Which Xiaomi is the best to buy in 2021: a complete guide to models

The mobile market in 2021 was a revolution, and Xiaomi was at the epicenter of this change, with consumers facing unprecedented diversity, from budget workhorses to flagships able to compete with industry leaders, and the choice of a device was a complex task requiring analysis not only of the characteristics, but also of the relevance of the software and the availability of accessories.

The Chinese giant has unveiled several iconic lines this year, each taking its place.The flagship Mi 11 series set new performance standards thanks to the Snapdragon 888 processor, while the Redmi sub-brand continued to dominate the mid-range.Shoppers sought a balance between price and quality, and the 2021 range allowed them to find the perfect option for almost any budget.

We've prepared a detailed guide to help you navigate the maze of specs, which models have stayed up to date, which technical solutions have become the standard, and what to look for when buying a device released during this period, and it's not just a list of phones, but analytics based on real-world experience and long-term perspective.

Flagship power: Xiaomi Mi 11 series

The Mi 11 series, the world’s first smartphone to receive the then-newest Snapdragon 888 chipset, was the tip of the iceberg; buying it in 2021 meant getting the best performance available in the Android market. Screens with WQHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate were the benchmark that competitors were looking for.

However, when choosing between the base version, the Mi 11 Pro and Mi 11 Ultra, it is important to understand the difference in purpose. The Ultra model received a second display on the rear and a Samsung GN2 sensor measuring 1/1.12 inches, which turned the smartphone into a full camera with a call function.

It’s worth noting that the hot temper of the Snapdragon 888 processor required a quality cooling system, and owners of these devices often noted heating during long gaming sessions. However, for those who were looking for top-end performance and willing to put up with autonomy for the sake of interface speed, this was the no-choice in the brand ecosystem.

• 🚀 The incredible speed of the interface MIUI Thanks to the Snapdragon 888 chip.
• 📸 Professional photography with support for recording video in 8K.
• 🔋 Support for 55W ultra-fast charging (included).
• 📱 One of the best. AMOLED-color-screen 10-bit.

⚠️ Note: When buying a used version of Mi 11 be sure to check the state of the motherboard, as the series is known for problems with the chip dump during overheating in early revisions.

People's Choice: Redmi Note 10 and 10 Pro

The line of Redmi Note 10 became a real phenomenon of 2021, offering users AMOLED-screens in the segment where previously reigned IPS-This was the case where accessibility stopped being a compromise in image quality, and the base model got stereo speakers and spray protection as standard. IP53, That was previously a rarity for public sector workers.

The Pro version stood out with the NFC module and the main camera 108 MP with a Samsung HM2 matrix. For many users, it was the presence of contactless payment and detailed images that was the decisive factor. The Snapdragon 732G processor in the Pro version ensured stable operation in heavy applications, although it was inferior to the flagships in the raw power of the graphics accelerator.

It's important to note the evolution of design, with glossy backs replaced by matte textures that get less dirty, but the plastic frame of the case was a middle-class device, and yet the value for money was the highest, making the series a bestseller in many regions.

• 💎 AMOLED-display with a brightness of up to 1100 nits at peak.
• 🔊 Stereosound with Dolby Atmos support.
• 🔋 5000 mAh battery with 33 W fast charging.
• 📷 The main camera module 108 MP (in the Pro version).

Gamer pragmatism: POCO F3 and X3 Pro

For mobile gaming enthusiasts, 2021 has a special surprise in the form of the POCO sub-brand. POCO F3, the global equivalent of the Redmi K40, received the same flagship Snapdragon 870 processor as many premium devices, but at the price of the middle segment, a conscious choice for those who care about performance, not the materials of the case.

The POCO X3 Pro, which was a hit with the Snapdragon 860 chip, was marketed as a flagship killer by the last generation, and was praised by users for its IR port, stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack, which in 2021 was becoming increasingly rare even in the middle class.

But when you buy POCO, you have to be prepared for the specifics of the MIUI for POCO shell, which contains more ads and pre-installed software that needs to be removed, but for those who can set up the system or are ready to install custom firmware, these smartphones offered better performance for every dollar spent.

⚠️ Attention: Model POCO X3 Pro has a well-known factory problem with the dumping of the processor or memory, manifested in the form of sudden restarts (bootloop.

Comparative Characteristics Table

To help organize information and make decision-making easier, we have put key parameters of popular 2021 models into a single table, and here you can see differences in hardware, photography capabilities, and battery capacity, which will help to cut off the inappropriate options early on.

As you can see from the comparison, even mid-range devices in 2021 received screens with a high refresh rate, which significantly improved the visual experience when scrolling through social media feeds and navigating menus. The difference in processors dictates use cases: for heavy games, the Mi 11 and POCO F3 are better suited, while the Redmi Note 10 Pro is ideal for multimedia.

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When choosing between models, pay attention to the type of UFS memory. In 2021, the standard for flagships became UFS 3.1, which provides faster application downloads and installing updates compared to UFS 2.1 or 2.2.

Camera and Multimedia: What to Watch

In 2021, photography technology has become democratized, and even devices under $300 have begun to feature high-resolution sensors and optical stabilization (OIS), but megapixels don't always make sense, more than matrix size and software processing.

The Mi 11 series flagships offered unique capabilities such as 8K shooting and optical zoom telephoto lenses, which were critical for video bloggers, while Night Mode nighttime algorithms were also available in the mid-range, allowing decent low-light shots.

And the multimedia component is also important, because stereo speakers have become the norm, but they vary in quality, and the top models have a larger, cleaner sound, while the low-frequency ones are often lacking, and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ codecs has also become a marker of quality display.

• 🌙 Optical stabilization (OIS) performs miracles in night photography.
• 🎥 Support for recording 4K 60 frames per second.
• 🔍 Availability of telephoto lens for optical zoom (in flagships).
• 🎧 Support for aptX codec HD wirelessly.

Software and relevance

Buying a smartphone released in 2021 In the year to come, the policy of updates must be considered. Xiaomi at that time began to improve its performance, promising to make the company more efficient. 2-3 The year of major Android updates and 3-4 The Redmi Note series typically had a security patch year for flagships. 1-2 year-end.

It’s important to check which version of MIUI and Android can be upgraded to. Some 2021 models have already received a HyperOS shell, which prolongs their lives and improves optimization. However, old budget models may remain on older versions of Android, which will eventually lead to problems with app compatibility.

Chinese versions (CN) often don’t have Google Play preinstalled and may have notification issues.When buying a 2021 device, make sure you buy a Global or Global ROM version (although the latter is often a re-stitched Chinese version).

⚠️ Warning: Avoid buying devices with unlocked bootloader (Global) ROM), If you care about the security of banking applications, some banks may refuse to work with such devices due to system integrity violations.

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Long-term software support is key, and the 2021 flagships are still relevant, while public sector employees may no longer receive security updates.

Final selection recommendations

So to sum up, 2021 has given us a lot of great devices, and if you want maximum performance and you're willing to put up with the heat you can get, the Mi 11 or the POCO F3 are still great options, and they have a power reserve that's relevant to today's challenges.

For most users, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is a balanced device with a great screen and a good camera, it is free of obvious drawbacks and offers a comfortable experience. Budget Redmi Note 10 will be a great second phone or device for a child.

When buying, pay attention to the state of the battery, especially if you are considering the used market. Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, and the 2021 device may already lose some of the capacity. Checking the battery condition through an engineering menu or special applications is a must-do step before buying.

Choosing a smartphone is always a compromise, but thanks to the variety of 2021 models, this compromise has become less painful for the wallet, the main thing is to clearly define your priorities: a camera, games or just a reliable "ringer" with a good screen, Xiaomi was able to cover all these needs that year.