2021 was a watershed for Xiaomi: the company not only strengthened its position in the budget segment, but also released flagships that can compete with the Samsung Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12. However, the variety of lines — Mi, Redmi, POCO — often puts customers at a loss. How not to overpay for unnecessary functions? Should we take the top model of the last year instead of the new average? And why some smartphones with the same chipset are different?
In this guide, we analyzed all the current Xiaomi models in 2021, dividing them into categories by price and purpose. You will learn which phone is suitable for games, which is for video shooting, and which will be the best choice for older relatives. We took into account not only the “naked” characteristics, but also the real experience of users: the heating of the case, build quality, MIUI updates and even the nuances with warranty service in Russia. Spoiler: in 2021 Xiaomi finally solved the problem with the “soap” display in budget models, but in some flagships there was a new drawback – overheating at maximum power.
Xiaomi smartphone selection criteria in 2021: what to look for first
The race of megapixels and processor cores has long lost its meaning – even Xiaomi’s budget smartphones cope with everyday tasks.
- 🔋 Autonomy: Battery capacity is more important than fast charging. ≤4,000 mAh discharges per day, even with moderate use.
- 📱 Screen: AMOLED preferably IPS, In the budget segment, it is better to choose IPS at 90 Hz than AMOLED 60 Hz.
- 🎮 Performance: for games you need Snapdragon 888 or Dimensity 1200, for social networks enough Snapdragon 732G.
- 📸 Camera: the number of modules does not equal quality.In 2021, even the Redmi Note 10 Pro shoots better than some flagships of 2019.
- 🔄 Updates: models on MIUI 12.5 will receive updates longer than devices on the MIUI 12.
A special point is regional firmware: In 2021, Xiaomi tightened its policy: global versions (Global ROM) of some models are sold only in official stores. Buying gray devices from China is fraught with problems with Google Pay, Netflix HD and Russian in firmware. In 2021, the only legal way to get a Russian-language MIUI on the Chinese version is an official login account unlocker, but this takes up to 30 days.
⚠️ Attention: In models POCO F3 Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite detected a bug with automatic decrease in screen brightness at a lower temperature +10°C. The manufacturer promised to fix this in the update, but at the time of publication (November 2021) the problem remains.
Top.-5 Xiaomi flagships 2021 Year: Comparison of Characteristics and Prices
Xiaomi’s flagship segment in 2021 is represented by Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11, Mi 11i, Mi 11 Lite 5G and Black Shark 4 Pro. All of them work on the Snapdragon 888, but differ in cameras, screens and price. The main trend is the rejection of charging units in the kit (except Black Shark).
| Model | Screen. | Camera (main) | Battery | Price (November 2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | AMOLED 6.81," 120 Hz, QHD+ | 50 MP (Samsung GN2) + 48 MP (ultrashiro) + 48 MP (telephoto 5x) | 5000 mAh, 67 W (wired + wireless) | ~90 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 | AMOLED 6.81," 120 Hz, QHD+ | 108 MP (Samsung HMX) + 13 MP (ultrashir) + 5 MP (telephoto) | 4600 mAh, 55 W (wired) + 50 W (wireless) | ~65 000 ₽ |
| POCO F3 GT | AMOLED 6.67", 120 Hz, FHD+ | 64 MP (main) + 8 MP (ultrashir) + 2 MP (macro) | 5065 mAh, 67 Wh | ~45 000 ₽ |
| Black Shark 4 Pro | AMOLED 6.67", 144 Hz, FHD+ | 64 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP | 4500 mAh, 120 Wh | ~55 000 ₽ |
The leader in price/quality ratio is the POCO F3 GT. This is the only flagship of 2021 with the Snapdragon 888, which does not warm up under long loads (unlike the Mi 11). However, for photography, it is better to choose the Mi 11 Ultra - its camera with a Samsung GN2 sensor bypasses even the iPhone 12 Pro Max in night scenes. The main drawback of all flagships Xiaomi 2021 is the lack of a slot for a memory card.
Best Xiaomi mid-range smartphones (20,000 – 40,000) ₽) 2021
Midsize is Xiaomi's most competitive category in 2021, featuring models with Snapdragon 7xx and Dimensity that offer 90% of flagship capabilities for half the price.
- 📌 Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G — The thinnest (6.8 mm) and lightest (159 g) smartphone with Snapdragon 780G.
- 🎮 Redmi K40 Pro – an alternative to flagships with Snapdragon 888 for 35 000 ₽.
- 📸 Redmi Note 10 Pro is the best camera in the segment thanks to Samsung’s sensor HM2 (108 MP).
- 🔋 POCO X3 Pro – the record holder of autonomy with a battery of 5160 mAh and Snapdragon 860.
The mansion stands Redmi. K40 The Gaming Edition is a physical trigger model for gamers and a cooling system with heat pipes. Unlike Black Shark, there's no aggressive design, but there's one. AMOLED-An important nuance: in Russia, this model is sold only through informal channels, so the warranty is valid only when you buy in the Mi Store.
Why is the Redmi Note 10 Pro cheaper than the Mi 11 Lite, even though it has a better camera?
⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 10 models (without the Pro) have a microphone defect when recording video in windy weather, and the only solution is to replace the module at the service center.
Budget smartphones Xiaomi 2021: what to choose up to 20 000 ₽
In the budget segment of Xiaomi in 2021 there was a revolution: even models for 15 000 ₽ received AMOLED-Night-mode screens and cameras. Best options:
- 💰 Redmi 9T — Basic model with a battery of 6000 mAh and Snapdragon 662.
- 📸 Redmi Note 9T — first-timer 5G Dimensity 800U.
- 🔄 POCO M3 Pro 5G — Redmi Note clone 9T, But with a different design and firmware.
- 🎯 Redmi 10 - newcomer to the AMOLED-90Hz and Helio screen G88.
The biggest disappointment of 2021 - Redmi 9A. Despite the price (~10 000 ₽), model received Helio G25 (2019) and screen with resolution 720p. For comparison, Redmi 10 is only 3000 ₽ more expensive, but offers AMOLED, 90 Hz and Helio G88. Conclusion: in 2021, there is no sense to buy smartphones cheaper than 12 000 ₽ — The difference in price justifies the jump in characteristics.
Official guarantee (non-gray imports)
NFC (not available in Redmi 9A/9C)
Support for two SIM + microSD (not available in all models)
MIUI version (must be 12.5 or later)
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Xiaomi to play in 2021: POCO vs Black Shark vs Redmi K40
For gamers, Xiaomi in 2021 offers three lines:
- Black Shark 4 Pro is a top-end gaming smartphone with physical triggers and 144 Hz.
- The POCO F3 GT is a versatile flagship with the Snapdragon 888 and magnetic triggers included.
- Redmi K40 Gaming is a budget alternative with Dimensity 1200 and liquid cooling system.
According to the results of tests in Genshin Impact (maximum settings) Black Shark leads 4 Pro - it gives stable 58-60 FPS It's also thanks to streamlined firmware and cooling, but for most games (including Call of Duty Mobile and the like). PUBG) enough POCO F3 GT, cheaper 10 000 ₽. Critical moment: in Black Shark there is no slot for a memory card, and in POCO F3 GT — eat.
| Model | FPS in Genshin Impact (max. settings) | Autonomy Time (Game Mode) | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Shark 4 Pro | 58-60 | 3.5 hours | ~55 000 ₽ |
| POCO F3 GT | 55-58 | 4 hours | ~45 000 ₽ |
| Redmi K40 Gaming | 50-55 | 3 hours | ~38 000 ₽ |
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If you play with overhead triggers, in the MIUI settings, turn off the option "Touch Optimization" (Settings → Special features → Touch optimization). This will reduce the delay by 10-15 ms.
Xiaomi cameras 2021: which smartphones shoot better than the iPhone?
In 2021, Xiaomi finally stopped chasing megapixels and focused on processing quality.Three models overtook the iPhone 12 in DxOMark tests:
- 📷 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra (143 points) – the best camera on the market thanks to the sensor Samsung GN2 and telephoto with 5x zoom.
- 🌃 Xiaomi Mi 11 (130 points) – the leader in night shooting among Android smartphones.
- 🎥 Redmi Note 10 Pro (108 Points - the best budget for video (4K@30fps stabilizing).
The Mi 11 Ultra’s secret is the second screen on the back, which is used as a viewfinder for selfies by the main camera, which allows for blurry-background (bokeh) portraits at the level of SLR cameras. However, for everyday shooting, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is enough — its 108-megapixel camera with a Samsung HM2 sensor gives detail comparable to the iPhone 11 Pro.
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In 2021, Xiaomi overtook Apple in night photography for the first time thanks to Night Mode 2.0 algorithms that use AI to separate the processing of shadows and light sources.
⚠️ Note: In the Mi 11 Lite and POCO X3 Pro when recording video in 4K It turns off electronic stabilization. You have to shoot stable video in the middle of the computer. 1080p.
What Xiaomi to choose for different tasks: ready-made recommendations
In order not to get confused in the characteristics, we have prepared ready-made recommendations for use cases:
- 👴 For the elderly: Redmi 9A (Simple interface, large battery or Redmi Note 10 (best screen).
- 🎓 For a student: POCO X3 Pro (autonomy) + performance) or Redmi Note 10 Pro (insta camera).
- 💼 To work: Mi 11 Lite 5G (lightweight AMOLED) Mi 11 (premium design).
- 🎮 For a gamer: POCO F3 GT (Best Price/Quality ratio or Black Shark 4 Pro (maximum) FPS).
- 📸 For photographer: Mi 11 Ultra (no compromise) or Redmi Note 10 Pro (budget option).
If you want a smartphone for everything, the best choice for 2021 is the POCO F3 GT.
- It has a flagship processor (Snapdragon 888).
- Supports 5G.
- Equipped. AMOLED-120Hz screen,
- Costs less than the Mi 11 by 20,000 ₽.