Samsung Galaxy A71 5G vs. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G: Which 5G Mid-Ranger Reigns Supreme?

The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G and Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at a reasonable price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving that goal, particularly in chipset choice and overall design philosophy. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and efficiency, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 780G chipset, built on a 5nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better thermal management compared to the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G’s Exynos 980. While the A71 5G offers a familiar Samsung experience, the Mi 11 Lite 5G delivers more bang for your buck.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A71 5G	Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-A716B	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - SM-A716B	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands	41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-A716B	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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	2, 5, 41, 66, 71 mmWave/Sub6 - SM-A716U	1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China

Launch
Announced	2020, April 08	2021, March 29
Status	Available. Released 2020, June 15	Available. Released 2021, April 16

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back
Dimensions	162.5 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm (6.40 x 2.97 x 0.32 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 + Nano-SIM
Weight	185 g (6.53 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 (~393 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED Plus	AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex A55)	Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 3x2.2 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.90 GHz Kryo 670)
Chipset	Exynos 980 (8 nm)	Qualcomm SM7350-AB Snapdragon 780G (5 nm)
GPU	Mali-G76 MP5	Adreno 642
OS	Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 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, panorama, HDR	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	-
Single	-	20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple	-	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@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm	20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps	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

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes (market dependent)	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
Radio	FM radio	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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
	ANT+	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	25W wired	33W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4250 mAh

Misc
Colors	Prism Cube Black, Prism Cube Sliver, Prism Cube Blue	Truffle Black, Mint Green, Citrus Yellow
Models	SM-A716F, SM-A716F/DS, SM-A716F/DSN, SM-A7160, SM-A716B/DS, SM-A716U, SM-A716B, SM-A716U1	M2101K9G, M2101K9C, M2101K9R
Price	About 120 EUR	About 120 EUR
SAR	0.69 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body)	1.03 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.24 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body)	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)

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G

Familiar Samsung One UI experience
Larger display size for media consumption
Established Samsung ecosystem integration

Less efficient Exynos 980 chipset
Slower 25W charging
Potentially lower peak display brightness

Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G

More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 780G
Faster 33W charging with PD3.0/QC4
Brighter and sharper display

MIUI software may not appeal to all users
Smaller display size compared to A71 5G
Less brand recognition in some markets

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 846 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the A71 5G. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the Mi 11 Lite 5G’s smaller 6.55-inch panel versus the A71 5G’s larger size contributes to a higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper image. The A71 5G’s larger size may appeal to media consumers, but the Mi 11 Lite 5G’s superior brightness and sharpness offer a more visually pleasing experience overall.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the A71 5G. The Mi 11 Lite 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 780G, offering improved image processing and noise reduction. Without specific sensor details for the A71 5G, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Mi 11 Lite 5G’s chipset advantage suggests superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Mi 11 Lite 5G (likely on the main sensor) would further enhance its camera performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 780G (5nm) is a clear upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G’s Exynos 980 (8nm). The 5nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 780G results in significantly improved power efficiency and thermal performance. The Snapdragon 780G’s CPU configuration – 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 670, 3x2.2 GHz Kryo 670, and 4x1.90 GHz Kryo 670 – offers a more balanced and efficient architecture than the Exynos 980’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex A55. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better sustained performance during gaming. While both phones likely feature adequate RAM, the Snapdragon 780G’s inherent efficiency will minimize throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 106 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite the A71 5G’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the Mi 11 Lite 5G’s 33W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support is significantly faster than the A71 5G’s 25W charging. This means the Mi 11 Lite 5G can be topped up much quicker, minimizing downtime. The Snapdragon 780G’s superior power efficiency also contributes to longer real-world usage, potentially offsetting any capacity difference.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G if you prioritize a larger display and are deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem, valuing features like Samsung Pay and One UI. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G if you prefer a more compact, lightweight design coupled with superior processing power for gaming and demanding applications, and appreciate a cleaner Android experience with MIUI.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 980 in the Galaxy A71 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?

The Exynos 980, being built on an 8nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling compared to the Snapdragon 780G’s 5nm process. While it can handle casual gaming, extended sessions with graphically demanding titles may lead to noticeable performance drops as the chip heats up. The Mi 11 Lite 5G will maintain higher sustained performance.

❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?

Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful photographic tool. Focusing is also often difficult, and image quality is heavily dependent on ideal lighting conditions.

❓ Can the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G reliably maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?

Yes, the Snapdragon 780G in the Mi 11 Lite 5G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps on medium to high graphics settings. The 5nm process and efficient CPU/GPU architecture ensure stable frame rates even during intense gameplay. The A71 5G may struggle to maintain consistent 60fps on higher settings.

❓ What kind of software updates can I expect from Xiaomi and Samsung for these devices?

Samsung generally provides more consistent and longer-term software support than Xiaomi. While Xiaomi has improved, Samsung typically offers 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches for its A-series devices. The Mi 11 Lite 5G may receive fewer major Android updates, but Xiaomi does provide regular security patches.