(Pocket-lint) – Xiaomi launched within the UK in 2018 as a part of an growth throughout extra areas of the globe, making inroads into Europe across the similar time.
The corporate will likely be acquainted to many expertise followers, certainly one of a lot of Chinese language firms seeking to problem the established manufacturers like Samsung, and fill the footwear of the declining Huawei – particularly in smartphones.
However what telephones does Xiaomi supply and which is the very best telephone for you? Here is a information to Xiaomi’s telephones from throughout its vary, from flagship to reasonably priced.
The timeline of Xiaomi telephones
Xiaomi telephone numbers usually replicate the yr they had been launched in, however the launch of telephones is not the identical throughout all areas, so there’ll usually be one mannequin accessible in India or mainland Europe that is not within the UK, in addition to totally different designations and specs in numerous territories. Typically, telephones are introduced earlier in China, so the numbering does not all the time align, however usually talking, that is how the mannequin numbers stack up:
- 12 household – 2022
- Mi 11 household – 2021
- Mi 10 household – 2020
- Mi 9 household – 2019
- Mi 8 household – 2018
You may discover that there is no “Mi” in 2022 – that is as a result of Xiaomi determined to drop this branding and simply went with Xiaomi 12 in 2022.
Inside these households there are many totally different fashions: Lite, Professional, Extremely positioning fashions in numerous slots and costs, often adopted up T fashions later within the yr and generally there are i fashions too.
That can usually imply that you’ve got a telephone just like the 2021 Mi 11T Professional that is pretty shut in spec and efficiency to 2022 fashions, however nonetheless extensively accessible and at aggressive costs.
As a result of Xiaomi’s units are slightly difficult, we have damaged them down into market phase and you may click on on the hyperlinks beneath to leap to a specific part. Notice that is positioning at launch, so there are units within the flagship class with older {hardware} as a result of they had been launched the yr earlier than.
You’ll be able to click on on the hyperlinks beneath to leap to every part.
Flagship Xiaomi telephones
These units had been launched with flagship-level {hardware}.
Xiaomi 12 Professional
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Specs
- 163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2mm, 205g
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 12GB RAM
- 6.73in AMOLED, 1440 x 3200, 120Hz
- 4600mAh,120W wired, 50W wi-fi
- Triple digital camera: 50MP, 50MP, 50MP
Fast verdict
A rollercoaster of feelings: Xiaomi’s 2022 flagship is a masterclass in display screen high quality and design subtlety, its cameras are nice and are available with out pointless gimmicks; nonetheless, its battery life is questionable and the MIUI software program nonetheless has some minor setbacks. There are moments of pure class right here, although, particularly for those who’re all the time close to to a charger and might top-up the battery freely.
Xiaomi 12
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Specs
- 152.70 x 69.90 x 8.16mm, 180g
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 8GB
- 6.28in, AMOLED, 2400 x 1080, 120Hz
- 4500mAh, 67W
- Triple digital camera: 50MP, 13MP, 5MP
A step down from the Xiaomi 12 Professional, the common mannequin has all the ability however a smaller show and is a slight step-down within the digital camera division too. It is carefully associated to the Xiaomi 12X, which is barely much less highly effective once more.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Extremely
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Specs
- 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.4mm, 234g
- Snapdragon 888, 12GB RAM
- 6.81in AMOLED, 1440 x 3200, 120Hz; Rear: 1.1in AMOLED, 126 x 294
- 5,000mAh, 67W
- Triple digital camera: 50MP, 48MP, 48MP
Fast verdict
A uncommon second from Xiaomi: one which’s excited us greater than some other telephone of late, but in terms of the crunch it is the one machine that is left us extremely disenchanted for failing to get sufficient of the fundamentals proper.
Xiaomi 11T Professional
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Specs
- 164.1 x 76.9 x 8.8mm, 204g
- 6.7in AMOLED, 1080 x 2400, 120Hz
- Snapdragon 888, 8GB
- 5,000mAh, 120W
- Triple digital camera: 108MP, 8MP, 5MP
Fast verdict
This sub-flagship brings collectively some robust specification in a well-performing bundle with a beautiful display screen and super-fast charging to boast about too. There are some software program irks, the construct is chunky and, on reflection, we expect the ‘non-Professional’ variant is a good higher purchase.
Xiaomi Mi 11i
Specs
- 164.7 x 74.6 x 7.8mm, 196g
- Snapdragon 888, 8GB RAM
- 6.67in AMOLED, 1080 x 2400, 120Hz
- 4,520mAh, 33W
- Triple digital camera: 108MP, 8MP, 5MP
Fast verdict
Whereas the ‘i’ entry within the Mi 11 line-up does not get something flawed, per se, its very existence on this busy sequence is simply complicated – it is a European model of the Redmi K40 Professional+. So whereas utilizing it feels largely easy, there’s additionally no distinctive cause to go for one.
Xiaomi Mi 11
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Specs
- 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.06mm, 196g
- Snapdragon 888, 8GB RAM
- 6.81in AMOLED, 3200 x 1440. 120Hz
- 4,600mAh, 55W wired, 50W wi-fi
- Triple digital camera: 108MP, 13MP, 5MP
Fast verdict
At this worth, it is actually value you mulling over the Mi 11. It is packed filled with potential and – apart from software program and an absence of optical zoom within the digital camera setup – brings the struggle to Samsung, OnePlus, et al.
Sub-flagship Xiaomi telephones
These units had been launched with {hardware} simply down a step from flagship degree on the time of launch.
Xiaomi 12X 5G
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Specs
- 152.70 x 69.90 x 8.16mm, 176g
- Snapdragon 870, 8GB
- 6.28in AMOLED, 2400 x 1080, 120Hz
- 4500mAh, 67W
- Triple digital camera: 50MP, 13MP, 5MP
The Xiaomi 12X is a sub-flagship machine, sitting underneath the Xiaomi 12, providing the identical design, design, digital camera – however differing on the {hardware}. The slight discount in energy means it is barely extra reasonably priced – however nonetheless a fantastic allrounder.
Xiaomi 11T
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Specs
- 164.1 x 76.9 x 8.8mm, 203g
- MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Extremely, 8GB
- 6.67in AMOLED, 2400 x 1080, 120Hz
- 5000mAh, 67W
- Triple digital camera: 108MP, 8MP, 5MP
The Xiaomi 11T appears just like the 11T Professional, and has the identical dimensions, however drops to a MediaTek processor and slower general charging. It is near the 11T Professional, however this mannequin has fewer options that stand out. It’s cheaper, nonetheless.
Mid-range Xiaomi telephones
These units are launched on mid-range {hardware} – and would possibly discover shut competitors from Xiaomi’s reasonably priced model, Redmi.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G NE
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Specs
- 160.5 x 75.7 x 6.8mm, 157g
- Snapdragon 788G, 8GB RAM
- 6.55in AMOLED, 1080 x 2400, 90Hz
- 4250mAh, 33W
- Triple digital camera: 64MP, 8MP, 5MP
The Mi 11 Lite 5G NE is sort of actually an incremental step up from the Mi 11 Lite 5G, switching from a barely older Snadragon platform to 1 that is barely newer. As such, this can be a nice alternative for these wanting a mid-range machine.
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G
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Specs
- 160.5 x 75.7 x 6.8mm, 157g
- Snapdragon 780G, 8GB RAM
- 6.55in AMOLED, 1080 x 2400, 90Hz
- 4250mAh, 33W
- Triple digital camera: 64MP, 8MP, 5MP
Fast verdict
We won’t consider a slimmer, tidier trying 5G handset – which makes this Xiaomi one thing of a singular proposition. And regardless of being known as ‘Lite’, it should not be seen totally in that regard – there’s ample energy to maintain the 90Hz AMOLED display screen ticking alongside, and for battery life to final surprisingly lengthy too. Ditch the 5G want, nonetheless, and there is loads of different competitors to contemplate as an alternative.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite
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Specs
- 160.5 x 75.7 x 6.8mm, 157g
- Snapdragon 732G, 6GB RAM
- 6.55in AMOLED, 1080 x 2400, 90Hz
- 4250mAh, 33W
- Triple digital camera: 64MP, 8MP, 5MP
A carbon copy of the 5G fashions within the Mi 11 Lite line, now offered with the Snapdragon 732G, which drops the 5G – so this can be a 4G possibility solely. Meaning slower speeds for cell information, however on the similar time, it is a fantastic mid-range machine.
What different smartphone manufacturers is Xiaomi behind?
There’s much more to Xiaomi’s telephones that simply Xiaomi. Xiaomi, regardless of being a extra reasonably priced model than many, has a finances model, known as Redmi. The “mi” right here ties these manufacturers collectively. Redmi usually follows Xiaomi, runs on comparable software program – MIUI – however often makes some compromises to supply extra reasonably priced units.
Xiaomi can also be behind the Black Shark gaming model, providing highly-competitive gaming telephones.
Pocophone is one other Xiaomi model, with Pocophone being pitched because the telephone for telephone lovers – fewer fashions, however targetting the necessary particulars.
Who’s Xiaomi?
Xiaomi is a Chinese language firm based in 2010 that might think about itself to be a software program firm. Based mostly in Beijing, the corporate was based by billionaire and entrepreneur Lei Jun, having beforehand been CEO of Kingsoft, a software program big, behind functions like WPS Workplace.
One in every of Xiaomi’s early ventures was MIUI, ROM software program for Android telephones, at a time when Android wasn’t completely client pleasant. The corporate constructed its fame and gained followers in smartphones with common updates and a community-based strategy, with software program very a lot on the coronary heart of issues. MIUI nonetheless runs on most Xiaomi telephones.
The corporate now affords a full vary of smartphones for which it’s best recognized, but additionally affords a wider ecosystem of units. Lots of the Xiaomi branded units are made by third events, however Xiaomi invests and helps in these third-party firms to convey these merchandise to market.
One of many founding rules of Xiaomi is that good expertise should not price you some huge cash and the corporate pledges to not make greater than 5 per cent revenue on {hardware} gross sales, which frequently means actually aggressive costs.
How do you say “Xiaomi”?
Xiaomi – 小米 – actually means inexperienced millet or little rice, a staple of the Chinese language weight-reduction plan. The phrase Xiaomi is definitely the Anglicised model of the Chinese language, Xiaomi tells us.
The marginally awkward factor is phonically “X” is often “ex” or “zee” in English, and it is neither of these sounds, it is a “sh” as an alternative.
The simplest solution to strategy it’s to interrupt the phrase down into Xiao-mi. The “mi” half it straightforward, it’s like “me”, so we are able to overlook that.
Xiao is just like the “present” half within the phrase “bathe” (not like present as in Broadway). It is the central sound that causes the issue – like “ow, I’ve hit my thumb”.
Put the 2 components collectively and you’ve got Xiaomi – Shh-ow-mi.
Writing by Chris Corridor.
