Xiaomi Mi 11 vs Mi 11i: full comparison of flagships 2021

Introduction: Two flagships with different priorities

Choosing between the Xiaomi Mi 11 and Mi 11i is not just a matter of preference, but a strategic move based on your needs. Both models were released in early 2021 as part of the flagship lineup, but are targeted at different users. The Mi 11 was positioned as a classic top-end device with a focus on performance and premium design, while the Mi 11i (also known as the Mi 11X Pro in some regions) offered a more balanced approach with a focus on cameras and global compatibility.

At first glance, the differences may seem minor – both devices are equipped with Snapdragon 888, support the Snapdragon. 5G have AMOLED-But when you look at it in detail, it's clear that these smartphones are different things. 11i It was the first in the lineup with official support. NFC Google Pay in Russia, which made it more attractive for payments, while the Mi 11 received a more powerful cooling system and exclusive features for the Chinese market.

In this article, we will explore 10 key differences that will help you decide on your choice, from the design and materials of the case to the nuances of software and prices in the secondary market in 2026, and focus on those aspects that are often overlooked in reviews, such as differences in support for wireless charging or the behavior of cameras in low light conditions.

1. Design and materials: glass vs plastic with premium accent

The first thing that catches the eye is the body materials. Xiaomi Mi 11 is made entirely of glass (Gorilla Glass Victus front and rear) with an aluminum frame, which gives it a premium look, but makes it more fragile. Mi 11i, in turn, received a polycarbonate rear panel with a matte texture, which is better resists scratches and less stains.

Weight characteristics also vary:

• 📏 Mi 11: 196g at 8.06mm thick (glass version)
• 📏 Mi 11i: 193 g with a thickness of 7.8 mm (lighter due to plastic)

It is important to note that the Mi 11i is available in brighter colors (like Celestial Silver with a bluish tint), while the Mi 11 offered classic options: black, white and blue.

⚠️ Warning: Glass back panel Mi 11 requires mandatory use of the case – without protection, the smartphone slides on surfaces and can break even when falling from a small height (0.5-1 m).

Another key difference is moisture protection, both of which are IP53 rated, meaning splash protection, but not water protection, but the Mi 11i has more gently sealed seals around the buttons and connectors, reducing the risk of dust.

2.Screens: 2K vs Full HD+ with the same frequency

Both smartphones are equipped AMOLED-displays with support for 120 Hz, but there are significant differences:

In practice, the difference in resolution is noticeable when viewing small text or 4K-It's minimal in everyday tasks (social media, games), but the Mi 11 is better at color reproduction thanks to Dolby Vision and a wider range of colors (DCIP3). This is especially important for film lovers and photographers who edit pictures on their phones.

Mi 11i, despite the lower resolution, has one advantage - adaptive refresh rate from 30 Hz to 120 Hz, while in Mi 11 the minimum frequency is fixed at 60 Hz. This affects autonomy: when reading text or viewing static images, the Mi 11i consumes less energy.

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To enable 2K mode on the Mi 11, go to Settings → Display → Screen Resolution and select WQHD+. Note that this will reduce battery life by 10-15%.

Performance: one chipset, different cooling

Both devices are based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm), but there are nuances:

• 🔥 Mi 11: liquid cooling system with graphite gasket and steam chamber (dispersion area) ~10,000 mm²)
• ❄️ Mi 11i: copper-pipe + graphite layer (area) ~6,000 mm²)

In benchmarks (such as AnTuTu or 3DMark), the difference is up to 8-12% in favor of the Mi 11, especially in long-term loads, for example, after 30 minutes of playing Genshin Impact at maximum settings:

• Mi 11 loses ~15% of performance (trottling)
• Mi 11i loses ~25% (heats harder)

However, for most users, this difference is not critical. gamers should pay attention to the Mi 11, and for everyday tasks (social networks, photos, videos) there are enough features of the Mi 11i. In addition, the Mi 11i has a more optimized firmware for the global market, which reduces the number of localization bugs.

⚠️ Note: The Mi 11 Chinese version (Viva) does not have Google Mobile Services (GMS). When buying in the secondary market, make sure the model has global firmware (marked as M2011K2G for Mi 11 and M2012K11G for Mi 11i).

4.Cameras: The main difference of the line

Here, the Mi 11i takes off with a more advanced main camera:

• 📷 Mi 11: 108 MP (Samsung) HMX, 1/1.33", f/1.85) + 13 MP (ultra-wide) + 5 MP (macro)
• 📷 Mi 11i: 108 MP (Samsung) HM2, 1/1.52", f/1.75) + 8 MP (ultra-wide, 119°) + 5 MP (telemacro)

On paper, the difference in sensors seems small, but in practice HM2 mi 11i It performs better in low light conditions due to its larger pixel size (0.7). µm 0.8 µm binningly).

Comparison of key parameters:

The difference is particularly noticeable when shooting videos: the Mi 11i is better at autofocus while driving, and also supports HDR10+ when recording, while the Mi 11 wins in detail in good lighting thanks to more aggressive processing.

5. Battery and charging: speed vs capacity

Both smartphones support fast charging, but with different characteristics:

• ⚡ Mi 11: 4600mAh + 55W (wired) / 50W (wireless)
• ⚡ Mi 11i: 4520 mAh + 33W (wired, wireless)

At first glance, the Mi 11 seems like a winner, but there are nuances:

Autonomy in real-world conditions:

• Mi 11: ~6-7 hours of screen at mixed load (including) 2K-display)
• Mi 11i: ~7-8 hours (with more streamlined software and Full HD+)

The Mi 11 charges from 0 to 100% in 45 minutes, and the Mi 11i — Wireless charging in the Mi 11 only works with the original Xiaomi charger (cost) ~3 000 ₽ 2026).

⚠️ Note: Use of non-original chargers with higher power 33W for Mi 11i Xiaomi officially recommends charging with support for Quick Charge 4 protocol+.

Another important point is reverse charging. Only the Mi 11 supports 10W reverse wireless charging (for headphones or smartwatches, for example), which is not available in the Mi 11i.

6. Software and updates

At the time of release, both smartphones were running MIUI 12 based on Android 11. However, their support from Xiaomi is very different:

• 📱 Mi 11: Received an update to MIUI 14 (Android 13) and stayed on it. Latest security patch June 2023.
• 📱 Mi 11i: updated MIUI 14 (Android 13), but has more stable builds for the global market.The latest patch is December 2023.

Key differences in software:

• 🌍 Mi 11i Google Mobile Services (including Google Pay and Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD)
• 🎮 Mi 11 in the Chinese version is not available GMS, but offers exclusive features for gamers (e.g. Game Turbo 4.0 with advanced settings)

It is important to note that the Mi 11 is more likely to suffer from "ghost touches" due to firmware issues, especially for devices with unofficial customizations. ROM. Mi 11i in this respect is more stable.

Battery condition (capacity not lower than 85% of the original)|Performance of all cameras (test in Pro mode)|No "ghost touches" on the screen|Verification IMEI Original (Xiaomi website)|Update to the latest version MIUI-->

7. Additional features: what is missing in reviews

There are a few nuances that are rarely mentioned, but they can be crucial:

• 🔊 Stereo speakers: in the Mi 11, they are configured in conjunction with Harman Kardon and have deeper lower frequencies. 11i It sounds quiet 10-15%.
• 📶 5G-Modem: in Mi 11i used X60, which works better with European frequencies (for example, the, n78 for Russian operators).
• 🔑 NFC: mi 11i chip supports card emulation MIFARE Classic, which allows you to use it for subway or office turnstiles (in Mi 11 this feature is limited).
• 🎮 Triggers: Only Mi 11 has ultrasonic sensors for gamer triggers (relevant for shooters).

It’s also worth noting that the Mi 11i has an infrared port for controlling appliances, whereas the Mi 11 doesn’t. This can be critical if you’re using your smartphone as an air conditioner or TV remote.

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If you’re looking for compatibility with smart homes or office access systems, choose the Mi 11i, which makes it more versatile with its NFC and IR port.

8.Price and relevance in 2026

In the secondary market (according to Avito and Yula data for May 2026), prices are as follows:

Should I buy these models in 2026?

• ✅ Yes, if you need a flagship for ~20 000 ₽ well-screened.
• ❌ No, if you plan to use your smartphone for longer than 2 years, the lack of security updates makes it vulnerable.

Alternatives in this price segment:

• POCO F5 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, better autonomy)
• Realme GT Neo 5 (144 Hz screen, more recent software)
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (best camera, but weaker processor)

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions