1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | The ZTE is slightly wider and thicker, which may impact one-handed use and pocket comfort. |
| Weight | 196g | 228g | The Mi 11 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for long periods of use. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Mi 11 has better screen protection against scratches and drops; the ZTE's screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.8" | Negligible difference, both provide a large screen experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2800 | The Mi 11's higher resolution results in a sharper and more detailed display, noticeable for text and high-res content. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 452 ppi | The Mi 11 has a sharper display due to higher pixel density, resulting in finer details and less pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, making user interface feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1500 nits | Both are bright enough for comfortable use in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | The ZTE's newer chipset offers significantly higher performance, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 1,579,720 | The ZTE's benchmark score is nearly double, indicating far superior performance across all tasks, especially gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | The ZTE's GPU provides substantially enhanced graphics performance, offering a much better gaming experience. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" | While the Mi 11 has a higher resolution, the ZTE has a wider aperture and larger pixel size which can mean better low-light performance, though is not guaranteed. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | The ZTE has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens for better portrait photos and optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06" | The Mi 11 has a higher resolution and a wider aperture selfie camera, potentially capturing more detailed and brighter selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88" | The ZTE's wide-angle lens has significantly higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor, meaning a noticeable upgrade over the Mi 11 in terms of detail and low-light performance. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | None | The Mi 11 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, a feature not available on the ZTE |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps, various HDR/EIS modes | Up to 8K@30fps, various EIS modes | Both offer similar high-resolution video capabilities with stabilization. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Laser AF, RAW, HDR, etc | OIS, Gimbal, PDAF, Night Mode, RAW, HDR, etc | The ZTE offers optical zoom, gimbal and PDAF for better stabilization and focusing performance, while the Mi 11 features Laser AF. Both offer a variety of photo modes such as HDR |
| DxOMark Selfie | Main:112, Photo:100, Video:133 | Not Tested | The Mi 11's selfie performance was measured by DxOMark, with good scores in video. The ZTE has no DxOMark scores |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5100mAh | The ZTE's larger battery should provide longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day with heavy use. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | The ZTE charges significantly faster, reducing waiting time for charging. |
| Battery Features | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse | Non-removable | The Mi 11 supports wireless and reverse wireless charging for added flexibility and charging other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter (32g) makes it more comfortable for extended use.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution (1440x3200) and pixel density (515 ppi) for a crisper viewing experience.
- Wireless Charging: Offers 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.
- Macro Lens: Includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Heart Rate Sensor: includes a heart rate sensor.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
- DxOMark Selfie Score: Has been tested and scored by DxOMark.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: A much newer and more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset.
- Much Higher Benchmark Scores: Almost double the AnTuTu benchmark score.
- Better GPU: Significantly more powerful Adreno 740 GPU.
- Larger Battery: 5100 mAh battery for longer battery life and faster 80W fast charging.
- Better Wide-Angle Camera: 50MP wide-angle lens with a wider aperture and larger sensor.
- Telephoto/Portrait Lens: Has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens.
- Latest Bluetooth Version: features Bluetooth 5.3 vs 5.2 on the Mi 11.
- Latest WiFi: Includes WiFi 7 for the latest standards.
- Gimbal OIS: Offers a Gimbal system with OIS
- More RAM: Option for up to 16 GB RAM, great for multitasking.
- More Storage: Option for up to 1024 GB of internal storage.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Mi 11: While offering a sharper display and wireless charging, it lags significantly behind in performance, camera capabilities and battery compared to the Z50S Pro.
- ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: Lacks wireless charging, is heavier and has lower display resolution compared to the Mi 11.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize a lightweight and comfortable phone for daily use. Its lighter weight makes it easy to handle.
- Users who enjoy multimedia consumption and prefer sharper display quality.
- Users who utilize wireless charging for convenience. The ability to reverse wirelessly charge other devices is also a plus.
- Users interested in macro photography. The inclusion of a dedicated macro lens is a plus.
- Users who want a phone with a tested and known selfie camera quality. DxOMark testing is a great indicator of its capabilities.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing, video consumption and general use due to its lighter weight and display.
- Occasional photography where macro shots are desired.
- Users that already have a wireless charging setup and utilize it frequently.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is ideal for:
- Users who demand the best performance for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Users who prioritize camera quality, especially wide-angle photography and portraits.
- Users needing extended battery life.
- Users who need more internal storage for media consumption or work.
- Users who want the newest technology.
- Users who are willing to trade a bit of portability for better performance.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with high-fidelity graphics.
- Professional photography and videography, specifically in landscape and portrait settings.
- Heavy daily users who need their phone to last the whole day.
- Users who prefer the latest Bluetooth and WiFi standards.
Price-to-Value:
- The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro generally offers better value considering its significantly superior performance and battery, despite lacking wireless charging and a slightly less sharp display. However, availability and regional pricing may affect which phone provides a better value proposition at any given time.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is mobile gaming or heavy multitasking for you? If gaming/heavy use is crucial, the ZTE is a clear winner due to its processing power.
- Do you prioritize screen sharpness or display clarity over features like wireless charging? If a sharper display is more important, the Mi 11 takes the edge, however, the ZTE has a more modern camera system.
- Is wireless charging a critical feature for your daily routine? If wireless charging is essential, the Mi 11 is the better option, otherwise, the faster charging offered by the ZTE may be preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User - If you mainly use your phone for social media, web browsing, and light tasks, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is a capable device.
- Scenario 2: Power User / Gamer - The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the best choice, offering significantly more processing power and a better GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Scenario 3: Photographer - For general photography, both are good, but the ZTE Z50S Pro has a more versatile system with a dedicated telephoto, better wide-angle lens, and gimbal stabilization.
My Choice
I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro.
Here's why:
- Performance is a major factor: I value smooth performance for daily tasks, gaming and future-proofing. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 888 in the Xiaomi Mi 11.
- Camera Versatility: While the Mi 11 has a higher-resolution main camera, the ZTE's versatile wide-angle lens, dedicated telephoto/portrait lens and Gimbal OIS setup is more important for my photography needs.
- Battery Life: The larger battery and faster charging are more important to me than wireless charging, especially during travel.
- Future Proofing: With the newest chip, Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFI 7 standards, the ZTE is likely to last longer before feeling outdated.
While the Xiaomi Mi 11 has a sharper display and wireless charging, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers a significantly more compelling overall package for my needs, prioritizing performance, battery life and camera capabilities.
