The debate over which smartphone is preferable is eternal, but comparing modern Xiaomi devices with Apple’s legendary iPhone 7 is particularly intriguing. It’s been quite a while since the release of the seventh iPhone, and today this device has moved into the category of budget classics or devices for children and the elderly. At the same time, the Chinese brand offers a wide range of solutions, from ultra-budget models to flagships that technically surpass the Cupertinian technology of the past.
You have to make a choice between the stability of the iOS ecosystem, albeit in a reduced form for older devices, and a fresh version of Android with a shell MIUI or HyperOS. It is important to understand that we will not compare a specific model, and the philosophy of brands in the context of relevance. iPhone 7 no longer receives updates to the operating system, while many Xiaomi smartphones continue to receive security patches and new features.
In this article, we will discuss in detail why in the current realities of 2026 and beyond, buying an old flagship Apple can be risky, and what benefits the transition to current models Xiaomi.
Relevance of software and support
The first and perhaps most critical difference is in the software. iPhone 7 has settled on iOS 15, which means no access to new features, next-generation widgets and, more importantly, no security updates at all.
On the other hand, even Xiaomi’s budget models today come with a current Android and MIUI shell.This ensures compatibility with the latest versions of apps from Google Play.Moreover, the interface of the modern Xiaomi system is adapted for large screens and fast processors, offering customization flexibility not available in older versions of iOS.
⚠️ Note: Using an outdated operating system, such as iOS 15 on iPhone 7, may make it impossible to launch new versions of popular applications, including bank customers and taxi services.
If you choose a phone for your daily active life, software support is key. Xiaomi offers long-term support for its popular series, providing users with new features for several years. In the case of Apple, the life cycle of the device is clearly limited, and the iPhone 7 has already gone beyond it.
Why Apple stopped updating the iPhone 7?
Performance and speed of the system
The iPhone 7 is powered by an A10 Fusion chipset, once a performance monster that overtakes many Android smartphones. But progress is not in place. Xiaomi’s current low-end processors, AnTuTu and Geekbench’s synthetic tests, have been running 2-3 times higher on the latest low-end processors from MediaTek and Qualcomm.
This translates in real use as follows: pages in the browser open instantly, heavy applications are not unloaded from memory, and multitasking works efficiently. RAM in modern Xiaomi starts from 4 GB, while the iPhone 7 is content with 2 GB, which in 2026 is the absolute minimum even for basic tasks.
- 🚀 Xiaomi Processors (Snapdragon) 6xx/7xx/8xx series) provide better energy efficiency and heat resistance.
- ⚡ The amount of RAM in modern Android smartphones allows you to keep open dozens of applications.
- 📉 iPhone 7 can slow down in the heavy interfaces of modern social networks.
- 🔋 Optimizing the power in Xiaomi’s new chips far outperforms Apple’s older solutions.
The new devices use more modern protocols to speed up system loading and application installation. The NVMe memory in the iPhone was fast, but over the years its life could be exhausted, leading to a degradation of speed.
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The modern budget Xiaomi will run faster and more stable in 2026 than the worn flagship iPhone 7.
Display and multimedia quality
The screen is something we look at all the time. - iPhone 7 fitted IPS-diagonal 4.7 inch and resolution 1334×750 For pixels. 2016 This was the standard of the year, but today the pixel density and brightness of modern times are the most common. AMOLED-Xiaomi's screens are getting a head start. The picture on the Apple device may seem dull in the sun, and the bezels around the display look huge.
Xiaomi devices, even mid-range ones, often feature AMOLED or Super AMOLED matrices. This gives deep black, high contrast and saturated colors. The 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate seen in Redmi Note and Xiaomi models makes tape scrolling incredibly smooth, something never seen in the 60Hz iPhone 7.
| Characteristics | iPhone 7 | Modern Xiaomi (middle class) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of matrix | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Frequency of update | 60 Hz | 90 Hz/120 Hz |
| Brightness (max) | ~600 nits | ~1200 nits |
| Protection | Ion-strengthened glass | Gorilla Glass Victus / 5 |
In addition, Xiaomi’s multimedia capabilities are often broader: support for high-resolution codecs, Dolby Vision, and higher-quality speakers with a margin of volume. For watching videos and games, a modern Android smartphone provides a much more immersive experience.
Camera: Capabilities of shooting in 2026
The photo potential of the iPhone 7 is often overestimated. The 12MP single module, with no optical stabilization (in the base model) and no night mode, only shoots decently in perfect daylight. The lack of Portrait mode in the base version and Night Mode night mode makes shooting indoors or in the evening almost useless.
Xiaomi is going to take a huge leap, and even in the budget segment, you get 48, 64, or 108 MP modules with pixel-combination technology, but the main thing is algorithms. Xiaomi's artificial intelligence in cameras allows you to take great pictures at night, has a built-in Portrait mode and a wide-angle lens that the Seven doesn't have.
Video shooting is the only area where older iPhones still hold up thanks to good stabilization. However, the lack of 4K at 60 frames per second (there is only a Plus model) and the basic stabilization in the iPhone 7 are losing out to modern OIS+EIS systems in Xiaomi smartphones. You get a smooth picture even when walking.
⚠️ Warning: Don't expect the iPhone 7 to be as high as the average public-sector photo (HDR+, Night Sight makes it a good day camera".
If mobile photography is important to you, the choice is obvious. Modern image processing algorithms in MIUI Camera or Google Camera (which can be installed on Xiaomi) work wonders, pulling details out of the shadows and balancing colors where the iPhone 7 will simply give out gray noise.
Autonomy and charging speed
The 1960mAh battery in the iPhone 7 was initially small. Years later, its capacity could have dropped to 70-80% of its original capacity, meaning that the device lives from charging to charging in daylight mode with great difficulty. Charging with 5-10W (often a weak unit included) fills the battery for more than 2 hours.
Xiaomi is a leader in fast charging. Quick Charge technology and proprietary HyperCharge allow you to charge a smartphone from 0 to 100% in less than an hour, and often in 30-40 minutes. Battery capacity in modern models starts from 4000-5000 mAh, which provides 1.5-2 days of operation even when used actively.
- 🔋 Xiaomi: Charging 33W, 67W and above complete.
- 🐢 iPhone 7: Slow charging, requires the purchase of a separate powerful unit.
- 📉 Battery degradation in iPhone 7 – a critical problem of the used market.
- ⚡ Reverse charging: Some Xiaomi can charge headphones or watches.
Also worth mentioning is the connector. Lightning in the iPhone 7 is already a slowly departing standard. The transition to USB Type-C in Xiaomi (and the new iPhones) is universal: one cable can charge your phone, headphones and powerbank, which is more convenient in the home and when traveling.
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When buying a used iPhone 7, be sure to check the battery status in the settings. If the capacity is below 80%, the device will work unstable and require frequent recharging.
Price, liquidity and final choice
The final argument is price. The aftermarket price of the iPhone 7 is often artificially inflated by the brand. For the same money, you can buy a new or restored Xiaomi with a warranty, full kit and, most importantly, with modern hardware. When you buy an old Apple, you pay for the logo, not for technology.
The iPhone’s liquidity is high, but only for current models. iPhone 7 is already difficult to sell at a good price, as buyers understand its limitations. Xiaomi, bought a new one, loses in price predictably, but remains a functional device for many years.
If you have a question: buy used iPhone 7 or new Xiaomi in the same budget (conditionally 5-8 thousand rubles), a rational choice is Xiaomi. You will get a new device, with a whole battery, current software and warranty. iPhone 7 in 2026 is either a collector's copy or a temporary solution that can fail at the most inopportune moment.
☑️ What to look for when choosing an alternative to the iPhone 7
The iPhone 7 era is over, but it was the great smartphone of its time, but it's now in the museum or on the shelf as a backup caller. Xiaomi is offering tomorrow's technology today, making it available to everyone.