Xiaomi Mi 11X: A Budget-Friendly Flagship Killer?
Xiaomi’s recent launch of the Mi 11 series has certainly created a buzz, but within this impressive line-up, the more affordable Mi 11X stands out. This phone aims to capture the hearts of tech-enthusiasts seeking an impressive feature set without a hefty price tag. Sporting top-tier hardware, flexible cameras, and a plethora of thoughtful touches, the Mi 11X positions itself as a strong contender in the budget flagship market. Let’s delve deeper into its offerings and see if it lives up to the hype.
Design and Aesthetics: Familiarity and Refinement
The Mi 11X’s design draws inspiration from its Redmi Note 10 siblings. The flattened top and bottom paired with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor echo its Redmi counterparts. Despite these similarities, the Mi 11X exudes a more refined aesthetic. This is perhaps a result of its smooth, glossy rear panel. However, this sleekness comes at the cost of fingerprint magnets. Thankfully, the included clear case provides a practical solution.
Further reinforcing its design elegance are the thinner profile (7.8mm) and lightweight construction (196g). These dimensions make the phone comfortable to handle despite its spacious 6.67-inch screen. The camera bump isn’t overly pronounced, ensuring a smooth, streamlined look.
The IP53 rating for water and dust resistance is a welcome addition, providing a bit of peace of mind against the elements. While the Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back offers reliable protection, the silver ring surrounding the punch-hole camera serves as a visual distraction and feels like an unnecessary design element.
Powerhouse Performance: Snapdragon 870 and 120Hz AMOLED Display
The Mi 11X is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC, a chip that has already impressed us in devices like the OnePlus 9R and Vivo X60 Pro. This processor, paired with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, promises lightning-fast performance for demanding tasks and seamless multitasking.
While a base model with 6GB RAM is available, the 8GB RAM variant offers better value for money. However, the lack of expandable storage is a drawback, especially given the limited storage options (only 128GB).
The 6.67-inch AMOLED display is a key selling point. Featuring a full-HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, it delivers a vibrant, smooth, and responsive visual experience. Xiaomi claims an impressive 1300 nits peak brightness and a 100 percent DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage, promising exceptional colour accuracy and clarity. Furthermore, the HDR10+ support enriches the viewing experience, especially for HDR content.
Cameras: Balancing Performance with Affordability
Unlike its siblings boasting high-megapixel sensors, the Mi 11X takes a more practical approach to its camera setup. It features a 48-megapixel f/1.79 main camera coupled with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 5-megapixel telemacro camera. The latter, offering 2X zoom, is reminiscent of the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. While these specifications may seem basic, it is crucial to wait for the full review to assess the image and video quality. The phone boasts three microphones to ensure clear audio recording, which is a helpful feature for video enthusiasts.
Battery and Charging: Staying Powered
The Mi 11X comes equipped with a 4,520mAh battery, a standard capacity for this segment. The phone supports 33W fast charging, allowing for a full charge in under an hour, as claimed by Xiaomi. We’ll be putting these claims to the test during our thorough review, evaluating both battery endurance and charging speed.
Software: MIUI 12 with the Promise of Cleanliness
The Mi 11X ships with MIUI 12. While the current version does include advertising and promotional content, Xiaomi has promised a cleaner experience with MIUI 12.5. However, there’s still no confirmed release date for this update.
Xiaomi Mi 11X: The Verdict (So Far)
The Mi 11X emerges as a compelling contender in the budget flagship market. While not boasting the most impressive camera specifications or the largest storage capacity, its powerful Snapdragon 870 SoC, impressive display, and impressive design make it a strong contender against rivals like the OnePlus Nord and Realme X7 Pro 5G. Its affordability is further enhanced by the included charger, which is a welcome addition. Its commitment to a clean software experience with the upcoming MIUI 12.5 update is a positive direction.
The full review will provide a more in-depth analysis of the Mi 11X’s capabilities across various categories like performance, gaming, photography, battery life, software, and overall user experience. Until then, the Mi 11X remains a promising contender in the crowded budget flagship market, offering a powerful and refined experience at an attractive price point.
