1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 165.7 × 76 × 7.9 mm | Redmi Note 12 4G is slightly taller and wider, may feel slightly bulkier. Mi 11 is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 196g | 183.5g | Redmi Note 12 4G is lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.67" | Mi 11 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 has much sharper, more detailed visuals, noticeable in text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | Mi 11 offers significantly crisper text and images, less pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits | Mi 11 is significantly easier to see in direct sunlight, has better outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Mi 11 offers much faster performance, handles demanding tasks and games with ease. Redmi Note 12 is better for more simple tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 338,900 | Mi 11 provides a significantly more responsive experience, faster app loading and better multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Mi 11 delivers significantly superior graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Mi 11 captures more detailed images with more flexibility for cropping. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/2.76" | Mi 11's larger sensor gathers more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 0.64µm | Mi 11 has larger pixels capturing more light per pixel, generally better low-light. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.85 | f/1.8 | Slightly wider aperture on Redmi Note, can lead to marginally better low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 13MP | Mi 11 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.45 | Mi 11 has a slightly wider aperture, slightly better low-light. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 13MP | 8MP | Mi 11 captures more detail in wide-angle shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.2 | Redmi Note 12 has slightly wider aperture in wide angle. |
| Macro Camera Resolution | 5MP | 2MP | Mi 11 captures higher resolution macro shots. |
| Macro Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.4 | Mi 11 has a much wider macro aperture. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps | 1080p@30fps | Mi 11 offers far superior video recording capabilities with 8K and 4K support. |
| DxOMark | Mi 11 - Selfie: 112 | Redmi Note 12 4G - Mobile: 63 | Mi 11 offers significantly better Selfie camera performance compared to the Redmi Note 12 4G's overall camera performance. |
| Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) | Yes | No | Mi 11 provides better image stabilization reducing blur in photos and videos. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 5000 mAh | Redmi Note 12 4G may offer slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Mi 11 charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W Wireless Charging | No | Mi 11 offers very fast wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | Yes | Both can charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly faster processing, better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Higher Quality Display: Higher resolution and pixel density lead to a much sharper and more detailed display experience.
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, larger sensor sizes, OIS, and 8K video capabilities result in significantly better image and video quality.
- Faster Charging Speeds: Both wired and wireless charging is much faster.
- Advanced Audio Features: Hi-Res audio, stereo speakers offer a superior audio experience.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus is a significant upgrade for screen protection.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer better speeds and features.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for some users.
- Marginally Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery that may provide marginally better battery life.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13 out of the box.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side mounted fingerprint sensor is slightly more advanced.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11's superior performance and display come at the cost of slightly heavier design and a smaller battery, while the Redmi Note 12 4G has a marginally better battery, but loses out heavily in performance, display and camera quality
- Mi 11 is older, meaning it might have less software support in the long run compared to the newer Redmi Note 12 4G, despite both sharing the same maximum version of Android OS
- The Mi 11's higher end hardware may be more expensive than the Redmi Note 12 4G
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and viewing images.
- Photography & Videography Lovers: Those who want a versatile camera system with excellent image and video quality.
- Users Who Want Faster Charging Speeds: Those who need the fastest possible charging speeds, both wired and wireless.
Specific Use Cases (Xiaomi Mi 11):
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games at high settings.
- Editing high-resolution photos and videos on the go.
- Watching movies and videos in great detail and quality.
- Using the device outdoors under bright sunlight, due to the higher peak brightness of the screen.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a capable smartphone at a lower price.
- Everyday Users: Those who primarily use their phones for browsing, social media, and basic tasks.
- Users Prioritizing Battery: Users who prioritize slightly longer battery life.
- Users who prefer a lighter device: Users who prefer a lighter and slightly smaller device.
Specific Use Cases (Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G):
- Casual browsing and social media use.
- Making calls and sending text messages.
- Basic photo taking for social media.
- Users who prioritize having the most up to date Android OS.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If you are on a strict budget, the Redmi Note 12 4G will be less expensive.
- How important is performance for you? If you are a gamer or heavy user, the Mi 11 is the better option.
- What do you prioritize most? If camera, display and performance are key, go with the Mi 11. If battery life and price are most important, go with the Redmi Note 12 4G.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Demanding Mobile Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. The superior chipset and GPU will provide a much better gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: Casual User on a Budget: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G. It offers good enough performance for daily use at a lower price.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. The much better camera system will allow you to capture better images and videos.
- Scenario 4: Long-lasting battery is essential: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G. The larger battery size will be slightly better for all day use.
- Scenario 5: Fast charging is essential: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11, which has much faster charging capabilities.
Personal Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11. While both phones offer an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Mi 11 stands out due to its significantly superior chipset, resulting in a much faster and smoother user experience overall. Additionally, the Mi 11 boasts a substantially better camera system capable of capturing high-resolution and 8K video, which caters to my preference for high-quality media creation. While it might be slightly older, the advantages in display quality, camera performance, and processing power outweigh the minor benefits of the Redmi Note 12 4G, especially considering the faster charging.
