Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite review
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite is a more affordable version of its 5G counterpart, sans the high-speed connectivity. Despite the price cut, this phone still packs an elegant glass design with a glossy finish and a 6.55-inch AMOLED display that's protected by Gorilla Glass 5. Performance-wise, the Mi 11 Lite runs on a mid-range Snapdragon 732G chipset, which, while sufficient for daily tasks, lags behind its 5G sibling's more powerful processor. However, this shouldn't be an issue unless you're a heavy gamer or require extreme performance. The camera setup is identical to the 5G version, featuring a quad-camera configuration with a 64MP primary sensor, 8MP ultra-wide angle lens, and 5MP tele-macro camera. Photos from the main camera are excellent, with good detail, color accuracy, and dynamic range. Low-light performance is also impressive, although the dedicated Night mode feature is not always activated. Battery life is where this phone truly shines, with a 4,250mAh power pack that provides up to 100 hours of endurance. Fast charging is also supported, courtesy of the bundled 33W charger. The Mi 11 Lite's design and display are reminiscent of its pricier counterpart, but without the added luxury of 5G connectivity. For those not requiring extreme performance or high-speed networking, this phone offers excellent value for money. However, in this price range, other Xiaomi offerings may provide more competitive specs, making it essential to compare before making a purchase decision.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite is a well-crafted smartphone that boasts an elegant glass design. The phone's back panel is made of glass, which gives it a premium feel. However, unlike its 5G variant, the regular Mi 11 Lite has a glossy finish instead of a matte one. This minor difference in texture doesn't detract from the overall aesthetic of the device. One notable aspect of the Mi 11 Lite's design is its weight. Weighing around 160 grams, the phone feels remarkably light for its size, making it easy to wield with one hand. The flat glass back panel adds to its streamlined look, giving the phone a sleek and modern appearance. On the front, the Mi 11 Lite features a stunning 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, and 240Hz touch sampling rate. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which provides adequate scratch resistance. While both the Mi 11 Lite and its 5G variant share similar display characteristics, there are some subtle differences worth noting. The regular Mi 11 Lite has HDR10 support, whereas the 5G model features HDR10+. Additionally, the 5G variant offers advanced color settings for tweaking display preferences. Despite these minor differences, both phones' displays are remarkably vibrant and contrasty. Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite's build quality and design are impressive, making it a solid contender in its price range. The phone's glass design, lightweight feel, and crisp display ensure that it looks and feels premium, even if it doesn't quite match up to its more powerful 5G sibling.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite's battery life is a story worth telling. With a 4250mAh power pack, this phone promises to deliver decent juice. And indeed it does. In our tests, the Mi 11 Lite managed a respectable endurance rating of 100 hours, which is great for its class. However, when compared to its sibling, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G, the regular Mi 11 Lite falls slightly short. The 5G version scored marginally better in our battery life tests, but only by a small margin. That being said, 100 hours of endurance is still nothing to sneeze at. This phone will easily get you through a day and a half of moderate use, with some juice left over for tomorrow. Fast charging is also available, with the bundled 33W charger ensuring that your battery is replenished quickly. In terms of battery life, the Mi 11 Lite holds its own against other phones in its class. While it may not be the longest-lasting phone out there, it's definitely got enough juice to get you through a busy day. Just don't expect it to last quite as long as some of its more powerful brethren. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite's battery life is solid, if not spectacular. It should satisfy most users' needs, but if you're looking for the absolute longest-lasting phone possible, there may be better options out there.
Display
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite boasts an impressive 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution and a fast 90Hz refresh rate. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which provides adequate protection against scratches and drops. One notable difference between the Mi 11 Lite and its 5G counterpart is the HDR support. While the Mi 11 Lite supports HDR10, the 5G model offers HDR10+. However, both displays are gorgeous and contrasty, with vibrant colors that pop on screen. In terms of brightness, the Mi 11 Lite measures up to around 480 nits with the slider and 830 nits in auto mode. While not quite as bright as some other smartphones on the market, this is still a respectable display for its class. The MIUI interface provides users with an advanced setting for custom tweaking, although it's worth noting that the Mi 11 Lite doesn't offer this feature. However, using the presets can still achieve good color accuracy. Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite's display is a highlight of the device. With its stunning AMOLED panel and fast refresh rate, users will enjoy a smooth and visually appealing experience while watching videos or browsing through their favorite apps.
Camera
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite's camera setup is a highlight of the device, with a quad-camera configuration that includes a 64-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 5-megapixel tele-macro camera. While it may not have the same level of power as its 5G variant, the Mi 11 Lite still manages to deliver impressive results. Photos taken with the main camera are excellent for this class, showcasing great detail, nice colors, balanced exposure, and low noise. The camera is particularly effective in bright conditions, where images are sharp, detailed, and natural-looking. Portraits look good too, with plenty of detail and nice colors. However, edge detection can be inconsistent around hair. The ultra-wide-angle lens produces decent photos for its class, with good contrast and a wide dynamic range. Close-up shots taken with the tele-macro camera are also pleasing, offering nice contrast and great-looking colors. However, autofocus can be finicky, requiring multiple attempts to get a sharp result. Low-light photography is another area where the Mi 11 Lite shines. While it doesn't have an auto-night mode that kicks in automatically, forcing it on does improve exposure subtly. When used, nighttime photos look very good for this class, with balanced exposure, true-to-life colors, and low noise. There's a decent amount of detail present, although not at flagship levels. The front-facing camera takes 16-megapixel selfies, which are great while not being the sharpest we've seen. They're some of the most well-balanced and natural-looking, with wide dynamic range. Overall, the Mi 11 Lite's camera setup is a major strength, capable of delivering excellent results in various conditions. While it may not match the performance of its 5G variant, the Mi 11 Lite's camera is still a significant selling point for those looking for an excellent mid-range device. If you're after great photo quality without breaking the bank, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite should definitely be on your radar.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite is a mid-range smartphone that offers an impressive set of features without breaking the bank. At its core, this phone is all about providing value for money. With a price tag that's significantly lower than its 5G variant, the regular Mi 11 Lite is an attractive option for those who don't need the added connectivity. One of the most significant advantages of the Mi 11 Lite is its price. At a fraction of the cost of the 5G version, this phone offers many of the same features without the hefty price tag. In fact, the regular Mi 11 Lite costs so much less that it's hard to justify paying extra for the added connectivity. In terms of value, the Mi 11 Lite delivers. The phone has a gorgeous AMOLED display, loud stereo speakers, and an excellent camera system with impressive low-light performance. It also features fast charging and great battery life, making it a solid choice for those who want a reliable smartphone without shelling out top dollar. While the Mi 11 Lite may not offer the same level of performance as its 5G counterpart, it's still a capable device that can handle everyday tasks with ease. For most users, this phone will be more than sufficient, and at its price point, it's an absolute steal. Ultimately, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite is a solid choice for those who want a budget-friendly smartphone without sacrificing too much in terms of features and performance. If you're not concerned about the added connectivity of the 5G version, this phone offers incredible value for money.
Performance
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite is an interesting device that offers many of the same features as its 5G-enabled counterpart, but at a lower price point. One of the key differences between the two phones is the performance, which is powered by a Snapdragon 732G chipset on the non-5G model. In terms of overall performance, the Mi 11 Lite holds its own against other mid-range devices. It sits in the middle of the charts for this year's popular mid-rangers, offering decent performance that should satisfy most users' needs. The thermals are also great, ensuring that the device stays cool even during prolonged use. However, it's worth noting that the Snapdragon 732G chipset is not as powerful as the one found in the Mi 11 Lite 5G, which features a more recent and powerful Snapdragon 780 chip. This difference in performance may be noticeable to heavy gamers, but for most users, it shouldn't make a significant impact. In terms of real-world use, I found that the Mi 11 Lite handled everyday tasks with ease, including browsing, social media, and streaming video. However, it did struggle slightly with more demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking. Overall, while the performance of the Mi 11 Lite is decent, it's not quite on par with some of its competitors in this price range. If you're looking for a device that can handle demanding tasks, you may want to consider other options. However, if you're simply looking for a reliable mid-range phone for everyday use, the Mi 11 Lite should still be considered. The performance of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite is decent, but not exceptional. While it's not the best option in this price range, it's still a solid choice for those who want a reliable mid-range phone for everyday use.
Pros
1. Elegant glass design with a glossy finish
2. 6.55-inch AMOLED display with 1080p resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, and 240Hz touch sampling rate
3. Great battery life with up to 100 hours of endurance rating
4. Fast charging speed with bundled 33W charger
5. Excellent photo quality from the main camera, especially in good lighting conditions
6. Support for HDR10 and IR blaster
7. Stereo speakers with good loudness scores and decent audio quality
8. MIUI 12 interface with straightforward UI and nfc support
Cons
1. No 5G connectivity, which may not be a concern in areas without 5G networks
2. Snapdragon 732G chipset, which is less powerful than the Snapdragon 780 in the Mi 11 Lite 5G version
3. Limited color settings and no advanced setting for custom tweaking on the display
4. No 3.5mm headphone jack, requiring use of a dongle or wireless connectivity
5. Lower performing thermals compared to other Xiaomi devices
6. Ultra-wide camera performance in low light conditions is subpar