Xiaomi Mi 11X review
The Xiaomi Mi 11X is a strong contender in the upper mid-range smartphone market in India. Priced starting at ₹29,999, this phone offers impressive performance, thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, which is currently the second most powerful processor in the Snapdragon lineup. The phone comes with two variants: one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and another with 8GB of RAM and the same amount of space. Xiaomi's use of UFS 3.1 storage and LP DDR5 ram ensures smooth performance for average everyday tasks as well as immersive gaming sessions. The Mi 11X handled major titles such as COD Mobile and Asphalt 9 Legends with ease, and audio output was a pleasant surprise even at high volumes. The phone's score on Antutu 9 was marginally higher than the OnePlus 9R, indicating its capabilities. While the design is subtle, it has eye-catching elements that make it compelling, with a glossy finish at the back adding to the premium look. However, this also invites smudges. The phone is dust and water-resistant up to IP53 standards and features Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on both front and rear. The camera module on the rear is noticeable but not especially attention-grabbing. The primary camera takes good photos in daylight, while portrait mode performs well too. However, photo quality lacks dynamism and vibrance, and nighttime images can be murky with noise. Overall, the Mi 11X is a feature-rich phone that offers impressive performance, a great screen, decent cameras, and several premium touches. While it may not be an all-rounder, it's a strong contender in its price segment, making it a good choice for those who prioritize performance above other features.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Mi 11X boasts a very subtle design that manages to be both understated and eye-catching at the same time. The glossy finish at the back adds a touch of premium-ness, but also invites smudges - a common conundrum with such finishes. Despite its relatively modest appearance, the phone's build quality is impressive. It's dust and water-resistant up to the IP53 standard, which should provide some peace of mind for users who may be prone to accidents. The front and rear are reinforced with Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering an added layer of protection against scratches. The camera module on the rear is noticeable, but not particularly attention-grabbing - a deliberate design choice that avoids drawing too much focus away from the phone's other features. At 7.8 millimeters and 196 grams, the Mi 11X is fairly tall and wide, but its manageable thickness and weight make it easy to hold and carry around. However, one minor inconvenience is the USB Type-C port's limited data transfer speed - it only works at USB 2 speeds. The power button on the right doubles as a fingerprint sensor, which can be convenient for users who prefer this method of authentication. However, there were times when I accidentally unlocked the phone just by holding it naturally - a minor quibble that may not affect everyone's experience. Overall, while the Mi 11X's design is not particularly groundbreaking or attention-grabbing, it does its job admirably. The focus on performance and features means that the phone's looks are not compromised, making it a solid all-around package for users who value substance over style.
Battery Life
One aspect where the Xiaomi Mi 11X falls short is its battery life. While it's not bad by any means, it's nothing to write home about either. The phone ships with a 4820mAh battery, which should be more than enough for a day's use. However, our experience suggests that you might need to top it up around mid-day. Our HD video loop test ran for an impressive 17 hours and 16 minutes, but this is not reflective of real-world usage patterns. In normal conditions, with moderate usage, the phone will easily last through the day, but heavy users or those who enjoy gaming on the go might find themselves needing to recharge around lunchtime. The fast charger that comes in the box does its job well, taking the battery from 0 to 100 in a respectable 56 minutes. However, this doesn't change the fact that the Mi 11X's battery life is merely average. It won't keep you going through an entire day of heavy usage, but it will get you through your daily commute and some light use. Considering the phone's other strengths, such as its top-tier processor, great screen, and decent cameras, one might forgive a subpar battery life. However, for those who value battery life above all else, there are better options available in this price range.
Display
In the midst of India's competitive smartphone market, Xiaomi's Mi 11X stands out as a strong contender. One of its most impressive features is the display, which boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and support for HDR10+. This screen is capable of producing vivid colors and an impressive peak brightness rating of 1300 nits. Under bright sunlight, text and video content are easily readable, making it perfect for everyday use. The display's color reproduction is also noteworthy, accurately capturing the nuances of the on-screen visuals. Xiaomi's MEMC motion smoothing technology further enhances the viewing experience by making low-frame-rate content look smoother. The AMOLED panel's high refresh rate ensures seamless scrolling and animations, making it ideal for gaming and media consumption. Even in demanding situations like playing major titles such as COD Mobile or Asphalt 9 Legends, the display holds up well without any noticeable lag. One minor quibble with the display is that it can get warm during prolonged gaming sessions, but this is a minor trade-off considering its overall performance. Overall, the Mi 11X's display is a significant strength of the phone and provides an immersive viewing experience for both entertainment and everyday use.
Camera
The camera system on the Xiaomi Mi 11X is an interesting mix of capabilities and limitations. The phone features three rear cameras: a 48-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 5-megapixel telephoto macro camera with 2x zoom. Additionally, there's a 20-megapixel front camera. While the primary camera is capable of producing good-quality images, especially in well-lit conditions, it falls short in terms of dynamism and vibrance. The lack of detail in certain areas, particularly when subjects are not well-lit, is noticeable. Textures can appear weak if magnified on a big screen. Portrait mode works reasonably well, but the ultra-wide-angle camera struggles with distortion at its edges. Nighttime photography is also an area where the Mi 11X's cameras struggle. Photos taken in low-light conditions often exhibit significant noise and lack definition. The night mode does improve exposure balance, but it doesn't necessarily enhance detail quality. The ultra-wide-angle camera performs similarly poorly in low light, with weak exposures and detail. The front camera is another story; beautification is enabled by default, which affects skin texture quality. However, when magnified, these textures appear less than ideal. Portrait mode on the front camera produces satisfactory results, though. Video recording on the Mi 11X reaches up to 4K at 30fps. Quality is acceptable in daytime conditions and decent at 1080p. However, there's noticeable juddering while walking at night, which might be a drawback for some users. In summary, the camera system on the Xiaomi Mi 11X offers a mixed bag of results. While it excels in certain areas, such as having multiple camera modes and quality front-facing shots, it falls short in others, particularly nighttime photography and ultra-wide-angle performance. The camera setup is capable but not standout, especially considering the phone's overall features and pricing.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Mi 11X is one of the most affordable smartphones in the Mi 11 series, starting at ₹29,999 in India. Given its price tag, it's essential to evaluate whether this phone offers sufficient value for its money. One of the significant advantages of the Mi 11X is its performance. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, this phone can handle everyday tasks with ease and deliver immersive gaming experiences. The device comes with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which should be sufficient for most users. Additionally, the UFS 3.1 storage and LPDDR5 RAM ensure seamless performance. The camera setup on the Mi 11X is another notable aspect. Although it lacks in terms of dynamism and vibrance, the primary camera produces good-quality images with excellent detail when subjects are well-lit. The ultra-wide-angle camera and tele-macro camera also perform reasonably well, albeit with some limitations. In terms of value for money, the Mi 11X is a solid contender. Considering its price point, it offers a feature-rich experience with a top-tier processor, great screen, decent cameras, and premium touches like IP53 dust and water resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on both front and back, and fast charging. While the battery life may not be spectacular, lasting around 17 hours in our HD video loop test, it's still good enough to get through a day without worrying about running out of juice. The phone's stereo speakers also make it great for entertainment purposes. Ultimately, if your needs align with what the Mi 11X offers, this smartphone is an excellent value proposition at its starting price of ₹29,999. It may not be an all-rounder, but it excels in several areas, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a feature-rich device within budget constraints.
Performance
The Xiaomi Mi 11X is a powerhouse in the upper mid-range smartphone market, boasting an impressive performance that makes it a strong contender among its peers. The device's most notable feature is its Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, which is currently the second most powerful processor in the Snapdragon lineup. The Mi 11X comes in two variants: one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and another with 8GB of RAM and the same amount of space. Xiaomi's use of UFS 3.1 storage and LP DDR5 RAM ensures seamless performance, making it capable of handling everyday tasks with ease, as well as delivering immersive gaming sessions. The phone's ability to handle major titles such as Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9 Legends is impressive, with the upper back of the device only getting warm after about 10 minutes of play. The audio output is also a pleasant surprise, producing clear and crisp sound even at high volumes. In benchmarking tests, the Mi 11X scored an impressive 673,855 on AnTuTu 9, marginally higher than what the OnePlus 9R managed. This demonstrates the phone's capability to handle demanding tasks with ease. Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 11X's performance is one of its standout features, making it a great option for those looking for a powerful smartphone without breaking the bank. Its processor, combined with its generous RAM and storage options, ensure that users can enjoy seamless performance, making it a great choice for everyday use and gaming.
Pros
1. The Xiaomi Mi 11X offers great performance with its Snapdragon 870 processor, capable of handling everyday tasks and delivering immersive gaming sessions.
2. The phone has a pleasant audio output even at high volumes, with an improvement in clarity that is immediately audible.
3. The device comes with MIUI 12 based on Android 11, offering a pretty much the same experience as other recent Xiaomi phones, including customizations and little premium touches.
4. The Mi 11X features a great 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz maximum refresh rate, support for HDR 10+, and a 1300-nit peak brightness rating.
Cons
1. The camera quality isn't the main priority that went into developing this phone, with daytime images lacking in terms of dynamism and vibrance.
2. The device ships with MIUI 12 based on Android 11, but promotional notifications are still an issue, and customizations may not be enough to impress.
3. The camera app has a noticeable distortion at the edges of the frame when using the ultra-wide-angle camera.
4. While the phone's battery life is good, it's not spectacular, with an HD video loop test running for 17 hours 16 minutes, which might not be enough for some users.