Xiaomi Mi 11: official release date, release history and why this smartphone was revolutionary

Xiaomi Mi 11 became one of the most anticipated flagships of 2020-2021, marked not only as the company’s first device on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, but also as a device that set new standards for the industry. Its release was accompanied by a large-scale marketing campaign, and technical innovations – from 120-hertz. QHD+-The display before supporting 50W wireless charging has made the model a benchmark for competitors. In this article, we will analyze the exact release date, the features of the announcement and how the Mi 11 influenced the further development of the Xiaomi lineup.

Many users still confuse the release dates of the Mi 11 and its modifications (Mi 11 Pro, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Lite), as the brand introduced them with a difference of several months.We will clarify the chronology, and explain why December 28, 2020 was the key point for the flagship Xiaomi series – not only in China, but also in the global market.

Xiaomi Mi 11 release date: chronology of events

The first announcement of the Xiaomi Mi 11 took place on December 28, 2020 at a special event in China, which was a strategic date: the company decided to outpace the competition (including the Samsung Galaxy S21, which was expected to be released in January 2021) and become the first brand to release a smartphone on the new Snapdragon 888 chipset.

• 📅 28.12.2020 – presentation in China (base model Mi 11).
• 🌍 08.02.2021 – Global release (including Europe and Russia).
• 📱 29.03.2021 – Mi 11 Pro and Mi 11 Ultra (flagship versions with improved cameras).
• 💡 July 2021 – Mi 11 Lite (budget modification).

Fun fact: The Xiaomi Mi 11 was the first smartphone in the world to be certified for Wi-Fi 6E, a standard that was just beginning to be introduced into routers at the time, underscoring the brand’s ambition to lead the technology race.

The global version of the Mi 11 differed from the Chinese firmware (MIUI Global instead of MIUI China), but also in its configuration: in some regions, the box did not have a charging unit (as part of an environmental initiative similar to Apple), which caused a mixed reaction among buyers.

Why the Mi 11 release date was revolutionary for Xiaomi

The Xiaomi Mi 11 not only came out ahead of the competition, it changed the brand’s strategy in the flagship segment. Before that, the company was often criticized for its top models inferior to Samsung or Apple in premium. With the Mi 11, the situation changed dramatically:

• 💎 Design: Glass back panel with gradient coating "Horizon Design", aluminum frame and minimal frames around the screen.
• 🔋 Charging: Support for 55W wired and 50W wireless charging (record for Android at the time).
• 📸 Camera: Main sensor 108 MP (Samsung) HMX) with optics developed in collaboration with Leica (in Mi 11 Ultra).
• 🎮 Performance: the first smartphone with Snapdragon 888 and LPDDR5-memory.

Moreover, Xiaomi first began to actively promote the Mi 11 as a device for the premium segment, rather than as a “flagship for the price of the average”, this was reflected in the cost: the base version in China started at 3,999 yuan (~$615), while the global price began at $749.

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If you are looking for the Mi 11 in the aftermarket, pay attention to the region of purchase: Chinese versions (CN) It is often cheaper but may not support the global economy. LTE-ranges.

Comparison of Mi 11 release dates and competitors: who beat the market

In the race to be the “first flagship of 2021”, Xiaomi beat its main competitors by several weeks.

As the table shows, Xiaomi not only outpaced its competitors in time, but also offered a more balanced configuration. S21 It was released later, but the base version had a resolution screen. FHD+ (against QHD+ The Mi 11, and the OnePlus 9 Pro, despite the cooperation with Hasselblad, cost much more.

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Xiaomi Mi 11 became the first smartphone with Snapdragon 888, ahead of Samsung Galaxy S21 by 17 days and OnePlus 9 Pro by 3 months.

How the release date affected Xiaomi’s sales and reputation

The early release of the Mi 11 had both positive and negative consequences for the brand, on the one hand, the company received a lot of free PR as the “first smartphone on the Snapdragon 888”. On the other hand, some users faced “childhood diseases” of firmware, typical for the first installments:

• 🐛 Problems with autobrightness (screens) E4 AMOLED They had unstable calibration).
• 🔋 Overheating when charging at maximum power (55 W).
• 📡 Bugs with Wi-Fi 6E (Not all routers support the new standard).

However, Xiaomi promptly released several updates that corrected the main shortcomings: According to Counterpoint Research, for the first quarter of 2021, the Mi 11 took the 3rd place in sales of premium smartphones in China, behind only the iPhone 12 and Huawei Mate 40 Pro.

In Russia and Europe, the Mi 11 was also in demand, despite the high price tag, and many buyers chose it as an alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE or iPhone 11, as it offered more modern hardware for similar money.

Where to buy Xiaomi Mi 11 today: current offers

At the time of writing (2026), the Xiaomi Mi 11 has already been discontinued, but it can be found:

• 🛒 Secondary Market: Avito, Yula, Facebook Marketplace (price: 15,000-25,000) ₽ conditionally).
• 🌐 Foreign platforms: AliExpress (new devices from China), eBay (used models from Europe).
• 🏬 Service centers: sometimes sell repaired machines with a guarantee.

When buying a used Mi 11, be sure to check:

Should you buy the Mi 11 in 2026? If you want a smartphone for everyday tasks (social media, photos, videos), then yes — it still copes with the powerful chipset. However, for gaming or long-term use, it is better to consider newer models, such as the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi K60 Pro.

Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi 11

Why the Mi 11 release date is important to Xiaomi’s history

Xiaomi Mi 11 was a watershed moment for the brand, not only because of technical innovation, but also because of the strategic choice of release date.

• 🏆 Take the niche of the first flagship on the Snapdragon 888".
• 💰 Increase the average customer check (price increased by 20% compared to the Mi 10).
• 🌍 Strengthen global market position (especially in Europe and India).

Today, the Mi 11 remains a cult device among Xiaomi fans, and its December 2020 release was an example of how to choose the right moment to hit the market. If you are looking for a reliable flagship with a great screen and camera, this model is still worth seeing, despite its age.

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Xiaomi Mi 11 proved that Chinese brands can compete with Samsung and Apple in the premium segment - and won the race for the Snapdragon 888.