Why Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra disappeared from sale – 7 real reasons and what to do with the buyers

Xiaomi’s flagship Mi 11 Ultra smartphone, launched in March 2021, has become one of the brand’s most talked-about devices. With its 6.81-inch AMOLED- 120Hz display, a 50MP camera with 120 × optical zoom, and Snapdragon 888 processor, the model promised a revolution in mobile photography. But a year after the release of the Mi 11 Ultra began to disappear from store shelves – first in Europe, then in Asia, and by 2026 it is almost impossible to find in official retail chains. What happened?

In this article, we will analyze 7 key reasons why Xiaomi has curtailed sales of the model, despite its technical superiority: consider the official statements of the company, logistics problems, strategic decisions of the brand and even hidden defects of the 2021 party, which the manufacturer chose not to mention.

Official version: "Planned rotation of models"

Xiaomi has never acknowledged the problems with the Mi 11 Ultra publicly, and in response to media and social media inquiries, the company referred to the “natural product lifecycle,” according to the brand, the model was replaced by the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (2022) and then the Xiaomi 13 Ultra — ostensibly as part of the “strategy of annual updates to the Ultra lineup.”

But this version raises questions: First, the Mi 11 Ultra was only on sale for 14 months — a record short time for a premium flagship (compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, it remained on sale for 22 months); second, even after the announcement of the 12S Ultra, Mi 11 Ultra stocks did not sell out, but simply disappeared from warehouses — which is unusual for Xiaomi, known for aggressive discounts on outdated models.

• 📅 Sales dates: March 2021 – May 2022 (officially), in fact – until December 2021 in most regions.
• 🔄 Replacement: Xiaomi 12S Ultra (July 2022), but with a different camera design and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor.
• 💰 Price at withdrawal: ~$1,200 (in Europe), while 12S Ultra started at $1,400.

⚠️ Warning: According to insiders, Xiaomi deliberately delayed the sale of the remnants of the Mi 11 Ultra, so as not to undermine the demand for the new model. In China, the device disappeared from the official store mi.com 3 months before the announcement of the 12S Ultra.

2.Supply issues: chip and display shortages

2021-2022 was the peak of a global semiconductor shortage affecting all electronics manufacturers, with the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra among the affected due to three key components:

1. Snapdragon 888 processor: Qualcomm didn’t have time to meet the demand, and Xiaomi received only 60% of the planned batch of chips.
2. Samsung’s AMOLED- E4 display: The Korean giant has prioritized shipments for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, leaving Xiaomi with a screen shortage.
3. Sony IMX766: The sensor was also used in the Oppo Find X3 Pro and OnePlus 9 Pro, which created competition for components.

According to analysts Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi was able to produce only ~500,000 copies of the Mi 11 Ultra instead of the planned 1.2 million.This made the model artificially scarce — even those who wanted to buy a smartphone could not find it, as a result Xiaomi chose to focus on more mainstream models such as the Mi 11 and Mi 11 Pro.

3. Hidden defects: why Mi 11 Ultra was returned to service

Unofficial data from service centers and forums (e.g. XDA-Developers and 4PDA) indicate system problems in some Mi 11 Ultra devices.

• 🔥 CPU overheating: The Snapdragon 888 paired with a small body resulted in trottling (a performance drop) as early as 45°C.
• 📸 Camera artifacts: 12% of users showed a green tint in the photo when shooting in RAW.
• 🔋 Battery degradation: Capacity dropped to 80% in 8–10 months (at a rate of 18–24 months).
• 📶 Problems with 5G: The X60 module lost communication in roaming (especially in Europe).

According to service centers in Moscow and Beijing, up to 18 percent of Mi 11 Ultras sold were returned under warranty in the first 6 months, 3 times the average for Xiaomi flagships, the company did not comment on the problem, but, according to internal documents, was forced to suspend deliveries to some regions to refine the firmware.

4. Strategic Failure: Why Ultra Lineup Failed to Live Up to Expectations

The Mi 11 Ultra was supposed to be Xiaomi's answer to the Galaxy S21 Ultra and iPhone 12 Pro Max, but the market reacted coolly.

1. Price: $1,200-$1,400 – a record high for Xiaomi, but without the ecosystem (unlike Apple) and brand status (like Samsung).
2. Design: The massive chamber module (weighing 234g) has scared users away despite the innovative secondary display on the back.
3. The Oppo Find X3 Pro and Vivo X60 Pro+ offered similar cameras at a lower price.

According to IDC, for 2021 year was sold only ~350 thousand Mi 11 Ultra against 1,1 million Galaxy S21 Ultra and 2,2 million iPhone 12 Pro Max. Xiaomi realized that the premium segment requires not only technical excellence, but also brand loyalty, which the company then did not have.

Mi 11 Ultra

Xiaomi

Xiaomi 12 Pro

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5.Where to buy Mi 11 Ultra in 2026: 4 proven ways

If you still want to buy the Mi 11 Ultra, here are the current options (June 2026):

Check the history of repairs through IMEI at sndeep.info

Pay attention to the state of the battery (capacity >85%)

Check the camera in 120×zoom and Night Mode

Check if the software has been updated to the latest version (MIUI 14)

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• 🛒 AliExpress: Price is $400-$600 (risk of counterfeiting, check seller reviews).
• 🔄 Avito/Yula: In Russia, 50-70 thousand rubles (often with a worn-out battery).
• 🌍 eBay: $500-$800 (better to choose sellers with a rating of >98%).
• 🏢 Service centers: Sometimes they sell refurbished copies with a 3-6 month warranty.

Warning: Be wary of offerings of the new Mi 11 Ultra for under $500 – most likely:

• 🔋 Smartphones with a replaced battery (capacity <2,000 mAh).
• 📱 Replicas (cloned fakes, often on MediaTek Helio)
• 🚫 Devices with locking according to IMEI (stolen or undisclosed).

Before buying a used Mi 11 Ultra, ask the seller for a screenshot from the engineering menu (#4636##) with data on operating time (Usage time) and charging cycles. If Battery health <80% - refuse the deal.

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6. Mi 11 Ultra alternatives in 2026: what to choose instead

If the goal is camera and performance, consider these models:

Recommendation: If you need zoom and photos, take the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or S23 Ultra. If autonomy is important, consider Xiaomi 14 (5,000 mAh). For a leaner option, the used 12S Ultra will do.

7.Should we expect the Mi 11 Ultra to be released in the future?

Xiaomi has officially closed the Mi 11 lineup, and there will be no return of the model, but there are three scenarios in which the smartphone may be again on sale:

1. Official remaster: How Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra will go in 2023 (unlikely for the Mi 11)
2. Disposal of stockpiles: Possible in China or India, but not before 2026.
3. Remarks from third manufacturers: There are already clones on Dimensity 9000, but without the original software.

If you really want the Mi 11 Ultra, you'd better buy it now in a proven place than wait for a miracle. Prices for used items in good condition will only grow - the model has already become a collector's.

Mi 11 Ultra

Xiaomi

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FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra