Choosing a new smartphone in 2021 has become a challenge even for experienced users, as Xiaomi’s range has become truly limitless. The Chinese giant has seized the market by offering devices for any wallet, from budget “calls” to the most powerful flagships capable of competing with Apple and Samsung. This year, the brand finally consolidated the division into Mi, Redmi and POCO lines, which often puts the buyer in a bafflement when searching for the optimal balance of price and quality.
If you're wondering what kind of cellular shaomi to buy in 2021, you're going to have to figure out the intricacies of Snapdragon processors, the differences between AMOLED and IPS matrices, and why you need 120Hz on the screen at all. The market is saturated with offers where seemingly identical models can be radically different in filling. The key factor is not only the price, but also the specific tasks you plan to solve with the gadget.
In this article, we will conduct a detailed analysis of the current model range to help you not overpay for unnecessary features or, conversely, not save on mission-critical components.
Flagship segment: Power and innovation
If budget is not the main limiting factor, then in 2021 it is worth paying attention to the top of the company’s engineering thought – Xiaomi Mi 11. This device sets the tone for the entire market, offering the world’s first Snapdragon 888 processor, which provides tremendous performance in any task, from heavy games to video processing in 8K. The screen here is simply magnificent: WQHD+ resolution and refresh rate 120 Hz make the picture incredibly smooth and sharp.
But the flagship isn’t just the Mi 11. For those who prefer a smaller size but aren’t ready to sacrifice power, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite or even last year’s Mi 10T Pro, which is available for a very attractive price in 2021, is a great choice, and the latter, by the way, is equipped with a unique stabilization system and a macro TV, making it a favorite among mobile amateur photographers.
Why are the 2021 flagships warming up?
When you buy a top-end device, you get not only iron, but also the best body materials, IP68 water protection, and support for the fastest charging protocols. It’s important to understand that optical stabilization (OIS) of the camera in flagships is much better than in the middle segment, which is critical for low-light shooting.
- 🚀 Maximum processor performance for any task
- 📸 Advanced camera system with optical stabilization
- 💎 Premium materials: glass and metal in construction
- ⚡ Support for ultrafast charging from 67W to 120W
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The flagships of 2021 are an investment in the capacity margin for 3-4 years ahead, but they require careful attention to the cooling system.
Middle class: The middle ground for most
The most popular and reasonable choice in 2021 is the mid-range segment, where the ball of the Redmi Note 10 and Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G series devices rule. This is where manufacturers are trying to implement flagship features, slightly cutting down on secondary characteristics. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro offers a Super AMOLED screen with a frequency of 120 Hz, which a year ago was the lot of only expensive phones.
This category of devices often includes Snapdragon 732G or Dimensity 1100 processors, which are powerful enough to make it easier to navigate, navigate, and even play on average graphics, and the difference in interface speed between the middle class and flagships in everyday tasks is almost invisible to the naked eye.
Autonomy is a big concern. Mid-range smartphones often come with 5,000mAh batteries, which, when combined with energy-efficient screens, can be easily sustained for a day and a half to two of active work, making them ideal for those who travel a lot or just don’t like to depend on an outlet.
It is worth noting that in 2021, even in the “medium” began to appear stereo speakers and NFC-Contactless payment modules, which were previously rare.The aluminum frame in the design of models such as the Mi 11 Lite adds premium to the device, although plastic in this niche is still common.
- 💰 The best price/functional ratio on the market
- 🔋 Excellent autonomy thanks to large batteries
- 📱 Quality. AMOLED high-hertz screen
- 🎮 Sufficient power for most modern games
Budget segment: Available entrance ticket
If your budget is tight, but you want a modern device with a current version of Android, it’s worth looking at the Redmi 9, Redmi 10 or POCO M3 lineups. In 2021, even the most affordable phones are no longer blatantly slow. Basic requirements like a fingerprint scanner, face unlock and Type-C availability have become the de facto standard.
Of course, there are trade-offs here: screens are most often made using IPS technology with Full HD+ or even HD+ resolution, and the refresh rate is limited to 60 or 90 Hz. The materials of the case are mainly plastic, sometimes with a simulated texture of skin or glass, which, however, makes the phone lighter and more pleasant to the touch in the cold season.
⚠️ Attention: In budget models 2021 Slow charging is often used during the year (10-18 W), and the power supply may not be included.Be sure to check the equipment before buying, so as not to be left without a charger.
For children, the elderly or as a second working phone, this is ideal, they reliably perform basic functions: calls, instant messengers, YouTube and simple games. The main thing when choosing in this segment is to avoid models with less than 4 GB of RAM, since in 2021 this is already a critical minimum for a comfortable system.
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When buying a budget smartphone, install a microSD card right away if the slot allows, as built-in storage of 64 GB may quickly not be enough for photos and applications.
Game Solutions: POCO and Special Series
The POCO brand, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, introduced hits like the POCO F3 and the POCO X3 Pro in 2021. These devices were created with one goal: to give maximum FPS (frames per second) for minimal money. Here you get a top-end processor, but perhaps save on the quality of the materials of the case or camera.
Gaming smartphones often feature improved cooling systems that include graphene layers and enlarged radiators, which allows the processor to run longer at high frequencies without resetting performance. For avid players in PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty or Genshin Impact, this is a critical parameter.
Also worth mentioning is the presence in some models of special game modes in the MIUI shell, which block notifications and optimize the allocation of network resources. The 240 Hz or 360 Hz touch layer provides instant response to touch, which gives an advantage in shooters.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Battery | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POCO F3 | Snapdragon 870 | AMOLED 120 Hz | 4520 mAh | The best balance of price and power |
| POCO X3 Pro | Snapdragon 860 | IPS 120 Hz | 5160 mAh | Maximum autonomy |
| Black Shark 4 | Snapdragon 870 | AMOLED 144 Hz | 4500mAh | Magnetic triggers for games |
| Redmi K40 | Snapdragon 870 | AMOLED 120 Hz | 4520 mAh | Chinese version of POCO F3 |
Camera and Multimedia: What to Watch
In 2021, the megapixel race has been a bit quieter, giving way to processing quality and the availability of useful modules. If you care about photography and video, look first at the presence of optical stabilization (OIS) in the main module, which allows you to take clear pictures at night and smoothly shoot video without “shaking” the picture.
Also worth noting is the ultra-wide-angle module, which in good models has an AF matrix of 8 MP or higher, allowing macro photos with detail not available to conventional cameras. The presence of a telephoto lens with optical zoom in 2021 remained the prerogative of flagships, in the middle segment it was replaced by macro stubs with 2 MP, which are more decorative.
☑️ Checklist for checking the camera before buying
For video lovers, not only the sensor is important, but also microphones. Xiaomi’s flagship and many mid-range models will feature a three-mic noise-cancelling system in 2021 and the ability to record sound in Zoom-in Audio format, which focuses on the zooming object.
Software and relevance
When you buy a smartphone in 2021, you get a device with a MIUI 12 shell or MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10 or 11. Xiaomi has improved its update policy in recent years, promising support for flagship models for 2-3 years, which means that the phone will receive security patches and new features.
But be prepared for the fact that the MIUI shell is saturated with advertising in standard applications. Fortunately, in 2021 it became easier to disable through privacy settings or by creating a Xiaomi account.The brand ecosystem makes it easy to link the phone to smart watches, bracelets and household appliances, creating a single network of smart homes.
⚠️ Warning: When buying the Global Version, make sure that the European charger plug is in the box (CN, Global ROM) can go with adapters or a Chinese fork, which is inconvenient for use in the CIS.
Final verdict and recommendations
When deciding which shaomi cell phone to buy in 2021, start from your real needs. If you are a mobile photographer and geek, your choice is the Mi 11 or Mi 11 Pro. For gamers looking for profit, the best friend will be the POCO F3. And for the average user who needs a reliable device for every day, the Redmi Note 10 Pro will be the perfect balance.
Don't chase the maximum amount of gigabytes of memory unless you plan to store thousands of photos on your device. The optimal configuration in 2021 is a 6/128GB or 8/128GB bundle, which will provide a comfortable experience for the next couple of years. Remember that a smartphone is a tool, and overpaying for features you won't use makes no sense.
We hope our review will help you make the right choice in the sea of modern technology. Xiaomi in 2021 offers such a wide range of devices that the right option is available for everyone, regardless of the thickness of the wallet.