Xiaomi just launched the new members of its T series, namely the 11T and 11T Pro.
Before we look into what makes these phones interesting, and by extension, special, let’s take note of a few points.
First, Xiaomi has since dropped the Mi tagline – all its future phones will not use the phrase.
The two new phones do not replace or succeed the Mi 11 and Mi 11 Pro that were the first commercially available phones rocking the powerful S888 chipset.
Thirdly and lastly, the new T handhelds are succeeding the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro from the past.
And oh, these are not the flagship models by Xiaomi.
Cool? Alright.
Let’s start with the 11T Pro.
Here are some of its specs:
Chip: S888
Screen: 6.67”, FullHD+, 120 Hz, 480 H touch sampling rate, HDR10+, AMOLED, peak brightness at 1000 nits
Cameras: 108 MP main with no OIS, 8 MP ultrawide, 5 MP tele-macro lens
Battery: 5000 mAh, 120W HyperCharge support (tops up in 17 minutes – and 0-72% takes only ten minutes), no wireless charging
Fingerprint: Side-mounted, replaced under-the-display
IP rating: IP53
Memory: 8/128 GB, 8/256 GB, 12/256 GB
There are other things to note here too. First, the display is flat, unlike the curved one in the Mi 11 Pro, which is also larger and more pixel-packed at 6.81”. If you also remember, the Mi 10T Pro refreshes are 144 Hz but is an IPS LCD.
The cameras also lack OIS, which, surprisingly, is present in the basic Mi 11. The 108 MP sensor replaces a 50 MP one in the Mi 10T Pro.
Also, the battery capacity and charging speeds are all goals and at moment, market-leading for the price. The phone could have used wireless charging, though.
Have we mentioned that the 120W charging brick is part of the package too in a world where manufacturers are saving billions by omitting them?
Using the same references, the Mi 10T Pro has S865 and 33W charging. So, un upgrade.
Anyway, what’s up with the basic IP53 rating?
The devices cost as follows:
8/128 GB – Euros 650
8/256 GB – Euros 700
12/256 GB – Euros 750
11T
The phone is not drastically different from its more specc’d brother. It maintains the same 6.67” screen size that refreshes at the same 120 Hz, which is slower than the 144 Hz in the earlier Mi 10T.
It also drops the IPS LCD of the Mi 10T for AMOLED. It is capped at 1080p+. Here are the rest of its specs:
Camera: Identical to the 11T Pro at 108 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP (again, OIS is missing, but you can find it in the basic Mi 11)
Chip: MTK Dimensity 1200-Ultra (6nm), the Mi 10T shipped with S865
Battery: 5000 mAh, 67W charging, no wireless charging, tops up by the 36th minute, which is the same thing you get with the Mi 11 Pro.
Fingerprint: Side-mounted, replaced under-the-display
Memory: 8/128 GB, 8/256 GB
Price: 8/128 GB – Euros 500
8/256 GB – Euros 550
The Dimensity has been lauded for its high performance, is slightly superior to the S865. We have also seen the same chipset in the OPPO Reno6 Pro 5G, although its non-pro version with Dimensity 900 is the one that sells in Kenya for KES 60K.
The pricing of these phones, and their superior specs is what is making them special.
Also, Xiaomi says that the phones will receive the next three major software updates and 4 years of security updates. That is quite impressive, to say the least, but is not far off from what the likes of Samsung and Nokia are currently doing.
We are sure Xiaomi Kenya will not bring them here, because, let’s face it, very few people would snag them. However, third-party retailers have always been at the top of their game, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the phones on local shelves as soon as they are made available to the masses.
