Why Xiaomi 11 Pro has become an iconic smartphone
Smartphone Xiaomi 11 Pro has taken a special place in the line of flagship devices of the company, becoming one of the first devices of the brand with support for 5G and 2K+ screen with refresh rate of 120 Hz. Its release marked a new stage in the development of mobile technologies Xiaomi, where the manufacturer focused on premium design, top performance and innovative cameras.
But when exactly did the device launch? The Xiaomi 11 Pro release date is a concern for many, from collectors looking to restore the chronology of models to potential buyers in the secondary market who want to assess the relevance of the gadget. In this article, we will examine not only the exact date of the presentation, but also the context of its appearance, from the competition with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to the technical revolutions that the device brought.
The Xiaomi 11 Pro came at a time when the smartphone market was booming in hyperzoom cameras and screen technology, and its presentation was part of Xiaomi’s global strategy to enter the premium segment, which was previously dominated by Apple and Samsung.
Official release date Xiaomi 11 Pro: the chronology of events
Xiaomi 11 Pro was officially introduced on December 28, 2020 at a special online event dedicated to the new flagship line of Mi 11. This event was one of the most anticipated in late 2020, as the brand announced the first smartphone based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset - the most powerful processor for Android devices at that time.
Interestingly, the presentation took place in two stages:
- 📅 December 28, 2020 – Xiaomi 11 and 11 Pro global announcement for the Chinese market.
- 🌍 February 8, 2021 – International release, where the device became available in Europe, India and other regions under the name Mi 11 Ultra (modification with improved camera).
In Russia Xiaomi 11 Pro went on sale in March 2021 The cost at launch was about one year, but with limited batches due to logistical problems associated with the pandemic. 60 000₽ post- 8/256 GB of memory – a record price for Xiaomi smartphones at the time.
Technical specifications: what made Xiaomi 11 Pro unique
Xiaomi 11 Pro became the first smartphone brand with AMOLED-screen E4 from Samsung Display, supporting a resolution of 3200×1440 pixels (2K+) and refresh rate of 120 Hz. The display received certification DisplayMate A+, which confirmed its leadership in color reproduction and brightness (up to 1500 nits).
Key "chips" of the device:
- 🔥 Processor: Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) with clock speeds up to 2.84 GHz.
- 📸 Camera: 50 MP main module (Samsung) GN2) Optical stabilization and support 8K-video.
- 🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh with support for 67-watt fast charging (full charge in 36 minutes).
- 🎵 Harman Kardon stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
The cooling system deserves special attention: Xiaomi 11 Pro was equipped with a liquid radiator with an area of 10127 mm2, which is 100% more than the predecessor Mi 10 Pro. This allowed to avoid trolling even during long gaming sessions.
Why didn’t Xiaomi 11 Pro get an IP68?
Comparison with competitors: how Xiaomi 11 Pro competed with the flagships of 2021
At the time of the release of Xiaomi 11 Pro, its main competitors were:
- 📱 Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra – with Dynamic screen AMOLED 2X and a S Pen stylus.
- 🍎 iPhone 12 Pro Max – with a chip A14 Bionic and LiDAR.
- 🤖 Oppo Find X3 Pro – with a microscopic camera and screen 10-bit.
The advantages of Xiaomi 11 Pro against the background of competitors:
| Characteristics | Xiaomi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen frequency | 120 Hz (LTPO) | 120 Hz (adaptive) | 60 Hz |
| Max. brightness. | 1,500 nits | 1,600 nits | 1,200 nits |
| Fast charging. | 67 W. | 25 W. | 20 W. |
| Price (at launch) | ~60 000₽ | ~100 000₽ | ~110 000₽ |
The unique advantage of the Xiaomi 11 Pro is the combination of premium specs and prices 30-40% lower than Samsung and Apple, but the device had weaknesses: the lack of official support for DeX (like Samsung) and a more modest ecosystem of accessories.
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If you’re choosing between the Xiaomi 11 Pro and the S21 Ultra in 2026, pay attention to the update support: Samsung promises 4 years of Android updates, and Xiaomi for this model ended support after MIUI 14 (Android 13).
Updates and Support: Is Firmware Relevant in 2026?
At the time of the release, the Xiaomi 11 Pro was running MIUI 12 (based on Android 11), the latest official update for the device was the MIUI 14 firmware based on Android 13, released in March 2023, which means that the smartphone will not receive Android 14 and the new features of MIUI 15.
Support period for Xiaomi 11 Pro:
- 📅 Android 11 out of the box (December 2020).
- 🔄 Android 12 – Update to Android Q3 2021.
- 🛑 Android 13 – The latest update (MIUI 14.0.4.0).
By comparison, Samsung flagships of the same year (like the Galaxy S21) are getting updates to Android 16 (2026).If you care about long-term support, the Xiaomi 11 Pro is already inferior to competitors in 2026.
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After the official support ends, it is recommended to install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) to continue to receive security updates.
Typical Problems and How to Avoid Them: Owners Experience
Despite its premium status, the Xiaomi 11 Pro had a number of “childhood diseases” that you should know about before buying in the secondary market:
⚠️ Attention: Many users complained of overheating of the processor during prolonged load (for example, in games Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile). 5G or installation of a thermal paste (in the service center).
Frequent complaints from owners:
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge with active use of 120 Hz and 2K-Solution: Switching to FHD+ screen-setting.
- 📶 Problems with 5G In some regions (e.g. MegaFon network) manual configuration is required APN.
- 📸 Artifacts in the photo when shooting in format RAW. Corrected in the update MIUI 13.0.6.0.
If you are buying a used Xiaomi 11 Pro, be sure to check:
Battery history (charging cycles)|All cameras (especially telephoto lens)|No artifacts on the screen (check against a gray background)|Charging speed (should reach 60% in 15 minutes)-->
Where to buy Xiaomi 11 Pro in 2026: prices and alternatives
In 2026, the new Xiaomi 11 Pro is no longer sold — even at official sites Xiaomi has withdrawn from production.
Current prices (according to Avito, Yula and Facebook Marketplace):
- 💰 8/128 GB — 20 000–25 000₽ (use-marked).
- 💰 8/256 GB — 28 000–35 000₽ (goodness).
- 💎 12/256 GB — 35 000–45 000₽ (premium).
Alternatives to purchase in 2026:
- 🆕 Xiaomi 14 Pro – the current flagship with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
- 📱 Poco F6 Pro – budget version with a similar screen 2K+ 120 Hz.
- 🔄 Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S22+ — with guarantee and support until 2026.
⚠️ Note: When buying a used Xiaomi 11 Pro check it out. IMEI Some devices may have been brought in the "grey" way and do not support all bands. 4G/5G Russia.