Choosing a new smartphone in 2021 has become one of the most challenging challenges for today’s consumer, as the market offers incredibly powerful devices from across the price spectrum. On the one hand, we see Apple’s flagships continue to dictate fashion and set performance standards, on the other, aggressive new products from Xiaomi, offering top-tier features for half the price. The question of what is better is no longer just a dispute about brands and has become a battle of ecosystems, philosophy of use and, of course, budget.
This year, the competition has escalated to the limit: Apple introduced the line of iPhone 13 with improved screens and cameras, and Xiaomi responded with the Mi 11 and Xiaomi 11T series, implementing 120 watt charging and Snapdragon 888 processors. The user now needs to consider not only the hardware, but also how long the device will receive updates, how user-friendly the interface is and what is more important for you personally – status or maximum functionality for each spent ruble.
We’ve done an in-depth analysis of both camps to help you avoid getting confused by technical specifications and marketing tricks, and in this article, we’ll look at key aspects that influence your choices, from build quality to operating system nuances, so you can make an informed decision.
Operating system: iOS vs MIUI
The fundamental difference between the devices in question lies in the software. Apple’s iOS is known for its closedness, optimization and stability, while the MIUI shell (based on Android) offers unlimited customization possibilities. If you value the predictability of the interface and the absence of unnecessary actions, then the Apple ecosystem will be for you the ideal choice where all applications undergo strict moderation.
Xiaomi, on the other hand, allows users to turn their smartphone into a unique tool, so you can change the themes, install apps from any source, and customize system fonts without using a computer, but it’s worth noting that this freedom sometimes leads to banner ads in system applications, although they can be manually disabled through settings.
⚠️ Note: When you switch from iOS to Android (and vice versa), you may experience data loss from some proprietary apps, such as notes or voice recordings, so make sure to back up important information in advance.
An important aspect is support for updates.Apple has been keeping its devices 5-6 years old, releasing major updates in one day for all models.Xiaomi is also improving its policy by promising 3 years of Android updates for flagships, but fragmentation of mid-range devices is still a challenge.
- 📱 iOS: Closed system, high security, synchronization with Mac and iPad.
- 🎨 MIUI: Deep Customization, Gesture Control, App Cloning.
- 🔄 Updates: iOS gets them instantly, MIUI — stage-by-stage and delayed.
Productivity and gaming opportunities
In 2021, the battle of chipsets has unfolded between the Apple A14/A15 Bionic and Qualcomm Snapdragon 888.Tests show that Apple’s processors are still outperforming competitors in single-core performance, which directly affects the speed of opening applications and smooth interface. Even last year’s iPhone models often run faster than new Android smartphones in everyday tasks.
Xiaomi is not giving up, however, and offers great gaming capabilities thanks to powerful Adreno graphics accelerators and advanced cooling systems. Flagship models like the Redmi K40 Gaming Edition or Black Shark (a sub-brand of Xiaomi) use active coolers and special triggers, making them more attractive to hardcore gamers than standard iPhones.
Despite having less RAM, the iPhone often multitasks better thanks to efficient iOS resource management. At the same time, Xiaomi offers virtual memory extension features using part of the drive as RAM, which helps keep more apps in the background.
Secrets of game modes
Cameras: photo and video
Camera comparison is a timeless classic. iPhones have traditionally led video shooting with better stabilization, dynamic range when recording video and natural color reproduction. If you’re a blogger or make a lot of social media videos, the iPhone 12 or 13 series will be the best in picture quality and microphone performance.
Xiaomi is betting on photo capabilities and zoom. Flagships like the Mi 11 Ultra are equipped with huge sensors and periscopic modules that allow you to take high-quality pictures on long-range zoom, where the iPhone with its digital crop loses. In addition, photo processing algorithms in MIUI often make photos more vivid and rich, which is popular with most Instagram users.
⚠️ Note: Beautification algorithms in Xiaomi cameras can be too aggressive by default, so for realistic portraits, it is recommended to turn them off in the camera settings manually.
The night mode deserves special attention. Here, the leaders change from year to year, but in 2021 Xiaomi managed to break ahead in some scenarios thanks to high-speed optics and Night Mode, which withstands long exposures without a tripod better than the base iPhone models.
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For video blogging and storytelling, the iPhone is better suited, and for art photography and zoom, Xiaomi flagships.
Screens and multimedia
Displays are a window into the digital world, and here Xiaomi in 2021 sets the tone.While Apple is only introducing ProMotion (120 Hz) technology in the Pro version of the iPhone 13, many Xiaomi smartphones have long been equipped with a new model. AMOLED-It's 120Hz, even 144Hz in game models, and it's incredibly smooth scrolling through the tape and animations.
Brightness and color reproduction are at the highest level in both brands. However, Xiaomi often equips its devices with an infrared port, which allows you to use the smartphone as a remote for TV and air conditioning, turning it into a smart home control center. iPhone speakers sound more balanced, but Xiaomi compensates for this with support for high-resolution codecs and the presence of a 3.5 mm connector in some models.
The touchscreen sampling rate is also an important parameter. For gamers, this is a critical metric, and here Xiaomi often offers 480 Hz or 720 Hz, which gives a tangible advantage in the speed of response to touch compared to the standard 120 Hz from competitors.
| Characteristics | iPhone 13 Pro | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi 11T Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of matrix | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Frequency of update | 120 Hz (adaptive) | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Brightness (max) | 1200 cd/m2 | 1,500 cd/m2 | 1000 cd/m2 |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus |
Autonomy and charging speed
While Apple prides itself on the iPhone 13 being able to run all day, offering 20-27 watts of charging, the Chinese giant has introduced 120 watt HyperCharge technology, which allows it to charge from 0 to 100% in just 17-20 minutes, which dramatically changes the user experience.
The batteries in Xiaomi smartphones often have a larger capacity (4500-5000 mAh) compared to the iPhone (3000-4300 mAh).However, thanks to the optimization of iOS, the iPhone often shows comparable screen life, despite the lower physical capacity of the battery.
It is worth noting the lack of power supplies in the kit from Apple, which forces the user to buy them separately. Xiaomi still retains this option in most regions, investing in the box powerful charging, which is a significant budget savings when buying.
☑️ Pre-purchase check
Price, liquidity and final choice
The financial aspect is crucial for many. iPhone retains value is much better: bought today iPhone in a year can sell for 70-80% of its price. Xiaomi smartphones are cheaper faster, especially after the release of new models, but the initial entry price is much lower.
If you’re looking at a smartphone as an investment or you’re planning to change devices often, Apple is better off in the long run.If you’re taking a phone for 2-3 years and want to get the most out of the world without overpaying for the brand, Xiaomi is the undisputed leader in price/quality.
In 2021, the choice depends on your loyalty to the ecosystem. If you already have a MacBook, AirPods, and Apple Watch, the transition to Android will be painful. If you are free to choose, Xiaomi will offer bolder experiments with form factors and technologies.
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When buying Xiaomi, pay attention to the firmware version: Global Version is preferable for stable operation in our region than CN Version with firmware.