Hello everyone!
I recently got my hands on the Xiaomi 11T smartphone, and I have to say, it's been quite the adventure. This phone has some amazing features, but it also has some major flaws that I'm still trying to wrap my head around, even five months later.
I've been a Samsung fan for years, but with the recent surge in tech prices, I had to rethink my plans. To make matters worse, I accidentally dropped my trusty Samsung in the toilet, so I needed a new phone ASAP.
My budget was capped at 40,000 rubles, so I had to choose between the Xiaomi 11T, Samsung A52, and Honor 50. The Samsungs were nowhere to be found at the time, and the Honor was a total dud, so I went with the Xiaomi 11T.
Xiaomi 11T smartphonexa0
✔️ PRICE AND PURCHASE LOCATION:
I bought my Xiaomi 11T at Mvideo, where they also applied a heat-resistant film to it.
Price - 35,999 rubles for the 8/128 GB variant (they're already cheaper now, I bought in March)
Xiaomi 11T smartphonexa0
✔️ PACKAGE CONTENTS:
The Xiaomi 11T came in a standard white cardboard box with a minimalist design.
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone Inside the box, I found the phone itself, a silicone case, a cable, a charger, an instruction manual, and a SIM card ejector.
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone The case turned out to be of good quality and was suitable for the first time, although I immediately bought a more shock-resistant variant.
Silicone case includedThe 67W charger in the package is a bit bulky, but it charges the phone incredibly quickly.
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone Xiaomi 11T Smartphone
✔️ EXTERNAL APPEARANCE AND SIZE:
At first, I wasn't too thrilled with the phone's appearance, the camera seemed bulky and awkward, but over time, I got used to it. Plus, the phone is usually in a case, so its external appearance isn't that important.
I have to warn you upfront, this smartphone is massive and pretty heavy, which is why people call it a 'shovel' But I'm okay with that, I love the weight of the phone in my hand and I really value having a large screen.
Weight - 203 g
Height - 164.1 mm
Width - 76.9 mm
Thickness - 8.8 mm
The back is made of glass, but it looks suspiciously like a dense plastic. I've got the blue version and it looks amazing under different lighting conditions.
It feels great in the hand, nice and heavy, and it gives me a sense of something solid.
Xiaomi 11TIt looks a bit bulky in a woman's hand, but that's not a problem for me.
Xiaomi 11TThe metal sides do give me some concern that they might wear off over time, but after five months of use, they're still looking good.
Xiaomi 11TThe camera module is located on the top left of the back and sticks out a bit, but you can adjust it slightly with a case.
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone
✔️ Technical Specifications:
Xiaomi 11T comes in two variants: 8/128 GB and 8/256 GB. There's no difference in hardware between them, except for the main memory capacity. I went for the 8/128 GB option because it's cheaper and I knew I wouldn't need more storage.
No microSD card slot or headphone jack.
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone
You can insert two SIM cards, and the slot is located at the bottom.
It supports 5G networks.
It comes with a USB Type-C charger.
There's an infrared port that you can set up and use the phone as a remote control.
The chip is a MediaTek Dimensity 1200, which is a great alternative to the overheating Snapdragon chips. The Pro version has a Snapdragon 888, which gets pretty hot, so I didn't consider it.
It runs on Android 11 with the MIUI 13 interface.
It has stereo sound, but it's not fully immersive.
There's a fingerprint scanner, but it's located on the side button.
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone
✔️ Battery Life and Charging:
The battery is a non-removable lithium-polymer one with a capacity of 5000 mAh.
I was a bit disappointed with the battery life, considering its compact size. In normal use, it lasts a day, but if you're gaming or recording video, you'll need to recharge it by evening, or even earlier.
No wireless charging available.
However, the adapter's 67W charging speed is a game-changer! It takes around 40 minutes to fully charge the phone from 0 to 100%. That's incredibly convenient and perfect for a quick morning top-up before work.
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone
✔️ Display:
The display on the Xiaomi 11T is absolutely top-notch!I've never experienced eye strain with this screen, and it's a first for me! The color accuracy and contrast are excellent, and you can even customize it to your liking.
AMOLED display, 6.67 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels
You have two screen refresh rate options: 60Hz and 120Hz. However, the 120Hz setting tends to drain the battery faster, so I don't use it, and it's not supported in all apps, anyway.
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone What's the cherry on top, though? It's got to be the blue light filtering feature. It might shorten the display's lifespan, but it's a lifesaver for my peepers. I've been using it non-stop, and I'm hooked! If you're one of those people who can't handle the screen flicker on OLED screens, the Xiaomi 11T is the phone for you
✔️ Performance and MIUI 13:
Speed-wise, this phone is a beast! It's powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset, which is a real powerhouse. I know some people might have preconceived notions about MediaTek, but this one's a gem. It doesn't overheat, and it handles demanding tasks with ease. Plus, it's got some serious headroom for future-proofing. What more could you ask for?
In AnTuTu, it didn't exactly set the world on fire, but trust me, you won't notice the difference in real-life usage! The phone handles video editing and demanding games like a pro.
Xiaomi 11T Review So, what's holding the Xiaomi 11T back from reaching its full potential? It's got to be the MIUI 13 skin! Don't get me wrong, it's a huge improvement over the previous version, but it's still a bit of a resource hog. I think the phone would fly if it were running on pure Android.
Xiaomi 11T Honestly, the UI is pretty cool, but it's heavy and glitchy - Xiaomi's gone overboard with the design. The new notification shade is a nice touch, though, and it's way more intuitive than iOS.xa0
✔️ CAMERA:
This was my main hope and disappointment!
Xiaomi 11TBefore I bought it, I checked out some reviews on the 11T's camera, expecting it to be on par with the Samsung S20, but unfortunately, the reality was a letdown. With a primary sensor of 108 megapixels, the camera takes pretty mediocre shots.
The main issue isn't even the quality or detail, it's the algorithms that make the photos look unnatural. This is especially true for landscape shots, where there's a lot of detail. And even with perfect lighting, the algorithms can only do so much.
Photos taken with the primary camera on the Xiaomi 11T
Xiaomi 11T Main Camera Photos Xiaomi 11T Main Camera PhotosAt home, with good soft daylight, you can get some decent shots, but when you zoom in, it's still noticeable that the camera is filling in some of the details.
Xiaomi 11T Main Camera Photos
Xiaomi 11T Main Camera Photos Xiaomi 11T Main Camera Photosxa0
The 5MP macro lens and 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens are basically useless to me – I don't even bother using them. It feels like they were just added for show, but they don't really offer any extra functionality.
Macro Lens Photos
Widest-angle shot
The 16MP front-facing camera isn't the worst, but it does distort geometry! It's tough to find an angle where my eyes or nose don't get stretched out of proportion, and I end up looking like a completely different person. But, honestly, I don't have high expectations from a mid-range selfie camera. In daylight, I've managed to take some decent shots.
Front-facing camera shots on the Xiaomi 11T Front-facing camera shots on the Xiaomi 11T
I've used the front-facing camera in my previous reviews for the Xiaomi 11T, but those shots had some post-processing applied.
‘The Green Light’ by Matthew McConaugheyA whimsical Provence-style embroidery design, but with terrible material quality
✔️ VIDEO RECORDING:
I've gotta say, don't expect top-notch video quality from the Xiaomi 11T. Samsungs do a way better job, but if you're shooting static scenes with good lighting, the 11T can still deliver a decent picture. But that's about the best you can hope for, and it's not something you'll get all the time!
One thing that's worth mentioning is the phone's got a few different shooting modes, and some of them have image stabilization. But honestly, it's better without it. I found that without stabilization, the video comes out way smoother and more stable.
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As for the camera algorithms, I wasn't a fan. Especially when shooting outdoors. It feels like the phone is straining to process the image and it's constantly filling in gaps, which really affects the video quality.
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On the plus side, the microphone is seriously good – it picks up high-quality audio!
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✔️ MINUSES AND ISSUES:
I went into buying the Xiaomi 11T blind, and if I'd known what to expect, I might've thought twice. I've managed to get used to most of the issues, but some of the quirks are still driving me crazy!
The number one issue I've encountered is the proximity sensor glitches! I've been using the phone to talk without a headset, and it frequently loses track of my ear, even when the screen is on. This is super frustrating because when the screen is on, I end up tapping my cheek instead of the screen. Sometimes the call gets loud, the mic gets muted, or some weird noise starts playing. It's a total disaster, and the only solution is to use the headset!The second problem I've faced is the MIUI shell with all the unnecessary bloatware that can't be removed without rooting the phone. But if you try to delete these apps through root access, there's a chance you might increase system instability, which isn't exactly stable to begin with!When I'm on a call, the sound from the speaker is audible to everyone around me, even if I've turned down the volume to a minimum! The only solution is to use a headset, or else I won't be able to have a private conversation.The camera algorithms that constantly try to fill in the gaps, poor detail, and unnatural colors make some photos look like they were drawn by a child.The video stabilization is also pretty poor.The phone lacks water resistanceThere's no headphone jack or microSD card slot.
Xiaomi 11Txa0
✔️ PLUSSES:
I'm going to give this phone a bit of a reprieve, or it might seem weird that despite all these cons, I still use it.
I've got to say, the display on the Xiaomi 11T is top-notch and my eyes don't get tired of it. It's got a feature to suppress screen flicker, which is a game-changer for me since my eyes get really fatigued from shimmering OLED displays. The screen is on par with the iPhone, and I haven't found anything better yet!The battery life, performance, and speed are all on point.This phone hardly ever gets hot, only getting warm when I'm recording video.The stereo sound is great, making it perfect for watching videos, and even my picky music ears don't complain. However, the sound is only really good when Dolby Atmos is enabled (which is the default setting)The large size of the phone is a plus for me - it's great for reading, watching videos, and even drawing.The fast charging is impressive, going from 20% to 100% in around 30 minutes.The battery life is pretty decent.The microphone with noise cancellation is top-notch.The gesture control and double tap to wake features are super convenient.xa0
✔️ THE VERDICT:
I'd recommend the Xiaomi 11T, but it's not for everyone!
If you don't mind the issues with the proximity sensor and don't need an amazing camera, the 11T might be up your alley. It's fast, doesn't get hot, and has great battery life. You can even use it to record videos and play demanding games. It's a great value for the price.
The screen quality on this phone is simply amazing, with the option to set it to 120Hz and suppress screen flicker. My eyes don't get tired of it, and the colors and contrast are spot on.
Xiaomi 11T SmartphoneI've got to say, the Xiaomi 11T is a bit of a wild card, but if you're willing to put up with its quirks, it's a decent option. I recently upgraded from the Honor 50, and I was so disappointed that I returned it within days. If you had to choose between these two phones, the 11T is a clear winner in my book!
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I hope my review has been helpful.
Until next time!
Xiaomi 11T Smartphone