI results in crisper, more detailed visuals, especially noticeable in small text and high-resolution images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. No difference in basic display technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | 13T Pro's higher refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, which can be beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2600 nits | 13T Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight due to much higher peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 13T Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm) | 13T Pro's newer chipset provides significantly better performance, faster app loading, better multitasking, and is more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,510,298 | 13T Pro performs much better in benchmarks, indicating a large difference in speed and overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Immortalis-G715 MC11 | 13T Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, offering better gaming performance and graphics handling capabilities. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 13T Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Mi 11 has a higher resolution sensor, potentially allowing for more detail in good lighting, but not necessarily better overall image quality. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.28" | 13T Pro's slightly larger sensor gathers more light, improving low-light performance and overall image quality. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.22 µm | 13T Pro's larger pixels on main camera sensor generally improve low light performance and dynamic range, while Mi 11 has smaller pixels. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.9 | Mi 11 has marginally wider aperture on main sensor for slightly more light, but real world difference is minimal |
| Telephoto/Portrait Lens | No | 50MP (f/1.9, 1/2.88") | 13T Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait photography, offering more versatility in different photographic situations, a feature the Mi 11 lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP (f/2.3, 1/3.4") | 20MP (f/2.2, 1/2") | 13T Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture, which should result in slightly better low-light selfies and potentially better bokeh effects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP (f/2.3, 1/3.06") | 13MP (f/2.2, 1/3.06") | 13T Pro has a wider aperture on wide angle lens, resulting in marginally improved low-light performance compared to the Mi 11. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (f/2.0, 1/5") | No | Mi 11 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, a feature absent on the 13T Pro. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24/30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer similar high-resolution video recording, suitable for capturing detailed footage. |
| Slow Motion | 480fps | 960fps | 13T Pro offers higher slow-motion framerate, enabling more dramatic effects. |
| DXOMARK Score (Mobile) | Not Tested | 131 | 13T Pro received a DxOMark Mobile score of 131, giving a general idea of its camera performance. The Mi 11 has only a DXOMark Selfie score, making a direct mobile camera comparison impossible. |
| Camera Features | Continuous autofocus, Laser AF, AF assist Beam | Cinematic Mode, Noise reduction, Optical zoom, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Exposure compensation, Night Mode | 13T Pro offers more advanced features like a dedicated night mode, optical zoom, cinematic mode, noise reduction and PDAF, while Mi 11 features continuous autofocus, Laser AF and AF assist beam. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 13T Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | 13T Pro has a slightly larger battery, which may translate to slightly longer usage per charge. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | 13T Pro charges significantly faster than the Mi 11. Users can get a full charge in very little time. |
| Battery Features | 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse-wireless charging | Surge P1 & G1 Chips | Mi 11 features wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, while 13T Pro boasts dedicated charging management chips, providing better charging efficiency and battery health. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI make for a more detailed visual experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers greater durability against scratches and drops.
- Wireless Charging: Supports wireless and reverse wireless charging, adding convenience for charging other devices.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Ultrasonic Proximity sensor: potentially more accurate proximity sensor than the infrared sensor found in 13T Pro.
Xiaomi 13T Pro Advantages
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer chipset offers dramatically better CPU and GPU performance, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking.
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher peak brightness greatly improves outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 120W charging allows for extremely fast battery replenishment.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Provides superior zoom capabilities and portrait mode options.
- Better Selfie Camera: Larger sensor and wider aperture result in better selfie performance.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster data transfers and better audio experience.
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexibility with carrier options.
- Advanced Camera Features: Features like Cinematic mode, noise reduction, Optical zoom and PDAF, offering better camera capabilities for varied scenarios.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Higher RAM capacity (16GB max) and Storage (1024GB max).
- Better Battery Management: Dedicated Surge P1 and G1 charging chips providing better charging efficiency and battery health.
- More advanced Android versions: Android 13 out of the box with planned upgrades to Android 17.
Significant Trade-offs
- Mi 11: Trades newer technology, faster performance, better connectivity and versatile camera features for a sharper display, better screen protection, wireless charging and a dedicated macro lens.
- 13T Pro: Trades slightly less sharp display (although still great) and wireless charging functionality for superior overall performance and newer tech.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal User
- Users Prioritizing Screen Detail: Those who frequently watch high-resolution videos or work with detailed visuals.
- Users Who Want Wireless Charging: Convenient for those who prefer wireless charging or want the ability to reverse charge other devices.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Users who love to take close-up shots using a macro lens.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: This phone is older and should be significantly cheaper now.
Use Cases:
* Watching high-resolution movies and TV shows.
* Viewing detailed images, such as photos or maps.
* Occasional macro photography.
* Using wireless charging pads.
Xiaomi 13T Pro Ideal User
- Performance Seekers: Gamers and heavy multitaskers who need the fastest possible performance.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who need the versatility of a telephoto lens and advanced video features.
- Users in Bright Environments: Those who need good screen visibility in sunny conditions.
- Users Seeking the Latest Connectivity and Software: Those who need the latest Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Android features and long term support
Use Cases:
* Playing graphic-intensive games.
* Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various situations.
* Using the phone extensively outdoors in sunlight.
* Traveling internationally with the option to use eSIM.
* Future proof software and connectivity.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 is an older phone that should be cheaper, but the 13T Pro offers so much more it might be worth the price difference.
- The Xiaomi 13T Pro has significantly newer technology, faster performance, and better camera versatility making it a great pick for those who want the best features available in this comparison.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, general use).
- How important are peak performance, camera versatility, and outdoor display brightness?
- How important are wireless charging and the macro lens feature to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Performance-Focused User
- Recommendation: Xiaomi 13T Pro. The superior chipset, GPU, and faster RAM provide a clear edge for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Xiaomi 13T Pro. The dedicated telephoto lens and improved image processing capabilities give greater flexibility.
- Scenario 3: Casual User, Budget Conscious
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 is more budget friendly, with a better screen and wireless charging capabilities, ideal for media consumption.
- Scenario 4: User who Needs Long Term Software Support
- Recommendation: Xiaomi 13T Pro, with newer software, and more software updates, this phone will be supported for longer compared to the Mi 11.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi 13T Pro. While the Mi 11 has a slightly sharper display and includes wireless charging, the overall performance advantage of the 13T Pro is too significant to ignore. The newer chipset, brighter screen, faster charging, dedicated telephoto lens, better connectivity, and improved software make it the better all-around phone for my needs, I prefer the flexibility of having a dedicated telephoto lens over a macro lens, since the 13T pro has a high res main sensor which should allow for decent digital zoom anyway, and the 13T pro will last longer. The performance advantage alone makes the 13T Pro a much better pick.
