vivo X70 Pro+ vs Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

Launched within months of each other, the vivo X70 Pro+ and Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra represented the pinnacle of Android flagship design in 2021. Both devices centered around the Snapdragon 888 series, but diverged significantly in camera systems, battery strategies, and overall user experience. Now, with price drops making them more accessible, a direct comparison reveals which phone still holds up as the better value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra emerges as the stronger choice. Its superior battery endurance (95h vs 84h) and faster charging (67W wired, 67W wireless) provide a more convenient daily experience. While the X70 Pro+ boasts a refined camera system, the Mi 11 Ultra’s overall package is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X70 Pro+ Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
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, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2021, September 092021, March 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 17Available. Released 2021, April 02
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), ceramic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions164.5 x 75.2 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.35 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
Weight209 g / 213 g (7.37 oz)234 g (8.25 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 900 nits (HBM), 1700 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-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, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 (International), OriginOS 1.0 (China)Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, 1.1” AMOLED selfie display
Quad50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF, gimbal OIS-
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
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (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 HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (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
Charging55W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 36 min 67W wireless, 100% in 39 min 10W reverse wireless
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, OrangeCeramic White (Cosmic White), Ceramic Black (Cosmic Black)
ModelsV2145A, V2114M2102K1G, M2102K1C
PriceAbout 720 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)

vivo X70 Pro+

  • Slightly more compact design
  • Natural color reproduction in photos
  • Excellent gimbal stabilization for video

  • Lower battery endurance
  • Slower charging speeds
  • No secondary display for selfies

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra

  • Superior battery life
  • Incredibly fast wired and wireless charging
  • Larger main camera sensor for low-light performance

  • Larger and heavier design
  • Potentially more aggressive image processing
  • Can run warmer under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent displays, but subtle differences exist. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra’s display achieves 943 nits of peak brightness, slightly lower than the vivo X70 Pro+'s 1022 nits. However, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in most real-world scenarios. The Mi 11 Ultra boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels, while specifics for the X70 Pro+ are not provided. The X70 Pro+’s higher peak brightness could be advantageous for outdoor visibility, but the Mi 11 Ultra’s larger display area and potentially superior color calibration offer a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones excel in photography and videography, but approach it differently. While both are capable of capturing stunning images, the X70 Pro+ is known for its natural color science and gimbal stabilization system, offering exceptional video smoothness. The Mi 11 Ultra, with its larger 1/1.12” sensor, excels in low-light photography, capturing more detail and dynamic range. Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the Mi 11 Ultra’s sensor size gives it an edge in challenging lighting conditions. The inclusion of a secondary display on the Mi 11 Ultra allows for high-quality selfies using the main camera system, a feature absent on the X70 Pro+.

Performance

The core difference lies in the Snapdragon 888+ in the X70 Pro+ versus the standard Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11 Ultra. The ‘+’ variant features a slightly higher clock speed (3.0 GHz vs 2.84 GHz) on the prime Cortex-X1 core. While this translates to a marginal performance boost in benchmarks, the real-world impact is minimal. Both phones utilize the same LPDDR5 RAM configuration. Thermal management is a key consideration; the Snapdragon 888 series is known to throttle under sustained load. The Mi 11 Ultra’s larger chassis may offer slightly better heat dissipation, but both devices will experience performance dips during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra’s 95-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses the vivo X70 Pro+'s 84-hour rating. This translates to a noticeable difference in real-world usage. The Mi 11 Ultra also boasts significantly faster charging speeds: 67W wired (36 minutes to 100%) and 67W wireless (39 minutes to 100%) compared to the X70 Pro+'s 55W wired and 50W wireless. While both offer reverse wireless charging, the Mi 11 Ultra’s faster charging capabilities provide a more convenient and efficient user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X70 Pro+ if you prioritize a slightly more compact form factor and a camera system tuned for natural color reproduction. This phone is ideal for photography enthusiasts who prefer a less processed look. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra if you value all-day battery life, incredibly fast charging speeds, and a more robust feature set, including a secondary display for quick glances and selfies.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11 Ultra suffer from significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888 is known to throttle under sustained load. While the Mi 11 Ultra’s larger chassis helps mitigate this, expect some performance dips during extended gaming sessions. Optimizing game settings and using a cooling accessory can help improve sustained performance.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the vivo X70 Pro+ and the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra?
The vivo X70 Pro+ generally aims for more natural color reproduction, prioritizing accuracy over vibrancy. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra tends to apply more aggressive image processing, boosting colors and contrast for a more visually appealing, but less realistic, look. This is a matter of personal preference.
❓ Is the 10W reverse wireless charging on either phone useful for more than just earbuds?
While 10W reverse wireless charging is convenient for earbuds, it's generally too slow to effectively charge larger devices like smartphones. It's best considered an emergency feature for topping up accessories rather than a primary charging method.
❓ What are the benefits of the secondary display on the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra?
The secondary display allows you to quickly check notifications, control music playback, and, most importantly, take high-quality selfies using the main camera system. This provides a significant advantage in selfie quality compared to the X70 Pro+'s front-facing camera.