Xiaomi Smartphone Buying Guide 2021

Choosing a new smartphone to buy may be a daunting task, as new ones seem to be released every other day. Chinese electronics company Xiaomi is no stranger to releasing multiple smartphones a year, under several sub-brands like Redmi, Poco, and Black Shark in addition to its flagship Mi line. Xiaomi’s smartphones have also been cited as great value for money which has helped to solidify its position as one of the top brands by volume in several countries.

With a significant amount of Xiaomi smartphones available in Malaysia’s market, there are plenty to choose from depending on your budget and requirements.

If you’re one of those contemplating on getting a new Xiaomi smartphone but not quite sure which one to choose, we hope that this buying guide can help. The phones we’ve compiled in this list range from RM 520 – RM 2499, so you’ll be sure to find one that suits your budget and requirements.

Mi 11

The Mi 11 is Xiaomi’s 2021 flagship and the first globally released smartphone to feature the new Snapdragon 888 chip, one of the fastest processors available on the market as of right now.

The device offers all the features that you can expect to see on an Android flagship these days such as Under-Display fingerprint sensor, fast charging, and large RAM and storage. The Mi 11’s photo and video shots have outstanding quality, giving vibrant but natural-looking results especially in daylight.

Some of the cons of the Mi 11 include the lack of an IP rating and choice of a macro over telephoto camera but with the 8+128GB model starting from RM 2499, it is well worth it for the overall solid design and attractive features you get with this phone.

Poco F3

The Poco F3 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G, the strongest processor out of all the Poco phones on this list. Aside from that, the device also packs stereo speakers, fast charging for its large battery, and quite a premium-looking design.

If the lack of 3.5.mm headphone jack and microSD isn’t a problem for you, the Poco F3 is still a great recommendation based on its performance alone and is available from RM 1399.

Mi 11 Lite

Although the Mi 11 Lite is not the most powerful of devices in the Mi 11 line-up, it is still a good alternative to the Mi 11, for those on a tighter budget. It also packs features such as the Snapdragon 700-series, 64MP camera, and fast charging in addition to its sleek and light design.

You can get your hands on a Mi 11 Lite from RM 1079. But if you’re willing to spend a little extra for faster cellular connectivity and better gaming and processor chipset, you could even go for the 5G equivalent, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G which starts from RM 1079.

Poco X3 Pro

The Poco X3 Pro is certainly built with Android gamers and heavy power-users on a budget in mind. The device boasts a Snapdragon 860 chip which is almost flagship processing power as well as excellent battery life, fast charging, large screen with 120Hz refresh, and HDR10 support.

If your priority isn’t camera performance or a lightweight device, the Poco X3 is powerful enough in other areas so you can get your game on without a worry. The Poco X3 is available now from RM 978.

Redmi Note 10 Pro

The Note 10 Pro is on the upper end of the current Redmi Note 10 lineup in terms of both price and specs, and definitely offers the most bang for your buck. It packs a Snapdragon 732G chipset and reasonable RAM and storage options in addition to a 108 megapixel camera, and a large battery into quite a sleek design.

If you’re looking for a reasonably priced device that is versatile enough to manage everyday usability with ease then you can purchase a Redmi Note 10 Pro from RM 799.

Poco X3 NFC

The Poco X3 NFC has a range of great features like a 64MP camera, is IP53-certified for dust and splash resistance, and has a phenomenal battery life compared to other phones on the market with similar specs.

Of course, the Poco X3 NFC isn’t perfect as the big battery makes the device bulky and the design may not be to everyone’s taste. But if these are only minor issues, you can get one starting from RM 799.

Redmi 10

A worthy successor to the Redmi 9, the Redmi 10 offers a couple of interesting features that are difficult to find among other competing products in this price range. To support the device’s 90Hz 1080p+ display, it is one of the first phones on the market to include a MediaTek Helio G88 chipset. 

Additionally, the Redmi 10 is supported by a long battery life and good camera performance. It also doesn’t miss out any features that some may find essential like a 3.5mm audio jack and dedicated microSD card slot. The Redmi 10 is available from the very affordable price of RM 649.

Poco M3

Next up is the Poco M3, which is currently the most pocket-friendly Poco device on this list. It runs on a Snapdragon 662 chip, has a large 1080p display, satisfactory front and rear cameras in addition to a massive 6,000 mAh battery that can last you up to 2 days on a single charge.

Xiaomi’s software is well-optimised so it’s unlikely that you will experience lag or app crashes like other devices in this price range sold by lesser brands. If you’re on a tight budget, the Poco M3 is a good compromise and will be able to handle your daily tasks without a hitch. It’s available from RM 520.

Redmi 9C

The Redmi 9C is on our list for the most budget-conscious buyers out there. A slightly better version of the Redmi 9A smartphone, it has a MediaTek Helio G35 chipset that the 9A does not. It also has a triple-camera setup neatly housed in a tiny notch.

If you require more RAM and storage, you can choose from the slightly more expensive 3+64GB and 4+128GB models. If not, the 2 + 32GB model starts from only RM 355.

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Don’t worry if you don’t see anything on this list that ticks off everything on your checklist. Xiaomi releases new phones super frequently, so just wait a few months and there’ll be another batch of new Xiaomi devices to pick from. We here at PriceShop will keep track of new releases and update this list so do check back often!