Xiaomi 11T Pro Review: 120W Charging & Camera Tested
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The Xiaomi 11T Pro delivers flagship-level specs at £600, including Snapdragon 888 and a 108MP camera. But its revolutionary 120W hyper-charger steals the show – charging 1% to 100% in under 17 minutes in our real-world test. After extensive hands-on evaluation, I'll break down whether this charging breakthrough outweighs its plasticky back and bloatware issues.
Display & Performance
The 6.67" AMOLED screen features a 120Hz refresh rate and 480Hz touch sampling – crucial for gamers needing instant response. While only Full HD+ (not Quad HD), Dolby Vision HDR support and 1000-nit peak brightness deliver vibrant visuals. Paired with the Snapdragon 888, it handled Genshin Impact at max settings without throttling.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor proved overly sensitive though – frequently unlocking in my pocket. Xiaomi's MIUI software runs smoothly but ships with excessive bloatware. Thankfully, most pre-installed apps can be uninstalled.
Camera Analysis
The 108MP main sensor (Samsung's HM2) uses pixel-binning for sharper 27MP shots. In daylight, it nearly matches the £1,200 Galaxy S21 Ultra for detail, though Samsung offers more natural colors:
- Zoom capabilities: S21 Ultra dominates beyond 3x optical
- Selfie camera: 16MP shooter struggles with consistency, often over-sharpening
- Video performance: 8K lacks stabilization; 4K@30fps delivers excellent stabilization and dynamic range
Low-light performance falls short of flagships, with noticeable noise in shadows. The "telemacro" lens works best in bright conditions for close-ups.
Hyper-Charging Breakthrough
Xiaomi's 120W charger delivered on its bold claims:
- 0-72% in 10 minutes (tested from 1%)
- Full charge in 16m 30s
- Safety features: 30+ protections and TÜV Rheinland certification
Battery degradation concerns? Xiaomi claims 80% capacity retention after 800 cycles (≈2 years). The 5,000mAh battery consistently lasted a full day with 30% remaining by 11 PM.
Value Verdict
At £600, it competes directly with the OnePlus 9. Key trade-offs:
| Xiaomi 11T Pro | OnePlus 9 | Poco F3 |
|---|---|---|
| Better main camera | Cleaner OS | £280 price |
| 120W charging | Premium feel | SD870 (near 888) |
| Bloatware issues | No charger in some regions | Weaker cameras |
The plastic back attracts fingerprints severely – opt for the white variant or use a case. Missing features: no headphone jack or microSD slot.
For most users, the Poco F3 delivers 85% of the experience at half the price. But if blistering charging speeds and camera quality are priorities, the 11T Pro justifies its cost – especially with pre-order discounts.
Tool Recommendations:
- AccuBattery (monitors long-term battery health)
- GCam port (improves low-light photography)
- De-bloater tools (ADB commands to remove system apps)
"Would you prioritize hyper-fast charging over a premium build? Share your deal-breakers below!"
Testing methodology: Charging tests used included 120W adapter. Camera comparisons shot in identical lighting. Performance tested with 1-hour GPU stress tests.
