Samsung Galaxy or Xiaomi Redmi: an objective comparison of smartphones in 2026

Choosing between Samsung Galaxy and Xiaomi Redmi is not just a matter of preference, but a strategic decision that will impact your digital experience over the next 2-3 years.Both brands are market leaders but are suitable for completely different categories of users. Galaxy is premium technology with Samsung ecosystem, and Redmi is the optimal value for money with aggressive update policies.

The biggest problem with choosing is that 90% of customers overpay for features they don’t use. S24 Ultra with dynamic AMOLED-The S Pen is justified for designers but redundant for social media.The Redmi Note 13 Pro, on the other hand, is a good choice.+ It offers a 200-megapixel camera for half the price, but it's losing out on software stability.

In this article, we will analyze:

• 📱 Performance: chipsets, RAM and real speed
• 📸 Cameras: Not just megapixels, but also processing, video and night shooting
• 🔋 Autonomy: How fast the battery goes down when used
• 💰 Price Policy: Where Are Hidden Costs and What Are Cheaper in the Long Term

1. Processors and performance: Exynos vs Snapdragon vs Dimensity

The main difference between Samsung and Xiaomi is the approach to hardware. Galaxy-series uses its own chips Exynos (for the European market) or Snapdragon (for the US / Asia), while Redmi puts on Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek Dimensity. On paper, the difference in benchmark tests can reach 20-30%, but in real life it all depends on optimization.

Let’s take the flagships of 2026 for comparison:

• 🔥 Galaxy S24 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) – leader in single-threaded performance, but warms up under prolonged loads
• ⚡ Redmi K70 Pro (Dimensity 9200+) — Colder but losing in the game (play)
• 💰 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (Dimensity 7200 Ultra – the best budget with support for ray tracing

⚠️ WARNING: If you play Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile at maximum settings, the Galaxy S24+ grant +15-20 FPS compared to Redmi K70, but the battery will sit for 1.5 hourly 2.5. For everyday tasks (social networks, YouTube, photos) the difference is not noticeable.

An important nuance: Samsung supports its devices longer - 4 years of major Android updates vs. 2-3 Xiaomi. But there is a catch: after 2 years of use, Redmi begins to "slow down" due to aggressive MIUI optimization, while Samsung's One UI remains stable.

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Before buying, check out the CPU model for your region! for example, the Galaxy S24 in Russia comes with the Exynos 2400, which is 10-15% weaker than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in games.

2.Screens: AMOLED vs IPS vs LTPO - what's more important for the eyes?

Displays are something you interact with 100% of your smartphone usage time. Here, Samsung is unquestionably leading: all Galaxy models feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X with HDR10+ support and refresh rates up to 120Hz. Even the budget Galaxy A54 has a better screen than the flagship Redmi K60 Ultra.

But it's not that clear. Let's compare the key parameters.

Critical differences:

• 🌞 Galaxy S24 Ultra is visible in the sun (2600 nits vs. 1400 y) K70 Pro)
• 🎨 Samsung only supports 10-bit color (important for photographers)
• 🔄 Redmi often cheats with 120Hz: it really only works in games/scrolling

3.Cameras: Megapixels vs. processing algorithms

This is the most controversial point: Xiaomi traditionally chases megapixels (200 MP in the Note 13 Pro+), and Samsung is betting on optics and software.

• 📷 Galaxy S24 Ultra is better at shooting video (8K@30fps vs 4K@60fps Redmi)
• 🌃 Xiaomi’s Night Shooting is Brighter, But With Artifacts (Check Out on Night Mode)
• 🔍 Samsung has a better zoom: 100x Space Zoom vs 3x redmi K70

Examples of real tests (taken under the same conditions):

• 🍎 Galaxy more accurately separates the background, but Redmi gives more “instagram” colors
• 🌆 Cityscape: Xiaomi re-glows the sky, Samsung saves details
• 🐕 Moving objects: Redmi more often has a soap when shooting animals

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If you need a camera for social networks, take the Redmi Note. 13 Pro+ (Xiaomi algorithms are specially sharpened under the Instagram/TikTok). For professional shooting or video, it is better than Galaxy. S24+.

4. Battery and charging: who lives longer without an outlet?

Xiaomi is definitely winning in two ways:

1. Battery capacity: 5000 mAh in Redmi vs. 3900-4900 mAh in Galaxy
2. Charging speed: 120 watts at Redmi K70 Pro vs 45 watts at Galaxy S24+

But there are nuances:

• ⚡ Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Recharges to 100% in 19 minutes, but the battery degrades faster
• 🔋 Galaxy S24 Ultra holds the charge on 15-20% Longer with active use (due to optimization)
• 🔌 Samsung does not have charging in the kit (you will have to buy more for the car). 2-3 thousand.)

⚠️ Xiaomi's fast charging heats up phone to 45°C. If you charge during games, the risk of overheating increases 3 times.Samsung limits power at high loads.

Use the original cable|Don't charge until 100% (optimally 80-90%)|Avoid overheating (do not play while charging)|Turn off the "Adaptive Battery" in the settings MIUI-->

5. Software: One UI vs MIUI

It’s not so much a matter of opportunity as of habit and patience. Samsung’s One UI is pure Android with minimal bloat (pre-installed apps). Xiaomi’s MIUI is “Chinese-style” with a bunch of unnecessary services, but also with unique features like Game Turbo or Second Space.

Comparison of key criteria:

Critical: MIUI collects more user data, and if privacy is important to you, you need to manually disable the following in Xiaomi settings:

1. Settings → Memory → Autoboot (disable unnecessary applications)
2. Settings → Additional → Privacy → Advertising (turn off personalization)
3. Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Synchronization (remove the ticks from unnecessary data)

6.Price and long-term cost of ownership

Xiaomi is cheaper at first glance, but let's calculate the real cost of ownership in 3 years:

• 💵 Galaxy S24+ (100,000 rubles.) + case (3 thousand.) + charging (2.5 thousand.) = 105.5 thousand rubles.
• 💵 Redmi K70 Pro (50 thousand rubles.) + case (1.5 thousand.) + Replacement of the battery (5 thousand for the 2nd year) = 56.5 thousand rubles.

But there are hidden costs:

• 🔄 Samsung has been holding the price in the secondary market for longer (via the 2 year can be sold 60-70% cost)
• 🛠️ Galaxy screen repairs S24 Ultra is worth it. 30-40 thousand rubles, while Redmi K70 — 15-20 thousand.
• 📱 Xiaomi breaks down more often due to cheap plastic case (in Galaxy – aluminum / glass)

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If you plan to sell your phone in 1-2 years, Samsung is more profitable. If you are ready to use 3+ years and are not afraid of repairs, Xiaomi will save up to 50% of the budget.

7. Which smartphone is for: checklist of choice

To avoid making a mistake, answer 5 questions:

I need a phone for games and multimedia. → Redmi K70 Pro|I often make videos for work. → Galaxy S24+|Long-term support is important → Any Galaxy.|You need to save money, but get a good camera. → Redmi Note 13 Pro+|I drop my phone a lot. → Galaxy A54 (defence IP67)|I care about the ecosystem (watches, headphones, TV) → Samsung-->

And a few more nuances:

• 🎮 For gamers: Redmi K70 Pro with cooler and 120 watt charging
• 📈 For business: Galaxy S24 with Samsung DeX and Knox
• 👵 For the elderly: Galaxy A54 (Simple interface, good screen)
• 💳 For savings: Redmi Note 13 (but be ready for brakes in a year's time)

FAQ: Frequent questions when choosing