The Xiaomi Mi 11X and Mi 11X Pro represent a fascinating point in Xiaomi's 2021 lineup. While both aimed for the flagship space, they took different approaches to achieving it. The Mi 11X focused on delivering excellent value with the Snapdragon 870, while the Mi 11X Pro aimed for outright performance with the Snapdragon 888. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 11X offers the sweeter deal. Its Snapdragon 870 provides near-flagship performance with better thermal management, and the price is typically lower. The Mi 11X Pro’s Snapdragon 888 offers a theoretical performance edge, but the potential for throttling and similar pricing make it less compelling for the average user.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 77, 78 Sub6 | 77, 78 Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 23 | 2021, April 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 27 | Available. Released 2021, May 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| 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 (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 900 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| 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, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 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) | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3 100% in 52 min | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4520 mAh | Li-Po 4520 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Celestial Silver, Lunar White, Cosmic Black | Celestial Silver, Lunar White, Cosmic Black |
| Models | M2012K11AI | M2012K11I |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| SAR | 0.86 W/kg (head) 0.69 W/kg (body) | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Mi 11X
- Excellent value for money
- Efficient Snapdragon 870 processor
- Better thermal management for sustained performance
- Less powerful processor than the Mi 11X Pro
- Potentially less advanced camera system
Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
- Likely superior camera capabilities
- Higher peak display brightness
- Potential for thermal throttling
- Higher price point
- Potentially shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Both devices share a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, but the Mi 11X Pro boasts a higher peak brightness, crucial for outdoor visibility. While both likely feature a 120Hz refresh rate (not specified in the data, but standard for this class), the Mi 11X Pro’s superior panel technology likely translates to more vibrant colors and better contrast. The absence of LTPO in either model means refresh rate scaling isn’t as dynamic as on newer flagships, impacting battery efficiency.
Camera Comparison
The Mi 11X Pro distinguishes itself with a more advanced camera system. While details are limited, the upgrade to the Snapdragon 888 likely unlocks more advanced image signal processing (ISP) capabilities. The Mi 11X Pro’s camera system is likely to offer better dynamic range and low-light performance. The absence of details on sensor sizes makes a direct comparison difficult, but the 'Pro' designation suggests a larger, more capable main sensor. The 2MP macro cameras on both devices are likely present for marketing purposes and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Mi 11X’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm) utilizes Kryo 585 cores, offering a strong balance of performance and efficiency. The Mi 11X Pro’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) features the newer Cortex-X1 prime core, promising higher peak performance. However, the 5nm process doesn’t guarantee efficiency; the 888 is known to run hotter. This means the Mi 11X Pro may experience more thermal throttling under sustained load, diminishing its performance advantage in long gaming sessions. The 888’s Adreno 660 GPU also offers a theoretical advantage, but real-world gains may be limited by thermal constraints.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 33W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in approximately 52 minutes with support for PD3.0 and QC3. The battery capacity isn’t specified, but the Snapdragon 870’s efficiency in the Mi 11X likely results in comparable or even better real-world battery life despite a potentially smaller battery size. The Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11X Pro, while powerful, consumes more power, potentially leading to shorter battery life, especially during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11X if you prioritize sustained performance during extended gaming sessions and value excellent efficiency. It’s ideal for users who want a smooth, responsive experience without breaking the bank. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro if you absolutely need the highest possible benchmark scores and are willing to potentially trade off some battery life and thermal performance for that peak power, and if you can find it at a significant discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11X Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 870. While Xiaomi likely implemented thermal management solutions, extended gaming at high settings may lead to noticeable throttling, reducing sustained performance. The Mi 11X, with its Snapdragon 870, is less prone to this issue.
❓ Is the camera on the Mi 11X Pro a significant upgrade over the Mi 11X for everyday photos?
The Mi 11X Pro’s camera system, powered by the Snapdragon 888’s ISP, likely offers improvements in dynamic range and low-light performance. However, for typical everyday photos in good lighting conditions, the difference may be subtle. The Mi 11X still delivers excellent image quality.
❓ Does the Mi 11X Pro support higher frame rates in demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 888 is capable of handling higher frame rates, the actual performance will depend on the game's optimization and the device's thermal management. The Mi 11X Pro *may* achieve slightly higher frame rates in some scenarios, but throttling could limit sustained performance. The Mi 11X will likely provide a more consistent experience.
