Xiaomi 11T became one of the most anticipated devices of 2021, combining flagship characteristics and an affordable price. Russian users were looking forward to the official release of the model, and the manufacturer did not take long to wait. But when exactly Xiaomi 11T appeared on the shelves of Russian stores, and what preceded this event?
In this article, we will analyze in detail the chronology of the release of Xiaomi 11T in Russia, compare it with the global release, analyze the starting prices and current offers, and answer frequent questions of buyers. If you are planning to purchase this smartphone or just interested in the history of the brand – the material will be useful.
We will focus on the differences between the Russian version and the global version, as they affect the choice of users, and consider how the cost of the device has changed since its debut and what alternatives the market offered in 2021-2022.
Official date of presentation of Xiaomi 11T in Russia
The global premiere of the Xiaomi 11T line took place on September 15, 2021 at an online event, where three models were presented: Xiaomi 11T, 11T Pro and 11 Lite 5G NE. However, Russian users had to wait for a few more weeks - the official start of sales in Russia took place on September 29, 2021.
Interestingly, Xiaomi did not hold a separate presentation for the Russian market, but integrated the announcement into the global stream, which was due to the unification of the brand’s strategy, which sought to synchronize releases around the world.
The first batches of Xiaomi 11T arrived in official stores of partners, such as the Svyaznoy, M. Video and Citilink, as well as on the site Wildberries. Online pre-orders opened a week before the start of sales, which allowed many customers to get the device on the day of release.
Xiaomi 11T technical specifications: what did the model offer?
The Xiaomi 11T smartphone was positioned as a “flagship killer” – a device with top-end features at a price lower than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S21 or iPhone 13.
- 📱 Screen: AMOLED, 6.67 inch, resolution 2400×1080, refresh rate 120 Hz, support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- 🔋 Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1200 (5 nm), 8 cores with clock speeds up to 3.0 GHz.
- 📸 Camera: main module 108 MP (Samsung) HM2) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 5 MP (telemacro), support for recording video in 8K@30fps.
- 🔄 Memory: options 8/128 GB and 8/256 GB (without support for microSD cards).
- 🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh with support for fast charging of 67 W (full charge per charge) ~36 minutes).
A feature of the model was a cooling system with a steam chamber, which prevented overheating under intense loads, and the Xiaomi 11T received stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos, which made it attractive for multimedia fans.
It is worth noting that in Russia the smartphone was sold with global firmware (MIUI Global), but with support for all local 4G/5G frequencies, including the ranges n78 (3.5 GHz) and n1 (2.1 GHz), which were actively used by operators Beeline, MTS and MegaFon.
How did the Russian version differ from the global version?
Xiaomi 11T compared to competitors at the time of release
In September 2021, the market was dominated by several flagships, and Xiaomi 11T was to compete with them.
| Model | Processor | Screen (size, frequency) | Main camera. | Price in Russia (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 11T | MediaTek Dimensity 1200 | 6.67, 120 Hz | 108 MP | 49,990 ₽ |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Exynos 2100 | 6.2," 120 Hz." | 12 MP (main) | from 79,990 ₽ |
| iPhone 13 | Apple A15 Bionic | 6.1," 60 Hz." | 12 MP (double) | from 79,990 ₽ |
| Realme GT | Snapdragon 888 | 6.43, 120 Hz | 64 MPs | 44,990 ₽ |
As you can see from the table, Xiaomi 11T offered the best price-performance ratio: its camera was 108 MP better than competitors, and the screen with 120 Hz was at the level of flagships. The only drawback can be considered the MediaTek processor, which was inferior to the Snapdragon 888 in performance, but won in energy efficiency.
Interestingly, the Realme GT was cheaper, but it was less autonomous (a 4,500 mAh battery vs. Xiaomi’s 5,000 mAh), and Samsung and Apple’s flagships were much more expensive with similar capabilities.
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Xiaomi 11T It was the best choice for those who were looking for a smartphone with a top-end camera, fast charging and AMOLED-screen at a price below 50 000 rubles.
Starting prices and dynamics of change in value
At the time of release in September 2021, Xiaomi 11T was offered in Russia in two configurations:
- 💰 8/128 GB: 49 990 ₽ (recommended retail price).
- 💰 8/256 GB: 54 990 ₽.
In Europe, the smartphone cost 10-15% more because of taxes and logistics; in China, the price was lower – about $ 350-400 for the version 8/128 GB, but they sold a model with Chinese firmware (MIUI China), not adapted for Russia.
Six months after the release, by March 2022, the prices for Xiaomi 11T began to decline:
- 📉 8/128 GB: 42 000–45 000 ₽ (discount 15%).
- 📉 8/256 GB: 48 000–50 000 ₽.
By the end of 2022, after the release of the successor – Xiaomi 12T – the cost fell even more:
- 💸 8/128 GB: 35 000–38 000 ₽ (marketplace).
- 💸 8/256 GB: 40 000–43 000 ₽.
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If you are looking for Xiaomi 11T in 2026, pay attention to the state of the battery – after 2-3 years of operation, its capacity can decrease by 15-20%. Check the charging cycle in the Settings menu → Battery → Battery condition.
Where can I buy Xiaomi 11T in Russia?
The official distribution channels of Xiaomi 11T in Russia included:
- 🏬 Network retailers: M. Video, Citilink, Eldorado, Messenger.
- 🌐 Online stores: official site Xiaomi, Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market.
- 🏢 Communications operators: MTS, Beeline and MegaFon offered the device in installments or under contract.
The smartphone could also be found at unofficial sellers on Avito or in telegram channels, but there were risks:
⚠️ Note: When buying gray devices (brought from abroad) check the support of Russian frequencies 4G/5G. Some versions for Asia do not work with ranges n78 (3.5 GHz), which leads to problems with the Internet.
It is worth noting that in official Xiaomi stores, promotions were often held:
- 🎁 5-10% discounts when paying with a card of certain banks.
- 📦 Free delivery or gifts (cases, headphones).
- 💳 Installment 0–0–12 without overpayment.
Check out the IMEI for originality (Xiaomi website)
Make sure all cameras and sensors are functional.
Check the status of the battery (Settings menu → Battery)
Test the sensor and speakers for defects-->
The relevance of Xiaomi 11T in 2026: is it worth buying?
2.5 years after the release of Xiaomi 11T remains in demand in the secondary market, but there are nuances:
- ✅ Pluses: 📸 A great 108 MP camera for its time. 🔋 Fast charging of 67 watts (current today). 🎮 MediaTek Dimensity 1200 still pulls modern games on mid-settings.
- ❌ Cons: 🔄 No support. MIUI 15 (last updated — MIUI 14 based on Android 13). 📡 No Wi-Fi. 6E Bluetooth 5.3 (compared to the new models). 🔋 The battery may need to be replaced after 300.+ charge-cycle.
Who will be the Xiaomi 11T in 2026?
- 🎥 Amateur photographers: the camera 108 MP still competes with budget innovations.
- 🎮 Dimensity 1200 processor will cope with Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile on medium settings.
- 💰 Economy buyers: on the secondary market, the device can be found for 25,000-30,000 ₽.
⚠️ Note: If you want to keep up with long software updates, it’s best to consider newer models, such as Xiaomi. 13T Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+, Which will get Android 15 and MIUI 16.