Xiaomi 11T review
The Xiaomi 11T is a mid-ranger that packs high-level specs at an affordable price point. While sharing the same design as its Pro sibling, the vanilla model has some notable differences, including a lower-end chipset and slower charging speed. However, this may actually make it the better value proposition. One of the standout features of the 11T is its 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth performance and excellent color accuracy. The phone's design is sleek and well-crafted, featuring a two-step camera bump and a curved glass back panel that reflects light. The 108MP main camera delivers excellent results, with rich detail and natural colors. The ultra-wide camera also performs well, producing sharp and detailed shots. However, the lack of HDR means that more challenging scenes may become blown out. Battery life is decent, with an endurance score of 98 hours in our tests. Charging speed is somewhat slower than its Pro sibling, reaching 86% charge in half an hour using the included 67W adapter. Overall, the Xiaomi 11T offers great value for a mid-ranger, competing with more expensive devices. Its powerful chipset, competitive cameras, and fast charging make it a compelling option, despite some minor compromises on features compared to its Pro sibling.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi 11T's design is sleek and premium, featuring a two-step camera bump and a curved glass back panel that shimmers in the light. The aluminum frame is curved and sports a matte finish, giving it a high-end feel. One notable aspect of this mid-ranger is its protection against water and dust, earning it an IP53 rating - a feature often reserved for higher-tier devices. The build quality is equally impressive, with a solid weight to the phone that suggests a robust construction. The curved glass back panel provides a comfortable grip in the hand, while the matte finish on the aluminum frame helps prevent fingerprints and smudges. In terms of design similarities, the Xiaomi 11T bears an uncanny resemblance to its Pro counterpart - so much so that it's difficult to tell them apart at first glance. This is likely intentional, as both phones share many of the same features and specifications. The display on the Xiaomi 11T is a standout feature, with a high refresh rate and AMOLED panel providing excellent color accuracy and deep blacks. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, giving it added durability against scratches and drops. One notable omission from the design is the lack of a traditional headphone jack - a feature that's becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. However, this is somewhat mitigated by the phone's stereo speaker setup, which produces good loudness and balanced audio output. Biometric authentication comes in the form of a side-mounted fingerprint reader that doubles as the power button, providing fast and reliable unlocking capabilities. The interface itself is based on MIUI 12.5, with a familiar layout and features that are easy to navigate.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Xiaomi 11T is a notable aspect that warrants attention. With a 5,000 milliamp hour capacity, this phone is designed to last long. In our testing, we found that the Xiaomi 11T managed an endurance score of 98 hours in our proprietary tests, which is an impressive feat. While it's not night and day compared to other flagships on the market, the battery life of the Xiaomi 11T is still respectable. You can expect a full day's use with heavy usage, including gaming, video streaming, and social media browsing. One of the standout features of this phone is its charging speed. The Xiaomi 11T supports 67W fast charging, which is incredibly quick. It's able to charge from zero to 86 percent in just half an hour, making it perfect for those who need a top-up on-the-go. While the battery life may not be the longest-lasting we've seen, it's still a solid performer that should keep up with most users' needs. The fast charging feature is a definite plus, and it's great to see Xiaomi including this in their mid-range device. Overall, the battery life of the Xiaomi 11T is a highlight of this phone, making it an excellent option for those who want a reliable and long-lasting device without breaking the bank.
Display
The Xiaomi 11T boasts an impressive display that surpasses expectations for a mid-ranger. The 6.67-inch AMOLED panel features a fast 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus protection, making it extra responsive to swipes and scrolls. The high refresh rate remains active even when the screen is not being touched, although it does adapt to certain apps like YouTube. The display itself is quite premium, with deep blacks, support for 10-bit color, and accurate colors that can be tweaked in settings. We were able to achieve a brightness of 500 nits with the slider, which boosts up to 800 nits in auto mode in bright sunlight. The display also supports HDR10+. One notable omission is Dolby Vision, which is available on the Pro model. However, the lack of it does not detract from the overall viewing experience, especially considering the price point. The AMOLED display is a highlight of the Xiaomi 11T, making it a compelling option for those seeking a high-quality mid-range device. In terms of performance, the display is smooth and responsive, with good loudness and balanced audio output from the stereo speakers. While some may miss the traditional headphone jack, the display's capabilities more than make up for this absence. The Xiaomi 11T's display is a significant improvement over its predecessors, offering a viewing experience that rivals more expensive devices. With its AMOLED panel, HDR10+ support, and impressive brightness levels, it's clear that Xiaomi has focused on delivering a high-quality visual experience in the 11T.
Camera
The Xiaomi 11T boasts an impressive camera setup, rivaling that of more expensive flagships. The device features three cameras on the back, including a 108-megapixel primary sensor, an eight-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a five-megapixel tele-macro camera. The primary camera takes excellent 12-megapixel shots with rich detail and natural colors. The level of sharpening is subtle, avoiding the excessive processing seen in some other Xiaomi devices. Portraits are also well-executed, with good subject separation and pleasant color tones. However, the lack of HDR support means that challenging scenes can become overexposed. The ultra-wide-angle camera delivers impressive results, capturing 8-megapixel photos with sharp detail and excellent dynamic range. Noise is kept under control, and colors are a bit cooler than those from the primary sensor. The macro camera produces good-quality close-ups, thanks to autofocus assistance. The photos have good detail and pleasant colors, making it a useful feature for capturing small objects or details. Low-light performance is impressive, with the main camera automatically applying night mode processing in such conditions. This results in well-exposed shots with balanced color saturation, developed shadows, and preserved highlights. However, there is some noticeable softness in darker areas, which can be mitigated by toggling on dedicated night mode for even heavier processing. One notable omission from the camera app is a traditional HDR setting, which might limit its versatility. Nevertheless, the Xiaomi 11T's cameras are an excellent value proposition, especially considering the device's price point. While not perfect, the camera setup delivers impressive results, making it a compelling option for those seeking high-quality photography without breaking the bank. Overall, the Xiaomi 11T's camera is a highlight of the device, and its performance is a testament to the company's growing expertise in this area.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi 11T is a mid-ranger that's packed with high-end features, making it an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly flagship. One of the standout aspects of this phone is its price-to-value ratio. At first glance, the 11T seems to be positioned between the standard and Pro versions of Xiaomi phones. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that this model offers an impressive set of specs at a lower price point than its Pro counterpart. Starting with the chipset, the 11T boasts a high-end Mediatek Dimensity 1200, which provides smooth performance for daily tasks and gaming. This is comparable to phones running Qualcomm Snapdragon 700 series chips, but not quite on par with the flagship-grade processors found in the 11T Pro. The camera setup is also noteworthy, featuring a 108MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP tele-macro camera. Image quality is excellent, with detailed shots and good dynamic range. The only drawback is the lack of HDR, which can lead to blown-out highlights in challenging scenes. Battery life is another area where the 11T shines, lasting up to 98 hours in our tests. While charging speed isn't as fast as the Pro model (67W vs 120W), it's still a significant improvement over previous Xiaomi phones. The question remains: is this phone worth your money? Considering its price point, the answer is a resounding yes. The 11T offers a compelling combination of features and performance that makes it an excellent value proposition for those looking to upgrade their mid-range phone. While it may not match the Pro model's specs or charging speed, it's still a solid choice for anyone seeking a reliable and feature-packed device without breaking the bank.
Performance
The Xiaomi 11T is a mid-ranger that packs some impressive specs, making it a formidable competitor in its class. One of the key areas where this phone shines is performance. Under the hood, you'll find a high-end Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset, built on a 6-nanometer process. This processor provides upper-mid-range level performance and 5G connectivity, making it a significant upgrade over previous Xiaomi offerings. In our tests, the phone handled everyday tasks with ease, and even demanding games ran smoothly without any issues. In terms of raw power, the Dimensity 1200 holds its own against Qualcomm Snapdragon 700 series chips, but falls short of the flagship-grade performance you'd get from a Snapdragon 800 series processor – which is what you'll find in the more expensive Xiaomi 11T Pro. Still, this doesn't mean the 11T can't handle daily tasks or gaming. The phone's performance was consistently smooth and reliable throughout our testing period, making it perfect for those who want a hassle-free experience without breaking the bank. The Dimensity 1200 also supports 5G connectivity, which is a welcome addition to this segment. While not the most powerful processor out there, the Mediatek Dimensity 1200 delivers impressive performance in its class, making the Xiaomi 11T a strong contender for those looking for a value-packed mid-ranger.