Xiaomi Mi 11 finally launched worldwide: Is it worth it?

The Xiaomi Mi 11 was launched in late December in China, now it is finally being released globally. This device is the first phone powered by a Snapdragon 888 from a Chinese-based company. The phone is filled with premium features that are not even available on rival flagship phones such as Samsung.

An Overview

Xiaomi has launched the newest addition in the flagship earlier than expected. The Chinese manufacturer usually provides phones within a reasonable price tag however that changed with the release of Mi 10 last year. Prices surged which can be explained by the addition of premium features over the years. At a glance, it seems like Mi 11 is packed with premium features hence the heftier price tag.

The Mi 11 includes multiple features such as a proper telephoto camera and water resistance. There is no headphone port either.

Who should buy it?

Xiaomi’s Mi series is ideal for those people who want a flagship phone but do not want to pay $1000. The devices are efficient and packed with premium features at a lower price than its rivals. However, consumers may be slightly disappointed with the latest launch since it is slightly more costly than its predecessors. It is worth noting that Mi 11 is crammed with premium features and still less costly than Samsung’s S21.

What features does Mi 11 offer?

Xiaomi is not playing around with this device. It is a worthy opponent of its slightly lavish rivals. The Mi 11 is powered by Snapdragon 888 processor which makes the phone ideal for gaming and provides flawless performance. Day-to-day activities such as data transfer can be carried out swiftly. The chipset also drives that QHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, which Xiaomi claims it’s among the best mobile displays out there.

The features just keep getting better. It is not only an ace phone when it comes to performance but has a 4,600mAh battery. You will not have to wait for hours to fully charge your device since the tech mogul has paired it up with 55W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. It will take a maximum of 55 minutes to fully charge your device, which is quite reasonable.

Additionally, the camera may be a little underwhelming but it is in no way subpar. The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a 108MP main camera (with OIS), a 13MP ultra-wide snapper (123-degree field of view), and a 5MP telephoto macro lens. Unfortunately, there are no telephoto or periscope zoom cameras. Although, it does come with 8k recording and a night video mode.

Another feature that you won’t find in other flagship phones is that Xiaomi has integrated the heart monitor into the in-display fingerprint sensor.

 Is there a Mi 11 Pro?

Last year Xiaomi launched two variants of the Mi 10, Mi 10, and Mi 10 Pro. It is unclear if the Chinese manufacturer will just settle with Mi 11 or go one step further and release a Mi 11 Pro. If it does indeed release another variant, we can expect sometime later this year. As for the specs, if we look at the Mi 10 Pro, we can expect telephoto cameras, a higher resolution ultra-wide camera, and faster-wired charging.

Xiaomi Mi 11 price and accessibility

Xiaomi at first launched the Mi 11 exclusively in Chine but now it can be found in the global markets.  The phone is also available in Europe, but much like the Mi 10 series, it’s significantly more expensive here. The 8GB/128GB phone costs €749 (~$901), while the 8GB/256GB model will set you back €799 (~$961).

As of now, the Chinese tech giants are offering a two-year warranty and a one-time free screen repair within the first year of owning the phone.

The Verdict

There is no doubt that Xiaomi Mi 11 is a top-tier phone with premium features that are available in flagship devices. It the ideal device for people who want a premium device at a slightly less cost. It is for sure a commendable competitor for Samsung’s S21.