1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Mi 11 is taller, Note 11 is more compact; Both share the same thickness. |
| Weight | 196g | 179g | Note 11 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Mi 11 offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| ### Display |
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.43" | Mi 11 offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. Note 11 is slightly more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 has a noticeably sharper display with more detail; better for high-resolution content. |
| PPI | 515 | 409 | Mi 11 will look crisper with more pixel density |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11 provides smoother animations and scrolling, offering better fluidity. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1000 nits | Mi 11 is much more readable outdoors in bright sunlight; the display will have better visibility in sunny conditions than Note 11 |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mi 11 offers significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and more efficient gaming experience. Note 11 is adequate for basic use cases. |
| Antutu Score | 806,139 | 314,000 | Mi 11 is much faster for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Mi 11 has a significantly more powerful GPU, better for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" sensor, 0.80 µm pixels, Samsung Bright S5KHMX | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64 µm pixels, Samsung S5KJN1 | Mi 11 captures more detailed photos with a much larger sensor and higher resolution, which are more beneficial in low-light situations. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor, 0.80 µm pixels, Samsung S5K3T2 | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.1" sensor, 1.12 µm pixels, Samsung S5K3L6 | Mi 11 captures higher-resolution selfies and has a slightly wider aperture while Note 11 has larger pixels which will give better low light performance |
| Wide Angle Camera | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.12 µm pixels, Omnivision OV13B10 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor, 1.12 µm pixels, GalaxyCore GC08A3 | Mi 11 has higher resolution and a slightly wider aperture and a slightly bigger sensor, resulting in better ultrawide shots. |
| Portrait Mode Camera | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, 1.75 µm pixels, Omnivision OV02B1B | Note 11 has a dedicated depth sensor to assist in creating bokeh effect |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" sensor, 1.12 µm pixels, Samsung S5K5E9 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, 1.75 µm pixels, GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Mi 11 has higher resolution and wider aperture for better close-up shots |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Mi 11 captures much higher resolution video with stabilization options, better for those who need professional quality video. Note 11 is basic but will get the job done for casual recordings |
| DXOMark Selfie | Overall: 112, Photo: 100, Video: 133 | N/A | Mi 11 offers much better selfie camera performance than the Redmi Note 11, with higher scores in all aspects. Note 11 has no rating by Dxomark for selfie capabilities |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, etc. | Quad Camera, Night Mode, etc. | Mi 11 has superior features for advanced photography/videography and low light settings while Redmi Note 11 has a dedicated night mode for improving low light photography |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | Note 11 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer usage between charges in casual usage. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging, 50W wireless | 33W fast charging | Mi 11 charges faster, both wired and wirelessly, reducing downtime. Mi 11 also has reverse wireless charging. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 2*2250mAh, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse-wireless charging | Reverse charging | Mi 11 offers more charging options, including the convenience of wireless charging and reverse charging. |
| ### Software |
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Mi 11 is upgradable to android 14 while Note 11 is only upgradable to 13. |
| ### Connectivity |
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Mi 11 supports faster WiFi speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | Mi 11 offers a newer version with additional codecs for better wireless audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Mi 11 has more accurate and reliable positioning due to support for more satellite systems. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | Both phones offer up to 256GB of storage |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | Mi 11 has more RAM for smoother multitasking and handling demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD card. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Stereo Speakers | Mi 11 provides higher quality audio playback, better audio separation and better voice capture. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Note 11 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint reader. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Mi 11 has more advanced sensor capabilities due to the additional heart rate sensor for extra features and health tracking options. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Higher Quality Display: Sharper, brighter display with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate provides a premium viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Better Camera System: Superior main, ultrawide, selfie, and macro cameras with more features such as OIS, 4K and 8K video recording.
- Faster Charging: 55W wired charging and 50W wireless charging enable faster battery top-ups; also has reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio, stereo speakers and 2 microphones ensure better sound output and voice capture.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
- More Upgradable OS: It will receive android 14 OS while Note 11 will be stuck at android 13.
- More Advanced Sensors: Includes heart rate monitor sensor.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for long periods of usage and convenient to carry.
- Slightly Larger Battery: May offer slightly longer battery life in casual scenarios.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient for unlocking.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Better bokeh effects.
- Lower Cost: Significantly cheaper and more accessible.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 trades battery capacity for better performance, display quality, charging speeds and better cameras.
- Note 11 trades processing power, display quality, and high-end camera features for improved battery and more compact dimensions and lower cost.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, content creators, and those who prioritize display and camera quality, as well as future proofing.
- Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming
- Professional photo and video editing on the go
- Consuming high-resolution media
- Multitasking with demanding apps
- Outdoor use in bright conditions
- People looking for future proofed devices.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious consumers, everyday users, those who prioritize battery life and comfortable use.
- Use Cases:
- Basic smartphone tasks (browsing, social media, calls)
- Long-lasting battery life for daily use
- Casual photography
- Users who want a more compact form factor
Price-to-Value:
- Mi 11 offers significantly higher performance and quality for a higher price.
- Note 11 provides good value at a lower price point with focus on core functionality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What's my primary use case? (Gaming/content creation vs. everyday tasks)
- What's my budget? (High-end performance or budget-friendly)
- Do I prioritize display quality and cameras, or do I prefer battery life and compactness?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need high-end performance, prefer photography/videography, and don't mind paying more: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- If you are a casual user looking for a reliable and affordable phone with good battery life and a comfortable design: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11.
My reasoning is as follows:
- Performance: I value smooth multitasking and the ability to handle demanding apps and games, and the Snapdragon 888 provides a significantly better experience in that regard.
- Display: I prioritize a high quality screen, and the higher resolution, brighter and smoother 120Hz panel on the Mi 11 is worth the premium.
- Camera: I appreciate a good camera system for both photos and videos. The Mi 11 has a much better and feature rich camera system overall, which will be beneficial for both casual and advanced users.
- Future Proofing: The fact that the Mi 11 has an additional Android OS update is very valuable in terms of longevity.
While the Redmi Note 11 has its advantages with it's lighter design, side-mounted fingerprint scanner and a larger battery, those are areas where I'm willing to trade off, in favor of better performance, display and a more comprehensive and higher quality camera system. Also the inclusion of wireless charging, faster wired charging, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 and a more advanced sensor suite just seals the deal.
