Xiaomi vs Mi: what are the different brands and what to choose for the buyer

If you have ever searched for Xiaomi equipment in online stores, you probably noticed that some devices are labeled as Xiaomi, and others are labeled as Mi. Moreover, they can look the same, and prices sometimes differ by thousands of rubles. This is not a seller’s mistake or a marketing trick – there is a quite logical explanation for the difference that affects the functionality, price and even warranty service.

In this article, we will explore why Xiaomi uses two brands for the same equipment, which devices are released under each of them in 2026, and what this means for the buyer: you will learn how to distinguish the original Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 from a fake under the Mi brand, why Mi TVs are cheaper than Xiaomi TV, and whether to overpay for the logo on the box, and also reveal a little-known fact about how the Mi brand is connected with Xiaomi’s entry into the global market and why it is gradually being phased out.

1. Brand history: why Xiaomi split into two names

It all started in 2010, when Xiaomi first came out, and the first smartphones were Mi, and it was logical: the letters "MI" are easy to remember, they are associated with technology, and the logo as an orange square with white letters became recognizable all over the world. However, by 2014, Xiaomi began to expand the range of smart bracelets, routers, TVs and even electric scooters.

The decision came in 2016, when the company officially announced that Xiaomi would become an umbrella brand for the entire device ecosystem, while the Mi would remain for flagship smartphones and individual lines. For example, budget phones went under the Redmi sub-brand, smart devices went under Xiaomi, and premium models retained the Mi prefix. But after a couple of years, this strategy began to confuse buyers, and Xiaomi again revised the approach.

• 📱 2011-2016 – all smartphones were released under the Mi brand (for example, Mi 1, Mi 2, Mi Note).
• 🌍 2016-2019 – Xiaomi became the “mother” brand, and Mi was assigned to the flagships and global versions.
• 🔄 Since 2020, the gradual abandonment of Mi in smartphone names began (the last one is Mi 11 in 2021).
• 📺 The exception is that the Mi brand has been preserved for TVs, laptops and some accessories.

⚠️ Note: If you see a smartphone called Mi 12 Or newer, it's either a fake or a re-labeled device. 11 (2021 The company has completely switched to the name Xiaomi 12/13/14.

2.What devices are currently produced under the Mi brand

In 2026, the Mi brand is used very selectively, and if it used to sell flagship smartphones, now it is entrenched in several categories of technology:

The rule of thumb is that if the device is not a smartphone, the Mi in the title suggests that it is either a budget model or an outdated line. For example, Mi TVs are usually cheaper than Xiaomi TVs due to simplified filling or fewer features. While Mi Notebook and Xiaomi Book laptops may be identical in hardware, but differ in software or configuration.

3 Smartphones: Why Mi disappeared and Xiaomi stayed

The most confusing story is connected with smartphones: until 2021, the flagship models were called Mi 10, Mi 11, and budget models were called Redmi Note 9 or Poco X3. But then Xiaomi decided to unify branding, and now all smartphones are divided as follows:

• 📱 Xiaomi – flagships and premium models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 Pro).
• 🔴 Redmi – budget and mid-budget phones (Redmi Note 12, Redmi) 10A).
• 🚀 POCO — gaming and production devices (POCO F5, POCO X5 Pro).

Why did this happen? There are several reasons:

1. Globalization: Mi was not well received in some countries (e.g., in Spain, "mi" means "mine", which created confusion in advertising).
2. Assortment simplification: Buyers were confused about Mi, Redmi and POCO brands, thinking they were different companies.
3. Xiaomi wanted to be associated with high quality, like Samsung or Apple, and Mi was perceived as a "Chinese budget brand."

⚠️ WARNING: If you are offered a new Mi 12 or Mi Mix 4 smartphone, it is either a fake or a used device.The latest official Mi smartphone is the Mi 11 Ultra (2021).

4.TVs: Mi TV vs Xiaomi TV - which is better?

With TVs, the situation is reversed to smartphones: here the Mi brand is still actively used, and it has clear differences from Xiaomi TV. The main rule: Mi TV is budget or mid-budget models, and Xiaomi TV is premium or with unique features.

Let's take an example of this.

There are exceptions, for example, the Mi TV Q1E and Xiaomi TV Q2 may have the same matrix, but differ in firmware or configuration.

Compare the technical specifications on the official website mi.com

Check for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos – they are more common on Xiaomi TV

Pay attention to the version of Google TV or MIUI TV – in premium models it is newer.

If the difference is less than 10%, it is better to take Xiaomi TV-->

Another important nuance is warranty service: Mi TVs sold in Russia often have a warranty from a local distributor, and Xiaomi TV from the official representative office of Xiaomi Russia, which means that with a premium model it is easier to resolve repair or replacement issues.

5. Laptops and accessories: where else does the Mi brand meet?

In the laptop segment, the Mi brand is still holding, but there is a gradual transition to Xiaomi, for example, the popular Mi Notebook Pro X 15 (2021) is now sold as Xiaomi Book Pro 15 (2023) with similar characteristics, but a different logo on the lid.

The main differences between Mi laptops and Xiaomi:

• 💻 Design. Mi Notebooks often have a metal body and minimalist style, and Xiaomi Book can be plastic or with unique colors (for example, Xiaomi Book S 12.4" in green version).
• 🔋 Battery: In the premium Xiaomi Book, there are 70 Wh batteries, whereas in the Mi Notebook, usually 40-50 Wh.
• 🖥️ The screen. Xiaomi Book Pro is often equipped OLED-120Hz displays and Mi Notebook — IPS 60 Hz.

With accessories, the situation is simpler: the Mi brand remained only in the old models. For example, the fitness bracelets Mi Band from the 7th version are called Xiaomi Smart Band, and power bank - and moved from Mi Power Bank to Xiaomi HyperCharge Power Bank. If you are offered a "new" Mi Band 6 in 2026 - it is either leftovers in stock or a fake.

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Before buying a Mi Notebook, check if it supports official MIUI updates for PC. Some models have stopped receiving firmware after rebranding.

6. Fakes and relabeling: how not to run into fake

Because of the confusion with the Xiaomi and Mi brands, scammers are actively using this to sell fakes.

1. You take a budget Redmi, you put Mi stickers on it, and it's sold as a flagship.
2. The Mi 9 or Mi 10 are being passed off as new, though they have long since been discontinued.
3. Cloned devices: In China, they make copies of Xiaomi with the Mi logo, but in fact they are devices from other brands (for example, Meizu or Oppo).

How to check the originality:

Check the IMEI on imei.info – the model must match the box

Compare the serial number in Settings → About the phone with the number on the box and in the check

Make sure the firmware is official (in Settings → About Phone → The MIUI version should be labeled Stable)

Check for certificates (e.g. Google Play Protect must show "Device certified")-->

Especially cautious when shopping on AliExpress, Wildberries or Ozon, where sellers may indicate the wrong model. For example, instead of Xiaomi 13 Lite, you may send a Redmi Note 12 Pro + with a Mi sticker.

⚠️ Note: If the device specifies the Mi 12 Pro but the year of release is 2023 or later, it is 100% fake.The last smartphone with the prefix Mi (Mi 11 Ultra) was released in 2021.

7.The future of brands: what will happen to the Mi in 2026-2026

The trend of recent years is clear: Xiaomi is gradually winding down the Mi brand, leaving it only for budget TVs and laptops. In a 2023 interview, the company’s CEO Lei Jun said that Xiaomi is looking to “simplify branding” to make it easier for buyers to navigate the range.

What does this mean for buyers:

• 📉 Mi smartphones will no longer be produced. All new models - only under the brands Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO.

If you are planning to buy Xiaomi equipment, follow the following rules:

• 🆕 For smartphones, look only for Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO.
• 💰 For TVs, compare Mi TV (budget and Xiaomi TV (premium).
• 🔋 For accessories, avoid devices with the Mi logo – they are either outdated or fake.

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By 2026, the Mi brand will likely disappear completely, giving way to a single Xiaomi brand, which will make it easier for buyers to choose from, but could lead to higher prices for budget devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi and Mi differences