What Xiaomi smartphone to buy in 2026: ranking of the best models by price and tasks

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 The year has been more challenging than ever: the brand’s range has grown to multiple lines, each geared towards different needs. Flagship Ultra models compete with the Samsung Galaxy and iPhone, budget Redmis offer unprecedented performance for the first time. 15-20 The Black Shark (now under the Xiaomi brand) is amazing cooling system, but how not to get lost in this variety and choose the device that will last for years?

In this article, we analyzed all current models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO 2023-2026 And you'll see, not just the naked features, but the real-world experience, and you'll see which smartphones are the right ones to shoot video in. 4K, bearable 2 The day without recharging, and which should be avoided due to problems with the software. 200W Xiaomi 14 Pro – the results will surprise you!

To avoid wasting time reading all the material, use the navigation:

• 🔝 TOP-3 Smartphones for different budgets (up to the 20ce, 20-40ce, 40ce+)
• 📱 Comparison of flagships: Xiaomi 14 vs Xiaomi 13T Pro vs Mix Fold 3
• 🎮 Next Post:Want to pay for Black Shark 6 Pro?
• 📸 The best cameras in Xiaomi smartphones – a test of night shooting
• 🔋 Battery and charging: which models hold the longest
• ⚠️ 5 Mistakes When Buying Xiaomi That 90% of Users Make

1. TOP-3 Xiaomi smartphone 2026 year: best choice for price

If you want universal advice without getting too deep into technical details, here are three models that cover 90 percent of user queries, and we selected them based on price/quality, owner feedback and test scores.

Please note: prices are for basic equipment (8/256 GB. 2026 Xiaomi is actively reducing the cost of models 3-4 months after the release, so if you are not chasing new products, it makes sense to wait for discounts.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 12 series models (released in 2022) are still sold in some stores for the price of the new Note 13.Do not buy into the "best deals" - these smartphones are outdated and will not receive updates to HyperOS beyond 2026.

Xiaomi 2026 flagships: what to choose among premium models

Xiaomi’s flagship lineup in 2026 is represented by three main models: Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro and Xiaomi Mix Fold 3. They all run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but differ in design, camera capabilities and additional features. Let’s see which ones are worth the money and where the overpayment for the brand.

Xiaomi 14 vs Xiaomi 14 Pro is the eternal question.

• 📸 14 Pro has a telephoto lens with 3.2x optical zoom (against) 2x 14)
• 🔋 The 14 Pro is faster than charging: 120W against 90W base-model
• 🖥️ The 14 Pro screen supports resolution. 2K (against 1.5K 14)
• 💰 Price difference: ~15 000 ₽ between basic versions

Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is not just a smartphone, but a full folding flagship with an internal screen 8.03" and external 6.56." Its key features:

• 📺 Screen. E6 AMOLED Dolby Vision with 120 Hz support
• 📷 Quadrilateral camera with Leica lens and sensor 1"
• 🔋 Two batteries of 2500 mAh with a total capacity of 5000 mAh and charging 67W
• ⚠️ Weight 255g is heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro Max

Should you buy Mix Fold 3? Only if you really need a big screen to work with documents or watch videos. It's redundant for everyday tasks -- yes, it's cool, but it's not practical.

3. Budget smartphones Xiaomi: what not to save

Budget is the most popular category of Xiaomi smartphones, but it has the most pitfalls. The main mistake buyers make is choosing by price, not by real needs. Let's look at which models to consider in 2026 and which are already outdated.

Best public sector employees up to 15,000 ₽:

• 📱 Redmi 13C — base model with a Helio processor G99 It's 5,000 mAh battery, and it's good for calls and social media, but not for games.
• 📸 Redmi Note 12 5G — If you find a discount, it is a great option with AMOLED-screen and 48 MP camera.
• 🔋 POCO M6 Pro – the record holder for autonomy in the budget (up to 2 days of work).

What you should NOT buy:

• ❌ Redmi A2 — weak Helio processor G36 everything 2/32 GB of memory in the basic version.
• ❌ Redmi 10A — outdated model of 2022 with screen resolution 720p.
• ❌ Any smartphones on Snapdragon 4xx — They are slowed down after a year of use.

Important point: in the budget segment, Xiaomi often saves on the price of the product. NFC-chip and 5G-If you want contactless payments or support for fifth-generation networks, check this out before you buy!

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Before buying a budget Xiaomi be sure to check the firmware version in the settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI). If it's standing MIUI 13 or older – Stop buying: These devices won’t get an update to HyperOS, which means they’ll be vulnerable to viruses in a year.

4. gaming smartphones Xiaomi: Black Shark vs. POCO

In 2026, Xiaomi officially integrated the Black Shark brand into its lineup, so now gaming smartphones are sold under two brands: Black Shark and Black Shark. POCO. The main difference is the cooling system and software optimization.

Comparison of top game models:

Black Shark 6 Pro is the ultimate king of gaming smartphones, but it’s only worth buying if you:

• 🎮 Play Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG at maximum settings more than 2 hours a day.
• 🔥 You need active cooling (fan really saves from trottling).
• 💰 Ready to overpay for physical triggers on the body.

For everyone else. POCO F6 Pro or Redmi K70 Pros will be a smarter choice - they are cheaper on the 20-30 CHF with almost identical productivity.

Does the model play your favorite games at maximum settings (check on YouTube)

Is there support for physical triggers (if it matters to you)

How many updates does the manufacturer promise?

How loud the speakers are (important for streams)-->

5. Cameras in Xiaomi smartphones: which models shoot better than the iPhone

In 2026, Xiaomi finally caught up with Apple and Samsung in photo quality, thanks to the collaboration with Leica and the use of large sensors. But not all models are equally good. 4K on all current flagships.

Rating of cameras in Xiaomi smartphones (in descending quality):

1. Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the absolute leader with 50 MP (1) main camera and two telephotos.
2. Xiaomi 14 Pro is slightly worse than Ultra, but still top level.
3. Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is surprisingly good for a foldable smartphone.
4. Xiaomi 13T Pro is the best option from last year’s flagships (now cheaper by 20%).
5. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Best camera on budget (200 MP marketing, but really good in daylight).

The main secret of good photos on Xiaomi: use Pro mode and adjust white balance manually. MIUI Often mistaken with color reproduction, especially in rooms with artificial lighting.

Examples of shooting (comparison with iPhone 15 Pro):

• 🌃 The night: Xiaomi 14 Ultra bypasses the iPhone in detail, but loses in noise processing.
• 👤 iPhone better separates background, but Xiaomi gives more natural skin colors.
• 🎥 Video 4K: Xiaomi 14 Pro Stabilizes Better, But iPhone Wins in Dynamic Range.

⚠️ Note: In budget models Xiaomi (up to 25 000) ₽) You're often having a problem with overheating your camera when you're shooting long-term videos, and if you're planning to shoot videos longer than 10 minutes, you can get a model with a Snapdragon processor that's as good as a Snapdragon. 7xx.

6.Autonomy and charging: which Xiaomi holds the longest

One of the key parameters when choosing a smartphone is battery life. In 2026, Xiaomi offers models with a battery capacity of 4,000 mAh to 6,000 mAh, but the actual autonomy depends not only on this. We tested all current models in three scenarios: video watching, games and mixed use.

TOP-5 Autonomy (based on test results):

1. POCO M6 Pro - 6,000 mAh + power-efficient processor = 2.5 days in mixed mode.
2. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — 5,000 mAh + AMOLED adaptively.
3. Xiaomi Redmi K70 Pro – Despite the flagship chip, HyperOS optimization works wonders.
4. Xiaomi 14 – 4610 mAh is enough for a day, even with heavy use.
5. Black Shark 6 Pro – surprisingly good for a gaming smartphone (holds) 6-7 Genshin Impact on the medium settings).

Charging speed is another important parameter, and in 2026, Xiaomi is proposing:

• ⚡ 200W Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Full charge in 12 minutes (but battery wears out faster).
• ⚡ 120W In most flagships - charging to 100% post 18-20 minute.
• ⚡ 67W In budget models – the optimal balance of speed and durability.
• ⚡ 30W Wireless charging in Xiaomi 14 and Mix Fold 3.

One important caveat: fast charging kills the battery. 2 In the years to come, it is better to disable ultrafast charging in the settings (Settings) → Battery → Fast charging) and charge on 60-80W.

1. Do not discharge your smartphone below 20%.

2. Do not leave it on the charge at night (unplug it when you are not). 80-90%).

3. once every 3 months perform calibration (full discharge) + charge%).

4. Avoid overheating (do not play while charging).-->

7.5 Mistakes When Buying Xiaomi That Are Bad for Your Experience

Even a perfectly matched smartphone can be frustrating if you don’t take these nuances into account, and we’ve collected some of Xiaomi’s most common mistakes and explained how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Buying a “global version” from unverified sellers

Many people take their smartphones on AliExpress or in small stores without checking the firmware region. The result is no Russian, Google Services is not working, and updates come with a delay. Always check that the model has official support in Russia (list on the website). mi.com/ru).

Mistake 2: Savings on Memory

In 2026, 128 GB is the new 64 GB. HyperOS system takes up the ~15GB and games like Genshin Impact weigh 20GB+ Take a minimum of 256 GB if you don’t want to keep your memory cleaned.

Mistake 3: Ignoring software updates

Xiaomi promises 4 years of updates for flagships and 2 years for budget customers. If you take a model older than 2022, chances are good that it does not receive security updates.

Error 4: Buying without checking the network

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support 5G In Russia, for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ The global version does not catch Russian frequencies n78. Please clarify this before buying on the website. 4pda.to model-themed.

Mistake 5: Neglecting the guarantee

Xiaomi’s official warranty in Russia is 1 year, but many stores only give 14 days to return.If you take a smartphone not in an official store (for example, on Avito), demand a check and check. IMEI at imei.info.

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Before buying, be sure to check the smartphone for authenticity. IMEI. To do this, dial *#06# and compare the number to the one on the box. If they don't match, you're looking at a fake or a gray machine.

FAQ: Frequent questions about buying Xiaomi smartphones