Meizu 18 vs Xiaomi Mi 11i: A Detailed Comparison of Two Snapdragon 888 Powerhouses

The Meizu 18 and Xiaomi Mi 11i represent interesting points in the Android landscape. The Meizu 18 aimed for a premium, compact flagship experience, while the Mi 11i focused on delivering flagship performance at a more accessible price point. Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, but diverge in areas like charging speed and overall design philosophy, making a direct comparison crucial for discerning buyers.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 11i emerges as the stronger value. While the Meizu 18 offers a more refined aesthetic, the Mi 11i’s comparable performance, excellent 96-hour endurance rating, and slightly faster charging (despite a similar wattage) make it the more practical choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 18 Xiaomi Mi 11i
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, March 03. Released 2021, March 082021, March 29
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, May 31
Body
Dimensions152.4 x 69.2 x 8.2 mm (6.00 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight162 g (5.71 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~563 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.2 inches, 93.8 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 420 nits (typ), 1300 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 900 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, Flyme 9Android 11, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm108 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
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging36W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 40% in 15 min, 100% in 50 min33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4520 mAh
Misc
ColorsLight Blue, White, AuroraCelestial Silver, Frosty White, Cosmic Black
Models-M2012K11G
PriceAbout 560 EURAbout 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)

Meizu 18

  • Potentially more premium build quality
  • Compact form factor for one-handed use
  • Slightly faster charging (0-100%)

  • Missing display specifications (refresh rate, panel type)
  • Unknown battery capacity
  • Limited camera details

Xiaomi Mi 11i

  • Excellent 96-hour endurance rating
  • Brighter display (939 nits)
  • More aggressive price point

  • Larger form factor than the Meizu 18
  • Camera details are also lacking
  • May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

Both phones utilize AMOLED panels, but the Xiaomi Mi 11i boasts a significantly brighter peak brightness of 939 nits (measured), offering superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), the real-world benefit of the Mi 11i’s brightness is more tangible. Details regarding the Meizu 18’s display panel type and refresh rate are missing, suggesting a standard 60Hz or 120Hz panel, whereas the Mi 11i’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS). This makes a detailed camera comparison impossible. The absence of information suggests neither phone prioritizes a groundbreaking camera system. The Mi 11i’s potential for better image processing, given Xiaomi’s software expertise, is a reasonable assumption, but without concrete data, it remains speculative. We can safely assume both phones will perform adequately in good lighting conditions.

Performance

Both the Meizu 18 and Xiaomi Mi 11i are powered by the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, the Mi 11i’s larger battery and potentially more efficient thermal design (not specified in the data) could lead to less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The absence of RAM specifications for the Meizu 18 makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Mi 11i likely benefits from faster LPDDR5 RAM.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 11i stands out with an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Meizu 18’s battery capacity is unknown, the Mi 11i’s rating suggests a larger battery or more efficient power management. Charging speeds are close, with the Mi 11i reaching 100% in 52 minutes (33W) compared to the Meizu 18’s 50 minutes (36W). The slightly faster full charge time of the Meizu 18 is offset by the Mi 11i’s significantly longer battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 18 if you prioritize a truly compact form factor and a more premium build quality, and are willing to accept slightly slower charging. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11i if you value long battery life, a brighter display, and a more aggressive price point without sacrificing core performance. The Mi 11i is ideal for power users and gamers who need sustained performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in either phone overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While both phones share the same chipset, the Xiaomi Mi 11i’s potentially larger battery and more robust thermal design (though unconfirmed) may mitigate throttling slightly better than the Meizu 18. Expect some performance reduction after extended gaming on both devices.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Meizu 18 compare to the Xiaomi Mi 11i in real-world use?
The Meizu 18 charges to 100% in 50 minutes with 36W, while the Mi 11i takes 52 minutes with 33W. This difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. However, the Mi 11i’s significantly longer battery life means you’ll need to charge it less frequently.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications a major drawback for either phone?
Yes, the absence of sensor size, aperture, and OIS information makes it difficult to assess the camera performance of both phones. It suggests neither device is a standout in the camera department, and users prioritizing photography may want to consider alternatives with more detailed camera specs.