Xiaomi Mi 10 in 2026: should you buy a flagship 4 years ago?

Choosing a smartphone in 2026, it’s easy to get lost among dozens of new models with sky-high prices. But what if we said that the Xiaomi Mi 10 — the flagship of 2020 — still has the ability to give a head start to many modern mid-range devices? The first 108-megapixel sensor in the mass segment, Snapdragon 865 with support 5G, and AMOLED-screen with a frequency of 90 Hz - all this made it the top solution at the time of release.

Later. 4 Mi 10 can be bought 2-3 It's less than the original cost, but will it still be relevant today? 10 And the key benefits of the model, and we can compare it to the current model, and we can tell you the real weaknesses, and you can tell who should really look at this machine and who should look at newer solutions. And yes, we've taken into account all the nuances of the use of this machine. 2026 year, including update support and compatibility with modern applications.

1. Performance: Snapdragon 865 in 2026 - weak or still pulling?

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset was once the pinnacle of mobile performance, and today it is, of course, inferior to flagships like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but remains one of the most balanced processors for everyday tasks. In benchmarks, the Mi 10 dials:

• 📊 AnTuTu 9: ~500,000 points (compared to Snapdragon 7)+ Gen 2 — ~1,200,000, but it costs 2 times more)
• 🎮 3DMark Wild Life: ~4,500 points (enough for Genshin Impact on average settings)
• 🔋 Energy efficiency: 7 nm process technology (not the most modern, but not the most voracious)

In practice, this means:

• ✅ Android 13 (last available version for Mi 10)
• ✅ Launch all modern games (except the most demanding ones on the maximum settings)
• ✅ No lags when multitasking (8 GB of RAM in the top version)

The main question is whether there is enough power for the following: 2-3 Unless you're chasing the latest things like Ray Tracing in mobile games, yes. For social media, photography, even light video editing, Snapdragon. 865 It is still one of the most reliable options in its price segment.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a used Mi 10, be sure to check the status of the battery using ##4636## →"Battery information. If the capacity is below 80% of the original, be ready to be replaced soon.

2. Screen: AMOLED 90Hz – Why it’s still cool

Xiaomi Mi Display 10 — it 6,67-inch AMOLED permittingly 2340×1080 support HDR10+. But the main feature is the frequency of updates. 90 Hz, which even today isn't found in all budget smartphones. Why is it important?

In practice, the Mi 10 screen wins over many modern devices due to:

• 🎨 More accurate color reproduction (Delta E) ~0.6, which is better than many new smartphones under 30,000 ₽)
• ☀️ High brightness – in the sun the image remains readable
• 🔄 Adaptive frequency (can be reduced to 30 Hz to save battery life)

The only downside is that there is no 120Hz support, but in practice only a few people notice the difference between 90 and 120Hz, but the Mi 10 does not suffer from the soap effect that is often found on cheap 120Hz screens.

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To enable 90Hz mode continuously (not just in supported apps), go to Settings → Display. → Screen refresh rate and select "90 Hz".

Camera: 108MP - marketing or a real advantage?

The main trump card Xiaomi Mi 10 at the release – 108-megapixel main camera with a Samsung sensor ISOCELL Bright HMX. Even today, few manufacturers offer this kind of resolution in this price segment?

The real pluses:

• 📸 Details: with good lighting, pictures can be sprinkled in 2-3 timelessly
• 🌃 Night shooting: one of the best algorithms among Xiaomi 2020-2021 year-end
• 🎥 Video 8K (although in practice it is more of a "tick-tick" - the files are huge, and there is little benefit)

The real downsides are:

• 🐢 Medical treatment: the pictures weigh in 20-30 MB, and the phone thinks" 2-3 seconds after shooting
• 🔍 Autofocus is not always accurate in macro mode
• 📱 The camera app is outdated – there aren’t many modern modes like Document 2.0"

For comparison, examples of images in different conditions:

The bottom line: the 108MP in the Mi 10 is not marketing, it's not a magic wand either. The camera is still good for its price, but it's losing out to modern flagships in processing and speed. If you care about photography, look at the Xiaomi 13 Lite or Redmi Note 12 Pro.+.

4. Battery and charging: 4,780 mAh + 30 watts is enough today?

The 4,780mAh battery capacity sounds solid, but the Snapdragon 865 is not energy efficient.

• 📱 Screen time: 6-7 hours with active use (social networks, messengers, a few games)
• 🎮 Games: 3-4 hourly PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty in Medium Settings
• 🔌 Charging: 30 W – from 0 to 100% per ~60 minutes.

Compare it to modern devices:

The main problem is battery wear. 4 The capacity of the year, even with careful use, decreases by 15-20%. If you are buying a used one, check it out:

1. Charging cycles (optimum) < 300)
2. Capacity (should be) > 4,000 mAh)
3. Bloating (check if the phone is on the table)

⚠️ Note: If after purchase noticed that the phone is discharged for 3-4 An hour without load is a sign of either a "killed" battery or a software failure. ~2 000 ₽, in the second will help reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).

5. Design and ergonomics: glass + metal vs. modern plastic

Xiaomi Mi 10 is made in a premium style: glass back panel (Gorilla Glass 5) + It's an aluminum frame. It looks expensive, but it has its own nuances:

• ✅ Pluses:
• ❌ Cons:

Compare it to modern devices:

If you want a premium look and you want to use a case, the Mi 10 wins. If you want a lightweight, practical device, you'd better use the Redmi Note 12 or the Poco. X5.

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The Mi 10 design still looks modern, but requires a mandatory case and glass – without protection, the phone is very slippery and fragile.

Programme support: MIUI 14 on Android 13 – What to Expect?

Xiaomi Mi 10 has received the last major update to Android 13 (MIUI 14) That means:

• ✅ Pluses:
• ❌ Cons:

What to do if you want a new version of Android?

1. Custom firmware: For example, LineageOS 20 (Android 13) or Pixel Experience (pure Android).
2. MIUI EU: Unofficial version MIUI without Chinese services.
3. Staying on the drain: For most users MIUI 14 is more than enough.

⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware on Mi 10 requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data and can lead to problems with Widevine L1 (no HD into Netflix/YouTube). If you are not ready for this, it is better to stay on the official software.

7. Comparison with modern analogues: is it worth overpaying?

The big question is, what better way to buy in 2026: a used Mi 10 or a new smartphone for the same money? Compare it to popular models in the price range of 20,000-25,000 ₽:

Who will be the Mi 10 in 2026?

• 🎮 Snapdragon 865 still better than most of the chips of the middle class.
• 📸 108 MP camera gives more options for post-processing.
• 💰 For the same money, new devices offer only Dimensity 1080 or Snapdragon 778G — both weaker than 865.
• 🎧 Melomanam: One of the best sounds among Xiaomi (stereo speakers) + Support for Hi-Res Audio).

Who better to choose something else?

• 🔋 Those who want long-term autonomy (new devices hold the charge on the 20-30% longer).
• 📱 Those who appreciate compactness (Mi 10 is big and heavy).
• 🔄 Those who want long-term support for updates (Mi 10 will not receive new versions of Android).

8.Where to buy and what to look for?

If you’re considering buying the Xiaomi Mi 10 in 2026, here are 5 key points to look out for:

1. Battery condition: Ideal: Capacity > 4500mAh, charging cycles < Acceptable: 4,000-4,500 mAh, cycles < 500. Critical: < 4,000mAh - Prepare to be replaced (~2 000 ₽).
2. Screen: Check for broken pixels (can be done through the Settings test) → The phone. → Make sure there is no yellowness (a problem with some people). AMOLED-screen-over time).
3. Body: Look for chips and cracks (especially at the edges) and check if the camera is inactive (a common problem after falls).
4. Performance: Launch AnTuTu – the result should be > 450,000.Check for overheating (10 minutes of play in PUBG Mobile – the temperature should not exceed 45°C).

Checking for originality

• Go to Settings. → Phone and check. IMEI boxed.
• Check with IMEI.info – the model must match the Xiaomi Mi 10 (umi).

Where to look?

• 🛒 Avito/Yula: The lowest prices, but high risk of running into a "killed" device.
• 🏪 Salons (Svyaznoy, MTS): Expensive, but there is a guarantee of 14 days.
• 🌍 AliExpress: You can find it in perfect condition, but wait 2-3 weekdays.
• 🔄 Refurbed/Back Market: Proven used devices with warranty 12 months.

⚠️ Warning: If the seller refuses to show the phone on or shows only photos, this is a reason to be wary. A common trick of fraudsters: they show the working device, but after payment they give up the "brick" (a phone with a broken screen or a malfunctioning motherboard). Always check before paying!

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Optimal price for Xiaomi Mi 10 in 2026 — 18 000–22 000 ₽. If the seller asks for more, it's better to look for another option or consider newer models like Poco F5.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi 10