Sony Xperia 1 II vs Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: A Detailed Flagship Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 II and Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The Xperia 1 II, released in 2020, prioritized a creator-focused experience with a unique aspect ratio and professional camera features. The Mi 11 Ultra, arriving in 2021, countered with a massive camera system, blazing-fast charging, and a brighter display, aiming for a more all-around premium experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device holds up better today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and charging speed, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is the clear winner. Its 95-hour endurance rating and 67W wired/wireless charging significantly outperform the Xperia 1 II. However, content creators and those valuing a more refined software experience may still find the Xperia 1 II compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 II 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, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 28, 77, 78 NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat19 1600/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2020, February 242021, March 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, May 22Available. Released 2021, April 02
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), ceramic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm (6.5 x 2.80 x 0.30 in)164.3 x 74.6 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight181.4 g (6.38 oz)234 g (8.25 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR BT.2020AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 900 nits (HBM), 1700 nits (peak)
 Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 660
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, 1.1” AMOLED selfie display
Single-20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)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@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (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 Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging21W wired, PD 11W wireless67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 36 min 67W wireless, 100% in 39 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, Mirror Lake GreenCeramic White (Cosmic White), Ceramic Black (Cosmic Black)
ModelsXQ-AT51, XQ-AT52, SOG01, XQ-AT42M2102K1G, M2102K1C
PriceAbout 700 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 lifeEndurance rating 83h Endurance rating 95h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.3 LUFS (Good) -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 534701 (v8) GeekBench: 3295 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 688720 (v8) GeekBench: 3191 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 1 II

  • Unique 21:9 aspect ratio for immersive media consumption.
  • Excellent manual camera controls for professional photographers.
  • More compact and manageable form factor.

  • Slower charging speeds compared to the Mi 11 Ultra.
  • Less bright display, impacting outdoor visibility.
  • Older chipset with less efficient power consumption.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra

  • Incredibly fast 67W wired and wireless charging.
  • Brighter display for superior outdoor visibility.
  • More powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset for smoother performance.

  • Larger and heavier form factor.
  • Software experience can be more cluttered.
  • Potentially more prone to overheating under sustained load.

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 943 nits compared to the Xperia 1 II’s 611 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels, but the Mi 11 Ultra’s higher peak brightness provides a more dynamic visual experience. While both are excellent, the Mi 11 Ultra’s panel is demonstrably superior for outdoor use and HDR content consumption. The Xperia 1 II’s 21:9 aspect ratio, while unique, can present compatibility issues with some video content.

Camera Comparison

Both phones excel in photography and videography, but approach it differently. The Mi 11 Ultra’s larger main sensor (spec not provided, but known to be a 50MP Samsung GN2) captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. While both offer photo and video capabilities, the Mi 11 Ultra’s camera system is more versatile, offering a wider range of shooting modes and features. The Xperia 1 II focuses on providing manual controls and a more cinematic video experience, appealing to professional users. The Mi 11 Ultra’s secondary cameras, including a periscope telephoto lens, offer greater zoom capabilities.

Performance

The Mi 11 Ultra’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) represents a generational leap over the Xperia 1 II’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+). The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core offers improved single-core performance, while the more efficient 5nm process reduces heat generation. Both phones feature an octa-core CPU configuration, but the Mi 11 Ultra’s architecture is more modern. While the Xperia 1 II remains capable, the Mi 11 Ultra delivers a smoother and more responsive experience, particularly in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Mi 11 Ultra’s newer chipset also benefits from improved 5G modem capabilities.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra’s 95-hour endurance rating surpasses the Xperia 1 II’s 83-hour rating, indicating significantly longer battery life. This advantage is further amplified by the Mi 11 Ultra’s incredibly fast 67W wired and wireless charging, capable of fully charging the device in just 36 and 39 minutes respectively, compared to the Xperia 1 II’s slower 21W wired and 11W wireless charging. The Mi 11 Ultra also offers 10W reverse wireless charging, a feature absent on the Xperia 1 II. While both provide all-day battery life for moderate users, the Mi 11 Ultra offers peace of mind and convenience with its superior charging capabilities.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia 1 II if you need a phone with a focus on manual camera controls, a more traditional Android experience, and a slightly more compact form factor. It’s ideal for photographers and videographers who want granular control over their settings. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra if you prefer a phone with a class-leading camera system, incredibly fast charging, and a brighter, more vibrant display. It’s perfect for power users and those who demand the latest technology.

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 its predecessor. While the Mi 11 Ultra incorporates advanced cooling solutions, sustained gaming at maximum settings can still lead to thermal throttling. However, the phone generally manages heat well during typical usage, and performance remains strong even under load.
❓ Is the 21:9 aspect ratio of the Xperia 1 II problematic for watching standard video content?
The Xperia 1 II’s 21:9 aspect ratio can result in letterboxing (black bars) when viewing content designed for traditional 16:9 displays. While the phone can stretch or crop the video, this can distort the image. However, the 21:9 ratio is ideal for cinematic content and provides a more immersive viewing experience.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Xperia 1 II and the Mi 11 Ultra?
The Xperia 1 II aims for a more natural and realistic image processing style, prioritizing accuracy and detail. The Mi 11 Ultra tends to produce images with more vibrant colors and increased contrast, appealing to a wider audience. Both phones offer excellent image quality, but the Mi 11 Ultra’s processing is more geared towards social media sharing.
❓ Does the Mi 11 Ultra's large camera bump affect its usability on flat surfaces?
Yes, the Mi 11 Ultra's prominent camera bump is substantial and causes the phone to wobble significantly when placed on a flat surface. This can be annoying when typing or using the phone on a table. A case is highly recommended to mitigate this issue.