Xiaomi smartphones today: what models are relevant, what problems solve and whether to buy

Xiaomi has become a firm part of the global smartphone industry in recent years, offering devices for every budget, from affordable Redmis to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. However, in 2026, the brand faced new challenges: tougher competition, changes in update policies and even block scandals. In this article, we will analyze what is happening with Xiaomi phones today, which models should be considered for purchase and which should be abandoned, and what to look for when choosing.

If you are planning to buy a new smartphone or already own a Xiaomi device but are facing problems, this article will help you understand current trends. We will analyze not only the technical characteristics, but also the real user experience, including frequent complaints about firmware, camera operation and autonomy.

We’ll focus on the updates: why some Xiaomi models are not getting support ahead of schedule, and how this affects the security and functionality of the devices, and which Redmi and POCO in 2026 offer the best price-performance ratio, and whether to expect new releases in the fall.

Topical Xiaomi lines in 2026: what to choose?

In 2026, Xiaomi continues to develop several key product lines, each targeting a different audience, and let’s take a closer look at them to see which device is right for you.

The flagship Xiaomi 14 series is the top-end model with the best cameras, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors and premium design.

These models receive updates the longest (up to 4 years), but they also cost from 70 000. ₽ higher.

2.The Redmi Note 13 series is Xiaomi's most popular segment, with 2026:

Redmi Note 13 Pro+

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3. POCO's line is for low-cost performance enthusiasts. In 2026, the following are relevant:

POCO

Firmware and Updates: What Has Changed?

One of the main complaints users have against Xiaomi in 2026 is the unpredictable policy of updates. the company promises 3-4 years of support for flagships, but in practice many models stop getting updates ahead of schedule. For example, Xiaomi 12T Pro (2022) will not get Android 15, although logically it should.

Another problem is regional restrictions, and in some countries (including Russia), Xiaomi is blocking:

• 🔒 Possibility of unlocking the bootloader (officially - "at the request of local legislation").
• 📵 Lack of Google services on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 13 for China).
• 🔄 Slow distribution of updates (European firmware often comes out later than global ones).

To check how many updates your device has left, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If it says Android 13 and above, but there is no update on Android 15 – most likely, support has already been completed.

If your device has stopped receiving updates but you want to continue using it, consider alternative firmware:

• 🌍 LineageOS – pure Android without extra software.
• 🔧 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• 🛡️ MIUI EU — European MIUI without Chinese software (but requires an unlocked bootloader).

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f /sdcard/backup.ab

This will save all applications and settings except for the data in the internal memory (photos, videos, etc.).-->

Xiaomi Smartphone Cameras: Progress or Marketing?

Xiaomi has been working with Leica to improve the cameras in flagships, but in practice the results are mixed. For example, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has excellent hardware (sensor 1, variable aperture), but software processing often overdoses with noise cancellation, which causes photos to lose details.

In budget models (Redmi and POCO), cameras remain a weak point. For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a main sensor 200 MP, but due to the lack of optical stabilization and a weak processor (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2), photos in poor light are noisy.

If the camera is critical to you, pay attention to:

• 📸 Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best choice for photography (but expensive).
• 💸 Xiaomi 13T — Best price-quality balance (you can find cheaper than 50 000) ₽).
• 🚫 Avoid. POCO M6 Pro and Redmi. 13C — The camera is weaker than the competition (Samsung Galaxy) A34, Realme 11 Pro).

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For the best photos on Xiaomi, turn off the mode "AI-It's a camera in the settings of the shot, and it often overstates saturation and spoils natural colors.

Autonomy and charging: which models hold longer?

The battery is one of Xiaomi’s strengths, but not all models are equally good. In 2026, the leader in autonomy was the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with a 5000 mAh battery and the Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor, which consumes less power than the Snapdragon in similar devices.

But there are nuances:

• ⚡ Xiaomi 14 Pro has a battery of 4880 mAh, but because of the 2K-The screen and powerful chip holds a charge worse than the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.
• 🔋 POCO F6 Pro warms up under intense load, which reduces battery life.
• 🔌 Fast charging (120W Redmi Note 13 Pro+) compensates for a small capacity, but spoils the battery with frequent cycles.

To extend the life of the battery, follow the simple rules:

Do not keep your phone charging after 100% (unplug at 80-90%)

Use original chargers (low-quality chargers can damage the controller)

Turn off Adaptive Charging in the battery settings (it holds 80% charge, but doesn’t always work correctly)

Avoid overheating (do not play heavy games while charging)

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If your Xiaomi is running out quickly, check:

1. Battery consumption in Settings → Battery → Battery use (if there is an unknown application hanging there, a virus is possible).
2. Battery status via #4636## (see Health parameter in the Battery Information menu).
3. Updates – sometimes firmware fixes power consumption problems.

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If the phone is discharged overnight 10-15%, Try turning off background activity for apps in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-run, especially messengers and social media.

Should you buy Xiaomi in 2026?

Let’s summarize what the arguments for and against buying a Xiaomi smartphone today.

Pros:

• 💰 Excellent price-quality ratio (especially in the lines of Redmi Note and POCO).
• ⚡ Fast charging (up to) 210W Redmi Note 12 Turbo).
• 🔧 Flexible settings MIUI (dark theme, gestures, split screen).
• 🌍 Wide selection of models (from 10 000) ₽ up to 120,000 ₽).

Cons:

• 🚫 Unpredictable updates (even flagships may be left without support).
• 📵 Google services problems on some models (especially in China).
• 🎯 Mediocre cameras in budget devices.
• 🔒 Closed bootloader in Russian versions (difficult to install custom firmware).

If you are choosing between Xiaomi and competitors (Samsung, Realme, OnePlus), pay attention to:

• 📅 Support period (Samsung has longer – up to 5 years for flagships).
• 📸 Camera quality (Google Pixel and iPhone have better photo processing).
• 🔄 Google services (in Huawei they are not, in Xiaomi for China – too).

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If you need a smartphone for 3-4 years, choose the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+. If you plan to use it longer, consider the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE or Google Pixel 7a (they get updates longer).

What can we expect from Xiaomi in the second half of 2026?

As usual, Xiaomi will introduce new models in the fall.

• 🆕 Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro – flagships on Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (released in October).
• 📱 Redmi Note 14 – Probably with Snapdragon 7 processor+ Gen 3 and screen 1.5K.
• 🎮 POCO F7 — Smartphone with cooling and Dimensity 9200 chip+.
• 🤖 Xiaomi SU7 — The company’s first electric car (not a smartphone, but could affect the ecosystem).

Updates are also expected for MIUI 16 (based on Android 15) to improve:

• 🔒 Security (new permissions for applications).
• 🎨 Design (a more minimalist interface).
• ⚡ Performance (optimization for game scenarios).

If you’re planning to buy, it makes sense to wait for the fall announcements – prices for current models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) may fall. However, if you need a smartphone right now, look for sales (for example, on AliExpress or in the official Xiaomi store during Black Friday).

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Sign up for sales notifications on the official Mi Store app, often with 10-15% coupons for new users.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi phones in 2026