Which Xiaomi smartphone to choose in 2021: a full review of the best models

2021 was a watershed for Xiaomi: the company not only strengthened its position in the budget segment, but also released flagships that can compete with the Samsung Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12. However, a variety of lines - Mi, Redmi, POCO - often puts customers at a loss. How not to make a mistake with the choice and not overpay for unnecessary functions?

In this guide, we will analyze all the current Xiaomi models of 2021 release, break them down by price categories and target audiences. You will learn which smartphone is suitable for gaming, which is for photography, and which will be the best choice for everyday tasks.

Spoiler: If you want the best balance of price and quality, see the Redmi Note 10 Pro section right away — it was a hit for sales not by chance. And for those looking for a premium experience, we will take a detailed look at the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra with its revolutionary camera 50 MP + 48 MP + 48 MP.

1. Xiaomi flagships 2021: when the price is justified

Xiaomi’s flagship models are no longer a “cheap alternative” in 2021, offering unique chips that even competitors don’t have, with the main differences being the Snapdragon 888 processors, 2K+ screens with 120Hz, and cameras developed in conjunction with Leica (in the case of the Mi 11 Ultra).

But should we overpay? Let's see.

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is the best photographer among Android smartphones.Extra 1.1-inch AMOLED-The screen on the back shows notifications and works as a viewfinder for selfies with the main camera. minus: weight 234g and price from 90,000 ₽.
• 🎮 Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro is a game monster with physical triggers MagPop, Snapdragon 888 processor and 144 Hz screen.
• ⚡ Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G — The thinnest flagship (6.81 mm) with support 5G. Perfect for those who value compactness but are not willing to sacrifice performance.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 2021 flagships are warming up stronger than previous generations due to the Snapdragon 888.If you plan intense games, be sure to take a model with a LiquidCool 2.0 cooling system (for example, Black Shark 4 Pro).

2. Middle class: optimal ratio of price and opportunity

If you are not willing to spend $70,000+ ₽ You can use a smartphone, but you want a productive device with good cameras -- look at the mid-range. Here Xiaomi in 2021 offered models that beat many of its competitors in key terms:

• 📸 Redmi Note 10 Pro – Best screen in the class: 120 Hz AMOLED $25,000 ₽. 108 MP camera (with binning to the 9-in-1) It is better than many flagships of 2020.
• 🔋 POCO X3 Pro – King of Autonomousity with 5160 mAh battery and fast charging 33W. Snapdragon 860 processor (remarked 855)+) Provides top-end performance for 22,000 ₽.
• 💡 Mi 10T Lite 5G — the only one in the 120 Hz segment IPS-screen-and-support 5G. Suitable for those who want a future-proof model without overpayment.

The main trend of 2021 in the middle class is the return AMOLED-For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro received a display from Samsung. E4, which is not inferior in brightness to the Galaxy screens S20.

YouTube game tests (e.g. Genshin Impact on POCO X3 Pro)

Reviews on the quality of shooting in low light

NFC (in Redmi Note 10 Pro it is, and in the base version of Note 10 – no)

Weight and thickness comparison (POCO X3 Pro weighs 215g is a lot)

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Note MIUI firmware: in 2021, Xiaomi began massively blocking the ability to unlock the bootloader on new models. If custom firmware is important to you, check this information before buying.

3 Budget smartphones: what can you buy up to 15,000 ₽

Budget is Xiaomi’s strongest side, even for 10,000 to 15,000 in 2021. ₽ You can buy a smartphone with a 90 Hz screen, NFC, and a 5,000-strong battery+ The main thing is not to run into stripped-down versions.

TOP-3 budget models of 2021:

• 💰 Redmi 9A — The cheapest new smartphone (from 8000) ₽) with a battery of 5000 mAh Cons: screen 720p, Helio G25 (play-hard).
• ⚡ POCO M3 Pro 5G — first 5G-$15,000 smartphone ₽. Dimensity 700 processor delivers future strength, but cameras are weak.
• 🎯 Redmi Note 9T — Best Budget Balance: 48MP Camera, Dimensity 800U, screen 1080p. Perfect for those who don’t want to sacrifice quality.

⚠️ Note: Budget Redmi 2021 often cuts NFC Or an infrared port. 9A lacking NFC, Redmi. 9C — IR port. Check the specifications before buying!

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If you’re looking for a budget Xiaomi for a child or elderly relative, choose a model with Second Space feature, which is available in the Redmi Note 9T and POCO M3 Pro, and allows you to restrict access to applications.

4. Xiaomi for games: which models will withstand Genshin Impact and PUBG

For gamers in 2021, Xiaomi has offered two fundamentally different approaches:

1. Specialized smartphones (Black Shark) with physical triggers and active cooling.
2. Universal flagships (Mi 11, POCO F3) with top-end processors, but without gamer "chips".

Let's see what we can choose:

• 🎮 Black Shark 4 Pro is the best choice for esports. 144Hz screen, MagPop triggers (configurable actuation force), liquid metal cooling system. PUBG Mobile holds 90. FPS trottling.
• 🔥 POCO F3 — Budget hitman with Snapdragon 870 (overclocked 865)+). 120 Hz screen AMOLED, price ₽. Cons: no active cooling, warms up after 40 minutes of play.
• ⚡ Redmi K40 Gaming is the middle ground. Dimensity 1200 processor, 120Hz screen, physical buttons. JBL Cheaper than Black Shark, but almost as fast as the performance.

To test, we ran Genshin Impact at maximum settings.

• Black Shark 4 Pro: 60 FPS stable, temperatures up to 42°C.
• POCO F3: 60 FPS, but drops to 45 FPS after 30 minutes (trottling).
• Redmi K40 Gaming: 50–55 FPS, temperature 45°C.

5. Xiaomi for Photos: Which Cameras Aren't Shameful to Show in Instagram

In 2021, Xiaomi made a bid to co-develop cameras with Leica (in the Mi 11 Ultra) and huge-resolution sensors (up to 200 MP in experimental prototypes).

• 📷 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is the best camera on Android. 50 MPP (1/1.12") Optical stabilization, ultra-wide 48 MP, and telephoto 48 MPP (5x Night mode bypasses the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• 🌄 Redmi Note 10 Pro is the best budget photographer. 108 MP sensor (Samsung) HM2) binningly 9-in-1 It gives you a detailed look at the flagship level of 2019. HDR complex.
• 🎥 Xiaomi Mi 10S — Hidden hero for video. 8K@30fps and 4K@60fps gyrostabilized camera. 108 MPP (HMX) yield 11 Ultra, but cheaper on 30 000 ₽.

An important nuance: in 2021, Xiaomi began to actively use AI algorithms for post-processing. For example, in the Mi 11 Ultra there is an AI mode Cinema, which automatically selects color profiles under the stage (similar to Dolby Vision from Apple).

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If you care about photography, avoid models with Helio G processors (like the Redmi 9A) that don’t support computational photography and produce poor results in low light.

6. Xiaomi for the job: autonomy, performance, security

If you want a smartphone for business, school or remote work, your priorities are different: long-term autonomy, data security, and ease of multitasking. In 2021, Xiaomi proposed several models that would be better than flagships:

• 📊 Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G NE — Best for office. Light (158 g), 90 Hz. AMOLED, support 5G and the Snapdragon processor 778G. The battery of 4250 mAh is enough for a day with active use.
• 🔒 Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro for safety. There's an IR scanner for the face), UFS 3.1 for fast file transfer and certification WPA3 securely.
• 🔋 POCO M3 Pro 5G — A 5,000 mAh battery holds 2 days in office use. NFC (It is not suitable for contactless payments).

It is important to check the support of corporate functions:

• Android Enterprise (available in all Snapdragon 8xx models)
• File system encryption (not available in Redmi 9A and POCO C3)
• Work Profile mode (available in MIUI 12.5+)

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To enable multitasking mode on Xiaomi, swipe up and hold your finger on the screen. In settings (Special features → System navigation), you can configure gestures to quickly switch between applications.

7 How not to make a mistake with the choice: checklist before buying

Before you buy Xiaomi in 2021, answer these questions:

1. What's the budget? Up to 15,000. ₽ → Redmi 9A or POCO M3 Pro 5G. 15 000–30 000 ₽ → Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro. 30 000–50 000 ₽ → Mi 11 Lite 5G or Mi 10T Pro. From 50,000. ₽ → Mi 11 Ultra or Black Shark 4 Pro.
2. What are the challenges? Games → Look at the Snapdragon 870/888 or Dimensity 1200. Photo → 108 MP or 50 MP (Leica). Autonomy → battery from 5000 mAh + Dimensity 700/800U.

Do you need "chips"?

• 5G → look for Dimensity or Snapdragon 765G/865/870/888.
• NFC → absent from Redmi 9A, POCO C3.
• IR port → It is only available in Redmi Note and POCO X-series.

Don’t forget to check regional firmware. Many 2021 models (such as the Mi 11 Ultra) are sold in Russia with global firmware, but have limitations on some features (for example, 5G may not work on all bands).

⚠️ Note: In 2021, Xiaomi began blocking the unlocking of the bootloader on new models 30 days after activation.If you plan to install custom firmware, unlock the bootloader immediately after purchase!

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi in 2021