Xiaomi phones: Comparison of Types, Volumes and Speeds in 2026

When choosing a Xiaomi smartphone, many users are faced with the question: what memory is installed in it? The type of drive depends not only on the speed of downloading applications, but also on the overall responsiveness of the system. In budget models, eMMC is often found, and in flagships, faster UFS. But how does this affect everyday use? And should you overpay for top-end memory?

In this article, we’ll look at all the memory types Xiaomi uses in 2026, from the aging eMMC 5.1 to modern UFS 4.0. You’ll learn how to check the type of memory in your phone, which models support microSD expansion, and why even 128 GB may not be enough.

Memory Types in Xiaomi Smartphones: eMMC vs UFS

Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with two main types of internal memory: eMMC (Embedded MultiMediaCard) and UFS (Universal Flash Storage). The first option is cheaper, but much slower - it is put in the budget models of the Redmi and POCO series. The second is used in the mid- and premium segment, providing high read / write speeds.

The difference in performance is visible to the naked eye, for example, eMMC 5.1 (the most common in public sector) has a read speed of about 250 MB/s, whereas eMMC 5.1 has a read speed of about 250 MB/s. UFS 3.1 – up to 2100 MB/s. This means that the applications on the UFS-Memory devices open almost instantly, and games load without delay.

• 📱 eMMC 5.1 - Budget models (Redmi) 12C, POCO C55). Speed: ~250 MB/s (reading), ~125 MB/s (recording).
• ⚡ UFS 2.1/2.2 — Medium segment (Redmi Note) 12, POCO X5). Speed: ~850 MB/s (reading), ~250 MB/s (recording).
• 🚀 UFS 3.1 - flagships (Xiaomi 13, POCO F5 Pro). Speed: ~2100 MB/s (reading), ~1200 MB/s (recording).
• 💎 UFS 4.0 - Top-end novelties (Xiaomi 14 Ultra: ~4200 MB/s (reading), ~2800 MB/s (recording).

It's important to understand that memory type directly affects multitasking, for example, if you're simultaneously holding a messenger, a music player and a game in the background, a smartphone with UFS will do better - the data will be loaded faster, without "hanging."

How to find out what memory is in your Xiaomi

Memory type check doesn’t require disassembling your phone or special programs, just use standard tools or third-party utilities, and the easiest way is to use the AIDA64 app (available on Google Play).

Instructions for verification:

1. Install AIDA64 from the official store.
2. Open the app and go to the Warehouse section.
3. Find the Drive Type bar – there will be an eMMC or UFS with the version.

Alternatively, you can search by phone model, for example, Google the query, "Redmi Note 12 Pro+ memory type," and usually the first pages of the search show reviews with specifications, which indicate the type of drive.

⚠️ Note: Some sellers only specify the storage space (e.g., “128GB”) in product descriptions, but don’t specify the type of memory that they use. This may be a marketing ploy to hide the use of slow eMMC in budget models.

Xiaomi Memory: How Much Do You Need in 2026?

In 2026, even Xiaomi’s budget smartphones offer a minimum of 64GB of internal memory, but that’s only enough for basic tasks: instant messengers, social networks, a few photos. If you plan to install games, shoot videos in 4K or store music offline, you’d better consider options from 128GB.

Distribution of memory by segment:

Note that the actual available volume is always less than stated. For example, in a smartphone with 128 GB of memory, the user has about 112-118 GB available to the user, the rest is occupied by the system and preinstalled applications.

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If you often shoot videos in 4K or 8K, take a model with storage. For example, 1 minute of video in 4K@60fps takes ~400 MB, and in 8K it takes up to 1 GB/min.

Memory card slot: microSD in Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support microSD memory expansion, and the company has recently abandoned the slot in favor of a second SIM or space savings, but the slot is still in place in budget and some mid-budget models.

How to check for microSD support:

• 🔍 Check out the model characteristics on the official Xiaomi website (section "Memory»).
• 📦 Look at the phone box - there may be a note that says "microSD up to 1TB».
• 🛠️ Use the app. CPU-Z (section).

Important nuances:

• ⚠️ MicroSD cards are slower than internal memory, even if they are UHS-I.
• 🎮 Not all games can be ported to microSD (Google Play restrictions).
• 📸 Photos and videos can be stored on a map, but it will slow their opening in the gallery.

⚠️ Note: In hybrid slots (for example, in Redmi Note 11) you will have to choose between the second slot. SIM-You can't use both at the same time.

How does memory type affect performance?

Memory speed is directly related to system responsiveness, for example, when you start a heavy game (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), a smartphone with UFS 3.1 will load levels faster than a model with eMMC 5.1.

Here’s how the type of memory affects different tasks:

• 📱 Launch of applications: On UFS Messengers open in 1-2 seconds, on eMMC - up to 5 seconds.
• 🎮 Games: eMMC is possible "freeze" when loading textures, on the UFS — gameplay.
• 📷 Photo/video: Serial shooting on UFS allows you to do up to 20 fps without delays, on eMMC - up to 5-10 fps.
• 🔄 Multitasking: On UFS You can switch between 10 quickly.+ applications, on eMMC - some of them will be rebooted.

Slow memory also causes the processor to work longer at high frequencies, which increases power consumption, for example, in tests Xiaomi Redmi 10 (with eMMC) discharged 15-20% faster than the POCO X4 Pro (with UFS 2.2) on the same tasks.

How to increase memory speed in Xiaomi?

If your smartphone has a slow-motion eMMC, you can't replace it completely, it's soldered into the motherboard, but there are ways to optimize the way you work:

1. Cache Cleanup: Regularly delete temporary files through Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Turn off animation: Turn on developer mode and reduce animation to 0.5x.
3. Transfer applications to the card: If you have a microSD slot, transfer media files and lightweight applications there.
4. Use Lite versions: Install lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

For owners of smartphones with UFS is also useful:

• 🔧 Regularly update the firmware – Xiaomi optimizes the work with memory in new versions MIUI.
• 🚫 Avoid memory cleaners – they often delete the right files and slow down the system.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone every 2-3 days – this clears RAM and cache.

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Even on eMMC, you can achieve acceptable speed if you do not cram memory "to the end" and avoid heavy games.

Which Xiaomi model to choose from memory in 2026?

When choosing a Xiaomi smartphone, focus on your tasks:

• 💰 Budget up to 15,000 ₽: Redmi 12 (128 GB, eMMC 5.1) or POCO M6 Pro (128 GB, UFS 2.2) The latter is preferable.
• 🎮 Games and Multimedia (20–30 000) ₽): POCO F5 (256GB, UFS 3.1) or Xiaomi 13 Lite (256 GB, UFS 2.2).
• 📸 Photography and video (30 000 ₽+): Xiaomi 13 (256/512 GB, UFS 3.1) Xiaomi 14 (512 GB, UFS 4.0).
• 💎 Premium (50 000 ₽+): Xiaomi 14 Ultra (512 GB/1 TB, UFS 4.0) — The Best Choice for Professionals.

If you need a microSD slot, pay attention to:

• Redmi Note 12 (hybrid slot)
• POCO X5 Pro (Separate Slot)
• Redmi 12C (budget version)

For gamers, the best choice is the POCO F or Black Shark series, which not only feature UFS 3.1/4.0 fast memory, but also improved cooling, which is important for long gaming sessions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory in Xiaomi