Xiaomi didn't turn the glue up to 11 on its new Mi flagship, but still gets low marks for repairability
(2021/03/15)
- Reference: 1615836010
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/03/15/xiaomi_mi11_teardown/
- Source link:
Released in China last year, and [1]about to drop in the UK , the Xiaomi Mi 11 drew attention because of its status as the debut device for [2]the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. Now it has got the [3]interest of right-to-repair campaigners iFixit for different reasons altogether.
And boy, was this latest teardown a mixed bag. Contradictory, even. On the one hand, Xiaomi made some servicing tasks – like replacing the battery – relatively straightforward, using simple adhesive pull-tabs rather than glue that must be dissolved with a solvent or strong isopropyl alcohol. Getting to the battery was a different matter, however, with iFixit's crew bemoaning a “tedious” process that required the delicate removal of multiple flex cables and antenna wires.
[4]
Xiaomi a Snapdragon 888 flagship for €749: Yep, the Mi 11 is rolling out to world outside China [5]READ MORE
The display? Xiaomi chose to use a curved “infinity edge” screen, which, although pleasant to look at, proved to be a nightmare to detach. While a standard screen may be removed with something as simple as a spudger, iFixit was forced to resort to a specialist tool. The techies also correctly noted that curved screens tend to be delicate to remove, with a greater likelihood of splintering during excision.
[6]
iFixit pointed out that some repairs, such as the replacement of the under-screen fingerprint reader, required the removal of the display. And while this isn't typically a fault-prone component (you're far more likely to need to replace the battery or screen), it's still a bit annoying.
[7]
Three camera modules, two connectors to unplug. [8]Pic via iFixit
The glass back of the Mi 11 added an element of risk, especially to smartphone owners who are prone to dropping their devices. Fortunately, replacements shouldn't prove too tricky, and Xiaomi used only a modest amount of glue. This allowed iFixit to yank it free without using any heat – a simple opening tool proved sufficient.
iFixit gave the Mi 11 a modest score of 4 out of 10. Not bad (the [9]Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra scored a dismal three), but not amazing, especially when compared to the [10]iPhone 12 family , which scored six.
Xiaomi won plaudits for its use of modular components, standard Philips screws, and general lack of adhesive, but these were largely nullified by the construction of the display, which the the iFixit techies found was not conducive to long-term servicing.
[11]
The notion of repairability is largely subjective ( [12]just ask Apple ) and it's not something consumers regularly consider when buying kit. But as some customers increasingly hold off on upgrading their devices (per Gartner's figures, the [13]average wait is between 2.5 and 2.8 years ), and more become conscious of the environmental impact of manufacturing new devices, this may change. ®
Get our [14]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/08/xiaomis_mi_11_flagship_is/
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2020/12/02/qualcomm_snapdragon_888/
[3] https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Xiaomi+Mi+11+Teardown/141047
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YE-nCkpTkHBIbcM8lT5SjwAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/08/xiaomis_mi_11_flagship_is/
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YE-nCkpTkHBIbcM8lT5SjwAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://regmedia.co.uk/2021/03/15/mi11.jpg
[8] https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Xiaomi+Mi+11+Teardown/141047
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2021/03/12/ifixit_samsung_galaxy_s21_ultra/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/23/iphone_12_pro_max_ifixit/
[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YE-nCkpTkHBIbcM8lT5SjwAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/27/apple_recycling_scores/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/22/iphone_12_gartner/
[14] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
And boy, was this latest teardown a mixed bag. Contradictory, even. On the one hand, Xiaomi made some servicing tasks – like replacing the battery – relatively straightforward, using simple adhesive pull-tabs rather than glue that must be dissolved with a solvent or strong isopropyl alcohol. Getting to the battery was a different matter, however, with iFixit's crew bemoaning a “tedious” process that required the delicate removal of multiple flex cables and antenna wires.
[4]
Xiaomi a Snapdragon 888 flagship for €749: Yep, the Mi 11 is rolling out to world outside China [5]READ MORE
The display? Xiaomi chose to use a curved “infinity edge” screen, which, although pleasant to look at, proved to be a nightmare to detach. While a standard screen may be removed with something as simple as a spudger, iFixit was forced to resort to a specialist tool. The techies also correctly noted that curved screens tend to be delicate to remove, with a greater likelihood of splintering during excision.
[6]
iFixit pointed out that some repairs, such as the replacement of the under-screen fingerprint reader, required the removal of the display. And while this isn't typically a fault-prone component (you're far more likely to need to replace the battery or screen), it's still a bit annoying.
[7]
Three camera modules, two connectors to unplug. [8]Pic via iFixit
The glass back of the Mi 11 added an element of risk, especially to smartphone owners who are prone to dropping their devices. Fortunately, replacements shouldn't prove too tricky, and Xiaomi used only a modest amount of glue. This allowed iFixit to yank it free without using any heat – a simple opening tool proved sufficient.
iFixit gave the Mi 11 a modest score of 4 out of 10. Not bad (the [9]Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra scored a dismal three), but not amazing, especially when compared to the [10]iPhone 12 family , which scored six.
Xiaomi won plaudits for its use of modular components, standard Philips screws, and general lack of adhesive, but these were largely nullified by the construction of the display, which the the iFixit techies found was not conducive to long-term servicing.
[11]
The notion of repairability is largely subjective ( [12]just ask Apple ) and it's not something consumers regularly consider when buying kit. But as some customers increasingly hold off on upgrading their devices (per Gartner's figures, the [13]average wait is between 2.5 and 2.8 years ), and more become conscious of the environmental impact of manufacturing new devices, this may change. ®
Get our [14]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/08/xiaomis_mi_11_flagship_is/
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2020/12/02/qualcomm_snapdragon_888/
[3] https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Xiaomi+Mi+11+Teardown/141047
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YE-nCkpTkHBIbcM8lT5SjwAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/08/xiaomis_mi_11_flagship_is/
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YE-nCkpTkHBIbcM8lT5SjwAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://regmedia.co.uk/2021/03/15/mi11.jpg
[8] https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Xiaomi+Mi+11+Teardown/141047
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2021/03/12/ifixit_samsung_galaxy_s21_ultra/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2020/11/23/iphone_12_pro_max_ifixit/
[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YE-nCkpTkHBIbcM8lT5SjwAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/27/apple_recycling_scores/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/22/iphone_12_gartner/
[14] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Curved screen
Yet Another Anonymous coward
Thinking about it, this could be a good use for repair scores.
In looking for a new phone that curved screen, or being 0.1mm thinner isn't just costing me $X up front I know that a repair is going to be $Y more than the base model
ITsaproblem
I'd be interested in what the average user would sacrifice (financial or features) in order to make the most common repairs easier and more affordable. I'd certainly scrap a glass (why?why?why?) and a curved display. I'd happy take some extra chin and thickness for a swappable battery. I'd probably accept a retractable aerial for more stable reception. The coolness that comes with it is a bonus
Did I read that right?
Anonymous Coward
Apple 6/10, Samsung 3/10, Xiaomi 4/10?
Hmm... where are all the armchair commentators in the forums today?
Re: Did I read that right?
Anonymous Coward
I keep trying to get up off the couch to comment and slipping off the curved edges.
/inserts joke icon/
Curved screen
If customers want (for some reason) a screen that goes around the sides, for extra drop risk, isn't this their fault?
It's not like the maker is doing this deliberately to make it non-repairable.
Does mean I have an extra reason to stick to $100 Xiaomi low-end phones