The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra finally goes on sale in India (Updated: Open sale coming)

Update: July 12, 2021 (4:48 AM ET): The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra went on limited sale in India last week, requiring users to pre-register and buy a “gift card” ahead of the launch date. Fortunately, those who want Xiaomi’s new flagship without jumping through hoops will be able to do so later this week.

The company confirmed on Twitter that the Mi 11 Ultra will go on open sale from Thursday, July 15 at midday IST. The device will be available via Mi.com, Amazon India, and several retail partners for Rs 69,999 (~$936).

Original article: July 7, 2021 (2:26 AM ET): Xiaomi officially revealed the Mi 11 Ultra earlier this year, and it’s perhaps the most impressive smartphone the firm has ever produced (at least in terms of specs). It’s taken a long time, but the phone finally goes on sale in India today at midday IST (2:30 AM ET).

Unfortunately, the Indian sale today is a “limited quantity sale” and required users to register ahead of time. Registration has since closed, so you’ll need to wait for the next sale date (TBA) to get your hands on the device. We’ve asked Xiaomi how many units were available at this first launch, but the firm declined to comment.

Those who successfully registered for the sale needed to buy a “gift card” for Rs 1,999 (~$27) which knocked Rs 1,999 off the phone’s Rs 69,999 (~$936) price tag. The gift card also includes a couple of bonuses, like two free screen replacements and a merchandise box.

More Xiaomi coverage: Xiaomi buyer’s guide — Everything you need to know

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is arguably the first superphone from the Chinese brand, featuring an IP68 rating, Snapdragon 888 SoC, 67W wired/wireless charging, and a 5,000mAh battery. It also offers a high-resolution triple rear camera system, featuring a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultra-wide sensor, and 48MP periscope camera. Oddly enough, the camera housing also plays host to a secondary rear display, allowing you to take selfies and more with the rear shooters.

Our own Eric Zeman thought the phone was a good device in his Mi 11 Ultra review, but criticized the high price tag compared to rival devices from Samsung and OnePlus. Meanwhile, fellow reviewer Dhruv Bhutani said the phone’s Indian price was actually on par with the OnePlus 9 Pro and cheaper than the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Dhruv also felt that the phone managed to stand out in a crowded market.