Xiaomi is similar to the iPhone 11: the search for the perfect analogue

Finding a smartphone that looks like an iPhone 11 in ergonomics, build quality and visual aesthetics, but costs significantly less, is a challenge that thousands of users set for themselves. Xiaomi as an iPhone is not just a marketing slogan, but a real engineering direction in which the Chinese giant has achieved impressive results. Users often look for a device with a recognizable square camera, premium materials and interface smoothness characteristic of iOS, but in the Android ecosystem.

In this article, we will discuss in detail which Xiaomi and Redmi models are as close as possible to Apple’s philosophy. We will consider not only the similarities, but also software aspects, such as the themes and settings of the system, allowing you to turn the shell of MIUI or HyperOS into an iOS, which will help you make an informed choice when buying a new gadget.

It's worth noting that direct copy is impossible because companies have different hardware platforms and software limitations. However, there are models that catch Apple's "Vibe" better than others. The closest analogue in terms of the combination of camera module design and body color in the 2023-2026 lineup is considered to be the Xiaomi 13 and 14 series.

Design and Ergonomics: External Similarity

The first thing that catches your eye when comparing the iPhone 11 to Xiaomi's current flagships is the evolution of shape. If Chinese manufacturers tried to copy round shapes before, now the trend has shifted towards strict geometry. The square camera module has become a hallmark, and here Xiaomi has succeeded. Many models have received a matte back panel that tactilely and visually resembles Apple's oleophobic Gorilla Glass.

The flat-face ergonomics that the iPhone 4 loved and brought back in the 12/13/14/15 series also found expression in the Xiaomi Civi and Mi Mix lineups. Devices are getting nicer to hold in your hand, they slip less and look more stern. It's important to note that the location of the volume and lock buttons on some Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 13 series) is shifted so that you don't have to intercept the phone after the iPhone.

⚠️ Note: Despite the appearance of similarities, the dimensions of smartphones may differ. 11 diagonal 6.1 In the same way, many Chinese people are trying to 6.5-6.7 inches, which makes them bigger and heavier.

Let’s look at the key design elements that bring these devices together:

• 📐 Housing geometry: Using aluminium frame with flat slices instead of curved 2.5D side-glass.
• 📸 Camera layout: Vertical or horizontal arrangement of two or three lenses in a massive square "island».
• 🎨 Color solutions: The appearance of shades like “Green”, “Lavande” and classic “Silver”, which were previously the prerogative of Apple.

The front panel deserves special attention. In modern Xiaomi models, the frames around the display have become so thin that visually they are almost indistinguishable from the TrueDepth cutout or the “island” of Dynamic Island. Although technically the “bangs” of Android smartphones are usually just a hole, the qualitative calibration of the brightness of the edges of the screen makes the transition invisible.

Screen and Display: Technology vs. Perfectionism

The display is a window into the digital world, and Apple has been setting standards for years. LCD-The iPhone 11 matrices were praised for their excellent color reproduction, but OLED-The panels in the new Xiaomi take the experience to a new level. However, if you’re looking for exactly the image feel that was in the iPhone 11, you should pay attention to the color reproduction settings in the smartphone menu.

Xiaomi flagships are equipped with advanced panels from Samsung and BOE with support for Dolby Vision and high refresh rate. Unlike the 60 Hz in the base iPhone 11, Chinese counterparts offer 90, 120 and even 144 Hz. This creates a sense of incredible smoothness, which is difficult to go back to. However, for maximum similarity with the “Apple” picture, many users prefer to switch modes to settings.

To achieve an “iPhone-like” image, follow the following steps:

• 🖼️ Go to Settings. → Screen. → Color scheme and select "Saturated" or "Vivid" mode, but reduce saturation manually.
• 🌡️ Set the color temperature to the Standard value or slightly shift the slider to the cold side to simulate True Tone.
• 📏 Enable the Wide Color Gamut if this option is available in the developer menu or basic settings.

Brightness is also an important parameter: Xiaomi's flagships often outperform the iPhone 11 in the light of the peak, reaching 1000-1500 baldness 625 This means that the picture will be even more readable in the sun, but Apple's automatic brightness adjustment has historically worked smoother and more predictable.

Camera: Photo style and processing

Photographic capabilities are the territory where subjective perception plays a major role. iPhone 11 was famous for its natural color reproduction and predictable HDR. Xiaomi in its top models, especially in collaboration with Leica, offers two distinctive styles: Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant. The first is aimed at maximum realism, which is very close to the philosophy of Apple.

The main camera module in modern Xiaomi is often based on Sony IMX or Samsung GN sensors of large size. This gives a natural blurring of the background (boke) even without the use of portrait mode, which brings them together with the large sensors in the iPhone Pro versions. However, the base iPhone 11 did not have a telephoto lens, and many “people’s” Xiaomi does not have it either, which creates parity in the shooting conditions.

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To get an iPhone-style photo on Xiaomi, use the Pro mode or third-party apps like Google Camera (GCam) that are customized to your sensor, which will remove the excessive sharpness and saturation characteristic of Xiaomi stockware.

Video is the Achilles heel of many Android smartphones, but Xiaomi is working hard to stabilize. Having optical stabilization (OIS) is now the standard for the mid-to-higher segment. Switching between zoom lenses while recording video has become smoother, although the magic of ProRes and perfect exposure mixing at Apple remains the benchmark.

As for the camera interface:

• 🎞️ Video Mode: Support 4K 60 frames per second on the main and front cameras.
• 🌙 Night Mode: Automatically turn on Night Mode in low light, similar to Night Mode in iOS.
• 👤 Portrait: Improved algorithms for boundary allocation and the ability to change focal length (1x, 2x) after shooting in some models.

Interface and iOS-like customization

The easiest way to make Xiaomi like an iPhone is to change the software shell. MIUI and the new HyperOS provide tremendous customization opportunities. Start by installing the right themes. There are hundreds of options in the GetThemes theme store that replicate iOS 16/17 icons, fonts and widgets.

Control is the first thing that catches your eye. In Xiaomi, by default, it's divided into a notification curtain and a switch curtain, like in older versions of Android. To get back Apple style, you go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Control Center style and select a New option. This instantly changes the logic of working on swipes on the top right, like in the iPhone.

The fonts play a huge role in how you perceive the system. The standard MI Sans font is good, but for complete similarity, you can install the San Francisco font (or its qualitative counterparts available in the theme store), which will change the display of all headings and menus, making them more rounded and “apple”.

⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party themes and fonts may cause some characters to display incorrectly in applications or system interfaces. Always create a restore point or remember how to return a standard theme through Safe Mode if the system stops responding.

Performance and iron: A chips vs. Snapdragon

Inside the iPhone 11, there is an A13 Bionic chip that is still powerful years later, and is opposed by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 series processors (such as 8 Gen 2 or 8 Gen 3) and MediaTek Dimensity flagship level. In synthetic tests AnTuTu modern Xiaomi often overtakes the iPhone 11 twice, but the optimization of games and applications under iOS still gives the Apple an advantage in stability.

But the difference may not be so noticeable to the average user: Xiaomi offers more advanced cooling systems. While the iPhone can drop the brightness of the screen when heated, Xiaomi, with its huge vapor chambers, continues to operate at high frequencies, especially for gamers who are moving from Apple to Android.

RAM is another trump card. If the iPhone 11 was content with 4 GB of RAM, even the average Xiaomi today offers 8 or 12 GB. This allows you to keep dozens of applications open in the background without rebooting them, which realizes the dream of real multitasking.

Autonomy and charging speed

Here, Xiaomi doesn't look like an iPhone -- it destroys it. While iPhone 11 owners are used to charging 18-20 watts and a full cycle in 1.5-2 hours, Xiaomi users have forgotten what long charging is. HyperCharge technologies with 67, 90 and even 120 watts allow you to charge a phone from 0 to 100% in 20-30 minutes.

Battery capacity in Xiaomi is also traditionally higher. If the 3110 mAh in the iPhone 11 is a good indicator for its size, then in the similar size Xiaomi you can find 4500 mAh or more thanks to the denser layout inside and the absence of thickness restrictions that dictate the design of Apple.

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Charging speed is Xiaomi’s main advantage over the iPhone. While the iPhone 11 charges by 50%, Xiaomi manages to charge fully, which radically changes the habits of using the device.

However, it is worth noting the lack of wireless charging in some budget models that could claim to be analogues: Xiaomi flagships support not only wireless charging, but also reverse (you can charge headphones from the phone), which is a step forward compared to the Apple ecosystem of the time.

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