What Xiaomi smartphone to buy in 2021: a complete guide to choose from

The mobile market is experiencing a real renaissance in 2021, and Xiaomi, a Chinese corporation, is taking a leading position here, offering an incredible variety of models. Consumers today face a difficult choice: on the one hand, the flagship Ultra and Pro lines offer technologies previously available only in studio equipment, and on the other hand, the budget Redmi series delights with performance that was impossible to imagine a couple of years ago. The question of which device to buy becomes critical, because the price difference between the segments can be twofold, and the visual difference on the screen is minimal for the unsophisticated user.

This year, we're seeing a clear division into game monsters, camera phones for creators and workhorses for everyday tasks. It's important to understand that buying in 2021 is an investment in the MIUI ecosystem and future Android updates, so the choices should be weighed. The processor platform has become the main battleground, where Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and MediaTek Dimensity are fighting to be called the heart of your device. We analyzed the market so you don't get confused by hundreds of modifications and found exactly what you need.

You don't have to chase the maximum numbers in benchmarks if your use case is limited to messengers and social networks. On the other hand, avid gamers will need not only a powerful chip, but also a quality cooling system, which is often ignored in the pursuit of a thin body. Let's figure out which models deserve attention right now, and what to look at in the specs, so as not to overpay for unnecessary functionality.

The flagship race: Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra and Pro

If you are looking for the absolute maximum of technology and are willing to pay for it, then the Mi lineup is a great choice. 11 into 2021 The year becomes the uncontested leader in the brand ecosystem. 11 Ultra is equipped with a unique second OLED-display at the back, which serves as a viewfinder for selfies on the main camera or information board, which is a unique engineering feature of this model in the 2021 The main sensor of Samsung GN2 size 1/1.12 The inch provides incredible light sensitivity, allowing you to shoot professionally even in difficult night lighting conditions.

But should we overpay for the Ultra version if the Pro version offers almost identical performance? The Snapdragon 888 processor, coupled with LPDDR5 fast memory and UFS 3.1 drive, delivers lightning-fast interface performance. The difference lies in the details of the execution: the Ultra ceramic back panel vs. the Pro glass, and the presence of a periscopic zoom telephoto lens that is critical for long-distance macro and portrait enthusiasts.

• 🔥 Incredible performance of the Snapdragon 888 chip for any task.
• 📸 Best on the market stabilizing video in resolution 8K.
• 💎 Premium materials of the case: ceramics and tempered glass Gorilla Glass Victus.
• 🔋 Support for ultrafast wired charging with 67W and 50W wireless.

The 2021 flagships are power-dense, especially on 5G networks. If autonomy is more important to you than having all the camera sensors you can think of, then alternatives may be worth considering.

The Golden Mean: Xiaomi Mi 11 and 11i series

For those who want flagship power but are not willing to put up with the dimensions and weight of the Ultra versions, the standard Xiaomi Mi 11 and its 11i modification (known globally as the Redmi K40 Pro+) will be the perfect compromise. These devices retain the top AMOLED screen with WQHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, making interaction with the MIUI shell incredibly smooth. The visual difference between the flagship displays and this series is virtually absent to the human eye.

The key difference here is heat optimization and a slightly stripped-down camera set, which, however, still outperforms 90% of the market. The 108 MP core module allows you to take detailed pictures with the ability to framing without loss of quality. Optical stabilization (OIS) is present in the main camera, which is a requirement for comfortable shooting video and photos in low light.

⚠️ Warning: The global version of the standard Mi 11 can come with or without a charger depending on the region of sale. Carefully check the complete set (Global Version) before buying to avoid being left without a power supply.

Version 11i often offers a flat screen, which is the preferred option for many users due to the lack of random edge taps and the ability to use protective glasses without black bezels.This device is designed for those who appreciate ergonomics and high frequency of sensor sampling in games.

Gameplay: Black Shark 4 and Redmi K40 Gaming

The gaming smartphone segment took a new level in 2021, no longer being a niche product for geeks. Black Shark 4 and Redmi K40 Gaming Edition offer mechanical triggers that are carried onto the device body, providing a physical response in shooters and races. These are not just software emulators, but full-fledged hardware buttons with a stroke comparable to console controllers, which gives a real advantage in competitive disciplines.

The cooling in these models is taken to a whole new level, using graphene heat sinks, liquid systems and even fans (in some versions of Black Shark), which allows the Snapdragon 870 or Dimensity 1200 processor to keep high frequencies during long gaming sessions without trottling.

The screens of the game models are calibrated with a focus on the response rate of the touch layer, which can reach 720 Hz or even higher. This means that the time between touching the finger and the reaction of the game is minimal, which is critical in eSports. In addition, 4500-5000 mAh batteries support charging up to 120 watts, allowing you to fully charge the device in 15-20 minutes between matches.

Budget King: Redmi Note 10 Pro and Note 10S

The Redmi Note series traditionally sets standards in the mid-range, and 2021 was no exception.The Note 10 Pro model was a real hit, offering a new model. AMOLED-A 120Hz screen and stereo speaker in a case that would have been previously considered premium. A 108MP camera here is not just marketing, but a real-world tool that can deliver images comparable to devices twice the cost.

It is based on a time-tested and reliable Snapdragon processor. 732G, which, despite the lack of support, 5G In some regions, it keeps all the popular apps running smoothly, and it's the choice of a pragmatic person who understands that it doesn't make sense to overpay for the excess power of flagships for everyday tasks. IP53, This increases their reliability at home.

For those who don’t care about 5G and have a budget, the Note 10S offers a similar design and screen, but with a simpler MediaTek Helio G96 processor. The performance difference in conventional use is almost imperceptible, but the cost savings can be substantial.

It is important to note that in the budget segment, advertising in system applications is common, however, in 2021 MIUI makes it quite easy to turn off most advertising services through privacy settings, turning the budgetary tool into a full-fledged working tool without unnecessary visual noise.

POCO: Maximum productivity for your money

Xiaomi’s sub-brand POCO is now firmly established in 2021 as a choice for those looking for clean power. The POCO F3 (the global equivalent of the Redmi K40) has become a phenomenon, offering the top-end E4 AMOLED screen and the mid-size Snapdragon 870 processor, which ignores some tradeoffs like body materials (plastic instead of glass), but where it matters – in speed – it’s as good as flagships.

Another hit is the POCO X3 Pro, which is actually the flagship killer of last year, as it is based on the Snapdragon 860 chip. For games in 2021, this is still more than a topical solution, especially given the excellent cooling system and a large screen with a frequency of 120 Hz. Users get enough performance for any heavy tasks, for very democratic money.

⚠️ Attention: Smartphones POCO often come with global firmware, but may have regional features in the box.Make sure you buy a version of Global to avoid frequency issues LTE pre-installed.

If you don’t care about the camera (it’s usually mid-range) and premium appearance, but only about the speed and smoothness of the interface, then the POCO line is the best choice for price/quality ratio in 2021.

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When buying a POCO or Redmi smartphone on AliExpress, always choose the Global Version option rather than the Global ROM. In the second case, the seller independently re-flashes the Chinese version, which can lead to device lock and update problems.

What to look for when choosing in 2021

When choosing a smartphone in the current realities, it is not enough just to look at the screen diagonal. The key parameter is the type of matrix: IPS panels in 2021 are justified only in the ultra-budget segment or in PWM-sensitive eye models. For most users, AMOLED or Super AMOLED are a mandatory requirement for deep black and energy savings.

RAM is another critical factor. If 4 GB was the norm before, then in 2021 the comfortable minimum for Android is 6 GB, and the recommended standard is 8 GB. Heavy shells like MIUI require resources, and savings here can lead to lags after a year of use. Also worth paying attention to the type of drive: UFS 3.1 is much faster than the old UFS 2.2, which affects the speed of downloading games and applications.

Don’t forget about NFC support and 5G. Even if 5G isn’t deployed in your region, having a modem keeps your device up to date for the future. NFC is becoming the de facto standard for contactless payment, and it’s no longer feasible to abandon it in 2021.

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The best choice in 2021 is the balance between the two. AMOLED-screen, 8 GB of RAM and processor not lower than the level of Snapdragon 732G Dimensity 1100.

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