Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Smartphone Review

The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is a very affordable smartphone that could offer a flagship smartphone experience without the huge cost so we've been putting it to the test to find out if its photo-taking abilities can do enough to impress us. 

Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Features

The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE has a rather modern design that's slim, light and easily fits in a jacket pocket. This doesn't mean it lacks in screen size, though, as this measures 6.55-inch with a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution and AMOLED panel. On the back is a 64MP f/1.8 26mm wide camera with PDAF that's supported by an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide and 5MP f/2.4 50mm telephoto macro camera with AF. The selfie camera is a 20MP f/2.2 27mm wide-angle lens and video can be captured, with the rear camera, in 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 30/60/120 fps and 720p at 960fps with gyro-EIS. 

Other features include a 4250mAh battery, IP53 dust/splash rating, expandable memory with a microSDXC memory card and dual speakers but there's no headphone jack. 

Three variants are available: 128GB/6GB RAM, 128GB/8GB RAM or 256GB/8GB RAM in 4 colour options (on test is Snowflake White). Prices start at £309.99 over on Amazon. 

Key Features

• 6.55” FHD+AMOLED DotDisplay
• Rear Camera: 64MP f/1.8 26mm wide camera with PDAF, 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 5MP f/2.4 50mm telephoto macro camera with AF
• Front Camera: 20MP f/2.2 27mm wide
• Camera Features: AI, Time Burst
• Video: 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 30/60fps, 720p @ 30fps with gyro-EIS
• Headphone Jack: No
• Battery: 4250mAh
• RAM/Memory: 128GB/6GB RAM, 128GB/8GB RAM or 256GB/8GB RAM (expandable with MicroSDXC memory card)
• USB Type-C Cable
• Protective case provided
• Dimensions: 160.53mm x 75.73mm x 6.81mm
• Weight: 158g
• IP53 water/dust resistance
• Colour options: Truffle Black, Bubblegum Blue, Peach Pink, Snowflake White

Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Handling

The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE might be an inexpensive smartphone but it looks far from cheap. Yes, the frame is plastic but it does have a glass back/front and the sides are pretty thin which helps give it that more pricey feel. The bezels are minimal with just the chin thickness giving a hint of a less expensive device and the front camera sits nicely in the top corner as a cut out rather than sitting centre-top near the frame. If we're being picky, there's a black plastic line surrounding the smartphone that sits between the screen and frame but you soon get used to it. 

Flip the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE over and the finish is something you'd expect to see on a much more expensive phone and we like the contrasting camera module that's certainly eye-catching. 

As well as looking great, it feels great, too, fitting well in the hand and being comfortable to hold with its curved edges and light 158g bodyweight not weighing you down. It's not a compact smartphone by any means as you still get a 6.55" FHD+AMOLED DotDisplay but it doesn't feel overly big. Talking of the display, it's bright and offers accurate colours but when it's really bright outside, it's not as clear to view as some other smartphones.  

On the right side are the power/volume buttons which fall nicely under your fingers which is handy as this is where the fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device sits and on the bottom, you find the speaker, USB-C port but no headphone jack but you are provided with an adaptor so you can listen to your music. 

Unlike some other smartphones, we didn't find the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE marked easily on the back and it didn't randomly slide off surfaces but we did pop on the supplied clear case for extra protection anyway. 

As for the rear cameras, you get a 64MP main shooter with an 8MP ultra-wide and 5MP telephoto macro camera supporting. They're neatly packaged in a square camera unit to left on the rear which doesn't protrude from the back of the smartphone quite as much as some other camera units do so you don't get any unwanted rocking when placed on a surface. 

Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Camera Features: 

• Rear Camera:  64MP f/1.8 26mm wide camera with PDAF, 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 5MP f/2.4 50mm telephoto macro camera with AF
• Front Camera: 20MP f/2.2 27mm wide
• Camera Features: AI, Time Burst, Pro, Night, Portrait
• Video: 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 30/60fps, 720p @ 30fps with gyro-EIS

The camera app doesn't have any surprises and is straightforward to use with buttons and options in all of the places you expect them to be and a few creative modes built-in. There aren't quite as many options as you get on some other smartphones but what do you do get works fine and include Portrait and Night modes.

Battery life -  A 4250mAh battery is built-in which isn't small but it's not huge either but it will last a fair few hours of photo-taking before you'll need to top it up again.  

Geekbench 5 Scores - The Geekbench score for the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is 779 single-core and 2787 multi-core.