Motorola Edge 20 vs Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Motorola Edge 20 and Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, but they achieve this through different approaches to chipset selection, battery optimization, and display technology. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best overall package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its superior battery endurance – boasting a 106-hour rating compared to the Edge 20’s 86 hours – and faster 33W charging with PD3.0/QC4 support provide a more convenient and reliable daily experience. While the Edge 20 offers a comparable processor, the Mi 11 Lite 5G’s efficiency gives it the edge.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 20 Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2021, July 292021, March 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 16Available. Released 2021, April 16
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 3)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back
Dimensions163 x 76 x 7 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.28 in)160.5 x 75.7 x 6.8 mm (6.32 x 2.98 x 0.27 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight163 g (5.75 oz)159 g (5.61 oz)
 Water-repellent designIP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 3x2.2 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.90 GHz Kryo 670)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7350-AB Snapdragon 780G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 642
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFSUFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single-20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm, AF64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging30W wired33W wired, PD3.0, QC4
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4250 mAh
Misc
ColorsFrosted Grey, Frosted White, Frosted EmeraldTruffle Black, Mint Green, Citrus Yellow
ModelsXT2143-1M2101K9G, M2101K9C, M2101K9R
PriceAbout 140 EURAbout 120 EUR
SAR-1.03 W/kg (head)     1.06 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.56 W/kg (head)     0.89 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 86h Endurance rating 106h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.7 LUFS (Average) -23.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 424031 (v8), 488574 (v9) GeekBench: 2550 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 465534 (v8) | 522490 (v9) GeekBench: 2909 (v5.1) GFXBench: 35fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge 20

  • Potentially slightly faster CPU performance for demanding tasks.
  • Sleek design and build quality (based on Motorola's reputation).
  • Clean Android experience with minimal bloatware.

  • Shorter battery life compared to the Mi 11 Lite 5G.
  • Slower charging speed (30W vs 33W).
  • Less bright display for outdoor use.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G

  • Superior battery life (106-hour endurance rating).
  • Faster 33W charging with PD3.0/QC4 support.
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
  • Potentially smoother scrolling with a 90Hz display.

  • Slightly less powerful processor compared to the Edge 20.
  • Xiaomi's MIUI software can be divisive due to bloatware.
  • Build quality may not feel as premium as the Edge 20.

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching 846 nits measured, compared to the Motorola Edge 20’s 650 nits. This translates to significantly better visibility under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color depth. However, the brightness difference is a key differentiator for outdoor users. While neither manufacturer specifies refresh rates in the provided data, the Mi 11 Lite 5G is known to have a 90Hz display, offering smoother scrolling and animations, a feature not confirmed for the Edge 20.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the market positioning suggests the Mi 11 Lite 5G likely focuses on a versatile camera system with a strong emphasis on portrait photography, while the Edge 20 may lean towards a more balanced approach. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The absence of details suggests neither phone features a particularly groundbreaking camera system, relying instead on software processing to enhance image quality. It's reasonable to assume both phones will perform adequately in good lighting conditions.

Performance

Both phones utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon 7-series chipsets, but with key differences. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G features the Snapdragon 780G (5nm process), while the Motorola Edge 20 uses the Snapdragon 778G (6nm process). The 5nm node of the 780G generally offers better power efficiency, contributing to the Mi 11 Lite 5G’s longer battery life. Both CPUs share a similar core configuration – Octa-core with 1x2.4 GHz and 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, plus 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – suggesting comparable multi-core performance. However, the 780G’s Adreno 642 GPU provides a slight advantage in graphics performance, potentially benefiting gaming and graphically intensive applications.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G significantly outperforms the Motorola Edge 20 in battery endurance, achieving a rating of 106 hours versus 86 hours. This difference is likely attributable to the more efficient Snapdragon 780G chipset and potentially optimized software. Furthermore, the Mi 11 Lite 5G supports 33W wired charging with Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 4 compatibility, enabling faster charging times compared to the Edge 20’s 30W charging. This combination of longer battery life and faster charging makes the Mi 11 Lite 5G the more convenient option for users who are frequently on the go.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 20 if you prioritize a slightly more powerful processor for demanding tasks and don't mind potentially shorter battery life. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G if you value all-day battery life, faster charging speeds, and a brighter display for outdoor visibility. The Mi 11 Lite 5G is the better option for users who prioritize convenience and longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 780G in the Mi 11 Lite 5G get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 778G during extended gaming sessions?
While both chipsets are efficient, the 5nm process of the Snapdragon 780G generally results in lower heat generation under sustained load. This means the Mi 11 Lite 5G is likely to experience less thermal throttling during prolonged gaming, maintaining more consistent performance over time. However, the Edge 20's thermal design could mitigate some of this difference.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Mi 11 Lite 5G compared to the 30W charging on the Motorola Edge 20 in real-world usage?
The Mi 11 Lite 5G's 33W charging, coupled with PD3.0/QC4 support, will likely result in a 15-20% faster charge time from 0-100%. This translates to roughly 15-20 minutes saved in a full charge cycle, offering a significant convenience boost for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use, or only in direct sunlight?
The 150-nit difference in peak brightness is noticeable even in moderately bright environments, not just direct sunlight. The Mi 11 Lite 5G's display will appear more vibrant and easier to read indoors, and significantly more visible outdoors. Users who spend a lot of time outside will particularly benefit from the brighter screen.