2021 was a turning point for Xiaomi, which marked the transition to a premium strategy while maintaining its leadership in the budget segment. The market is crowded with dozens of models, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to figure out which device will be the best satellite for the next couple of years.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the current lineup of devices available on the market right now, and help you prioritize your budget and use cases, these are the two pillars that we're going to build on. We're not just going to list the specs, we're going to try to figure out what you're paying for at each price range.
In 2021, Redmi and POCO were finally formed as separate sub-brands with their own philosophy, although the technical base they share, this division allows the company to cover all niches, from ultra-budget to competitors Apple and Samsung.
Flagship Level: Struggle for Status and Technology
If you're looking for a device that won't slow down in the toughest of tasks, your choice narrows to the Mi 11 and Mi 11 Ultra series, which are built on the Snapdragon 888 chipset, which was the absolute king of performance in the Android world at the time of its release.
The focus of this segment is on screens and cameras. 3200×1440 pixel resolution and 120Hz refresh rate have become the standard for incredibly smooth interfaces. For those who consume a lot of content or play mobile games, this is a critical parameter that can no longer be ignored.
The problem of overheating Snapdragon 888
The Mi 11 Ultra uses a second screen at the back, which is more of a marketing ploy, but the main camera with an inch sensor does work wonders in under-light, and optical stabilization works in conjunction with the most powerful nighttime algorithms.
- 🚀 Maximum performance for any task and emulators
- 📸 Professional photography with zoom and night mode
- 💎 Premium materials of the case: ceramics and glass
- ⚡ Support for fast wireless charging of 50 watts and higher
But when you buy a flagship in 2021, you’re paying for brand and novelty, and in a year or two, the difference in speed between that device and the top mid-range will be virtually invisible in everyday applications.
Middle Segment: The Golden Mean for Most
The most interesting category is where the real battle for the buyer is unfolding, with the Redmi Note 10 Pro and Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite, a segment in which manufacturers have to make compromises, but in 2021, those tradeoffs have become barely noticeable to the average user.
The screen is the key factor here. The Redmi Note 10 Pro has an AMOLED 120Hz array, which was previously only for expensive phones, which makes smartphone use enjoyable and modern, even if the processor here is not the most powerful on the market.
At the same time, the Mi 11 Lite offers a unique design and incredibly thin body, sacrificing autonomy for aesthetics. The choice between these models is a choice between functionality and style. Processors at the Snapdragon 732G or 780G level still ensure excellent MIUI operation.
It is important to understand that plastic is often used in this class of enclosure materials, and water protection can be limited to IP53, which means splash protection, not immersion protection.
- 💰 Optimal price-quality ratio
- 📱 Great. AMOLED-high-hertz screen
- 🔋 Good autonomy with moderate use
- 🎮 Sufficient power for popular games in mid-range settings
⚠️ Note: In the models of the middle segment often used hybrid slot for the SIM-If you need two SIMs, you can't expand your memory with a microSD card, which in 2021, with application volumes, is a significant limitation.
Budget segment: functionality for pennies
If you’re on a budget but want a modern experience, consider the Redmi 9T or Redmi Note 10 series (basic version), and in 2021, even for a little money, you can get an NFC device with a screen that doesn’t cut your eyes.
The autonomous ball is here, with 5,000mAh batteries and even 6,000mAh batteries combined with energy-efficient processors, making it possible to forget about the charger for two days, ideal workhorses for navigation, instant messengers and YouTube.
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When buying a budget Xiaomi, be sure to check the NFC version. In some regions (for example, the global version), the NFC module may not be available, although in the Russian assembly it is usually present.
Cameras in this segment are often marketed as "48 MP" or "64 MP," but the real size of the array is small. They shoot well during the day, but at night the quality drops dramatically. Don't expect miracles from a budget sensor, even if there are a lot of megapixels.
The main material of the case is plastic, which can accumulate static electricity and scratch faster, but the presence of Gorilla Glass (albeit not the latest version) saves from minor scuffs.
- 🔋 Record autonomous operation without recharging
- 💵 Low price with all basic functions
- 📺 IPS-screens with a good margin of brightness
- 🎧 Retained connector 3.5 mm for headphones
Gaming smartphones: a separate caste
For mobile gamers, in 2021, the company introduced the POCO brand with the F3 and X3 NFC/Pro models. These devices were created with one goal - to provide maximum FPS in games for minimal money.
The CPU clock speeds in these models are often overclocked, and the ventilation system is designed to take heat away from the user's hands. The POCO F3 uses the same top-end chipset as the flagships, but with a simplified camera and plastic body.
☑️ Checking the gaming smartphone
Special attention should be paid to screens with a high polling frequency of the sensor 240 Hz or 480 Hz. This provides instant response in shooters, which gives a real advantage over competitors. For amateur eSportsmen, this is a critical parameter.
However, sacrificing the camera and materials gives you a device that can discharge quickly when playing active, and having fast charging bundled (often 33 watts or 65 watts) becomes a must for comfortable use.
Comparison of characteristics of popular models 2021
To structure the information and help you make your final choices, we have prepared a summary table, which shows the key parameters to look at when comparing different price categories.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Camera (GMP) | Battery (mAh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi 11 | Snapdragon 888 | AMOLED 120 Hz | 108 | 4600 |
| Redmi Note 10 Pro | Snapdragon 732G | AMOLED 120 Hz | 108 | 5020 |
| POCO F3 | Snapdragon 870 | AMOLED 120 Hz | 48 | 4520 |
| Redmi 9T | Snapdragon 662 | IPS 60 Hz | 48 | 6000 |
Analyzing the table, the POCO F3 offers a flagship-level processor at a mid-segment price, making it the most profitable offer for performance. At the same time, the Redmi 9T only wins by battery size, losing both screen quality and speed.
The choice of a particular model should be based on which component is the bottleneck for you in your current device. If the phone goes down quickly, look towards the Redmi 9T, if it brakes, POCO F3 or Mi 11.
Software and updates
When buying a smartphone in 2021, you should consider the company's policy on updates. Xiaomi has been paying more attention to it in recent years, promising 2-3 years of Android updates for flagships and 1-2 years for the mid-range.
The MIUI 12.5 shell and the upcoming MIUI 13 have brought a lot of visual and privacy improvements, but the abundance of advertising in system applications on budget models remains a sore issue, which is solved either by disabling settings or buying more expensive versions.
⚠️ Warning: When you first turn on your smartphone, be sure to connect to Wi-Fi and let the system upgrade. Older versions of firmware may contain bugs that affect communication modules and battery consumption.
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Xiaomi’s flagship models get priority security updates and new Android versions first. Budget-paying employees can wait six months or more for an update.
For advanced users, unlocking the bootloader is important, as Xiaomi allows it to be done officially, but requires a wait of 168 hours (7 days) after submitting an application, giving access to customized recavator installation and full control of the system.
The Mi Home ecosystem is also an important argument: If you already have Xiaomi smart devices (lamps, robot vacuum cleaners, cameras), then the smartphone of the same brand will provide the best integration and automation of scenarios through the application.