The Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G and Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches to achieve it. The Narzo 30 Pro prioritizes raw processing power with the Dimensity 800U, while the Mi 11 Lite focuses on a refined user experience with the Snapdragon 780G and a superior display.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G is the stronger choice. Its brighter, more visually appealing display, coupled with the efficient Snapdragon 780G, provides a smoother and more enjoyable daily experience. While the Narzo 30 Pro offers slightly faster charging, the Mi 11 Lite’s overall package is more polished.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 24 | 2021, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 04 | Available. Released 2021, April 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 75.1 x 9.1 mm (6.39 x 2.96 x 0.36 in) | 160.5 x 75.7 x 6.8 mm (6.32 x 2.98 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 159 g (5.61 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz , 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 3x2.2 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.90 GHz Kryo 670) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7350-AB Snapdragon 780G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 642 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 64 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, PD, 50% in 25 min, 100% in 65 min | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4 |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4250 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sword Black, Blade Silver | Truffle Black, Mint Green, Citrus Yellow |
| Models | RMX2117 | M2101K9G, M2101K9C, M2101K9R |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 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 106h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-23.6 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 465534 (v8) | 522490 (v9)
GeekBench: 2909 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 35fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G
- Potentially higher raw CPU performance with Dimensity 800U
- Fast 30W charging with PD support
- Competitive 5G connectivity
- Likely LCD display inferior to Mi 11 Lite’s AMOLED
- 7nm process may lead to more thermal throttling
- Missing detailed camera specifications
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G
- Brighter and more vibrant AMOLED display (846 nits)
- More efficient Snapdragon 780G (5nm process)
- Faster charging standards (QC4)
- Slightly lower peak CPU performance compared to Narzo 30 Pro
- Battery life is similar despite potentially smaller capacity
- Camera details are lacking
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 846 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a scenario where the Narzo 30 Pro’s display specifications are not provided for comparison. The Mi 11 Lite’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a strong AMOLED panel, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors. While the Narzo 30 Pro’s display details are missing, it’s likely to be an LCD panel, lacking the contrast and color accuracy of the Mi 11 Lite’s AMOLED.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Xiaomi’s history, the Mi 11 Lite likely prioritizes image processing algorithms for vibrant, social media-ready photos. The Narzo 30 Pro may lean towards a more natural color profile. The absence of details suggests neither phone features a flagship-level camera system, and reliance on software processing will be key.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 780G (5nm), built on a more efficient process node than the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm). This 5nm process allows the Snapdragon 780G to deliver comparable performance with better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 780G’s CPU configuration – 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 670, 3x2.2 GHz Kryo 670, and 4x1.90 GHz Kryo 670 – is architecturally more balanced than the Narzo 30 Pro’s 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55, potentially leading to smoother multitasking. Both phones benefit from 5G connectivity, but the Snapdragon’s integrated modem is generally considered more power-efficient.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 106 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities (not specified for the Narzo 30 Pro). The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G supports 33W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4, while the Narzo 30 Pro offers 30W wired charging with PD. While the difference is only 3W, the Mi 11 Lite’s support for Quick Charge 4 could result in slightly faster charging speeds in compatible scenarios. The Narzo 30 Pro claims 50% charge in 25 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes, providing a benchmark for the Mi 11 Lite’s charging performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G if you prioritize maximizing CPU performance for demanding tasks like video editing or consistently high frame rates in graphically intensive games, and are willing to compromise slightly on display quality. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G if you value a vibrant, bright display for media consumption, a more refined software experience, and excellent all-around performance for everyday use and casual gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 800U in the Narzo 30 Pro 5G struggle with sustained gaming performance?
The Dimensity 800U is a capable chipset, but its 7nm process may lead to more thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 780G’s 5nm process. While it can handle most games at medium to high settings, expect potential frame drops during graphically demanding titles after prolonged play.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Mi 11 Lite 5G significantly faster than the 30W charging on the Narzo 30 Pro 5G?
The difference in charging wattage is relatively small, but the Mi 11 Lite 5G’s support for Quick Charge 4 (QC4) could allow it to achieve slightly faster charging speeds with compatible chargers. Both phones offer reasonably quick charging, but the Mi 11 Lite has a slight edge in charging protocol support.
❓ How does the display on the Mi 11 Lite 5G perform in direct sunlight?
The Mi 11 Lite 5G’s 846 nits peak brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. This is a significant advantage over phones with lower peak brightness displays, making it ideal for outdoor use.
