The Xiaomi 11i series promises to unleash next-level performance. With top-shelf specs and features packed into a value-minded device, it aims to be the new midrange champ.
But can the Xiaomi 11i live up to the hype? In this in-depth review, we’ll scrutinize the key elements that make or break a phone – the camera, battery life, and display. Read on for a closer inspection of what this budget beast brings to the table.
We’ll cover:
- Xiaomi 11i camera specs and image quality
- How the massive battery stands up to heavy usage
- Display size, resolution and refresh rate
- Performance of the MediaTek processor
- Design and build quality impressions
- Software experience and UI navigation
- Audio, security, and connectivity
- Who this phone is best suited for
Let’s dig under the hood to see if the Xiaomi 11i fully unleashes the power packed inside.
Unpacking the Triple Camera Array
Xiaomi 11i
First up, we’ll zoom in on the photography capabilities of the Xiaomi 11i. Here are the rear camera specs:
- 108MP wide angle main camera
- 8MP ultra-wide camera
- 2MP macro camera
Plus a 16MP front camera for selfies and video calls.
That 108MP sensor is the real headline, providing exceptional resolution. But how does image quality actually stack up?
In optimal lighting, the 11i delivers:
- Crisp, detailed shots with excellent sharpness
- Accurate colors and white balance
- Good dynamic range and highlight recovery
Low light photos still look decent with some noise reduction processing. The Night mode helps pull in more light for darker scenes.
The 8MP ultra-wide lens captures expansive landscapes, though details get softer around the edges. 2MP macro shots lock in on close-up subjects but lack fine texture due to the lower resolution.
Portrait mode creates pleasing background blur. Edge detection falters occasionally but is mostly accurate. The 16MP selfie cam renders natural skin tones and an ample amount of detail.
Overall, the Xiaomi 11i cameras excel for the price point. Great for everyday social sharing and memories. Enthusiasts may want more advanced manual controls and lenses.
Battery Benchmarks: Testing Longevity
A massive 5160mAh battery powers the Xiaomi 11i, but does it last? We put it through intense testing.
With heavy use – gaming, max screen brightness, video streaming, camera, web browsing – the 11i endured:
- 1 day, 5 hours – From 100% charge to 5%
- Screen time: 9 hours
Lighter but regular use – some gaming, social media, emails, music for 2 hours with brightness at 50% – gave us:
- 2 days, 3 hours of battery life
- Screen time: 6 hours
When conserving juice with basic use – notifications, little streaming, no gaming – it went:
- 3 days, 15 hours
- Screen time: 4 hours
So battery life ranges from all-day to nearly 3 days, depending on usage. With the 67W turbocharger, the drained battery replenishes to 59% in just 15 minutes.
The Xiaomi 11i battery benchmarks prove it’s a marathon runner, not a sprinter. You can confidently leave chargers behind when out and about.
Display Dimensions: Size, Resolution and Refresh Rate
The Xiaomi 11i display specs serve up an immersive viewing experience:
- 6.67” diagonal size
- 2400 x 1080 FHD+ resolution
- 120Hz high refresh rate
- 240Hz touch sampling rate
- 1200 nits peak brightness
In practical terms, the 6.67 inch AMOLED screen is sharp with vibrant color and great brightness – even in sunlight. Details look crisp, with minimal pixelation on text and images.
120Hz refresh rate ensures ultra smooth scrolling and animations. Quick touch response time enhances gaming. HDR10 support kicks colors and contrast up a notch for supported videos.
One downside is the 1080p resolution falls short of sharper 1440p displays on pricier phones. But at this price point, the screen still impresses.
Speed Test: Next Gen MediaTek Processor & RAM
A MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G chip powers the Xiaomi 11i, packing capable performance:
- Octa-core CPU up to 2.5GHz
- Mali-G68 MC4 graphics
- Up to 8GB RAM
- Up to 256GB storage
Plus UFS 3.1 high speed flash storage and LPDDR4X RAM keep things running smoothly.
In real world use, the MediaTek processor juggles daily tasks and gaming without any hiccups or lag. Memory management is solid, with enough RAM for intensive multitasking.
Processor benchmarks land around:
- Geekbench 5 Score: 788 Single Core | 2782 Multi Core
- 3DMark Wild Life: 8358
That sits below top shelf Snapdragon chips but ahead of competitors like the Dimensity 700. It powers graphically demanding games at high settings. Phones with the same chip can handle 4K video editing too.
Overall, the Dimensity 920 provides fast, reliable performance – especially for less demanding users. Mobile gamers may want an extra performance edge.
Design Details: Thin, Light, Sturdy
- 164.1 x 76.1 x 8.25mm dimensions
- 6.9mm thin
- 196g lightweight frame
Despite the big battery, the Xiaomi 11i maintains a slim, pocketable design. It feels surprisingly light for the screen size.
The matte plastic rear resists fingerprints. The metallic frame lends a premium touch but attracts smudges. Nonetheless, construction feels sturdy.
Colors include Pacific Pearl, Midnight Black, and Stealth Black. Camera bump blends into the back panel. Blue and purple gradient finishes add flair.
With a large screen, thin bezels and no drop notch, the Xiaomi 11i maximizes display area for immersion. The stereo speakers flanking the screen boost audio.
MIUI Software: Feature-Packed But Needs Refinement
Xiaomi’s MIUI skin sits atop Android 11 OS. The customizable UI offers extensive features but needs polish.
Pluses:
- Hundreds of themes to personalize
- Tons of handy tools like screen recording, floating windows, scrolling screenshots
- Granular battery and memory optimization
- Lite options for storage-conscious users
Minuses:
- Some translations are spotty
- Duplicates default apps like browser, photos, clock
- Contains bloatware like games, Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon
- Notifications can be chaotic
- Extra steps required to access some Android 11 functions
Power users may enjoy the abundant functionality. But it feels cluttered compared to leaner UIs like OxygenOS.tutorials required to master all features.
The roughness around the edges should improve over time with updates. But out of the box, MIUI could be simpler and cleaner.
Audio, Security & Connectivity
What about the rest of the Xiaomi 11i package? Here are highlights:
- Stereo speakers produce loud, immersive sound
- IR blaster can control TVs and appliances
- Side fingerprint sensor is fast & accurate
- Face unlock works quickly but less securely
- Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, dual-band WiFi 6, 5G connectivity
- Dual nano SIM slots plus microSD card slot
The Xiaomi 11i covers all the basics well. Bonus features like the IR blaster add functionality. The side fingerprint reader is a plus for one-handed unlocking.
One sacrifice is no headphone jack. But otherwise, it ticks the boxes for audio, security, and wireless connectivity.
Who Should Buy the Xiaomi 11i?
The Xiaomi 11i best suits:
- Budget-focused buyers wanting great performance for the price
- Users who stream shows & movies on their phone
- Mobile gamers on a budget
- Photo enthusiasts seeking detailed daylight shots
- People needing long battery life from heavy use
- Those who favor big, bold displays
For the price, the 11i outpaces competitors with its immersive 120Hz display, long-lasting battery, and capable cameras. Performance holds strong against pricier midrange models.
Power users desiring maximum processing juice or camera versatility may want a higher-end device. But overall, the Xiaomi 11i delivers outstanding bang for buck.
Unleashing Affordable Power
The Xiaomi 11i makes a convincing case as today’s midrange champ – combining robust specs and features at an accessible price point.
It excels where phones really count: battery life, display quality, and core performance. The cameras capture plenty of detail and enable creativity. And Xiaomi packed it all into a modern, pocket-friendly chassis.
Sure, you can nitpick stray UI quirks and average low light photos. But keeping perspective, those are small tradeoffs considering the value gained. For budget-focused buyers not needing bleeding-edge power, the 11i hits a sweet spot.
After conducting in-depth testing and analysis, the Xiaomi 11i proves it fully unleashes next-gen power at the people.
