Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: A Comprehensive Review
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra arrived with considerable fanfare, promising to redefine the boundaries of smartphone photography and performance. It boasted a cutting-edge camera system, a stunning display, and a powerful processor, all wrapped in a bold and undeniably premium design. This review delves into the intricacies of the Mi 11 Ultra, exploring its strengths and weaknesses to determine if it truly lives up to the “Ultra” moniker. We’ll examine its camera capabilities, performance, battery life, and overall user experience, offering a comprehensive perspective on this ambitious device.
Design and Build Quality
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra makes a statement right out of the box. Its ceramic back is not only visually striking but also provides a solid and premium feel. The substantial camera bump, housing the triple-lens system and the small secondary display, is impossible to ignore. While some may find it aesthetically divisive, it undeniably contributes to the phone’s unique character.
Ceramic Construction
The choice of ceramic for the rear panel is a significant departure from the more common glass or metal alternatives. Ceramic offers enhanced scratch resistance and a more luxurious tactile experience. However, it also contributes to the phone’s considerable weight, which is something to consider for those who prefer lighter devices.
The Secondary Display
The small secondary display on the camera bump serves multiple purposes. It can be used as a viewfinder for taking selfies with the main camera, as a notification center, or simply as an always-on display showing the time and battery percentage. While it’s a novel feature, its practical utility might vary depending on individual usage habits.
Ergonomics and Handling
Due to its size and weight, the Mi 11 Ultra isn’t the most ergonomic phone to hold. One-handed operation can be challenging, and its slippery ceramic back can make it prone to accidental drops. A case is highly recommended, although it will inevitably add to the phone’s bulk.
Display Quality
The Mi 11 Ultra features a stunning 6.81-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a WQHD+ resolution. Colors are vibrant and accurate, blacks are deep, and the overall visual experience is exceptional. The high refresh rate makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth, enhancing the user experience.
Brightness and Clarity
The display is exceptionally bright, making it easily readable even in direct sunlight. The high resolution ensures that text and images are sharp and detailed. Whether you’re browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games, the Mi 11 Ultra’s display delivers a visually immersive experience.
Adaptive Refresh Rate
The adaptive refresh rate intelligently adjusts the refresh rate based on the content being displayed, helping to conserve battery life. When viewing static content, the refresh rate drops to a lower value, while it ramps up to 120Hz for smoother animations and scrolling.
HDR10+ Support
The Mi 11 Ultra supports HDR10+, allowing you to enjoy HDR content with enhanced contrast and color accuracy. This makes watching movies and TV shows on the device a truly cinematic experience.
Performance and Software
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, the Mi 11 Ultra delivers flagship-level performance. It handles demanding tasks with ease, whether it’s gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously. The phone also comes with ample RAM and storage, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience.
Snapdragon 888
The Snapdragon 888 is a powerhouse processor that delivers exceptional performance in all areas. It’s capable of handling even the most graphically intensive games without breaking a sweat. The processor also features advanced AI capabilities, which enhance various aspects of the phone’s performance, such as image processing and voice recognition.
Software Experience
The Mi 11 Ultra runs on Xiaomi’s MIUI, which is based on Android. MIUI offers a wide range of customization options and features, but it can also be somewhat overwhelming for new users. The software is generally stable and responsive, but it can occasionally be prone to bugs or glitches.
Gaming Performance
The Mi 11 Ultra is an excellent gaming device. The powerful processor and high refresh rate display combine to deliver a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The phone also features a sophisticated cooling system that helps to prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions.
Camera Performance
The Mi 11 Ultra’s camera system is undoubtedly one of its standout features. It boasts a triple-lens setup, including a 50MP primary sensor, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The camera system is capable of capturing stunning photos and videos in a wide range of lighting conditions.
Primary Sensor
The 50MP primary sensor captures incredibly detailed and vibrant photos. It performs exceptionally well in both bright light and low-light conditions. The sensor also features optical image stabilization, which helps to reduce blur and improve image quality.
Ultrawide Lens
The 48MP ultrawide lens allows you to capture expansive landscapes and group shots. It also performs surprisingly well in low-light conditions, thanks to its large sensor size. The ultrawide lens also features autofocus, which is a rare feature on ultrawide lenses.
Telephoto Lens
The 48MP telephoto lens offers 5x optical zoom, allowing you to get closer to your subject without sacrificing image quality. The telephoto lens also features optical image stabilization, which helps to reduce blur when shooting at high zoom levels.
Video Recording
The Mi 11 Ultra is capable of recording video in up to 8K resolution. The video quality is excellent, with sharp details, vibrant colors, and smooth stabilization. The phone also offers a variety of video recording modes, including slow-motion and time-lapse.
Low-Light Performance
The Mi 11 Ultra excels in low-light photography. The large sensors and advanced image processing algorithms allow it to capture bright and detailed photos even in challenging lighting conditions. The phone also features a dedicated night mode, which further enhances low-light performance.
Battery Life
The Mi 11 Ultra is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which provides decent battery life. However, the phone’s power-hungry processor and high refresh rate display can drain the battery relatively quickly; On average, you can expect to get a full day of use out of the phone with moderate usage.
Charging Speed
The Mi 11 Ultra supports 67W wired and wireless charging. This allows you to quickly top up the battery when needed. The phone can be fully charged from 0% to 100% in around 36 minutes using the included charger.
Battery Optimization
The Mi 11 Ultra offers a variety of battery optimization features, which can help to extend battery life. These features include battery saver mode, app power management, and adaptive battery.
Audio Quality
The Mi 11 Ultra features stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon, delivering excellent audio quality. The speakers are loud and clear, with a good amount of bass. The phone also supports Hi-Res Audio, allowing you to enjoy high-quality music playback.
Speaker Performance
The stereo speakers provide a wide soundstage and immersive audio experience. They are well-suited for listening to music, watching videos, and playing games. The speakers are also loud enough to be used in noisy environments.
Headphone Jack
The Mi 11 Ultra does not have a headphone jack. However, it comes with a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter, allowing you to use wired headphones. The phone also supports Bluetooth audio, allowing you to connect to wireless headphones and speakers.
Connectivity
The Mi 11 Ultra supports a wide range of connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. It also has an IR blaster, which can be used to control TVs and other devices.
5G Connectivity
The Mi 11 Ultra supports 5G connectivity, allowing you to enjoy lightning-fast download and upload speeds. However, 5G availability varies depending on your location and carrier.
Wi-Fi 6E
The Mi 11 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6E, which is the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi 6E offers faster speeds, lower latency, and improved network capacity compared to previous generations of Wi-Fi.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stunning display
- Exceptional camera performance
- Flagship-level performance
- Fast charging
- Excellent audio quality
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy design
- Software can be overwhelming
- No headphone jack
- Relatively expensive
