Which smartphone Xiaomi 2021 to choose: the best price-quality ratio

Choosing a smartphone is not an easy task, especially when it comes to a brand with such a variety of models as Xiaomi. 2021 was a landmark for the company: both budget devices with impressive characteristics and flagships competing with Samsung and Apple were presented.

In this article, we will analyze the top Xiaomi models of 2021, compare them by key parameters: performance, camera, screen, autonomy and, of course, current prices in the secondary market. Particular attention will be paid to those devices that even years later remain in demand due to the optimal price-quality ratio.

It's worth noting that the prices of the 2021 models are down significantly today, but that doesn't mean they're outdated, and many of them still get MIUI updates and are as good at modern tasks as the mid-range ones, and the key is to understand which features are critical for you: a gaming processor, a super-clear camera, or long work without recharging.

Why is Xiaomi 2021 still relevant?

Xiaomi’s 2021 smartphones occupy a unique niche: they are not new, but they are not out of date. Here are three key reasons why they should be considered today:

✅ Platform maturity.Qualcomm Snapdragon processors 870/888 MediaTek Dimensity 1200, flagship 2021 They're still performing very well in the year, and they're optimized for MIUI 14 Android 13, which guarantees smooth operation.

✅ Price availability. The cost of top-end models has fallen by 40-60% Compared to the original price. For example, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, which in 2021 year-end 120 000 ₽, Today, you can find a 50 000–60 000 ₽ — price of an average smartphone 2026 year-end.

✅ Update support. Xiaomi officially supports updates for most 2021 models through 2026-2026, meaning up-to-date security patches and new features.

In addition, many 2021 models are equipped with universal connectors (for example, 3.5 mm for headphones), which are rare today, and support expandable memory – a feature that has almost disappeared in new smartphones.

Top.-5 Xiaomi models 2021 price-quality

We selected the top five Xiaomi smartphones of 2021, which today offer the maximum return for invested money, based on an analysis of technical characteristics, user reviews and current prices in the secondary market (data as of June 2026).

The evaluation was based on:

• 🔹 Performance (benchmarks, real speed of work)
• 📸 Camera (resolution, stabilization, night shooting)
• 🔋 Autonomy (battery capacity, fast charging)
• 💰 Price (Relation to New Models of 2026)

The POCO F3 and Mi 11 Ultra are still the best deals in their categories, despite their age: the first is for gamers, the second is for photographers.

Budget segment: Redmi Note 10 Pro vs POCO M3 Pro

If your budget is limited to 20,000-25,000 ₽, The choice is likely to be between two models: the Redmi Note 10 Pro and the Redmi Note 10 Pro. POCO M3 Pro 5G. Both are released in 2021, but are targeted at different users.

Redmi Note 10 Pro is a wagon with excellent AMOLED-It's got a screen (120 Hz), a four-module camera (108 MP main sensor!) and a capacious battery pack, and its main drawback is the Snapdragon processor. 732G, It's not really a heavy game today, but it's perfect for everyday tasks like social media, video, photos.

POCO M3 Pro 5G, Instead, it's a performance-driven, connectivity-driven, MediaTek Dimensity 700, not the most powerful chip, but it's supported. 5G, The screen is inferior to the competitor: IPS LCD 90 Hz against AMOLED 120 Hz. But the price is lower by 3,000-5,000 ₽.

• 📱 Choose Redmi Note 10 Pro if you care about screen, camera and autonomy.
• 🚀 Choose. POCO M3 Pro 5G, if you need support 5G And a little more productivity.

Battery service (capacity not lower than 85% of the original)|

No yellow spots on the AMOLED-screen|

All cameras and fingerprint scanners operational |

Original charging (especially for fast charging models)-->

Midsize: POCO F3 – King in price/performance ratio

POCO F3 — It's easily the best smartphone Xiaomi 2021 in the price-quality category. At the time of release, it cost about 35,000. ₽, Today, you can buy it for 25,000-30,000. ₽ — smaller than many new Snapdragon devices 6xx.

What makes him so special?

• 🔥 Snapdragon processor 870 — In fact, a re-labeled Snapdragon 865+, still in the top-10 Performance (according to AnTuTu).
• 🖥️ Screen. E4 AMOLED 120Hz and support HDR10+ — Better than many of the flagships of 2022.
• 🔋 Fast charging 33 W and a battery of 4520 mAh, which is enough for a day and a half of active use.

The only significant drawback is the lack of official 5G support in some regions (depending on firmware), but if you don’t need a fifth generation, POCO F3 is the best choice for gaming, multimedia and long-term use.

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Before buying a POCO F3, check the firmware version. Some custom ROMs (like Pixel Experience) may not support banking applications due to a lack of Google certification.

Flagships 2021: Mi 11 vs Mi 11 Ultra - should you overpay?

If the budget allows you to consider flagships, in 2021 Xiaomi had two main contenders: Mi 11 and Mi 11 Ultra. the difference in price between them today is about 15 000. ₽, but is she justified?

Xiaomi Mi 11 is a classic flagship with Snapdragon 888, 2K AMOLED-screen (120 Hz) and triple camera (108 MP) + 13 MP + 5 MP) Its main advantages:

• ⚡ Maximum performance for games and heavy applications.
• 🎮 Harman Kardon Stereo speakers – the best sound among Xiaomi smartphones.
• 📏 Compact (compared to Mi 11 Ultra).

The Mi 11 Ultra is a photo monster with an optional mini-display on the back (for selfies with the main camera!) and an improved cooling system. Its camera still competes with the new flagships thanks to:

• 📷 Main sensor 50 MP (Samsung) GN2) pixel-sized 1.4 μm.
• 🌙 Night mode that surpasses many smartphones in 2023.
• 🔍 5x optical zoom (vs. 2x in Mi 11).

So should we overpay? Yes, if you're a photographer. For everyone else, the Mi 11 will be more than enough -- especially since the performance difference is minimal.

What to expect when buying Xiaomi 2021?

Despite all the advantages, smartphones 2021 have a number of hidden disadvantages that sellers often keep silent about.

⚠️ Note: Many Xiaomi 2021 models suffer from the problem of “yellow spots” on the market AMOLED-This is a defect that manifests itself over time due to the degradation of organic LEDs. Before buying, be sure to check the screen for the uniformity of the backlight (use a black background test).

Other potential problems:

• 🔋 Battery degradation: Average battery wear over 3 years is 20 to 30 percent. Check real capacity through AccuBattery or AIDA64.
• 📱 No updates. Some models (e.g., no updates, POCO X3 Pro) no longer receive major updates, which can create application compatibility issues.
• 🛠️ Difficulty repairing: Parts for 2021 models are becoming scarce, with the cost of replacing a screen or battery could be as high as 50% of the price of a phone.

It is also worth considering that some features can be disabled in new versions of MIUI. For example, in the Mi 11 Ultra after upgrading to MIUI 14, the mini-display on the rear panel stopped working (solved by rolling back the firmware).

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Buy Xiaomi 2021 only from trusted sellers with a guarantee of at least 3 months.The best option is official retailers (Svyaznoy, M. Video) with the program "Trade-in", where you can return the phone within 14 days.

Where to buy and how much does the repair cost?

Xiaomi 2021 prices vary greatly depending on the state and region. Here are the current ranges (June 2026):

Where to look for the best deals?

• 🛒 Official retailers (Svyaznoy, M. Video, Citilink) - a guarantee of 14 days, but prices are higher by 10-15%.
• 🌍 Avito/Yula is cheaper, but there is a high risk of running into a “gray” phone or fake.
• 🏢 Service centers (e.g. Xiaomi Service) – sometimes sell refurbished devices with warranty.

⚠️ Note: When buying from hand, be sure to check IMEI If the phone is stolen or locked, it can be turned off at any time.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi 2021