Early verdict: Our unboxing of the Mi 11 Lite 4G shows that Xiaomi has a spiritual successor to the Mi 9 SE that came out in 2019. Like how the Mi 9 SE is to the Mi 9 back then, the Mi 11 Lite 4G is a smaller and more affordable version of the Mi 11 and shares some key features from its more expensive sibling.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G Specs:

• Snapdragon 732G processor
• 8GB LPDDR4x RAM
• 128GB UFS 2.2 storage
• 6.55-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, 90hz refresh rate, 10-bit color
• 64-megapixel f/1.79 main camera with PDAF, 5-megapixel f/2.4 telemacro camera with AF, 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera
• 16-megapixel selfie camera
• 4G, LTE
• WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• 4250mAh battery
• 33w fast charging
• Android 11, MIUI 12.5

Like with the previous Mi series, the Mi 11 has a vast number of variants out there, with the Mi 11 Lite 4G being the most affordable of them all. It acts as a bridge between the POCO X series and the Redmi Note series, with the Mi 11 Lite 4G acting as a more upscale, budget mid-range phone.

Unboxing and packaging contents

Unlike with Redmi and POCO phones, the Mi 11 Lite 4G keeps things simple with its packaging. Its white box has the 11 Lite branding in a pearlescent-like finish, along with small Xiaomi branding at the top corner and the bottom.

Inside the box, you have the phone itself, documentation, SIM ejector tool, silicon case, 33w wall adapter, 3.5mm jack dongle, and USB-C cable.

Design

From the back panel, the Mi 11 Lite 4G looks very much identical to the vanilla Mi 11–down to the camera layout on its rather large camera module. You also get glass for the Mi 11’s back panel, along with three cameras inside that module. Our review unit is in black and has a glossy finish for its impact-resistant glass back, so you’re better off using the included silicone case to save you the annoyance of constantly wiping off smudges.

The Mi 11 Lite 4G becomes more distinguishable from the vanilla sibling in the front, as it opts for a flat display instead of a curved panel. It is also slightly smaller, though you still get a punch-hole on the top left corner.

Unlike most mid-range phones in the market, the Mi 11 Lite 4G is relatively slim, sporting a 6.8mm thickness and an overall weight of 157g. The button and port layout aren’t too different from what you usually get from a Xiaomi phone: you get an IR blaster and microphone on top, USB-C port, SIM tray, and another microphone at the bottom, and volume controls and power button on the right. Unlike the vanilla Mi 11, you only get a side-mounted fingerprint scanner on the Mi 11 Lite 4G.

Display and speakers

While the Mi 11 Lite 4G uses a slightly smaller 6.55-inch flat display, the phone uses an AMOLED panel that boasts a Full HD+ resolution and 90hz refresh rate. While its refresh rate may sound like a downgrade from the Redmi Note 10 Pro‘s 120hz AMOLED panel, the Mi 11 Lite 4G has a better display since it supports 10-bit color like its premium sibling.

With support for 10-bit color, the Mi 11 Lite 4G has a wider color range compared to the AMOLED panel used on the Redmi Note 10 Pro–at least on paper. We will need to do our comparisons further, so stay tuned for our full review on that.

Like the vanilla model, the Mi 11 Lite 4G does come with stereo speakers, with the earpiece doubling as a speaker. If you are not content with its stereo speakers, the Mi 11 Lite 4G does have a headphone dongle in the box for you to enjoy listening to music with your wired cans.

Cameras

While it has a camera layout identical to the vanilla model, the Mi 11 Lite 4G’s triple rear camera setup consists of a 64-megapixel f/1.8 GW3 main camera, 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, and 5-megapixel telemacro camera. While the main camera lacks OIS, the telemacro camera is the same module used on the Mi 11–it has contrast autofocus, and works between a distance of 3cm and 7cm. a 16-megapixel snapper takes care of selfies.

The Mi 11 Lite 4G’s camera setup looks promising on paper, but we will have to do our usual tests to see their overall performance, so stay tuned to our full review for that.

Internals

Like the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the Mi 11 Lite 4G packs a Snapdragon 732G processor inside, along with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. The Snapdragon 732G processor is a familiar affair with a number of phones like the POCO X3 NFC, so we expect good, value-for-money performance with the Mi 11 Lite.

Unlike the Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO X3 NFC, you are getting a smaller 4250mAh battery on the Mi 11 Lite–and that’s because it has a slender built. You still get 33w wired charging, so charging speeds should be fast. We can’t say much about the Mi 11 Lite 4G’s battery endurance until we finish our benchmark tests, so stay tuned to our full review for our final say on this–and if it is power efficient despite the 90hz display.

Wrap up and conclusions

If you like a phone that is more premium than the Redmi Note 10 Pro but is more affordable than the Mi 11, our unboxing and quick review of the Mi 11 Lite 4G shows that this phone covers the best of both worlds. The most affordable Mi 11 variant has some of the vanilla model’s key features and a number of features found on the Redmi Note 10 Pro while having a slimmer build and a lighter body that will appeal to those who are looking for a sleek mid-range phone.

Mi 11 Lite 4G Unboxing Price Philippines

The Mi 11 Lite 4G is priced at Php 14,990 for the 8GB/128GB variant and will be available at Mi Authorized Stores and partner retailers nationwide, along with Xiaomi Philippines’ official Lazada and Shopee stores starting April 24.