Xiaomi offers a compelling range of mid-range smartphones, and the 11i and 11 Lite 5G NE are two popular contenders. Both boast stylish designs and capable features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi 11i takes the crown for raw performance and significantly faster charging. However, the 11 Lite 5G NE excels in battery endurance and offers a more refined, lightweight design. If speed and charging are priorities, choose the 11i; for longevity and portability, the 11 Lite 5G NE is the better pick.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 06 | 2021, September 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 12 | Available. Released 2021, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.33 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 | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
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, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2 (Global), 5.1 (India) |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NavIC |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (Global), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (India) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, 50% in 13 min | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5160 mAh | Li-Po 4250 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Camo Green, Stealth Black, Purple Mist, Pacific Pearl | Truffle Black (Vinyl Black), Bubblegum Blue (Jazz Blue), Peach Pink (Tuscany Coral), Snowflake White (Diamond Dazzle) |
| Models | MZB0A5EIN | 2109119DG, 2107119DC, 2109119DI |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 0.82 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 122h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-23.6 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 527663 (v9)
GeekBench: 2832 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi 11i
- Faster Performance (Dimensity 920)
- 67W Fast Charging
- Slightly Better Main Camera
- Good Value
- Shorter Battery Life
- Larger and Heavier Design
- Image processing can be aggressive
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Slim and Lightweight Design
- Refined Color Calibration
- Stylish Appearance
- Slower Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
- 33W Charging (Slower)
- Less Detailed Photos in Bright Light
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but both displays are excellent. The 11 Lite 5G NE might have a slightly more refined color calibration out of the box, but both are easily customizable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer versatile camera setups. The 11i generally captures slightly more detailed photos in good lighting conditions, while the 11 Lite 5G NE excels in low-light scenarios due to its image processing. Video recording is comparable on both devices, offering 4K capabilities.
Performance
The Xiaomi 11i's Dimensity 920 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the 11 Lite 5G NE's Snapdragon 778G 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 11i. The 11 Lite 5G NE is still capable, but the 11i is the clear winner here.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE's battery life is a standout feature, consistently delivering exceptional endurance. The 11i's battery is decent, but doesn't match the longevity of the 11 Lite 5G NE. However, the 11i's 67W charging more than compensates, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi 11i? Gamers, power users, and those who prioritize fast charging. Who should buy the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE? Users seeking excellent battery life, a slim and stylish design, and a more balanced overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xiaomi 11i worth the extra cost over the 11 Lite 5G NE?
If performance and fast charging are your priorities, then yes. The 11i offers a significant upgrade in these areas. However, if battery life and a more compact design are more important, the 11 Lite 5G NE remains a compelling option.
❓ Which phone has better low-light camera performance?
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE generally performs better in low-light conditions thanks to its image processing algorithms. While the 11i captures more detail in bright light, the 11 Lite 5G NE produces cleaner images in darker environments.
