Xiaomi now offers more than 10 different smartphone series, each geared towards a different audience, from budget models for students to flagships for professional photographers. It’s hard to understand this variety without preparation: the Redmi Note 12 Pro names.+, POCO X5 The Pro or Xiaomi 14 Ultra doesn’t tell the average customer much, but choosing the wrong series can lead to overpaying for unnecessary features or frustration with poor performance.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all the current Xiaomi lines, highlight their key features and help determine which series is right for you. We will analyze not only the technical characteristics, but also the hidden nuances that the manufacturer does not advertise: for example, why. POCO Often cheaper than Redmi for similar hardware, or how Pro versions actually differ from the base models. FAQ-block.
Xiaomi is actively updating its lines, so the information in the article is relevant for models 2023-2026. If you are considering buying a smartphone older than 2 years, check its characteristics separately - they may have become obsolete.
1. The main series Xiaomi: a brief overview
All Xiaomi smartphones are divided into 5 main families, each of which solves its own tasks:
🔹 Redmi is the most popular series, focused on the ratio of price / quality. Here you will find both budget models for 10-15 thousand rubles, and "advanced" devices with a high-end price. AMOLED-The main advantage is regular discounts and wide availability in offline stores.
🔹 POCO — "sports line, originally positioned as a game, but today it is more like "Redmi on steroids" Here higher screen refresh rate (up to 144 Hz), more powerful processors and more often there are non-standard design solutions. Prices start from 18 thousand rubles.
🔹 Xiaomi (Mi) - flagship series, where all the most modern technologies are concentrated: the best cameras (together with Leica), premium materials of the case and top-end chipsets Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The cost starts from 50 thousand rubles and reaches 100+ thousands for special editions.
🔹 Mix is an experimental lineup for enthusiasts, and it's testing innovations like sliding cameras (Mix 3), subscreen selfie cameras (Mix 4), or flexible displays (Mix Fold.
🔹 Black Shark - purely gaming smartphones with physical triggers, active cooling and exclusive software. the Series is almost not represented in Russia officially, but it can be found at resellers.
It's important to understand that the lines between series are sometimes blurred, POCO F5 The characteristics are close to Redmi. K60, Xiaomi 13T — It's basically a lightweight flagship, so to avoid confusion, let's take a look at each line.
2.Redmi: Budget vs Premium in One Lineup
Redmi is the widest range of Xiaomi series, with everything from 8,000-ruble smartphones to 120-watt charging and 200-megapixel cameras, with the main divisions within the lineup taking place in sub-series:
📱 Redmi A - ultra-budget models (price up to 10 000) ₽). Here you will get a basic chipset (Helio). G36), HD-8-13 MP screen and camera, Example: Redmi A2+. Suitable for elderly relatives or backup phone.
📱 Redmi Note – the most popular sub-series (price 15,000-30,000) ₽). Here we are. AMOLED-screens, 33-120 watt charging and optical stabilization cameras. flagship subseries — Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G 200MP main camera.
📱 Redmi K – “killers flagships” (price 30,000-45,000) ₽). These models get the top processors of the last year (Snapdragon 8)+ Gen 1), but are cheaper than the official flagships. Example: Redmi K60 Pro with screen 2K+120 Hz.
📱 Redmi Turbos are limited editions with unique design and overclocked features. Rarely released, but always sold out quickly.
Redmi's secret is that many of the models in the series are being re-named for different markets, such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+ 5G in India, sold as POCO X5 Pro 5G — The “iron” is identical, and the price may differ by 3-5 thousand rubles.
⚠️ Attention: Redmi models below 20 000 ₽ screens with resolution are often found FHD+ (1080p), but 60 Hz. If you care about smooth scrolling, look for models marked Pro or 90/120 Hz in performance.
| subseries | Price range (2026) | Key chips | For who? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi A | 6 000 – 10 000 ₽ | Basic chipset, HD-screen, 1 camera | Backup phone, older users |
| Redmi Note | 15 000 – 30 000 ₽ | AMOLED, 33–120 W charging, 108–200 MP camera | The main smartphone for most |
| Redmi K | 30 000 – 45 000 ₽ | Last year's flagship chip, 2K-screen | Gamers, lovers of powerful "iron" |
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If you need a smartphone up to 20,000 ₽ With a good camera, look for Redmi Note models marked Pro – they get the best sensors from the entire lineup.
3. POCO: gaming smartphones or red-painted Redmi?
Series POCO Originally created as a brand for gamers, today it is more like "Redmi with Turbo:
⚡ More aggressive design: bright colors, neon logos, sometimes even LED backlighting (as in the case of the LED). POCO F5).
⚡ High screen refresh rate: even in models over 20,000 ₽ Here you can find 120-144 Hz (Redmi has a similar price usually 90 Hz).
⚡ "Overclocked processors: POCO They often get the same chipsets as Redmi K, but with optimized cooling, POCO F5 Pro built on Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 - as does Redmi K60 Pro.
⚡ More memory out of the box: if the Redmi Note 12 The basic version is based on 6/128 GB, then POCO X5 Pro starts with 8/256 GB for the same price.
But there are pitfalls:
- 🔋 Lower battery capacity (often 4500-5000 mAh vs. 5000-5500 mAh for Redmi).
- 📸 Weaker cameras — POCO Focuses on productivity, not on photos.
- 🛠️ Fewer official updates — POCO frequently MIUI A year later than the Redmi.
Example: POCO X6 Pro (2026) equipped with a display 1.5K Dolby Vision-enabled, but its 50-MP main camera loses the 200-MP sensor in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ similarly priced.
⚠️ Attention: Models POCO Often sold only online (on AliExpress, Xiaomi Store), whereas Redmi is easy to find in offline stores.If you are interested in warranty and service centers, check the availability of the model in your city before buying.
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If you choose between POCO X6 Pro and Redmi. K70E, Compare them in benchmark tests (like AnTuTu). Often, performance differences don't justify the price difference.
4. Xiaomi (Mi): flagships with Leica cameras
Xiaomi (formerly Mi) is a showcase of the company's technology.
📷 Cameras developed with Leica: optical glass lenses, branded color profiles and 50–200-MP sensors with large aperture (f/1.6–f/1.9). For example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra has four main cameras with support 8K-video.
🔥 The most powerful processors: flagships receive Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the year of release, while Redmi K is satisfied with the chipsets of the previous generation.
💎 Premium materials: ceramics (Xiaomi 13 Ultra), titanium (Xiaomi Mix Fold 3), tempered glass Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
⚡ Top-level screens: 2K-permit, LTPO AMOLED (Adaptive frequency of 1-120 Hz, support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
But for these benefits, you have to pay:
- 💰 Price from 50,000 ₽ — 2–3 times more expensive than Redmi Note.
- 🔋 Battery is often smaller (4500–4800 mAh vs. 5000 mAh)+ public-sector).
- 🛡️ No 3.5mm connector and memory card slot.
The big question is, should you overpay? If you want the best cameras on the market or the best performance, yes. The Redmi K or the Redmi K is enough for all the other tasks. POCO.
How to distinguish the original Xiaomi from a fake?
5. Mix: Innovation or Marketing?
The Mix line is a testing ground for Xiaomi experiments, where technologies that can then be introduced into mainstream models are tested:
🤖 Mix Fold 3 – foldable smartphone with internal 2K-screen and exterior AMOLED 6.5." The main feature is frameless design and stylus support.
📱 The Mix 4 is the first smartphone with a completely hidden front camera (under the screen). The technology is not perfect (the brightness of the screen above the camera decreases), but it is a step forward.
🎮 Mix 3 – model with a retractable camera (2018), which became a cult among collectors.
Mix's problems:
- 💸 The price tag for the Mix Fold 3 is $120,000.+ ₽.
- 🔧 Repair difficulties – for example, a screen replacement in a Mix Fold can cost 30-40% of the price of a phone.
- ⚡ Not always justified innovations – the subscreen camera in Mix 4 is inferior in quality to classic selfie cameras.
Who will be the right Mix for? tech enthusiasts who want to be the first, and business users who care about unique design (like a foldable Mix Fold for presentations).
6.Black Shark: Smartphones for Esports
Black Shark is a gaming smartphone with physical triggers, active cooling and exclusive software.
🎮 Physical trigger buttons (up to 4 pieces) that can be customized for any game. In Black Shark 5 Pro, they are magnetic and rise when game mode is activated.
❄️ The cooling system with a liquid chamber and an external cooler is complete. The temperature of the processor at long loads is kept at 10-15.°Lower than conventional smartphones.
🔥 Screens with a frequency of 144 Hz and a response time of 1 ms (versus 4-8 ms in standard models) AMOLED).
🔊 Supported stereo speakers DTS:X Ultra for immersing in games.
But there are nuances:
- 📵 Poor optimization for everyday tasks – the interface is sharpened for games, not for social networks or photos.
- 📷 Weak cameras – even the flagship Black Shark models lose on the photos of the mid-budget Redmi.
- 🛒 It is difficult to buy officially - in Russia, the series is not presented, only through resellers.
If you are a professional gamer (playing the game) PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty or Genshin Impact at high settings, Black Shark is one of the best options**.
7. How to choose a Xiaomi series for your tasks?
To avoid making the wrong choice, answer 4 key questions:
🔹 What's your budget?
🔹 Which is more important: camera, performance or battery?
- 📸 Camera. → Xiaomi (Mi) or Redmi Note Pro+.
- 🎮 Productivity → POCO or black shark.
- 🔋 Battery → Redmi Note (5000+ mAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh).
🔹 Do you need innovation?
- ✅ Folding screen → Mix Fold.
- ✅ Underscreen camera → Mix 4.
- ✅ Game triggers → Black Shark.
🔹 Where will you buy your phone?
- 🏬 Offline store → Redmi or Xiaomi (Mi).
- 🌍 Online (AliExpress, Xiaomi Store) → POCO or black shark.
Check the support 5G In your region (not all Redmi models work with Russian frequencies)|
Compare prices on Xiaomi Store, SberMegaMarket and AliExpress (the difference can be up to 10%)|
Please note the official guarantee (especially for the POCO and Black Shark)|
Read the reviews about a particular model on 4PDA YouTube (note the software bugs)-->