The Honor V40 5G and Xiaomi Mi 11i represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range flagship space. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the top-tier price tag, they take distinctly different approaches. The V40 focuses on rapid charging and a balanced feature set, while the Mi 11i leverages the raw processing power of the Snapdragon 888.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and a brighter display, the Xiaomi Mi 11i is the stronger choice. However, the Honor V40 5G excels in charging speed, offering a significant advantage for those who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The Mi 11i wins due to its superior chipset.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 22 | 2021, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 22 | Available. Released 2021, May 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~440 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz, 800 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 900 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play Services | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@1920fps, HDR, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Color spectrum sensor | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min
50W wireless, 50% in 35 min
5W reverse wired | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4520 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Rose Gold, Titanium Silver | Celestial Silver, Frosty White, Cosmic Black |
| Models | YOK-AN10 | M2012K11G |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.95 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 96h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.0 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 690021 (v8)
GeekBench: 3641 (v5.1) |
Honor V40 5G
- Significantly faster wired and wireless charging
- Potentially more efficient power management due to chipset
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 888
- Display brightness likely lower than Mi 11i
- Camera details are unknown, potentially less advanced
Xiaomi Mi 11i
- More powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Likely more advanced camera system
- Slower charging speeds compared to Honor V40 5G
- No wireless charging support
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Mi 11i boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 939 nits. While the Honor V40 5G’s display specs aren’t provided, the Mi 11i’s high peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The Mi 11i also features an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting a true black level for enhanced visual depth. Without knowing the panel technology of the V40, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy, but the Mi 11i’s brightness is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the Mi 11i’s positioning as a flagship-lite, it’s reasonable to assume a more sophisticated camera system. The absence of details on the V40 suggests a more modest camera offering. We can assume the Mi 11i will have better low-light performance and more advanced features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 11i’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Honor V40 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ (7nm). The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.84 GHz, provides a significant performance boost over the V40’s Cortex-A77 cores at 2.6 GHz. The 5nm process node of the Snapdragon 888 also offers improved thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. While the V40 is no slouch, the Mi 11i is demonstrably faster in CPU and GPU-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 96 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Honor V40 5G supports 66W wired charging (0-60% in 15 minutes, 100% in 35 minutes) and 50W wireless charging (50% in 35 minutes). The Mi 11i offers 33W wired charging (100% in 52 minutes) and lacks wireless charging. The V40’s charging speed is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor V40 5G if you need exceptionally fast wired and wireless charging, and value a balanced feature set with a focus on convenience. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11i if you prioritize maximum processing power for gaming and demanding applications, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display. The Mi 11i is the better pick for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11i prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than some other chipsets. While the Mi 11i’s thermal management is decent, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. However, the 5nm process node helps mitigate this compared to earlier Snapdragon generations.
❓ How does the 66W charging on the Honor V40 5G compare to other fast charging standards?
66W charging is exceptionally fast, significantly quicker than the 33W charging on the Mi 11i. It allows for a 60% charge in just 15 minutes and a full charge in 35 minutes. This is comparable to some of the fastest charging technologies available, making it ideal for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Mi 11i support 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and gaming?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, the Mi 11i *does* support a 120Hz refresh rate. This contributes to a smoother visual experience, particularly noticeable during scrolling and fast-paced gaming.
