Review Summary
Expert Rating3.5/5
Design★★★★★★★★★★ Display★★★★★★★★★★ Software★★★★★★★★★★ Camera★★★★★★★★★★ Performance★★★★★★★★★★ Battery★★★★★★★★★★
Pros
- Stunning display
- 120W fast charging
- Fantastic stereo speakers
- 108MP sensor clicks good photos
Cons
- Too bulky
- No headphone jack
- Throttles quite a bit
Xiaomi’s rejuvenated interest in the affordable flagship space has competitors worried, and justifiably so. After all, the company built its footing in the country with VFM phones and the brand even helped shape the flagship-killer segment to a certain degree. Suffice it to say, Xiaomi has the affordable segment down to fine art and the company’s latest entrant epitomises the brand’s expertise in offering more for less.
I am, of course, talking about the Xiaomi 11T Pro which was launched in the country recently. The handset ships with a compelling spec sheet and is only the second phone in the country to make use of stupendously fast, 120W wired charging. I managed to get my hands on a unit and here’s what I make of it after spending some time with the phone.
Table of Contents
Verdict
The Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G is a compelling affordable flagship that gets most things right. That said, the handset is a tad bulky and the phone’s performance – while good – falls a bit behind the competition. Regardless, if you’re in the market for a VFM smartphone geared towards media consumption, the 11T Pro 5G is a sound bet.
Design
The Xiaomi 11T Pro cuts a handsome package and the device is available in three stunning hues. I was sent the Celestial Blue colourway for review which features a colour-shifting gradient on the back. The gradient design, albeit commonplace, looks quite good and the pattern exhibits different shades of blue and purple when light impacts the back of the phone. What’s more, the device ships with a matte finish and correspondingly, you’ll rarely have to wipe it down to keep the phone in pristine condition. Add to that the unit’s glass-sandwich design and the 11T Pro 5G feels every bit as premium as the competition.
That said, the device is a tad unwieldy to use, which can be accredited to its wide frame. Making matters worse, the phone is quite heavy too and at 204 grams, you’ll undoubtedly feel the handset’s heft once you start using the 11T Pro 5G on a day-to-day basis. Now, to the company’s credit, the phone’s back curves into the frame, thereby lending users a desirable in-hand grip. Despite that, the device isn’t cut out for one-handed usage.
