iQOO 7 vs Xiaomi Mi 11i: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Charging

Both the vivo iQOO 7 and Xiaomi Mi 11i represent compelling value in the flagship Android space, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. However, they diverge significantly in their approach to charging and overall user experience. The iQOO 7 aggressively prioritizes charging speed, while the Mi 11i focuses on a more balanced package with strong endurance and a bright display.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing the absolute fastest charging and willing to potentially trade off some battery endurance, the iQOO 7 is the clear winner. However, the Xiaomi Mi 11i offers a more well-rounded experience with excellent battery life and a brighter display, making it ideal for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 7 Xiaomi Mi 11i
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - India1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China-
Launch
Announced2021, January 112021, March 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 15Available. Released 2021, May 31
Body
Dimensions162.2 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209.5 g (7.41 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels (~394 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 900 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 11.1 (International), OriginOS 1.0 (China)Android 11, MIUI 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)-
Single-20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Triple-108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min (China) 66W wired (International)33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min
Type4000 mAhLi-Po 4520 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, Blue, White, LegendCelestial Silver, Frosty White, Cosmic Black
ModelsV2049A, I2009M2012K11G
PriceAbout 480 EURAbout 230 EUR
SAR-0.95 W/kg (head)     0.74 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.57 W/kg (head)     0.77 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 96h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 690021 (v8) GeekBench: 3641 (v5.1)

vivo iQOO 7

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging (China) / 66W (International)
  • Snapdragon 888 performance
  • Potentially aggressive thermal design for sustained performance

  • Battery endurance may be lower than Mi 11i
  • Charging speed varies by region

Xiaomi Mi 11i

  • Excellent 96-hour battery endurance
  • Bright 939 nit display
  • Balanced overall package

  • Slower 33W charging
  • May not be ideal for users who frequently need quick top-ups

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 11i boasts a measured peak brightness of 939 nits, providing excellent visibility in direct sunlight. While the iQOO 7’s display specs aren’t explicitly stated, it’s likely to be comparable. The Mi 11i’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED panel. Neither phone’s data indicates high refresh rate technology like LTPO, meaning refresh rate switching won’t be as dynamically power efficient as newer displays. The Mi 11i’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor. The absence of specific sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison impossible. It’s likely both phones will deliver competent image quality, but the iQOO 7 may prioritize speed and processing over pure image fidelity, given its overall performance focus. The lack of detail suggests neither phone is a standout camera performer.

Performance

Both the iQOO 7 and Mi 11i are powered by the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, thermal management is where differences could emerge. The iQOO 7’s focus on high power delivery (120W charging) *could* indicate a more aggressive thermal design, but without specific cooling solution details, it’s difficult to assess. Both phones utilize LPDDR5 RAM, ensuring fast memory access for demanding applications and gaming.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 11i claims an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours, suggesting excellent battery optimization. The iQOO 7, while not providing an endurance rating, compensates with its groundbreaking 120W wired charging (China) / 66W (International). This allows for a full charge in just 15 minutes (China) or a still-impressive timeframe with the 66W version. The Mi 11i takes 52 minutes for a full charge with its 33W wired charging. This difference is substantial; the iQOO 7 prioritizes *speed* of charging, while the Mi 11i prioritizes *longevity* between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 7 if you absolutely need the fastest possible charging – its 120W capability is unmatched in this segment and perfect for those who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11i if you value all-day battery life, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and a more balanced overall package without sacrificing flagship performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the iQOO 7's 120W charging degrade the battery faster?
While extremely fast charging *can* contribute to battery degradation over the long term, modern charging algorithms and battery management systems mitigate this risk. The iQOO 7 likely employs these technologies to optimize charging and prolong battery lifespan. However, users who consistently charge to 100% and discharge to 0% will still experience faster degradation.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Mi 11i slow compared to other flagships?
33W charging is slower than the iQOO 7's 120W/66W, but it's still a respectable charging speed. It's sufficient for overnight charging and won't leave you waiting excessively. The Mi 11i compensates with its superior battery endurance, reducing the need for frequent top-ups.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in either phone throttle during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling. Both the iQOO 7 and Mi 11i will likely experience some throttling during prolonged gaming, but the extent will depend on the device's cooling solution and software optimization. Without detailed thermal testing, it's difficult to predict which phone will handle throttling better.