The Xiaomi Mi 11X and Realme GT 5G represent a fascinating crossroads in the smartphone market. The Mi 11X, powered by the Snapdragon 870, offered a compelling flagship experience at a more accessible price point. The Realme GT 5G, with the more powerful Snapdragon 888, aimed for outright performance. Now, with price drops, the lines have blurred, making a direct comparison crucial for potential buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficient charging, the Realme GT 5G emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 888, despite potential thermal concerns, delivers a noticeable performance uplift, and the 65W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Mi 11X remains a strong contender for budget-conscious users.
| 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, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 77, 78 Sub6 | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 23 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 27 | Available. Released 2021, March 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) | Glass front, glass back or eco leather back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) | 158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (Glass) / 9.1 mm (Leather) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3 100% in 52 min | 65W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4520 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Celestial Silver, Lunar White, Cosmic Black | Gold/Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | M2012K11AI | RMX2202 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | 0.86 W/kg (head) 0.69 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 98h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.5 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 703986 (v8), 810433 (v9)
GeekBench: 3555 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 55fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Mi 11X
- More efficient Snapdragon 870 processor
- Compact and manageable size
- Potentially lower price point
- Slower charging speed (33W)
- Less powerful processor compared to the 888
- Limited camera details available
Realme GT 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 888 processor
- Significantly faster 65W charging
- Higher display brightness
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
- May be more expensive
- Larger size may not suit all users
Display Comparison
Both devices feature displays suitable for media consumption, but the Realme GT 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 650 nits, offering a more vibrant experience in direct sunlight. While both have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the Mi 11X’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. The Realme GT 5G’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or OIS, a definitive camera comparison is impossible. However, the Realme GT 5G, being positioned as a more premium device, likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor. The absence of details on the Mi 11X’s camera system makes it difficult to assess its capabilities beyond basic smartphone photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT 5G’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) is architecturally superior to the Mi 11X’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 888 features a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, offering a significant performance boost over the 870’s Kryo 585 prime core at 3.2 GHz. However, the 5nm process of the 888 contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Mi 11X’s 870 excels in sustained performance due to its lower peak power draw, while the 888 provides bursts of higher performance. Both utilize Octa-core CPUs, but the 888’s architecture is more modern.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 98 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. The Realme GT 5G’s 65W charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 35 minutes. The Mi 11X’s 33W charging takes 52 minutes, a noticeable difference for users who prioritize quick top-ups. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the GT 5G effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11X if you need a compact, well-rounded flagship experience that prioritizes efficiency and consistent performance over raw power, and if you're looking to save money. Buy the Realme GT 5G if you prefer maximum performance for gaming and demanding tasks, and if you value incredibly fast charging speeds, even if it means potentially experiencing some thermal throttling under heavy load.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Realme GT 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than the 870. While the Realme GT 5G incorporates cooling solutions, extended gaming at maximum settings can lead to thermal throttling, reducing sustained performance. However, the throttling is generally manageable and doesn't render the phone unusable.
❓ How does the 33W charging on the Mi 11X compare to the 65W charging on the GT 5G in real-world usage?
The 65W charging on the Realme GT 5G is significantly faster, taking approximately 35 minutes for a full charge. The Mi 11X’s 33W charging takes around 52 minutes. This difference is noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery, offering a substantial convenience advantage to the GT 5G.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture between the Snapdragon 870 and 888 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For typical everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming, the difference between the two processors is minimal. Both chips provide a smooth and responsive experience. The benefits of the Snapdragon 888 become more apparent in demanding applications like gaming, video editing, and running multiple apps simultaneously.
