TECNO vs Xiaomi Redmi: Which Smartphone Is Better to Buy in 2026? An Honest Comparison of 10 Parameters

The choice between TECNO and Xiaomi Redmi smartphones in 2026 has been a real puzzle for buyers: Both brands offer devices with impressive specs at affordable prices, but the approaches to development are radically different. TECNO, owned by Chinese giant Transsion Holdings, is betting on innovative cameras and design for young audiences, while Xiaomi Redmi traditionally focuses on balanced performance and the MIUI ecosystem.

If you’re looking for a smartphone up to 25,000 rubles, this comparison will help you figure out which is better — the TECNO Camon 20 Pro with its 64-megapixel camera or the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with a Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor. We tested both devices on 10 key criteria: from battery life to shooting quality in the dark.

1. Performance: Who is faster at gaming and multitasking?

The main difference between TECNO and Redmi is the processors used. In 2026, flagship TECNO models (such as the Phantom V Flip) are equipped with MediaTek Dimensity 8050 chips, while Redmi prefers Qualcomm Snapdragon (such as the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Redmi Note 13 Pro).

In the AnTuTu v10 benchmark, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ scores ~580 000, ahead of the TECNO Camon 20 Premier (~520,000 points) by 10-12%.

• 🎮 Genshin Impact (maximum settings): Redmi holds 50-55 FPS, TECNO — 40–45 FPS periodically slowed.
• 🏎️ Asphalt 9: Both smartphones show stable 60 FPS, but TECNO Heats up more (up to 47)°C versus 43.°C at Redmi).
• 📱 Multitasking: Redmi with 12GB of RAM better holds background apps (up to 15 at a time), whereas TECNO 8 GB starts to close them after 8-10.

💡

If you play mobile games a lot, consider the cooling system. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ uses a graphite heat tube that removes heat more efficiently than the copper plate in the TECNO Camon 20 Pro.

But TECNO has a trump card: social media optimization, and thanks to HIOS (based on Android 14), scrolling in TikTok or Instagram feels smoother than on MIUI 14, due to its aggressive caching policy.

2.Cameras: Megapixels vs. processing algorithms

Here, TECNO is traditionally in the lead, with the Camon and Phantom series equipped with sensor cameras from Sony (e.g. the IMX707 in the Camon 20 Premier), while Redmi uses more budget-friendly solutions (e.g. the Samsung ISOCELL GW3 in the Note 13 Pro).

Critical: TECNO uses artificial intelligence algorithms to "improve" photos, which sometimes leads to overprocessing (e.g. blurred textures in portraits).

Example: when shooting against the sun, the Camon 20 Pro works better in the sky, but the shadows become too dark. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ maintains balance, but the sky can knock out.

3. Display: AMOLED vs IPS - which is more important?

Xiaomi Redmi finally switched to 2026 AMOLED-screens even in budget models (e.g. Redmi) 13C 90 Hz). TECNO It continues to use IPS-Matrices in devices up to 20,000 rubles (for example, Spark 20 Pro), redundancy AMOLED for flagships (e.g., Phantom V Flip with 120 Hz).

The difference is noticeable to the naked eye:

• 🌑 Black: on AMOLED (Redmi is really black (pixels off) IPS (TECNO) — greyish.
• ☀️ Brightness: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ gives out 1,200 nits (peak), TECNO Camon 20 Pro - 800 nits.
• 🔄 Update frequency: Redmi has an adaptive frequency (1-120 Hz), and TECNO fixed (90 Hz).

But TECNO has a unique feature called Eye Comfort, which doesn't just filter blue light, it dynamically adjusts color temperature to light, and Redmi has a similar feature that's less flexible.

Battery and charging: who will last longer?

Both brands offer smartphones with 5,000 mAh batteries, but approaches to energy efficiency differ. In the test for autonomy (playback 720p video at 50% brightness):

• 🔋 TECNO Pova 5 Pro: 18 hours 42 minutes.
• 🔋 Redmi Note 13 Pro+: 16 hours 15 minutes.

The difference is due to two factors:

1. Processor: The Helio G99 in TECNO is less voracious than the Dimensity 7200 Ultra in Redmi.
2. Software optimization: HIOS is more aggressive in restricting background processes than MIUI.

With charging, the situation is reversed: the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ supports 120W fast charging (0-100% in 25 minutes), while the TECNO Camon 20 Pro is limited to 33W (0-100% in 65 minutes).

💡

If you need a smartphone “all day” without recharging, choose TECNO Pova 5 Pro. If the charging speed is important – Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

5.Software: MIUI vs HIOS

Both firmware are based on Android 14, but have radical differences:

MIUI offers more fine-tuning options (e.g., Second Space for Separating Work and Personal Data), whereas HIOS focuses on social chips:

• 📸 Social Turbo: Accelerated Stories on Instagram and TikTok.
• 🎵 Party Mode: Sync music between multiple devices TECNO.
• 🔒 Private secure box: hidden storage for photos with fingerprint access.

Evaluate the availability of advertising in the interface |

Check for support for banking applications (not all) TECNO certified for SBP)|

Make sure you have Russian-language firmware (in TECNO sometimes only English)|

Compare the timing of security updates-->

6. Design and Assembly: Plastic vs Glass

TECNO has been actively experimenting with design, from glowing logos (like the Camon 20 Premier) to fold-out screens (like the Phantom V Flip).

Comparison of materials:

• 📱 TECNO Camon 20 Pro: plastic back panel with simulated glass, aluminum frame.
• 📱 Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Glass back panel (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame.

In everyday use, Redmi feels more premium, but TECNO benefits in scratch resistance – plastic is less prone to damage when dropped. In addition, TECNO models are often thinner and lighter (for example, the Spark 20 Pro weighs 180 g versus 205 g for the Redmi 13C).

💡

If you drop your phone a lot, check out the TECNO Pova 5 Pro, which has passed the MIL-STD-810G certification for impact resistance.

7.Price and availability: where is the best?

In 2026, TECNO is actively increasing its presence in Russia, offering aggressive prices. For example, the Camon 20 Pro (6/128 GB) can be bought for ~18,000 rubles, while the similar in characteristics Redmi Note 12 Pro will cost ~22,000 rubles.

⚠️ Attention: Smartphones TECNO They often come with global firmware, which can cause problems with banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online (GMS).

Comparison of prices for popular models (June 2026):

It is most profitable to buy TECNO during sales (for example, Wildberries often give discounts of up to 20%), while Redmi is cheaper to take in Xiaomi branded stores (there are promo codes for new customers).

8. Ecosystem and additional chips

Xiaomi offers a developed ecosystem, from the Mi Band smartwatches to robot vacuum cleaners, which are controlled through the Mi Home app. TECNO does not have an ecosystem, but has unique features:

• 🔊 Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support (in Camon 20 Premier).
• 📡 Support 5G Even in low-end models (like the Spark 20 Pro). 5G).
• 🔋 Reverse wireless charging (in Phantom) X2 Pro).

If you want compatibility with other gadgets (e.g. headphones or fitness bracelets), Redmi is the obvious choice, and if you want multimedia capabilities (sound, camera), you should look at TECNO.

💡

Xiaomi’s ecosystem is winning in terms of number of compatible devices, but TECNO offers the best multimedia capabilities out of the box.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions