Android 10 and Android 11 on Xiaomi: 12 Key Differences That Affect the Experience

Transition from Android 10 Android 11 Xiaomi is not just a change in the number in the version, but a radical change in the system, which many users still underestimate. MIUI 11/12 Android-based 10 If you are wondering if it is worth updating, this article will help you understand the real benefits and hidden pitfalls.

We analyzed the reviews of owners of Redmi Note 9 Pro, Mi 10, POCO X3 We tested both versions on identical devices and identified 12 key differences that directly affect speed, autonomy, security and even camera capabilities. MIUI — This is what often causes disputes among users.

There are no general phrases in this article about "improved performance" -- just specific facts, interface screenshots, benchmarks, and instructions on how to check your device's compatibility. FAQ with the most common bugs after the upgrade.

1. Interface and Navigation: Why Android 11 Seems to Be Alien

The first thing that catches your eye after the update is the completely redesigned notification menu and the Quick Settings Bar. In Android 10 on Xiaomi, these elements were integrated into a single block with horizontal scrolling. In Android 11, they were separated:

• 🔔 Notifications now occupy a separate zone at the top, with the grouping by messengers (for example, all messages from Telegram are folded into one block).
• ⚙️ Quick settings moved to the bottom of the screen, and their number decreased from 9 to 6 by default (but you can return the old view through Settings). → Screen. → Control panel).
• 🎨 The dark theme has become more aggressive: Android 11 has a forced mode for all apps, even if they don’t support it.

Xiaomi has tried to smooth out these changes in the MIUI 12.5, but many users complain about the uncomfortable location of the off button - it's now hidden behind an extra swipe up the power menu. Also, the ability to quickly switch between users right from the curtain disappeared (this is true for models with multi-account support, for example, Mi 10 Ultra).

Another controversial innovation is chat bubbles, which in theory should make multitasking easier, but in practice many Xiaomi users encounter a bug where the bubbles duplicate or do not disappear after the chat is closed. → Annexes → Special access → Bubbles.

2. Performance: Myths and Real Tests

Xiaomi Officially Says Android 11 on 15-20% Android 10 It's because it's optimized for RAM and application background activity, but it's independent testing on the Redmi Note. 8 Pro (Snapdragon 665) and POCO F2 Pro (Snapdragon 865) show a different picture:

Critical difference: Android 11 More aggressively closes the background processes, which leads to faster launch of applications, but also to frequent reboots of messengers and social networks. 10 could have stayed in memory until 12 hours without activity, and on Android 11 — maximum 4-5 This has a direct impact on the delivery of notifications.

On the other hand, Android 11 introduced App Pinning, which was not available in Android 10. You can now pin up to 3 apps in the recent panel so they don't close when you clean up RAM. → Special facilities → Securing annexes.

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If after updating on Android 11 smartphone began to slow down, try to disable the animation interface. To do this, activate Developer Mode (7 taps by build number in Settings). → About the phone, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, set all three animation options to Animation disabled.

3.Security and Permits: What has changed for users

Android 11’s main security innovation is one-time app permissions, and now, when you first request geolocation, microphone, or camera access, the system offers three options:

• 🔒 Allow once – access is valid only until the application is closed.
• 🔄 Allow only during use – access is disabled when the application is folded.
• 🚫 Banning is a total refusal.

Android 10 had only a choice between “always allow” and “ban,” which created privacy risks, such as TikTok or Instagram being able to collect location data even when you weren’t using it, and now that’s impossible without explicit consent.

Another important change is blocking the installation of applications from unknown sources by default. Android 10 after the first installation permission APK In Android 11, the flag is reset after each security update, making it difficult to install apps outside of Google Play.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A and POCO M3) After upgrading to Android 11, the installation option is lost APK Solution: Use alternative file managers like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager.

4.Autonomy and power management: why the battery goes down faster

Many users complain that after upgrading to Android 11 autonomy has decreased by 10-15%. The reason lies in three key changes:

1. More stringent background control – the system wakes up the processor more often to check notifications, which increases power consumption.
2. The new Adaptive Battery algorithm — Android 11 takes into account not only frequently used applications, but also the time of day, which sometimes leads to suboptimal resource allocation.
3. Updated Bluetooth stack – now it works in the background even when there are no connected devices, which adds ~3% of 8-hour expenses.

On the other hand, in Android. 11 Battery Share (reverse wireless charging) for supported models (Mi) 11 Ultra, Mi 10 It allows you to charge other gadgets (for example, Mi Band). 6 Or AirDots Pro headphones from the back of the smartphone. 5W, This reduces the autonomy of the main device. 20-25% hourly.

Turn off Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery → Adaptive preferences

Set limits on background activity for social media

Use dark theme forcefully for all applications

Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning in the background-->

For objectivity, the test was conducted on the Redmi Note 10 Pro (Snapdragon). 732G) with the same brightness settings (200 nits) and activity (1 hour YouTube, 30 minutes Chrome, 2 hours standby):

• 🔋 Android 10: 12% consumption per cycle.
• 🔋 Android 11: 15% per cycle consumption.

The difference is not critical, but noticeable when used intensively. If autonomy is a priority for you, consider rollback on Android 10 (instructions in the section below). FAQ).

5 Camera and Multimedia: Hidden Improvements and New Limitations

Android. 11 Xiaomi has introduced support HEIF/HEVC This allows you to compress media files without loss of quality: for example, a photo weight. 8 MB in Android 10 (JPEG) takes over 3-4 MB in Android 11 (HEIF). But there are nuances:

• 📸 Not all apps support all apps HEIF — for example, VK And OK automatically converts these files into JPEG loading.
• 🎥 Video in the video HEVC It may not play on older TVs or computers without codecs.
• 🔄 You can turn off compression in the camera settings → File format → High quality (JPEG).

Another innovation is the built-in equalizer for video, which now allows you to adjust bass and high frequencies in real time when you play videos in a gallery or Google Photos, and this is true for monodynamic models like Redmi. 9C), where the default sound is "empty".

However, there are limitations: in Android 11 Xiaomi has removed the ability to record video in 4K@60fps on budget models (Redmi Note) 9, POCO M2 The official explanation is “stability optimization,” but users suspect that this is a marketing ploy to separate the lines.

Communications and networks: 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and operator problems

The main advantage of Android 11 for owners of flagships Xiaomi (Mi 11, Mi) 10T Pro) - full support 5G SA (On Android 10, these models only worked in the mode. 5G NSA (Non-Standalone), which limited the speed and stability of the connection:

However, the update is associated with a number of problems:

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 9 Pro users and POCO X3 NFC After upgrading to Android 11, massively complain about the loss of the network when switching between the two 4G and 5G. Solution: Turn off automatic network selection in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Type of network → Only 4G patch-to-patch.

For Wi-Fi in Android 11 added support for Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), But only on models with the corresponding module (Mi 10, Mi 11), and Wi-Fi Suggest, which automatically connects the device to known open networks (for example, in cafes or airports), turns off this in Settings. → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Wi-Fi Suggest.

7. Compatibility with applications and games

One of the most painful changes in Android 11 — File system access restriction (Scoped Storage) Now applications can not read / write data freely in the file system. /sdcard/ It's not explicit permission. It's disrupting a lot of software:

• 🎮 Emulators (e.g., emulators, PPSSPP, Dolphin cannot automatically find files ROM.
• 📁 File managers (ES Root Explorer Disables Access to System Folders.
• 🎵 Musical Players (Poweramp, VLC) They can't see a media library without manual scanning.

Decisions:

1. Use alternative conductors like Mixplorer (can work through a computer) SAF — Storage Access Framework).
2. Transfer files to folders created by the application itself (e.g, /sdcard/Android/data/com.ppsspp.ppsspp/files/).
3. For rooted devices, patch Scoped Storage through Magisk modules.

Game situation is better: Android 11 has added support for Game Driver API, This improved compatibility with controllers (e.g. Xbox One S or DualShock 4), but some models (Redmi Note 8, Mi 9 Lite) have been lagged after the update. PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile due to more aggressive heat management.

8 How to upgrade (and whether it is worth it)

If you’re still on Android 10, but your device supports Android 11, there are three ways to upgrade:

1. Through OTA (by air: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Check the Minus updates: long wait (sometimes up to several months after the official release).
2. Through MIUI Recovery: 1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website (choose the version of "Recovery"). 2. Rename the file to update.zip And put it in the root of the memory. 3. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a firmware file.
3. Through Fastboot (for power users): 1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool. 2. Download Fastboot firmware and use the Mi Flash Tool to install. ⚠️ The risk of brick (turning into a brick) when doing the wrong thing!

List of Xiaomi models with support for Android 11:

• 📱 Flagships: Mi 10/10 Pro/10 Ultra, Mi 11/11 Pro/11 Ultra, Black Shark 3/3 Pro.
• 📱 Mid-segment: Redmi K30 Pro, POCO F2 Pro, Mi 9T Pro.
• 📱 Budget: Redmi Note 9 Pro/9S, POCO X3 NFC (But without some features, such as the Game Turbo).

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Before updating, be sure to make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup: Android 11 has changed its storage structure, and some files (such as game saves) may be lost.

Should we update? There's no clear answer, but here's a checklist to help you make a decision:

Your model officially supports the update (check out Xiaomi’s website)

You're using it. 5G-network or Wi-Fi 6

Important confidentiality (one-time permissions, limiting background activity)

You are not dependent on apps that break down due to Scoped Storage

Do not update if:

You have a budget model with 3/32 GB 4/64 GB memory

Autonomy is critical (the battery will go down faster)

You are actively using emulators or file system-->

If you have already updated and faced problems, the next section is the solution to the most common bugs.

FAQ: Solving problems after updating