2021 was a breakthrough for Xiaomi: the company not only strengthened its position in the budget smartphone market, but also introduced innovative solutions in the premium segment. From the foldable Mi MIX Fold to the gaming monster Black Shark 4 Pro, the range of devices covered the needs of a wide variety of users. In this article, we will analyze in detail all Xiaomi 2021 models, their key features, technical characteristics and current prices in the secondary market.
We will pay special attention to the flagships of the Mi 11 series, which became the brand’s answer to the Samsung Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12. And we will also tell you which models should be considered in 2026 for buying used ones – and which ones should be abandoned due to problems with support for updates or hardware.
Flagships of 2021: Xiaomi Mi 11 series
The Mi 11 line became the hallmark of Xiaomi in 2021. These smartphones received the top Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processors, screens with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and support for wireless charging with a capacity of up to 67 W. The main innovation is the rejection of the charger in the kit (like Apple), which caused a mixed reaction of users.
The Mi 11 Ultra is the brand’s first smartphone with a secondary display on the back that displayed notifications, time and even could work as a viewfinder for selfies with the main camera. It was also one of the first devices to support 8K HDR10+ video shooting, but its weight of 234 g and dimensions made the model uncomfortable for everyday use.
- 📱 Mi 11 Lite 5G — lightest (159 g) and thinnest (6.81 mm) flagship with support 5G
- 🎮 Mi 11X Pro – Indian version of Mi 11 Pro with improved cooling for gaming
- 📸 Mi 11 Ultra – camera with sensor 1/1.12" (50 MP) and optical zoom 120×
- 🔋 Mi 11i — Redmi's global version K40 Pro+ with a Snapdragon 888 processor
⚠️ Note: All Mi 11 models (except Mi 11 Lite) 4G) Only 3 major Android updates (to Android 14) have been received. MIUI for — MIUI 15, but without new camera features and optimizations for gaming.
Budget and mid-budget models: Redmi Note 10 and POCO F3
If the flagship Mi 11 were designed for enthusiasts, the series Redmi Note 10 became a bestseller for the mass buyer. AMOLED-screens (even in the basic version!), stereo speakers and batteries with a capacity of up to 5020 mAh - all this for a price of 15,000 rubles. Especially stood out Redmi Note 10 Pro with a 108 MP camera and Snapdragon processor 732G.
In parallel, the sub-brand POCO developed, which released the POCO F3 GT, the first smartphone with magnetic triggers for games (similar to Asus ROG Phone), and the POCO X3 Pro model is still relevant thanks to the Snapdragon 860 processor (relabeled 855+) and the price below 20,000 rubles in the secondary market.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Battery | Price in 2021 (RF), ₽ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10 | Snapdragon 678 | AMOLED, 6.43, 60 Hz | 5,000 mAh | 14 990 |
| Redmi Note 10 Pro | Snapdragon 732G | AMOLED, 6.67, 120 Hz | 5020 mAh | 21 990 |
| POCO X3 Pro | Snapdragon 860 | IPS, 6.67," 120 Hz. | 5160 mAh | 19 990 |
| POCO F3 | Snapdragon 870 | AMOLED, 6.67, 120 Hz | 4520 mAh | 24 990 |
Fun fact: The Redmi Note 10 Pro was Xiaomi’s first smartphone to feature the Gorilla Glass Victus, the same protective glass used in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, and it was one of the latest models to feature a 3.5mm audio jack in the mid-range.
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If you buy a Redmi Note 10 Pro in 2026, be sure to check the condition AMOLED-Download the Screen Test app and turn on the mode #00FF00 (green-screen).
Game Smartphones: Black Shark 4 and its modifications
In 2021, Xiaomi released the fourth generation of gaming smartphones Black Shark, which became direct competitors of the Asus ROG Phone 5 and Nubia Red Magic 6.
- 🎯 Physical triggers with a pressure of 300 g (tunable sensitivity)
- ⚡ Recharging 120W – full battery charge of 4500 mAh in 15 minutes
- 🧊 Liquid cooling with two fans (in Pro version)
A unique feature of the Black Shark 4 Pro is that it supported external video card connectivity via USB-C (Black Shark Dock technology), which allowed games to run in 4K resolution when connected to a monitor, but the accessory never went on sale outside of China.
The series’ weakness was the lack of water protection (even by IP53 standard) and mediocre main cameras, but the front camera was hidden in a mechanical retractable module – a rare solution for 2021.
Triggers for responsiveness (test in Black Shark Space)
Battery condition (capacity not lower than 85%)
Liquid cooling (no overheating in 3DMark)
The original charger 120 watts-->
Innovation 2021: foldable Mi MIX Fold and experimental models
Xiaomi’s most ambitious project in 2021 was the Mi MIX Fold, the brand’s first foldable smartphone.
- 📄 Interior screen 8,01" permittingly 2480×1860 (ratio 4:3)
- 🔍 Liquid lens in the main camera (Liquid Lens technology)
- 🔋 Battery 5020 mAh with support for charging 67 W
However, the model received criticism for the high price (about 100,000 rubles in Russia) and software bugs in multitasking mode, for example, many applications did not adapt to the big screen and displayed in window mode, and Mi MIX Fold did not receive a global version – it was sold only in China.
Other experimental models for 2021:
- 📟 Mi MIX 4 – the first smartphone with a subscreen front camera (technology) CUP — Camera Under Panel)
- 📡 Mi 11 Lite 5G NE — Updated version with Snapdragon processor 778G support 9 5G-range
- 🔊 Redmi Note 10S — The only one in the series with stereo speakers from JBL (Dolby Atmos setup)
Why did Mi MIX Fold fail in the market?
Comparison with competitors: what other brands offered in 2021
To assess the achievements of Xiaomi in 2021, compare their flagships with counterparts from other manufacturers:
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max | OnePlus 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 | Exynos 2100/Snapdragon 888 | A14 Bionic | Snapdragon 888 |
| Main camera. | 50 MP, 1/1.12”, OIS | 108 MP, 1/1.33", Laser AF | 12 MP, 1/1.66", LiDAR | 48 MP, 1/1.43", Hasselblad |
| Screen. | AMOLED, 6.81," 120 Hz." | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 6.8, 120 Hz | OLED, 6.7," 60 Hz. | LTPO AMOLED, 6.7," 120Hz |
| Price in 2021 (RF), ₽ | 99 990 | 109 990 | 119 990 | 89 990 |
Xiaomi competed strongly with Samsung in hardware, but lost in software optimization and long-term support. For example, the Galaxy S21 Ultra still gets Android updates, and the Mi 11 Ultra does not. Xiaomi had trump cards in the form of fast charging (67 watts vs. 25 watts at Samsung) and price.
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In 2021, Xiaomi overtook Apple in smartphone shipments for the first time (according to Counterpoint Research), taking 2nd place after Samsung, thanks to aggressive pricing and the expansion of Redmi/POCO lines.
The relevance of models 2021 in 2026: is it worth buying?
3 years after the release, some Xiaomi 2021 models remain interesting for buying used.
- ✅ It's worth taking: 📱 POCO X3 Pro is the best budget gaming smartphone (Snapdragon 860 still pulls Genshin Impact on mid-range settings) 📸 Redmi Note 10 Pro — AMOLED-108 MP screen and camera for 12,000–15,000 ₽ ⚡ Black Shark 4 Pro – for gamers who are ready to put up with mediocre cameras
- ❌ Don't take it: 🗑️ Mi 11 Lite 4G — weak Snapdragon processor 732G absenteeism 5G 🔋 Mi 11 Ultra – high price on the secondary (50,000)+ ₽) software-in-the-box 📉 Mi MIX 4 – problems with the underscreen camera (blurred selfies) and lack of support
When buying a used one, be sure to check:
- Battery condition (capacity not lower than 80% of factory)
- All cameras (especially the Mi 11 Ultra, known to have autofocus problems)
- Original charger (fast charging works only with "native" units)
⚠️ Attention: Models 2021 The year on Snapdragon processors 888/870/860 suffer from overheating during prolonged workouts, if you plan to play Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG more 30 Be prepared for trottling (decreased productivity).