The Honor View40 and Xiaomi Mi 11i represent compelling options in the mid-range to upper-mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver flagship-level features without the flagship price tag, but they take different approaches. The View40 prioritizes fast charging and a sleek design, while the Mi 11i focuses on raw processing power with the Snapdragon 888. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best fits your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 11i emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, particularly for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. While the Honor View40 boasts impressive 66W charging, the Mi 11i’s overall package offers a better balance of power and features.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 22 | 2021, March 29 |
| Status | Cancelled | 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 (~439 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.5% 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, with Google Play Services (unconfirmed) | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 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 | - | M2012K11G |
| Price | - | 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 View40
- Incredibly fast 66W wired charging
- 50W wireless charging support
- Sleek and modern design (implied by brand reputation)
- Older Dimensity 1000+ chipset
- Limited display brightness information
Xiaomi Mi 11i
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
- High peak display brightness (939 nits)
- Excellent endurance rating (96h)
- Slower 33W charging
- No wireless charging support
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Mi 11i boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 939 nits, compared to the Honor View40’s unspecified peak brightness. This translates to better outdoor visibility for the Mi 11i. While both displays likely utilize AMOLED technology (implied by the 'infinite' contrast ratio on the Mi 11i), the Mi 11i’s higher brightness is a clear advantage. Details regarding the View40’s panel technology (e.g., refresh rate, PWM dimming) are missing, making a comprehensive comparison difficult, but the Mi 11i’s brightness is a quantifiable win.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed specifications are limited. The absence of sensor size information prevents a definitive assessment. However, the Mi 11i’s image processing capabilities, leveraging the Snapdragon 888’s ISP, likely offer more advanced features and potentially better dynamic range. The focus should be on real-world image samples to determine the preferred aesthetic – the Mi 11i’s processing tends towards vibrant colors, while Honor often aims for more natural tones. The lack of detail regarding OIS on either device makes it difficult to assess low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 11i’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) significantly outperforms the Honor View40’s Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ (7nm). The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.84 GHz, provides a substantial leap in single-core performance, crucial for responsive UI and app loading. The Dimensity 1000+’s Cortex-A77 cores, while capable, are architecturally older and less efficient. The 5nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 888 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. While the View40 is no slouch, the Mi 11i is the clear winner for power users.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 96 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the View40). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Honor View40’s 66W wired charging is exceptionally fast, reaching 60% in 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes. It also supports 50W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Mi 11i. The Mi 11i’s 33W charging, while supporting PD3.0 and QC3, takes 52 minutes to reach 100%. The View40’s charging speed is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups, but the Mi 11i’s endurance rating suggests it won’t require frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor View40 if you prioritize incredibly fast charging speeds and a design-focused experience. Its 66W wired and 50W wireless charging are unmatched in this price bracket, making it ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11i if you demand maximum performance for gaming, content creation, or multitasking. The Snapdragon 888 delivers a noticeable boost in processing power, and the 939 nits peak brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11i suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 888 is a powerful chip, it is known to generate heat under sustained load. The Mi 11i’s thermal management system is adequate, but some throttling may occur during prolonged gaming. However, the performance drop is generally manageable and doesn't significantly impact the gaming experience.
❓ How does the Honor View40's 66W charging compare to other fast charging technologies in terms of heat generation?
The Honor View40's 66W SuperCharge is remarkably fast, but it does generate more heat than slower charging methods. Honor employs multiple safety mechanisms to mitigate this, including temperature monitoring and adaptive charging. While the phone will warm up during charging, it's generally within safe limits.
❓ Is the lack of a headphone jack a dealbreaker on either of these phones?
Neither the Honor View40 nor the Xiaomi Mi 11i include a 3.5mm headphone jack. This is a common trend in modern smartphones. Users who rely on wired headphones will need to use a USB-C adapter or switch to Bluetooth headphones.
❓ What software experience can I expect from each phone?
The Xiaomi Mi 11i runs MIUI, Xiaomi's custom Android skin, which is feature-rich but can be somewhat bloated with pre-installed apps. The Honor View40 runs Magic UI, Honor's skin, which is generally cleaner and closer to stock Android, though it still includes some pre-installed software. Both offer regular software updates.
