Choosing between Xiaomi and Poco, but you can’t decide? Unsurprisingly, both brands are owned by the same company (Xiaomi Group), but are positioned differently. Xiaomi offers balanced flagships and mid-budget models with a focus on cameras and design, and Poco specializes in “flagship killers” – phones with top-end hardware at the lowest price. But in practice, the difference is much deeper: from firmware to the target audience.
In this article, we'll break down the key differences between the two lines, compare the current models from 2023 to 2026, and help you choose the best option for your tasks. Spoiler: if you need a smartphone for games, the answer is obvious. And if you need a camera, long-term support for updates or premium design, it's not that easy. Let's dig deeper!
1.Who are Pocos and how are they related to Xiaomi?
Poco was launched in 2018 as a sub-brand of Xiaomi, designed to compete with OnePlus and other flagship killers. The first model, the Poco F1, became a legend thanks to the Snapdragon 845 for $300. However, in 2020 Poco became independent (although still using the resources of the Xiaomi Group).
- 🎮 Game focus: high screen frequencies, powerful processors, cooling systems.
- 💰 Aggressive pricing: same chips as Xiaomi flagships, but cheaper by 20-30%.
- 🔄 Minimalist software: firmware MIUI For Poco is devoid of unnecessary “chips” Xiaomi (for example, Second Space or Game Turbo in the full version).
It's important to understand that Poco is not just a "cheap version of Xiaomi"; it's a brand for enthusiasts who are willing to sacrifice some "big bucks" for performance. For example, there's no wireless charging in the Poco F5 Pro, but there's a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and a 120Hz screen -- just like a $1,000 flagship, but half price.
Xiaomi is mass-market: cameras (Leica collaboration), premium design (ceramics, metal) and ecosystem (smartwatches, lamps, vacuum cleaners) are important here.
2. Comparison of firmware: MIUI vs MIUI for Poco
Both brands use MIUI, but with key differences: Poco is a lightweight version of MIUI without unnecessary services and with a focus on performance.
| Characteristics | MIUI (Xiaomi) | MIUI for Poco |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in applications | Many (Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Home, Game Turbo) | Minimum set (basic only) |
| Updates | Longer (4-5 years for flagships) | Shorter (2-3 years for most models) |
| Game chips | Yes, but hidden in the settings | Taken to the main screen (FPS-monitor, "Turbo" mode") |
| Advertising | May appear in system applications | Deactivated by default |
The critical point is that if you're used to pure Android, you're not going to like either of the firmware. Both versions of MIUI are highly customized, but at least Poco has removed the extra services, but Xiaomi has exclusive features like Super Wallpapers or integration with the Mi Home ecosystem.
Another nuance: Poco often updates firmware less often than Xiaomi. For example, the Poco X5 Pro received Android 14 six months later than the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with the same chip. If you care about the relevance of the software, check the update schedule before buying.
⚠️ Note: Poco models for the global market (marked Global) often lack support 5G Check compatibility with your operator on the FrequencyCheck website before buying.
3. Performance: Who is faster in gaming and everyday tasks?
If you buy a smartphone for gaming, Poco is almost always the best choice, and even budget models use more powerful chips than Xiaomi in the same price range.
- 🎯 Poco X6 Pro (Dimensity 8300-Ultra) vs Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (Dimensity 7200 Ultra – performance difference of up to 30% in favor of Poco.
- 🔥 Poco F6 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1) bypasses Xiaomi 12T with the same chip due to better cooling and optimization.
- 💨 In Poco, screens with 120/144 Hz, while Xiaomi in the middle segment usually 90 Hz.
But there is a downside: Poco saves on other components, such as the Poco F5 doesn’t have stereo speakers (unlike the Xiaomi 13T), and the Poco X5 has a weaker camera than the Redmi Note 12 Pro with the same chip, so performance is more important than multimedia.
To test real performance, we recommend watching tests in 3DMark or Geekbench. For example, the Poco F5 Pro in Wild Life Extreme scores ~3200 points, while the Xiaomi 12T with the same chip scores ~2900.
Game processor (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 or later)
Screen with a frequency of 120 Hz and higher
Presence of stereo speakers (for immersive sound)
Cooling system (steam chamber or graphite gaskets)
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4.Cameras: Why does Xiaomi usually win?
If you care about photography, Xiaomi is almost always the best choice, and even in the mid-range, they use more advanced modules and software.
- 📸 Xiaomi 13T It has a 50 MP main camera (Sony) IMX707) with optical stabilization, while Poco F5 Pro - 64 MP (OmniVision) OV64B) without OIS.
- 🎥 Xiaomi often has ultra-wide cameras with autofocus (for example, in Xiaomi 14), and Poco – fix focus.
- 🖼️ Firmware MIUI Xiaomi supports Leica Authentic Look (color profiles from Leica), and Poco does not have such chips.
But there are exceptions: the Poco X6 Pro received 50 MP (Sony IMX890) – the same sensor as the Xiaomi 13. However, the software processing in Xiaomi is still better: it has more natural colors and less noise in low light.
Examples of comparison (night, HDR):
Left: Xiaomi 13T (more details in the shadows) Right: Poco F5 Pro (relights on light sources).
⚠️ Note: In budget Poco models (e.g. Poco) M6 Pros often have low dynamic range cameras installed. If you're shooting against the sun, get ready for the "knocked out" sky in the photo.
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Before buying, check the photo samples on GSMArena or DxOMark. Pay attention not only to the megapixels, but also to the pixel size (for example, 1.6 microns is better than 0.7 microns).
5. Design and Assembly: Plastic vs Glass/Metal
Here Xiaomi almost always wins. The brand's flagships (Xiaomi 13/14 series, Mix) get premium materials:
- 💎 Gorilla Glass Victus (Poco often has Gorilla Glass 5 or plastic).
- 🔄 Metal frames (in Poco – plastic or low quality aluminum).
- 🎨 Unique colors: ceramics (Xiaomi Mix Fold 3), vegan leather (Xiaomi 13 Ultra).
In Poco, the design is more functional, but simpler: plastic back panels (often with a carbon-fiber texture), thick screen frames and massive chamber blocks, but there are advantages:
- ⚡ Easy to repair: plastic doesn’t beat when it falls.
- 🔋 Large batteries: in Poco M6 Pro – 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh in Xiaomi 13.
- 🔊 3.5 mm connector (Xiaomi has not had it for 4 years).
If you want a premium look, go with Xiaomi, and if your smartphone falls down a lot, or you don't want to pay too much for the design, Poco is more practical.
How to check the quality of the assembly before buying?
Price and Price/Quality: Where is the real benefit?
Poco's biggest advantage is price, like in 2026:
| Model | Chipset | Price (Russia, rub.) | Alternative from Xiaomi | Price difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poco X6 Pro | Dimensity 8300-Ultra | ~35 000 | Redmi K70E (Dimensity 8300-Ultra) | +5 000 |
| Poco F5 Pro | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | ~45 000 | Xiaomi 12T (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1) | +10 000 |
| Poco M6 Pro | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 | ~20 000 | Redmi Note 13 (Dimensity 6080) | +3 000 |
You can see that Poco is 10 to 20 percent cheaper with the same iron, but there are pitfalls.
⚠️ Note: Poco models are often sold in stocks for the first 2-3 months after release, and then the price goes up. F4 at the launch cost 32 000 rubles, and a year later - already 38 000 rubles. If you see a profitable price - take it immediately.
Xiaomi, on the other hand, has maintained its flagship prices longer, with the Xiaomi 13T falling just 15% a year after its launch, while the Poco F5 Pro is down 30%. If you plan to use a phone for 3+ years, the overpayment for Xiaomi can pay off with longer relevance.
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Poco is more profitable for gamers and those who change their phones every 1-2 years. Xiaomi is better for long-term use (cameras, upgrades, premium).
7. Current models of 2026: what to choose for the tasks?
Let’s analyze the best models at the moment (first half of 2026) and their target audience.
🎮 For gaming and performance:
- Poco F6 Pro: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 120Hz screen (AMOLED), steam-camera cooling system. Best choice for Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
📸 For photography and video:
- Xiaomi 14: Leica cameras, 4K@60fps on all modules, optical stabilization. Best choice for bloggers.
- Xiaomi 13T: 50 MP (IMX707) with OIS, good night mode. Cheaper Xiaomi 14 by 15 000 rubles.
💰 Budget up to 25 000 rubles.:
- Poco X6: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, 90Hz (AMOLED), 67W charging. Best budget gaming smartphone.
- Redmi Note 13 Pro+: 200 MP main camera (marketing move), but the real quality is medium.
If you want a universal smartphone, look at the Xiaomi 13T or Poco F5. The first shoots better, the second works faster.