Xiaomi Mi 11

The Xiaomi Mi 11 attempts to set the bar for the best budget Android phone with a high-quality screen and all the power that some mid-rangers offer, but for a baseline price. A good budget phone is about the right compromises, so with the Mi 11, what are you getting — and what might be missing?

Design

The Xiaomi Mi 11 comes in three different color options: plain white, midnight gray, and horizon blue. Unfortunately, reviewers stated that while it looks appealing at first, a rather substantial camera bump with a silver ring around the primary lens draws the eye in all the wrong ways. Reviewers also stated that the lighter color options are known to pick up fingerprints like no one’s business.

Display

The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a Gorilla Glass Victus curved AMOLED screen measuring 6.8-inches. It’s not for anyone with tiny pockets or small hands. But as long as you don’t mind the size, the only negative comment from reviewers is that the screen’s bezels are cut sharper than the corner of the phone itself.

That minor issue aside, many reviewers claimed it was one of the best screens they’ve used. There were minor issues with a sluggish in-screen fingerprint detector. Otherwise, reviews are solid.

Performance

The Xiaomi Mi 11 isn’t a performance slouch either. Reviewers found it ran smoothly and even played games well. They also noted that even while charging, the phone case barely showed any sign of extra heat. One of the biggest reasons for this is a vapor cooling chamber, which should help keep everything cool, even during heavy gaming.

Software & Storage

There’s plenty to like about the Xiaomi Mi 11’s approach to software. Reviewers particularly liked the Apple-esque option to divide the notifications and quick settings shade into two, accessible with a swipe-down on either side of the screen.

Another benefit is the option for floating windows that allow you more control over on-screen elements. Reviewers found that copying and pasting from one window to another — and multitasking in general — was much more manageable this way. You have the option of 128 or 256GB of storage, but there is no external slot for expansion.

Cameras

Unfortunately, reviews falter here a little. They take up so much space on the back of the phone but do not perform very well. Results were only so-so without really trying hard. That said, reviewers found the macro photo option and some of the other specialized photo modes fun and effective when they took the time to line up every little setting.

Battery Life

Battery life reviews were mixed. It all depends on what you expect and want from your phone. With heavy usage, any phone is going to have a shortened battery life. Some reviewers said they were happy with the nearly six hours of use they had gotten, while others felt like that was disappointing. But if you’re a light phone user, the phone should last all day with ease.

Audio

While still just phone speakers, reviewers mentioned the sound from this phone was very clear and balanced. However, it definitely lacked bass on punchier tracks.

Specs at a Glance

• Glass chassis
• Curved 6.8-inch AMOLED display
• Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 processor
• 8/12GB of RAM
• Android 11
• 128/256GB of storage
• 108MP camera
• 4000mAh battery

Bottom Line

The Xiaomi Mi 11 promises a lot. And, for the price, it appears to deliver. If the camera is essential to you, look elsewhere. But just about every other feature on the phone holds its own against more expensive phones. However, it is only available in some regions.

The Verge states, “The Mi 11 would be a strong competitor to any S21 phone if you saw the two next to each other in a US carrier store. The only problem is you won’t.”

Tom’s Guide says, “The best deal in Android flagships right now, the Xiaomi Mi 11 offers an amazing platform for streaming video and running demanding apps and games, tied together with an enjoyable software experience. But you lose out on camera power — assuming you can get it in the first place.”