24 Feb 2021, Kathmandu
The Xiaomi Mi 11 is based on first impressions – The overall improvement on the Xiaomi Mi 10, tweaking the specs in almost every department to nullify previous smartphone’s issues while adding even more upgraded features.
Xiaomi has gradually been adding more premium features to its Mi series smartphones over the years.
This has seemingly culminated in the Mi 11 model, which packs flagship-style features such as ultra-fast wireless charging, a QHD+ OLED screen, and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The Xiaomi Mi 11 comes packed with full potential and – aside from software and a lack of optical zoom (camera setup) – brings the fight to its branded competitors like Samsung, OnePlus, etc.
PROS |
CONS |
| Gorgeous QHD+ display and High screen refresh rate | Software quirks (MIUI v12.0.1 as reviewed) like notification fails |
| Smooth and fast performance | User interface bugs |
| Good price for a Snapdragon 888 device | No water-resistance rating |
|
Screen features elevate your viewing experience |
quick battery draining |
Xiaomi official video link
Design and display
For a flagship phone, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is comparatively lighter weighing 196g, and while it’s tall with dimensions of 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1mm, making it pretty easy to hold in one hand.
It is good to see Xiaomi opting for the best glass on the market, as the curved Gorilla Glass Victus covers the whole front part of the handset. Similar to its predecessor smartphone models, the Mi 11 has a volume rocker and power button on its right edge, and there’s a USB-C port for charging and an infrared blaster to it like a remote control.
However the handset does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio, so you’ll have to use a converter or wireless devices for your music.
Now moving on to the display features – the handset comes with a 6.81-inch AMOLED screen, which is the biggest from the company we’ve seen in a while.
Also, it has a 1440 x 3200 resolution, which is a step up from Xiaomi’s other models which however has stuck with 1080p – it also has a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a blinding 1500 nits max brightness.
Xiaomi is currently selling the Mi 11 in Horizon Blue and Midnight Black in most markets, although the limited stock of Cloud White, Special Edition Blue, Gold Eco-Leather, and Violet Eco-Leather are available in the market.
Performance and software
The high-spec screen of the Mi 11 is matched with high-spec innards too. As the first device to sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 platform – here with 8GB RAM, it puts heaps of core power at your fingertips. There’s also a 12GB version of this smartphone present, which comes with 256GB of native storage, which is more than enough for storage purposes.
It uses Android 11 with the company’s MIUI software laid over the top. It’s quite obvious why MIUI is such a popular user interface – it has huge numbers of customization options, app icon sizes, loads of widgets, a huge number of always-on display designs, live wallpapers, and much more. The optical fingerprint scanner embedded in the display is quite responsive.
There’s a pretty fast face unlock feature as well which is quite convenient as it unlocks the phone in an instant.
Cameras and battery life
On the camera front, the Mi 11 takes a different, rather refreshing approach. The Mi 11 does have a similar camera setup to the Mi 10 model, however, it is a complete upgrade considering the performance.
The latter one had its snappers aligned vertically, while the Mi 11 model has them on a square.
The Xiaomi Mi 11 comes equipped with a stunning 108MP f/1.9 main, 13MP f/2.4 ultra-wide, and 5MP f/2.4 telemacro camera, with a 20MP f/2.2 selfie snapper, one of the best camera setup in the Miseries. One of the improved features of the camera is that it now automatically switches to Night Mode when it detects not enough light. Photos taken are full of detail and color and, most importantly, it is super easy to use, so anyone can take great macro snaps.
Similarly, the phone has a 4,600mAh battery, which is split into two cells of 2,300 mAh connected in series, which is essential for fast wired and wireless charging. Even though it is not the 120W charging the Mi 10 Ultra supported, but it should be plenty fast. The battery level reaches 95% in 40 minutes, while the last 5% requires additional 10 minutes, so it should take around 50 minutes for charging your handset completely.
Price and availability
The company has already launched Mi 11 in China, starting at 3,999 yuan (~$618) for the 8GB/128GB variant handset, and 4,699 yuan (~$726) for the 12GB/256GB model. The phone is launching soon in Nepal, the release date likely being in March). We could expect the Mi 11 handset to cost around NPR 100,000 in Nepal.
| Mi 11 Variant | Price in Europe | Price in Nepal |
| 8GB+128GB | € 749 | NRS. 77,500 |
| 8GB+256GB | € 799 | NRS. 1,00,000 |
Xiaomi Mi 11 specs at a glance:
Body: 164.3×74.6×8.1mm, 194g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) or eco leatherback, aluminum frame.
Display: 6.81″ AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak), 1440x3200px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 515ppi.
Chipset: Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 (5 nm): Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 680; Adreno 660.
Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
OS/Software: Android 11, MIUI 12.
Rear camera: Wide (main): 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm, 1/1.33″, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS; Ultrawide angle: 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚, 1/3.06″, 1.12µm; Macro: 5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0″, 1.12µm.
Front camera: 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4″, 0.8µm.
Battery: 4600mAh; Fast charging 55W, 100% in 45 min (advertised), Fast wireless charging 50W, 100% in 53 min (advertised), Reverse wireless charging 10W, Power Delivery 3.0, Quick Charge 4+.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); NFC; Infrared port.