Which Xiaomi smartphone is better to buy in 2021: a detailed guide

Choosing a new smartphone this year has become a daunting task because of the sheer number of models coming to market with alarming regularity. Chinese giant Xiaomi offers devices in every price segment, from ultra-budget to premium flagships, and getting confused about the Mi, Redmi and Poco series names is very easy. The right choice depends not only on budget, but also on whether you prioritize a powerful camera, gaming performance or long-term autonomy.

In 2021, the company put a particular emphasis on integrating technologies previously available only in top-end models into mid-range devices, which means that even on a budget, you can get a high-frequency screen and fast charging, but you need to be clear about the differences between the lines to avoid overpaying for unnecessary features or being disappointed in the savings.

In this article, we will take a closer look at which Xiaomi is best to buy in 2021, analyzing the specifications, build quality and software relevance. We will look at both hot new products and time-tested models that remain relevant.

Flagship Solutions: Power and Innovation

If you’re looking for the best performance and are willing to pay for the best technology, the Mi 11 series is worth paying attention to.These devices are based on the top-end Snapdragon 888 processor, which provides phenomenal speed in any task, from heavy to heavy. 3D-Gaming before video processing in 8K. The screens of these smartphones are made by technology AMOLED permittingly WQHD+ And the refresh rate of 120 Hz, which makes the picture incredibly smooth and detailed.

The main camera module deserves special attention. Depending on the model, you can either get a 108-megapixel sensor with great detail, or a unique telemacro camera that allows you to take close-up pictures with high quality. Image stabilization in these models works at the highest level, which is critical for shooting video on the go.

⚠️ Warning: Flagship models of the Mi 11 series can be very heated during prolonged load due to the features of the Snapdragon 888 processor, so it is recommended to use external cooling or remove the case when actively gaming.

It’s important to note that buying a flagship in 2021 is an investment in the future, as these devices will be getting Android updates the longest.However, if you don’t need wireless charging or a ceramic case, you might consider last year’s flagships, which are now significantly cheaper, retaining 90% of the functionality.

The Golden Mean: The Best Mid-Class Smartphones

The most popular segment of the market is traditionally mid-range devices, where the balance of price and quality is brought to an ideal level, and in 2021, the Redmi Note 10 and Mi 11 Lite smartphones are completely ruled here, offering a design that is almost equal to flagships and performance sufficient for 95% of users.

The key feature of this segment this year was the mass introduction of the AMOLED-If you used to put a dull set in the "middle" IPS-And in the case of matrices, even low-cost models are now pleasing with bright colors and deep black. 732G Dimensity 1100 allows you to comfortably play popular games on medium graphics settings.

A separate point to mention is autonomy: Many mid-range models have 5,000 mAh batteries, which allow you to run for two days without recharging, while charging at 33 watts or even 67 watts allows you to recover energy in less than an hour.

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V 2021 The middle segment offers the best balance: AMOLED-Screen and fast charging have become standard even for devices that are not 20-25 thousand.

Budget segment: maximum for minimum money

Buying a budget smartphone in 2021 no longer means compromises in everything. The Redmi 9 and Redmi 10 lineup proves that even a small amount can be a modern gadget with a large screen and normal storage. The main material of the case remains plastic, but the quality of its processing is often higher than that of competitors.

In this segment, it is important to pay attention to the amount of RAM. In 2021, the minimum comfortable standard was 4 GB of RAM, or it is better to immediately look for versions of 6 GB. Models with 2 or 3 GB of RAM will work slowly and constantly reboot applications in the background, which spoils the entire experience.

Public sector cameras are mostly used to scan documents and simple pictures in good light. Miracles are not to be expected, but the presence of a wide-angle module and a macro camera makes shooting more diverse. NFC-The module, which used to be the prerogative of expensive phones, is now often found in Xiaomi’s budget models, allowing you to pay for purchases with your phone.

⚠️ Note: When buying a budget model, be sure to check the global firmware version (Global), as the Chinese versions (CN) The band 20 may not support the required communication frequencies and languages.

Gaming smartphones: specialized devices

For mobile gamers, the company has dedicated a separate line of Black Shark, which is technically a sub-brand of Xiaomi. In 2021, Black Shark 4 and 4 Pro models, which offer unique physical triggers on the body, are relevant. These buttons allow you to control the game as on a full-fledged gamepad, which gives a huge advantage in shooters.

Cooling in these devices is implemented as efficiently as possible: using copper plates, graphene and even built-in fans in some versions, this allows the processor to keep high frequencies for a long time without trottling (decreased performance due to overheating).

Recommended settings for maximum FPS in games:


Activate "Game Turbo" mode.




2. Turn off the energy saving.




3. Set the screen refresh rate at 120/144 Hz.

Buying a gaming smartphone only makes sense if you spend hours a day playing games, otherwise it’s a regular, powerful phone, but with a more aggressive, game-friendly design and specific software.

Comparative Characteristics Table

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a summary table of the main characteristics of the popular models of 2021, which shows the key parameters that should be considered first.

Analyzing the table, you can see that even in the budget segment (Redmi 9T) battery capacity can be higher than that of flagships, but the quality of the screen and the speed of the interface depends on the class of processor and type of matrix.

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When buying, pay attention to the type of UFS memory. In 2021, the speed standard became UFS 3.1, which significantly speeds up the loading of games and applications compared to UFS 2.1.

What to look for when buying in 2021

The smartphone market is oversaturated, and marketing gimmicks can be confusing.The first thing to look at is the type of screen. In 2021, buying a smartphone with a smartphone will be a great choice. IPS-screen-and-resolution HD+ (720p) It's only justified on a very limited budget.+ AMOLED or at least a quality IPS 90Hz.

The second important aspect is network support. 5G. Although in Russia and many CIS countries, these networks have not yet been deployed in large numbers, the presence of a modem is not yet widespread. 5G It's often about a more modern processor and better reception of the signal overall. 5G It is not a critical parameter right now.

Also worth checking is the box. In 2021, many manufacturers, including Xiaomi, began to abandon the chargers in the set of some models (especially the flagship), so when buying the “naked” version, remember that the power supply will have to be purchased separately, which will increase the total cost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)