Xiaomi or Samsung: which is better to choose in 2026 – a comparison of 10 criteria

Choosing between Xiaomi and Samsung is not just a matter of preference, it’s a strategic decision that will impact your digital experience in the next 2-3 years. Both brands are leading the smartphone market, but they are suitable for completely different types of users. If you value innovative cameras and premium design, Samsung will offer flagship solutions with the best screens on the market. If the price/quality ratio and firmware flexibility are the first, Xiaomi will give a head start to the Korean giant.

In this article, we won’t talk about the “best brand” in general — instead, we’ll look at 10 specific criteria where Xiaomi and Samsung are fundamentally different, from hardware to the accessories ecosystem. You’ll learn why the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ beats the Galaxy A54 in performance but loses in video stability, and why owners of the Galaxy S24 Ultra pay 30% more for the same features as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Ready?

1.Price policy: why Xiaomi is 20-40% cheaper than Samsung

The price difference between Xiaomi and Samsung is not a marketing ploy, but a consequence of different business models: the Korean brand spends up to 12% of the cost of a smartphone on advertising and dealer networks, while Xiaomi saves on this by selling devices mainly online.

• 📱 Xiaomi 13T Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 200 MP camera) — ~60 000 ₽
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 50 MP camera) — ~85 000 ₽

But Xiaomi’s cheapness has the downside: the brand often saves on long-term support. For example, the flagship Xiaomi 12S Ultra (2022) received only 3 years of Android updates, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra of the same year – 4 years + advanced security support. If you plan to use a smartphone longer than 2 years, this point is critical.

2.Performance: Who is faster in games and everyday tasks

On paper, the flagships of both brands are equipped with the same processors (for example, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Xiaomi 14 and the Galaxy S24).However, in practice, Samsung often limits performance for the sake of battery saving, while Xiaomi allows the chip to run at maximum.

But there’s a nuance: Samsung optimizes firmware for a specific hardware, so the difference is less noticeable in real use, but Xiaomi gives more freedom to overclock and customize through an engineering menu (for example, you can manually adjust the FPS limit in games).

⚠️ Note: In Samsung models with Exynos processors (e.g. Galaxy) S23 In Europe, performance drops by 15-20% compared to Snapdragon versions!

3.Cameras: Why Samsung is better at shooting videos and Xiaomi is better at taking photos

If you’re mostly taking photos for social media, Xiaomi will offer brighter and contrasting shots thanks to aggressive processing. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with Sony IMX989 (1 inch) bypasses the Galaxy S23 Ultra in detail in good lighting. But if you go into the room or shoot a video, the advantage goes to Samsung:

• 🎥 Samsung is using a 10-bit HDR in video (vs. 8-bit in Xiaomi), which gives smoother color transitions.
• 🔍 Stabilization in Galaxy S24+ It works better thanks to a hardware gyroscope with a survey frequency of 240 Hz (Xiaomi has 120 Hz).
• 🌃 Xiaomi’s nighttime mode is brighter but often over-glows light sources, while Samsung keeps its natural shadows.

For professionals, Xiaomi offers manual RAW settings (including color temperature adjustment), while Samsung is limited to Pro Mode profiles, while the Korean brand supports 8K@30fps on all flagships, and Xiaomi only on top models (for example, 14 Ultra).

4.Screens: AMOLED vs Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Both brands use AMOLED-Matrices, but the technology differs dramatically:

• 🔴 Samsung manufactures screens on its own (factories in Korea and Vietnam) and installs Dynamic. AMOLED 2X supportive HDR10+ and up to 120 Hz (in the Galaxy) S24 Ultra - up to 144 Hz).
• 🟢 Xiaomi buys panels from Samsung Display (for flagships) or from Chinese suppliers (for example, Samsung Display, BOE As a result, even in Xiaomi 14, the screen is dimmer by 15% at peak brightness.

Key differences:

For gamers: Samsung has an instant response (240 Hz touch layer), while Xiaomi has a delay of ~10 ms. This is critical in shooters like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty.

5.Software: MIUI vs One UI

MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) and One UI (Samsung) are the two poles in the Android world. The former offers maximum customization (from changing icons to deep battery settings), but suffers from advertising in system applications (even in the European version).

Comparison of key parameters:

• 🔄 Samsung Guarantees 4 Years of Android Updates + 5 years of security patches. Xiaomi - 3 years of Android and 4 years of patches (for flagships).
• 🗑️ Garbage: Galaxy preinstalled ~15 system applications (cannot be removed) Xiaomi up to 30, but some can be disabled via Settings → Annexes → Delete.
• 🔧 Additional Features: Only in One UI DeX (Desktop Mode), Link to Windows and Samsung Knox integration for security.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI For global versions of smartphones (such as the Redmi Note 12) there are often no features available in Chinese firmware (such as Super Wallpapers or advanced gestures!

Disable personalized advertising in Settings → Google → Advertising

Remove Mi Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music

Install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher)

Disable push notifications in Settings → Notifications → System notifications

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6.Ecosystem and accessories: why Samsung owners pay less for add-ons

If you use not only a smartphone, but also other gadgets (earphones, watches, TV), Samsung offers a more mature ecosystem.

• ⌚ Galaxy Watch 6 automatically syncs with Samsung Health and can unlock Galaxy Book.
• 🎧 Galaxy Buds 2 Pro supports 360 Audio with Samsung phones only.
• 📺 Samsung TVs QLED You can duplicate the screen of your smartphone without delay (via Smart View).

Xiaomi is also developing an ecosystem (e.g. Mi Band 8 or Xiaomi Smart Home), but there are two problems:

1. Many devices (such as the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum) require separate applications, while Samsung manages everything through SmartThings.
2. Xiaomi accessories are often sold only in China or through unofficial dealers (the risk of running into a fake).

Example of accessories prices (2026):

7. Battery and charging: who lives longer on a single charge

Xiaomi has traditionally equipped smartphones with larger batteries (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ – 5000 mAh vs Galaxy A54 – 4000 mAh). However, real life depends on firmware optimization.

• 📱 Xiaomi 13T Pro: 7-8 hours
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy S23+: 9-10 hours
• 📱 POCO F5 Pro: 10–11 hours (due to a less bright screen)

Xiaomi is the undisputed leader in charging, with even budget models supporting 67W (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), while Samsung is limited to 25W in the Galaxy A series and 45W in flagships.

⚠️ Attention: Fast charging Xiaomi (100W+ Xiaomi 14 Pro reduces battery life by 15-20% after 500 cycles. If you plan to use a smartphone for more than 2 years, it is better to limit the battery life. 30W and charge to 80%.

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To extend the battery life in Xiaomi, turn off the Ultrafast Charging feature in Settings → Battery → Charging Modes and set an 80% limit through the AccuBattery app.

8. Design and Materials: Glass vs Plastic

Samsung uses premium materials even in the mid-range segment: for example, the Galaxy A54 has a glass rear panel (while the Redmi Note 13 Pro is plastic), the flagships of both brands are made of aluminum and glass, but Samsung has unique solutions:

• 💎 Galaxy S24 Ultra - titanium frame (more aluminum by 30%).
• 🎨 Galaxy Z Flip5 — folding screen with a Flex Hinge loop (withstanding 200,000 foldings).

Xiaomi is experimenting with design (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Lite with a floating camera module), but often saves on build. For example, in the POCO X5 Pro, power and volume buttons of backwaters after 6 months of use are a typical problem for the brand’s budget models.

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If you’re looking for a premium design but a budget is tight, look for the Samsung Galaxy A73 – it’s cheaper than the Xiaomi 13, but has a metal frame and glass back.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions