Which smartphone Xiaomi 2021 to choose: comparison of models by price and capabilities

Choosing a smartphone in 2021 is not an easy task, especially when it comes to the Xiaomi brand, which offers dozens of models in different price categories. On the one hand, the company has released several revolutionary devices with top-end Snapdragon 888 chips and innovative screens. On the other hand, budget devices of the Redmi and POCO series continue to amaze with the ratio of price to quality. But how not to get confused in this variety and choose the smartphone that will last for many years?

In this article, we’ll analyze all of Xiaomi’s key 2021 models, break them down into categories (flagships, middle class, budget) and give you clear recommendations based on your needs: you’ll learn which smartphones are better for gaming, photography, long-duration autonomy — and where you shouldn’t overpay for unnecessary features.

Xiaomi 2021 flagships: what to pay for?

Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones in 2021 are the Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra and Mix 4 series, all equipped with the most powerful processors (Snapdragon 888), the best screens (2K AMOLED at 120Hz) and cameras developed in collaboration with Leica or Samsung. But do you need all these chips?

The big question is, should you buy a Xiaomi flagship if you're not a gamer or a photographer? The answer isn't always. For example, the Mi 11 Ultra, with its giant 50MP main sensor and secondary display on the back, is more of a "enthusiast toy" than a practical gadget. But the Mi 11 Lite (despite the "Lite" console) offers almost the same features for less money.

• 🔥 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is the best camera of 2021 (according to DxOMark), but the weight of 234 g and the price of 90 000 ₽ scare away.
• 🎮 Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro is a gaming monster with physical triggers and liquid cooling. PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact.
• 💰 Xiaomi Mi 11 – the “gold standard” flagships: Snapdragon 888, 108 MP camera, but without frills like a secondary screen.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi flagships 2021 often suffer from overheating under prolonged loads.If you plan to play or edit videos, look for models with liquid cooling system (for example, Black Shark 4 Pro).

Middle class: the best balance of price and quality

It is in the middle segment that Xiaomi is traditionally strong. Here you will find smartphones with Snapdragon processors. 7xx or Dimensity, AMOLED-48-64 MP screens and cameras — all for 20,000-40,000 ₽. The main advantage of such models is that they do not become obsolete even after 2-3 years.

In 2021, the following are particularly highlighted:

• 📸 Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G — Thin (6.8 mm) and lightweight (159 g) smartphone with Snapdragon 780G. Perfect for those who appreciate compactness.
• 🔋 POCO F3 — Autonomousity record holder in its class (battery 4520 mAh) + 33W fast charging, suitable for travel.
• 🎯 Redmi Note 10 Pro is the best choice for photography in a budget of up to 25,000 ₽ (108 MP main camera!).

Expert advice: If you want a smartphone that is all about everything, take the POCO F3. It combines the top-end Snapdragon 870 processor (which is not inferior to the 888 in most tasks), great screen and long-term autonomy. And if photography is more important than performance, the Redmi Note 10 Pro with its 108-megapixel camera.

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Before buying, check to see if the 5G model supports your region. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro does not have a 5G module, although it is otherwise ahead of the competition.

Budget smartphones Xiaomi: what not to save

Xiaomi budget smartphones (up to) 15 000 ₽) into 2021 The year is represented by the Redmi series. 9/10 and POCO M3. Their main advantages are low price, large batteries (5000–6000 Mach and good screens, but there are pitfalls: weak processors (Helio). G80/G95), plastic-cases and mediocre chambers.

What to pay attention to when choosing?

• 🔋 POCO M3 Pro 5G — the only state-funded 5G (Dimensity 700 is perfect if you want future interoperability with next-generation networks.
• 📱 Redmi 10 - Best Balance in the Lineup: Helio G88, 90 Hz screen, 5000 mAh battery. Minus no NFC.
• 💸 Redmi 9A — The cheapest option (from 8000) ₽), but with weak iron (Helio) G25) and HD-It's just for calls and social media.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi budget smartphones often come with slow eMMC memory 5.1 instead UFS 2.1/2.2. This means that over time, the device will slow down even for simple tasks. If you plan to use a smartphone for longer than a year, choose a model with a high-speed device. UFS (for example, POCO M3 Pro 5G).

Clarify the type of memory (UFS or eMMC)|Check availability NFC (if necessary)|Evaluate autonomy (battery from 5000 mAh)|View reviews about the quality of the camera-->

Xiaomi for photography: what models bloggers choose

If photography is your priority, Xiaomi has a few options in 2021, and the key is to decide which is more important: sensor resolution or processing quality. For example, the Mi 11 Ultra has a 50MP sensor, but its color rendering algorithms often lose out to the iPhone or Google Pixel.

Top.-3 photomodel:

1. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is the best technical “stuffing” (50 MP + 48 MP wide-angle + 48 MP periscope), but bulky.
2. Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is a more compact Ultra with the same main sensor, but without a secondary screen.
3. Redmi Note 10 Pro is a budget champion in resolution (108 MP), but loses to the flagships in detail.

For video, the Mi 11 Ultra is better suited with 8K@24fps support and flagship stabilization. And if you want portability and good selfies, look at the Mi 11 Lite 5G with a front-facing camera at 20 MP.

Xiaomi for gamers: which is more important – the processor or the screen?

For games in 2021, two parameters are critical: the processor and the refresh rate of the screen.

• The chipset is no weaker than the Snapdragon 765G or Dimensity 800U.
• Screen with a frequency of 90 Hz or 120 Hz;
• Battery from 4500 mAh (otherwise you will have to play with charging).

The best gaming smartphones Xiaomi 2021:

• 🎮 Black Shark 4 Pro – the absolute leader: Snapdragon 888, 144 Hz screen, physical triggers.
• 🔥 POCO F3 GT — Black Shark with Dimensity 1200 and magnetic shoulder buttons.
• 💰 Redmi K40 Gaming – budget option for gamers (Dimensity 1200, 120 Hz, but without triggers).

Critical information for gamers: In 2021, Xiaomi began limiting the performance of flagship chips (such as the Snapdragon 888) in non-gaming smartphones due to overheating, which means that the Mi 11 or Mi 11 Ultra can troll (reduce frequencies) during long gaming sessions, while the Black Shark 4 Pro is free of this restriction.

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For serious gaming, choose specialized models (Black Shark or POCO F3 GT). Xiaomi’s usual flagships do not always cope with long loads.

Autonomy: which Xiaomi holds the charge the longest

If you want a smartphone that lasts 2-3 days without recharging, look for models with a battery of 5,000 mAh and energy-efficient processors (Snapdragon 6xx or Dimensity 700). In 2021, the leaders in autonomy:

Important: real autonomy depends not only on the battery, but also on the optimization of MIUI. For example, the POCO F3 with a battery of 4520 mAh can last longer than the Redmi 9T with 6000 mAh, thanks to the more efficient Snapdragon 870 processor.

⚠️ Note: In smartphones Xiaomi 2021 with fast charging (33 watts and above), the battery degrades faster. If you plan to use the device for longer than 2 years, prefer models with a charge of 18-22 watts (for example, Redmi Note 10).

MIUI 12.5: What has changed and what models should be updated

In 2021, Xiaomi released the global update MIUI 12.5, which brought a number of improvements:

• Reduced RAM consumption (20–30%);
• New control gestures;
• Improved privacy (similar to sandbox for applications).

But not all models received the update.

Xiaomi 2021 smartphones that support MIUI 12.5 out of the box:

• Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Lite;
• POCO F3, POCO X3 Pro;
• Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi Note 10S.

For other models (such as the Redmi 9 or POCO M3), the update will be released later or not at all. To check support, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions