The fateful year is coming to an end. And just when you thought we’d seen everything there is to see this year in tech, Xiaomi is here with their “one more thing”, and it’s their biggest reveal of the dedicated launch event in China today. Get to know the new Xiaomi Mi 11, Xiaomi’s next flagship and the first smartphone with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 888.
Xiaomi Mi 11: Specifications
| Specification | Xiaomi Mi 11 |
|---|---|
| Build |
|
| Dimensions and weight |
|
| Display |
|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888:
Adreno 660 |
| RAM and storage |
|
| Battery charging |
|
| Security | Optical in-display fingerprint sensor |
| Rear camera (s) |
Video: |
| Front camera (s) | 20 megapixels, f / 2.4 |
| Port (s) | USB type C |
| Audio | Stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon |
| Connectivity | |
| software | MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11 |
| Other features |
|
The Xiaomi Mi 11 picks up where the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro left off, despite Xiaomi having the even crazier launch of the Mi 10 Ultra later in the year. So while the device isn’t quite as over the top as the Ultra, it still features specs that are known for a stellar experience in the premium flagship space.
If you’ve been following Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones, you’ll see a familiar package on the front of the Mi 11. The screen curves over the edges, but now the back also flows more drastically. The end result is a slim figure through the 1.8mm metal frame that needs more surface area around the power button and volume rocker. On the back, the camera island is a combination of familiarity and uniqueness – familiar because we’ve seen such designs on other phones, and unique because of the 108MP main camera giving it a big footprint and attracting attention with its silver ring accent. The Xiaomi branding at the bottom is subtle, and we definitely prefer the clean look to the big nasty branding exercises we’ve seen in cheaper deals.
The display is a 6.81 ″ QHD + AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. Unfortunately, there is no variable refresh rate here, although the display can switch between 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz and 120Hz depending on the content. The panel is 10-bit capable and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus on the front.
Although the Mi 11 was technically launched in 2020, it still qualifies to be called a 2021 flagship. The only reason for this is because it uses the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, and also because the device will be commercially available only in 2021, which is about 3 days away. As Idrees points out in his in-depth review and Mishaal concludes in the benchmark follow-up, the chip is a respectable step forward for Qualcomm, with a lot of focus on the AI engine and the Spectra ISP alongside the usual CPU and GPU bumps. The Snapdragon 888 is very likely to become the best Android SoC in 2021, and the Mi 11 can take it to that position thanks to the complementary LPDDR5 RAM (clocked at 6400 Mbps compared to the previous clock of 5500 Mbps) and the UFS 3.1 storage.
The camera is also impressive. While the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Ultra tried to pack in four cameras, Xiaomi is rightly reducing the numbers to focus more on sensor size. The main sensor is a 108MP sensor, flanked by a 13MP ultra-wide sensor and a 5MP tertiary sensor. The front camera is a 20MP sensor.
Battery and charging wise, this is a flagship so you get great specs here too. The 4,600 mAh battery can be charged up to 55W with a cable or up to 50W wirelessly. However, a regression creeps into the package, as Xiaomi took the charger out of the box, as expected after Apple’s move. But but but, Xiaomi will give you a 55W GaN charger (worth CNY 100 (~ $ 15)) separately, out of the box. Customers can choose to forgo the same if they have a large number of chargers with them.
The Xiaomi Mi 11 is also the first phone to launch with MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11. This MIUI update collects all the relevant features added since the introduction of MIUI 12. The Mi 11 is also capable of sharing audio with two accessories of Bluetooth audio connected, allowing your friends to listen to the same music from your phone without disturbing others.
Xiaomi Mi 11: price and availability
The Xiaomi Mi 11 will be available to pre-order in China for CNY 3,999 (~ $ 612) for the 8GB + 128GB variant, CNY 4,299 (~ $ 657) for the 8GB + 256GB variant, and CNY 4,699 (~ $ 719) for 12GB. + 256GB variant. Pre-orders start today in China, with sales open starting January 1, 2021.
The phone is available in Midnight Gray, Horizon Blue and Frost White in anti-reflective frosted glass, as well as in Lilac Purple and Honey Beige in vegan leather.
While the company hasn’t explicitly confirmed any plans, we can confidently assume that the device will hit the international markets of Europe and India at least. After all, this is Xiaomi’s flagship, and it causes a sensation.
