Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE review
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is an upgraded version of the original Mi 11 Lite 5G, with a new chipset and design. The phone's external design remains largely unchanged, with a super-thin and light build, IP53 dust and water protection, and a frosted glass back in three new colors: Bubblegum Blue, Peach Pink, and Snowflake White. The screen is also identical to the original, featuring a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with 10-bit color support, full HD resolution, and a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone still lacks a headphone jack, but Xiaomi has included an audio jack dongle as compensation. One notable improvement is the battery life, which saw a 10-20% increase in our tests, thanks to the new chipset. Charging is also faster, with support for 33W fast charging and a charge from zero to 58% in half an hour. The camera hardware remains unchanged, but Xiaomi has ensured consistency between the old and new editions, delivering excellent photo and video quality. The phone's performance is similar to the original, with some minor drawbacks in graphically intensive tasks due to the updated chipset. Overall, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE offers a solid package of design, screen, battery life, and camera performance, making it a great all-rounder that can compete with other phones in its class.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE boasts an incredibly thin and light design, making it effortlessly easy to handle. The external build quality remains unchanged from its predecessor, with the same frosted glass back that now comes in a fresh set of colors, including Bubblegum Blue, Peach Pink, and Snowflake White. The addition of these new hues adds some much-needed variety to what was previously a rather conservative color palette. The phone's sleek silhouette is punctuated by a camera island that, while protruding slightly, has become an unmistakable design element across Xiaomi's lineup. Fortunately, the inclusion of a case helps to mitigate this visual distraction. One aspect where the 11 Lite 5G NE truly shines is its display. The 6.5-inch AMOLED panel boasts 10-bit color support for over 1 billion colors, a Full HD resolution, and a 90Hz refresh rate that automatically adapts to minimize power consumption. HDR10+ certification and Widevine L1 DRM support also ensure seamless streaming of high-quality content from Netflix and Amazon. The screen's brightness reaches an impressive 846 nits, with good color accuracy despite some minor imperfections. The absence of a headphone jack is somewhat mitigated by the inclusion of an audio adapter, while the phone's stereo speaker setup delivers balanced loudness and clear mid-tones, if slightly lacking in high tones and bass. Xiaomi has done well to maintain its attention to detail throughout this phone's design. Even though some may find the camera island's protrusion jarring, it is undeniably a bold statement piece that reflects Xiaomi's commitment to distinct design language.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE boasts an impressive battery life that has seen significant improvements over its predecessor. With the same 4,250mAh capacity, the new edition phone has consistently outperformed its sibling in our battery tests, resulting in 10-20% longer run times during screen-on usage. This newfound endurance is undoubtedly a welcome upgrade, making the device more suitable for heavy users who require a reliable and long-lasting smartphone. The improved battery life is also attributed to the new chipset, which has altered the power draw dynamics, thus contributing to the overall efficiency of the phone. One notable aspect of the 11 Lite 5G NE's battery performance is its ability to maintain a consistent output even during extended usage sessions. Our tests revealed that the device could easily last through an entire day with moderate use, and with careful management, it's possible to stretch it up to two days in some cases. Furthermore, the phone's fast charging capabilities have also seen improvements, with the 33W charger able to replenish the battery from zero to 58% in just half an hour. A full charge takes a little over an hour, which is relatively quick considering the size of the device. In conclusion, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE's enhanced battery life makes it a more attractive option for users seeking a reliable and long-lasting smartphone experience.
Display
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE boasts an excellent display that remains unchanged from its predecessor. The 6.55-inch AMOLED screen offers 10-bit color support for over 1 billion colors, a Full HD resolution, and a 90Hz refresh rate. This results in vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling. One of the standout features of this display is its high refresh rate, which is adaptive and automatically reverts to 60Hz when not in use. The panel has HDR10+ certification and Widevine L1 DRM support, making it compatible with streaming services like Netflix and Amazon that offer 1080p HDR10 content. The screen's maximum brightness reached an impressive 846 nits, ensuring visibility even in bright environments. Color accuracy was also impressive, although not perfect. The display is well-suited for multimedia consumption, gaming, and general use. One notable omission from the phone's feature list is a headphone jack. However, Xiaomi has included an audio jack dongle to make up for this drawback. The stereo speaker setup is decent, with balanced loudness levels and good mid-tone and vocal clarity. However, high tones and bass could be more present. The display's performance was consistent throughout our testing, delivering excellent results in both bright and dim conditions. Overall, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE's display is a highlight of this device, offering a visually appealing experience that complements its other features nicely.
Camera
The camera department is an essential aspect of any smartphone, and the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE does not disappoint in this regard. The phone features a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 5-megapixel macro shooter with autofocus on the front. These sensors work together to deliver impressive images and videos. One of the standout features of the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE's camera is its consistency across various lighting conditions. In our testing, we found that the phone handles daylight scenes, low-light scenes, and night mode with ease, producing well-balanced and detailed images each time. The level of detail and vibrancy in the shots are impressive, making it a great option for those who love taking photos. The ultra-wide lens is also a welcome addition, allowing users to capture expansive views and wide-angle shots that would be difficult to achieve with a standard camera. Additionally, the macro mode is useful for capturing minute details and textures, adding depth and interest to images. One aspect of the camera experience where consistency is crucial is post-processing, particularly in terms of color accuracy and tone mapping. In this regard, Xiaomi has done an excellent job, as the 11 Lite 5G NE delivers results that are comparable to the original Mi 11 Lite 5G's camera performance. This means users can expect vibrant colors, natural skin tones, and well-balanced exposure in their photos. For those who value mobile photography and videography, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is a solid choice. While the phone may not have any groundbreaking features in this department, its consistent performance across various conditions makes it an appealing option for anyone seeking reliable results from their camera.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is the latest iteration of Xiaomi's popular mid-range smartphone series, and it brings several improvements over its predecessor. One of the most notable changes is the use of a new chipset, the Snapdragon 778G, which provides a noticeable boost in battery life. In our testing, the 11 Lite 5G NE delivered up to 20% longer run times compared to the previous model, making it an excellent option for those who want a phone that can last all day. Additionally, the new chipset also enables faster charging speeds, with a charge from zero to 58% in just half an hour. The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is priced competitively at around $400-$500, depending on the region and retailer. Considering its improved battery life, updated chipset, and similar camera performance to the previous model, it offers excellent value for money. In terms of pricing, the 11 Lite 5G NE is positioned as a mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight in terms of features and performance. While some may argue that it's slightly more expensive than other options in this segment, we believe that its improved battery life and updated chipset make up for the slight price premium. Overall, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is an excellent all-rounder that offers a great balance of performance, features, and value. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and want a reliable device with impressive battery life, the 11 Lite 5G NE should definitely be on your shortlist. Around $400-$500 (depending on region and retailer) Excellent, considering its improved battery life, updated chipset, and similar camera performance to the previous model
Performance
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is the latest iteration of the popular smartphone series, boasting impressive upgrades in various departments. While its design and camera capabilities remain largely unchanged, the performance aspect has undergone significant revisions. Powering this device is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset, paired with either 6 or 8GB of RAM. In contrast to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 785G, the new processor offers a notable boost in graphical intensity tasks. This translates to smoother gameplay and more efficient resource management for demanding apps. However, it's essential to note that this upgrade doesn't necessarily translate to significant performance gains in everyday usage. While day-to-day operations remain snappy and responsive, the phone may not be as nimble when tackling graphically intensive games or complex tasks that require a lot of GPU power. In terms of battery life, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE outshines its predecessor, boasting up to 20% longer run times in our screen-on tests. This improvement is particularly notable, considering the increased performance demands of the new chipset. Another area where the phone excels is charging speed. With support for 33W fast charging, users can quickly top up their battery from 0-58% in just half an hour, and a full charge will take around an hour. While the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE may not revolutionize performance compared to its predecessor, it still offers remarkable value for its price. The upgrade to the Snapdragon 778G chipset, combined with improved battery life, makes this device a compelling option for those seeking a reliable and feature-packed smartphone experience.