Xiaomi is not so perfect: the main shortcomings of the equipment, which are silent sellers

Xiaomi has long established a reputation for affordable and functional hardware. Marketing slogans about “premium quality at half price” sound tempting, but in practice, device owners face a number of problems that are rarely discussed in reviews. This article is not about how bad the entire brand is — it is about specific technical and software shortcomings that make the experience less comfortable than the competition.

We analyzed user reviews, service center data, and independent test results from 2023-2026 to highlight 10 critical points to consider before buying: there are no subjective assessments like “don’t like the design” – only facts about software bugs, hardware constraints, and business practices that directly affect the user experience.

1.MIUI: beautiful shell with a bunch of bugs

MIUI is Xiaomi’s pride, but also a major source of complaints. Even in the latest versions (14-15), users are faced with system lags, spontaneous reboots and crashes of standard applications. For example, in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ after upgrading to MIUI 15, many noted camera freezes when shooting in 4K, and in Xiaomi 13T – problems with displaying notifications from instant messengers.

Another sore is aggressive memory optimization, where MIUI is forced to shut down the background, causing:

• 📱 Applications reboot when they are returned to them (even from 8-12 GB of RAM).
• 🎵 Music in the player is interrupted when the screen is blocked.
• 📊 Data in games (e.g., progress in Genshin Impact) is reset.

The root of the problem is Memory Extension algorithms, which artificially inflate RAM by compressing data, which on paper looks like +3 GB of memory, but in practice leads to a slowdown due to constant overwriting of the cache.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 for European firmware (EEA) Disabled root access via Fastboot, which means that even experienced users will not be able to manually optimize memory consumption or remove system applications without the risk of “bricking” the device.

2. Advertising in System Apps: How Xiaomi Makes Money From You

Xiaomi openly admits that part of the company’s revenue comes from built-in advertising in MIUI. Even in flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra, users see banners in:

• 📁 Conductor (Annex "Files").
• 🔍 Search by system (Quick Search).
• 🛒 App Store (GetApps).
• 📱 Settings (section "Recommendations").

Formally, you can manually disable advertising (path: Settings → Password and Security → Authorization and Blocking → Advertising), but:

1. After the MIUI update, the settings are reset.
2. In some regions (for example, India) there is no shutdown option.
3. Ads remain in GetApps even after deactivation.

In 2023, Xiaomi began testing smart advertising based on your actions on the system (which apps you use, which settings you change), a feature that has not yet been activated globally, but its implementation means that the company will know more about you than Google.

adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution

But remember: this will only work on an unlocked bootloader and may disrupt some services.-->

3.Restrictions on charging: why Xiaomi battery is "dying" faster

Xiaomi has been actively promoting fast charging (up to 210 watts in the Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition), but has been silent about three key issues:

1. Battery degradation: When you charge >67W, the battery capacity decreases by 15-20% after 300 cycles (dXOMark test data). For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S23 with 45-watt charging has a loss of ~10% over the same period.
2. Overheating: When charged at maximum power, the body temperature exceeds 45°C, leading to trottling (decreased performance) and the risk of battery bloating.
3. Region-specific restrictions: European versions of devices (EEA) have their maximum charging power artificially reduced to 30 to 50 watts “due to safety standards”: for example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro charges 120 watts in China, and only 67 watts in Europe.

In addition, MIUI has activated Adaptive Charging by default, which limits the charge to 80% "to extend battery life." In practice, this means that you won't be able to charge your phone quickly before you go out unless you manually turn off the option (Settings → Battery → Charging settings).

4. Update issues: why Xiaomi is dropping older models

Xiaomi promises 3-4 years of security updates for flagships, but in practice:

• 📅 Redmi Note 9 Pro (2020) received its last update in March 2023, 2 years and 11 months after its release.
• 🚫 POCO X3 NFC No longer receive security patches after 2 years, despite 3 promised security patches.
• 🔄 V MIUI 14 have stopped supporting devices on Snapdragon 720G (For example, Redmi Note 10 Pro, although the iron is able to pull the new firmware.

Moreover, Xiaomi often releases updates with critical bugs that it doesn’t fix for weeks.

• In MIUI 14.0.4 for Xiaomi 12T appeared bug with a constant battery drain (up to 1% per hour in standby mode).
• The Redmi K50i stopped working on the NFC for contactless payments after the update – the problem persisted for 3 months.

⚠️ Note: If your device is older than 2 years, check the reviews on forums before upgrading (for example, check the reviews on the forums, 4PDA or XDA Developers: often new versions MIUI Deteriorating performance of older smartphones due to unoptimized code.

Check the firmware version on the official website|Create a backup copy in Settings → The phone. → Backup|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Shut down. VPN (Updates may not be available)|Prepare to reset settings (sometimes required)-->

5.Cameras: megapixels ≠ quality

Xiaomi likes to boast about 200-megapixel sensors (like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), but in practice, photos often lose to competitors because of:

1. Aggressive processing: Xiaomi's algorithms over-smooth textures, add artificial sharpness, and over-satisfy saturation, such as the sky in pictures often turning unnaturally blue and the skin becoming plastic.
2. Autofocus issues: In the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5, users complain of “mistakes” in focus when shooting in motion or in low light.
3. No optimization for social media: Instagram or TikTok photos lose detail due to heavy compression. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S23 saves more detail when uploaded to the same networks.

For comparison, the results of the DXOMark tests (2026):

In addition, budget models (Redmi 12C, POCO M6 Pro) often lack optical stabilization (OIS), making video shooting almost useless without a tripod.

6.Smart devices: an ecosystem with pitfalls

The Xiaomi Smart Home ecosystem seems convenient, but it actually faces challenges.

• 🌍 Regional restrictions: Many devices (e.g., Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Mop 2 Pro) only work with Chinese servers, and in Europe they lose some of their functions (e.g., room recognition).
• 🔄 Synchronization problems: If you have multiple devices (lamps, sockets, sensors), they can disconnect from the Mi Home for no reason. Door/Window Sensor sometimes forgets to be tied to the hub.
• 🛡️ In 2023, researchers found a vulnerability in the MiOT protocol that allowed hackers to remotely control smart lights and sockets. Xiaomi released a patch only after 6 months.

Another unpleasant thing is that you have to link to your Mi Account, and if you forget your password or your account is blocked (for example, for suspicious activity), all devices will become useless, and you can only restore access through support, which takes up to 2 weeks.

By comparison, the Google Home or Apple HomeKit ecosystem is devoid of these issues, but also costs more.

💡

If you buy Xiaomi smart devices, register your Mi Account with two-factor authentication email and save backup codes. If blocked, it will be extremely difficult to restore access.

7.Service Support: Why Xiaomi Repairs Are a Lottery

Official service centers Xiaomi is not in all cities, and warranty terms are often interpreted in favor of the company.

• 📦 Denial of warranty due to "mechanical damage," even if the defect is factory-based. e.g. in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ The display module was exfoliated massively, but services called it a “consequence of the fall".
• ⏳ Replacing the screen in Xiaomi 13 Lite takes up to 3 weeks (compared to 3-5 days in Samsung).
• 💰 Overpriced parts. Battery for the car POCO X3 Pro in the official service is worth ~5 000 ₽, On AliExpress, it's 1,200. ₽.

Xiaomi also frequently changes its warranty policies, such as in 2026, when the company stopped recognizing battery bloating as a warranty, citing “misuse,” without making clear what exactly is considered “wrong.”

⚠️ Note: If you buy Xiaomi abroad (e.g. on AliExpress), check if the model is supported in your region (CN ROM) You will not be able to officially reflash to the global version - it will deprive you of the guarantee.

8.Blocking the bootloader: why Xiaomi doesn't like enthusiasts

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices, which complicates:

• 🔧 Installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 🛠️ Getting root rights.
• 🔄 Recovery of a “brick” phone via Fastboot.

The official unlocking process includes:

1. Waiting 7-30 days (linking the account to the device).
2. Use proprietary Mi Unlock Tool software that often gives out errors.
3. The risk of losing the guarantee (in some regions).

In comparison, Google Pixel and OnePlus allow you to unlock the bootloader in 5 minutes through a single command fastboot flashing unlock.

Moreover, since 2023, Xiaomi has started blocking unlockability for devices purchased in some regions (e.g. India, Indonesia), meaning that even if you’re willing to wait 30 days, unlocking a bootloader may not be possible.

💡

If you are planning custom firmware, buy models with global firmware (Global ROM) and check them for unlock support on the XDA Developers forum before buying.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's flaws