Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy

As the most observant have probably noticed, there is something different about this one Xiaomi 11T review: we are talking about the first smartphone of the Chinese giant that abandons the classic "Mi" prefix that anticipated the numbering of the model, a choice adopted by the company to better distinguish its best performing smartphones from the more modest Redmi range and which shifts the emphasis on enhancement of the brand. In the motherland in reality it has always been like this, while for the European public it is a change that starts from Xiaomi 11T, even if it is certainly not the only reason for interest in this new device.



Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
Xiaomi 11T and its packaging

It is in fact a smartphone that condenses what has always been the philosophy of Xiaomi: attack the market with devices capable of rivaling high-end terminals but at a lower price, which in the case of Xiaomi 11T stands at 549,90 o 599,90 Euros (but the street price has already dropped) depending on the memory cut chosen. It must be said that, if compared with the Pro version that accompanied it at the launch, Xiaomi 11T actually does not have the ultra-fast 120W charging which in fact was the only innovation capable of really making a difference: however the substance remains for a product which, as we shall see, can prove to be an interesting prospect for a wide range of users.

Hardware features

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
The home of Xiaomi 11T

One of the main differences between the Xiaomi 11T present here and the Pro model lies in the type of processor: where the more expensive version mounts a Snapdragon 888, in this we find a MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Ultra. This is obviously a cheaper second choice, otherwise the Chinese company would not have made any distinctions, but that should not make Xiaomi 11T think of a lower-end product in terms of performance. In fact, we are talking about a SoC which, beyond a less bombastic name, is still an octa core with a 6-nanometer production process, therefore not exactly the latest arrival on the market. 8 GB of RAM complete the picture of a respectable hardware offer, and also on the front of the connectivity nothing is missing, with support for 5G networks, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and NFC chip for payments.



Xiaomi 11T data sheet

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy Amazon offer Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G - Smartphone 8 + 128GB, AMOLED display 6.67 '' at 120Hz, Snapdragon 888, 108M professional camera ...

€649,9

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  • dimensions: 164,1 x 76,9 x 8,8 mm
  • Weight: 203 grams
  • Display: AMOLED da 6,67" FHD+ con refresh rate a 120Hz
  • Soc: MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Ultra
  • RAM: 8 GB RAM LPDDR4X
  • Cameras:
    Main 108 MP, f / 1.75 aperture and optical stabilization
    8 MP wide angle with 120 degrees of field of view
    Macro 5 MP
  • Front camera: 16 MP
  • Wi-Fi connectivity: 802.11aX
  • Bluetooth: 5.2
  • Sensors: Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Electronic Compass, Linear Motor, IR Blaster, Barometer, Color Temperature Sensor
  • Color: Celestial Blue | Meteorite Gray | Moonlight White
  • Battery: 5000 mAh
  • Memory and price:
    8 GB RAM + 128 GB | 549,90€
    8 GB RAM + 256 GB | 599,90€

Design

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
The back of Xiaomi 11T with satin effect

Xiaomi 11T is many things, but it is certainly not a smartphone that steals the eye. The design it offers practically nothing new compared to what has been seen in many (too many) smartphones of the Chinese house, and important dimensions and weight, equal to 164,1 x 76,9 x 8,8 mm for 203 grams, make it rightfully part of the unenviable category of "frying pans". It is therefore not a comfortable phone to keep in your pocket or to use with one hand, but at least Xiaomi 11T continues in the tradition also and above all for the positive aspects that the company usually reserves for its devices.



I materials they are therefore undoubtedly well made, from the polycarbonate of the back cover to the metal of the frame up to the Gorilla Glass Victus that protects the screen, and the assembly is as usual well done. The front camera is inserted in the usual central punch hole, while the rear module has been divided into two portions to make it appear less protruding. The power button on the right side integrates the fingerprint sensor, while the SIM slot offers space for two Nano cards but not for memory expansion via microSD.

The stereo speakers are located on the two short sides of the device, while there is no audio jack for headphones, a feature now abandoned by most manufacturers. Also officially missing IP certification for protection against water and dust, even if the smartphone does not seem to have problems tolerating a few drops of rain.

Display

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
The Xiaomi 11T screen is of excellent quality

One of the strengths of Xiaomi 11T is certainly represented by the excellent AMOLED display from 6,67 inch, aspect ratio 20: 9 and resolution of 1080 x 2400. It is a panel that guarantees deep blacks and bright colors, bright enough to be easily readable in any situation (800 nit the peak value declared by Xiaomi) and that it leaves slightly to be desired only in terms of an anti-reflective treatment that is not exactly flawless.


Fast and responsive thanks to a touch sampling that reaches 480 Hz, the screen of Xiaomi 11T also enjoys a dynamic refresh rate function that allows it to reach the maximum value of 120 Hz depending on the content that is displayed, thus also demonstrating the fluidity that has now become almost an obligatory standard for high-end products. For those who prefer to safeguard a little autonomy and maintain a fixed value, it is still possible to block the refresh rate at 60 Hz from a specific item in the settings menu.


Finally, the functionality is present always on, customizable just enough to make it suitable for everyone's tastes and calibrate its impact on the battery according to the use you want to make of it.

Cameras

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
The photo mode of Xiaomi 11T

Il photo gallery Xiaomi 11T is well-assorted and, while not reaching particular heights of excellence, it offers solutions capable of satisfying all needs. The rear module consists of three cameras: a 108 megapixel main lens, 7 elements lens with f / 1.75 aperture and optical stabilization, an 8 megapixel wide-angle lens and 120 degrees of field of view and finally a 5 megapixel macro. Precisely the latter is the least interesting of the package, not so much for its own demerits (even if we are certainly not talking about a miraculous goal) but rather for the actual lack of usefulness in everyday life. The judgment on the main one is quite different, especially in optimal light conditions, it is able to give truly convincing shots, with precise focus, vivid colors and a correct application of HDR.

In general it is evident how Xiaomi has worked a lot onartificial intelligence applied to photography, an aspect that also emerges in the good night mode which, in exchange for a slightly longer exposure time, gives life to defined images without large artifacts. The wide angle is also very valid, which during the day offers a yield comparable to the main one and which in the evening can also take advantage of a special option with discrete effectiveness. The camera inserted into the punch hole frontale finally, it counts on a 16 megapixel sensor more than sufficient for every need for selfies and the like, complete with various types of filters and, even in this case, a definitely appreciable night mode.

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
A shot with the main one of Xiaomi 11T
Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
A shot with the wide angle of Xiaomi 11T
Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
One shot with the Xiaomi 2T 11X zoom
Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
One shot with the portrait mode of Xiaomi 11T
Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
A shot with the Xiaomi 11T macro

Video

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
The rear photo module of Xiaomi 11T

If the photographic sector is substantially indistinguishable from that of the older brother Xiaomi 11T Pro, on the front video the technical differences between the two models are much more noticeable. Considering that on Pro it is even possible to reach a resolution of 8K at 30 FPS, here you have to "settle" for a maximum quality of 4K to 30 FPS, with the 60 FPS achievable by dropping to 1080p and having to give up both HDR and optical stabilization, the latter can only be activated by stopping at 30 frames per second. So many compromises, in short, for a video component that does the homework without infamy and without praise, with the meager consolation of a series of cinema-style effects and filters that can add a little spice to your shots.

Battery

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
Xiaomi 11T battery monitoring

In terms of autonomy, Xiaomi 11T rests on a capacious one battery from 5000 mAh which guarantees the proverbial day of intense use, a duration that logically increases inversely proportional to the use of the smartphone. Although you may notice some more difficulties in the face of particularly intense energy demands, the autonomy is completely adequate, supported in any case by the possibility of quickly recharging (about 40 minutes to fill the tank from scratch) with the 67W power supply. included in the package. Even in this case, however, Xiaomi 11T is forced to look with envy at the Pro version, which can count on a 120W charger capable of halving the already excellent charging times of this smartphone. On the other hand, the wireless charging, a gap that makes itself felt in these price ranges.

Performances

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
Xiaomi 11t

I benchmarking performed with Xiaomi 11T highlight a device that manages to obtain good overall results, even if below those found with some Android smartphones of the same range. As expected, there is also a certain gap with the Pro model motivated by the fact that, as we said earlier, it has a different processor. In any case, these are absolutely appreciable performances that make Xiaomi 11T a smartphone capable of juggling well in any area, perhaps without absolute peaks of excellence but not even major weaknesses. A good result for the MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Ultra in short, and another point scored by the Taiwanese company that in recent times is shaking off the unpleasant commonplace that in the eyes of many makes it see as a manufacturer of series SoCs B.

Experience of use

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
The MIUI of Xiaomi 11T is confirmed as an excellent user interface

L'experience of use with Xiaomi 11T benefits primarily from the user interface MIUI 12.5.4 which has now reached full maturity, confirming itself here as one of the best interpretations of Android 11. Although there are no overwhelming innovations compared to the software already seen in the previous models of the house, it must be emphasized how everything works smoothly and without hitches, maintaining the ample customization possibilities typical of the Xiaomi UI but without many of the "Chinese" ones that used to weigh it down.

In our test, the device was able to easily manage even quite important workloads without showing signs of fatigue, confirming that with standard use Xiaomi 11T has nothing to envy in terms of pure comfort to much more valuable and expensive smartphones. Xiaomi 11T then marks an important step by the company in terms of software support: in the intentions of the manufacturer, 3 major releases of operating system updates and 4 years of security patches should be guaranteed, a significant commitment that if confirmed would put a good patch on one of the major critical issues that have always been attributed to most of the smartphone of Chinese origin.

Among the aspects that are less convincing than the terminal is undoubtedly theergonomics: as we said earlier, Xiaomi 11T is certainly not a compact and light phone, so if you consider the purchase you have to keep in mind that it is not one of those practical phones to use even with one hand nor let alone a model suitable for all budgets, in the literal sense of the term. Even the position of the power key and its fingerprint sensor is not among the most comfortable we have ever tried on an Android device, and the proximity sensor (which has always been the subject of criticism from Xiaomi users) was probably improved but is not yet flawless in its operation.

Video streaming

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
Xiaomi 11T's screen is great for movies or TV series

If from a smartphone you are also looking for a device thanks to which you can enjoy movies and TV series through services in streaming like Netflix, Prime Video or Disney +, Xiaomi 11T certainly has everything it takes to fulfill the purpose perfectly. We have already mentioned the virtues of the screen in the appropriate paragraph, but here we can add that support for formats HDR10 e Dolby Vision guarantees excellent viewing quality, which benefits from the generous size of the display. A note of merit also for the audio system: the stereo speakers are certified Dolby Atmos and develop a really convincing sound. Nothing that makes them prefer them to a good set of earphones, but still the sound is absolutely appreciable.

Video Game

Xiaomi 11T, the review of the mid-range Android smartphone excellent for photos and autonomy
Call of Duty mobile in action on Xiaomi 11T

While not designed as a smartphone expressly by Gaming, Xiaomi 11T also makes an impression with heavyweights of the caliber of Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG, Genshin Impact or Asphalt 9. The MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Ultra will not be a monster of power capable of running the most complex titles at maximum detail and fluidity, but where brute force does not reach the 120 Hz screen refresh rate and the very valid stereo audio system to make gaming sessions with the Xiaomi home smartphone satisfying. A great classic of the Chinese manufacturer (and not only) is also making a comeback, namely the mode Turbo Videogames thanks to which you can access your entire collection of titles, optimize device performance and set your preferences for notifications.

Comment

Price 549,90 € / 599,90 € Buy it here

Resources4Gaming.com

8.0

Xiaomi 11T is a very valid smartphone that successfully continues what is now the full-blown mission of the Chinese manufacturer, that is to offer products with a quality / price ratio among the best in the crowded Android landscape. Thanks to a respectable technical data sheet, an excellent display, a photographic sector suitable for all needs and a large battery, Xiaomi 11T is a device that does everything well and compensates for a certain lack of acute with the fundamental absence of big limits or compromises. The feeling remains that the Pro model, with a more performing SoC and ultra-fast charging, is a better purchase option for those who want to be more in step with the times, but for all the others Xiaomi 11T is a product with which it's hard to go wrong.

PRO

  • Large, high-quality display
  • Complete technical sheet and valid autonomy
  • Good cameras
AGAINST
  • Not very attractive design and size
  • It does not excel in any particular area
  • More modest than the Pro version
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