Oppo Find X3 vs Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Value

Launched in close proximity, the Oppo Find X3 and Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra represented the pinnacle of Android smartphone technology in 2021. While both aimed for a premium experience, they took different approaches. The Find X3 prioritized a balanced experience with a focus on display and design, while the Mi 11 Ultra doubled down on camera capabilities and raw power. Now, with price drops making both more accessible, it's time to revisit and determine which remains the better buy.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user seeking a well-rounded flagship experience, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset, coupled with a brighter display and a more versatile camera system, provides a noticeable edge in demanding tasks and content creation, despite the similar endurance ratings.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Find X3 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 - China1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2021, March 112021, March 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 19Available. Released 2021, April 02
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), ceramic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.6 x 74 x 8.3 mm (6.44 x 2.91 x 0.33 in)164.3 x 74.6 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)234 g (8.25 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, BT.2020, 500 nits (typ), 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 900 nits (HBM), 1700 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, ColorOS 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, 1.1” AMOLED selfie display
Quad50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF 50 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 110˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 3 MP, f/3.0, (microscope), AF, ring flash, 60x magnification-
Single-20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple-50 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.12", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/4.1, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 128˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps; gyro-EIS; HDR, 10‑bit video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD, 40% in 10 min 30W wireless, 100% in 80 min 10W reverse wireless67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 36 min 67W wireless, 100% in 39 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGloss Black, Blue, WhiteCeramic White (Cosmic White), Ceramic Black (Cosmic Black)
ModelsPEDM00M2102K1G, M2102K1C
PriceAbout 600 EURAbout 1500 EUR
SAR-1.08 W/kg (head)     0.81 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.55 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 95h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 688720 (v8) GeekBench: 3191 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo Find X3

  • Sleek and refined design
  • Excellent display quality
  • Balanced performance for everyday tasks

  • Less powerful chipset than the Mi 11 Ultra
  • Slower charging speeds

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra

  • Superior camera performance
  • Brighter display for outdoor use
  • Faster wired and wireless charging

  • Larger and heavier form factor
  • Can run hotter under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 943 nits measured, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the Oppo Find X3. This translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Mi 11 Ultra’s infinite contrast ratio suggests a more aggressive dynamic contrast implementation. The Find X3’s display quality is still excellent, but the Mi 11 Ultra offers a more impactful visual experience, particularly for HDR content. Bezels are comparable, but the Mi 11 Ultra’s larger size allows for a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones excel in photography, but the Mi 11 Ultra takes the lead with its more advanced camera system. While both are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Mi 11 Ultra’s larger main sensor (spec not provided, but known to be 50MP) and sophisticated image processing algorithms deliver superior detail and dynamic range. The Mi 11 Ultra’s OIS system is also likely more robust, resulting in sharper images and smoother videos. The Find X3’s camera is still capable, but it lacks the sheer photographic prowess of the Mi 11 Ultra. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo Find X3 utilizes the Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm), while the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra features the Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm). The 5nm process of the 888 offers improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 870’s 7nm node. The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core (2.84 GHz) provides a performance boost over the 870’s Kryo 585 (3.2 GHz), especially in single-threaded tasks. While the 870 is no slouch, the 888 delivers a more responsive experience in demanding games and applications. Both phones feature ample RAM, likely LPDDR5, but the 888’s superior architecture provides a clear advantage in sustained performance.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 95 hours, indicating comparable real-world battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Mi 11 Ultra supports 67W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 36 minutes, while the Find X3’s 65W wired charging takes 10 minutes to reach 40% and a full charge is not specified. The Mi 11 Ultra also boasts faster 67W wireless charging (39 minutes to full) compared to the Find X3’s 30W wireless charging (80 minutes to full). This makes the Mi 11 Ultra more convenient for users who frequently top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Find X3 if you prioritize a more refined, balanced experience with a focus on a vibrant display and a slightly more manageable form factor. It's ideal for users who value aesthetics and don't necessarily need the absolute peak performance. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra if you demand the best possible camera performance, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and are willing to accept a larger, heavier device for the added power of the Snapdragon 888.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11 Ultra suffer from overheating issues during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than the 870. While the Mi 11 Ultra incorporates a robust cooling system, extended gaming at maximum settings can lead to thermal throttling. However, the throttling is generally manageable and doesn't significantly impact overall gameplay experience, especially with optimized game settings.
❓ How does the camera processing differ between the Oppo Find X3 and the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra?
The Mi 11 Ultra tends to produce images with more saturated colors and higher contrast, aiming for a visually striking look. The Find X3 generally opts for a more natural and balanced color profile. Both phones offer excellent dynamic range, but the Mi 11 Ultra’s processing often results in more detail in shadows and highlights.
❓ Is the 10W reverse wireless charging on either device useful for more than just emergencies?
The 10W reverse wireless charging on both devices is primarily intended for emergencies or topping up small accessories like wireless earbuds. It's too slow to effectively charge other smartphones, but it can be a convenient feature for quickly providing a small power boost to compatible devices.