Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO: what’s the difference and which smartphone to choose?

Three brands, one company: how Xiaomi divides the market

If you've ever been confused about Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, you're not alone: All three brands are owned by the same Chinese corporation Xiaomi Group, but targeted at different categories of customers. At first glance, it may seem like a marketing ploy, but in fact, each name has a unique strategy, from budget solutions to flagship innovations.

The main difference lies not only in price, but also in hardware, software, design and even in the approach to updates. For example, Redmi traditionally offers the maximum return for minimal money, while POCO relies on performance for gamers and enthusiasts. But Xiaomi-branded smartphones often get exclusive features, from premium housing materials to advanced Leica cameras.

In this article, we will take a closer look at how the three sub-brands differ, compare them by key parameters, and help you determine which smartphone is right for you. And if you already use one of the line devices, you will find out what to expect from updates and support.

1. Target audience: who is targeted at whom?

Before we get into the technical details, it's important to understand who each brand's devices are built for, and that's not just pricing, but development priorities.

• 📱 Xiaomi (Mi): Premium and upper middle class, with users who care about design, build quality, advanced cameras and long-term update support, and you'll find flagships with Snapdragon 8 Gen processors and exclusive technologies like wireless charging. 80W display 2K AMOLED.
• 💰 Redmi: Budget and lower midsize. The focus is price/quality. Redmi devices are bought by those who want to get a modern smartphone at a minimum cost. 4/6 series, as well as simplified versions of flagship chips (for example, Dimensity) 700 Dimensity instead 9000).
• 🎮 POCO: Gamers and fans of “customized” performance. POCO It was originally designed as a brand for enthusiasts who want maximum power for a reasonable price, and here you will find smartphones with top-end processors (for example, the Snapdragon 8).+ Gen 1 inches POCO F5 Pro), but with stripped-down "premium" chips such as waterproofing or ceramic case.

Interestingly, POCO was originally a sub-brand of Xiaomi, but in 2020 became independent (although still owned by the Xiaomi Group), which allowed the POCO team to experiment with design and software, for example, offering a clean Android without a MIUI shell in some models.

2. Design and Materials: Plastic vs Glass vs Metal

One of the most noticeable differences between brands is the look and the materials used, where Xiaomi often takes a step ahead, while Redmi and POCO skimp on details.

• 🖼️ Xiaomi: Flagship models (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra) get ceramic or aluminum cases, glass panels with protection Gorilla Glass Victus, as well as premium colors like “green forest” or “rose gold”. Even mid-budget models (the Xiaomi Civi series) often have thin bezels and curved displays.
• 📦 Redmi: Practicality is a priority. Most devices are made of plastic (sometimes mimicking glass), and the design is borrowed from Xiaomi's flagships of the past.+ Looks like Xiaomi. 12T, But with thicker frames and no premium materials.
• ⚡ POCO: Design is often “sharpened” for gamers – bright colors (POCO F5 In orange or yellow, aggressive lines, logo lighting, materials usually plastic or glass, but with an emphasis on heat sink (e.g. copper tubes in the silk). POCO X6 Pro).

An important nuance: even within the same brand, materials can be very different, such as the Redmi K70 Pro has a glass body, while the Redmi 13C is completely plastic, which is due to the fact that Redmi is divided into sub-series: Note (budget), K (middle class) and Pro (frontier models with Xiaomi).

Processors and Performance: Who is Faster?

If performance is critical for you, then the choice between brands becomes obvious. POCO and the top Redmi K models often get the same processors as Xiaomi flagships, but with reduced capabilities (for example, without support for 8K video or with fewer cameras).

⚠️ Note: In the Redmi models and POCO You see, trottling is a common thing, and it's a decrease in heat productivity, POCO X5 Pro with Snapdragon 778G In benchmarks shows results 15-20% lower than Xiaomi 11 Lite NE with the same chip due to less efficient cooling.

If you need a smartphone for games or resource-intensive tasks, pay attention to:

Look for models with the prefix Pro or Ultra

Check the type of cooling (liquid is better than air)

Compare results in AnTuTu for a specific model

Note the memory version (UFS 3.1 faster than UFS 2.2)

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4.Cameras: from budget modules to collaboration with Leica

Photos are one of the key criteria for choosing a smartphone, and here the difference between the brands is most noticeable. Xiaomi is actively cooperating with Leica, while Redmi and POCO often bypass budget sensors Samsung ISOCELL or OmniVision.

• 📸 Xiaomi: Flagships are equipped with 50-200 MP main cameras with optical stabilization (OIS) And Leica's proprietary algorithms (like the Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant profiles), even mid-budget models like the Xiaomi 13 Lite get dual main cameras for improved back-up effects.
• 🌄 Redmi: Note and A series often have 48-108 MP cameras without OIS, So, for example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+ It has a 200 MP sensor, but its real quality is inferior to Xiaomi 13T 50 MP due to weak image processing (ISP).
• 🎥 POCO: Cameras are not a priority here. POCO F5 Pro with a flagship chip costs 64 MP sensor without OIS. But video shooting often supports high bitrates (up to 150 Mbit / s in) 4K), What is appreciated among bloggers.

⚠️ Note: In budget Redmi (e.g. Redmi) 12C) There are often junk extra cameras, 2MP macro or depth modules, which are useless in practice. Check real-world camera reviews before buying, not just megapixels!

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To check the camera before buying, check out test photos on DxOMark or telegram channels like @XiaomiCameraTests. Pay attention to detail in the shadows and HDR performance in bright light.

5.Software: MIUI, but not quite

All three brands are based on MIUI (or its modifications), but with important differences:

• 🤖 Xiaomi: Gets the cleanest version MIUI With minimal advertising and maximum support life (up to 4 years of security updates) and exclusive features are available in flagships, such as, MIUI Pad Mode (adaptive interface for tablets).
• 📱 Redmi: The version MIUI Many features (like Second Space or Game Turbo) require manual activation, and budget models also have built-in ads in system applications.
• 🚀 POCO: Uses it. MIUI for POCO — It's a performance-focused shell, with fewer animations, more fine-tuning options (e.g., overclocking). CPU/GPU), But stability sometimes suffers, POCO X3 NFC) Android One is a “clean” Android without MIUI.

The timing of updates also varies:

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Xiaomi flagships get the longest updates (3-4 years), while budget Redmis often stay on the old version of Android after 1-2 years.

Prices and market positioning (2026)

Price policy is one of the key drivers of brand differences, with current ranges for early 2026 (for Russia and the CIS):

⚠️ Note: Prices for Xiaomi and POCO If you want to save money, look for models on AliExpress (global versions) or in large retailers like Svyaznoy during sales. LTE-bands (e.g., Band 20).

7. Which brand to choose? Script recommendations

To make the choice easier, we have prepared recommendations based on your priorities:

• 📷 Photo and premium: Stay with Xiaomi (series) 13/14 Here you'll get the best cameras, exclusive design and long-term support. If the budget is tight, consider Redmi. K70 Pro – it inherits many of the flagship chips.
• 🎮 Games and productivity: POCO F5 Pro or Redmi K70 — Best power-price options. Pay attention to the Snapdragon 8 models.+ Gen 1 or newer.
• 💰 Minimum budget: Redmi Note 13 or Redmi 13C They will offer an acceptable performance for 15-20 thousand rubles, but be prepared for weak cameras and plastic case.
• 🔋 Long-term autonomy: Look for models with 5000 battery+ mAh and energy-efficient chips (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro)+ with Dimensity 7200 Ultra or POCO M6 Pro with Helio. G99).
• 🛠️ Customization lovers: POCO It offers more overclocking and modification options (for example, unlocking the bootloader is easier than Xiaomi).

If you are still in doubt, answer two questions:

1. How much are you willing to spend?
2. Which is more important to you: cameras, performance, design or autonomy?

Based on the answers, the choice will be narrowed to 1-2 models.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO