Xiaomi – Who is it and why are their smartphones so popular?

Xiaomi is a name that has become a vocabulary for smartphone watchers over the past 10 years, but what company is it? Why did its phones take over the world so quickly, overtaking many of the industry's giants in sales? And most importantly, should you buy a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026?

If you’re hearing about a brand for the first time or just planning to buy, this article will help you understand all the nuances. We will not only talk about what Xiaomi is, but also about its ecosystem, key smartphone series (Redmi, POCO, Mi, and what pitfalls newcomers can expect, spoiler: it's not just a Chinese budget brand, it's a whole philosophy of approach to technology.

Who is behind the Xiaomi brand: a brief history of the company

Xiaomi was founded in 2010 in China by a group of engineers, among whom was Lei Jun. CEO And one of the most prominent figures in the world of technology, and interesting fact is that the brand name translates as "sweet" (Chinese), but it's also associated with the Buddhist notion of "a tiny grain that can grow into something big." And it’s not just words – in 14 years Xiaomi has become the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer in the world (data Counterpoint Research for 2023).

The first smartphone Xiaomi Mi 1 was released in 2011 and immediately caused a stir: the top characteristics at a price 2 times lower than competitors. Then the company relied on direct sales via the Internet, bypassing intermediaries, which allowed to keep low prices. Today Xiaomi is not only smartphones, but also a whole ecosystem of smart devices: from robot vacuum cleaners to electric scooters.

• 📅 2010 – Founding of Lei Jun and a team of 7 people.
• 📱 2011 – release of the first smartphone Mi 1 based on Android with a proprietary shell MIUI.
• 🌍 2014 – Entering international markets (India, Indonesia, Russia).
• 💰 2018 — IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the valuation of the company in $54 billion.
• 🚀 2021 – Xiaomi becomes the second smartphone manufacturer in the world (after Samsung).

Xiaomi’s path was not smooth, however, and in 2015-2016, the company faced a crisis: market revaluation, quality and service issues led to a drop in sales.But by 2018, Xiaomi had rebooted its strategy by launching Redmi sub-brands (budget models) and POCO (The device for enthusiasts, which returned her leadership.

Xiaomi Subbrands: What is the Difference Between Mi, Redmi and POCO?

One of the most common questions for newcomers is, "Why does Xiaomi have so many names?" Because the company splits its smartphones into three main lines, each targeting a different audience, and let's see how they differ.

It's important to understand that division is conditional. K70 The Pro will not yield to many flagships, but POCO M6 The main rule: do not look at the name, but study a specific model. In 2026, Xiaomi actively simplifies branding, removing the prefix "Mi" from the names of flagships (now just Xiaomi 14 instead of Mi 14).

⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models are officially presented in Russia, for example, the flagships of the Xiaomi series 14 They can only be sold through "gray" imports, which deprives you of an official guarantee. 4G/5G in your region.

Advantages and disadvantages of Xiaomi smartphones

Why do millions of users choose Xiaomi? And why do some people get frustrated after buying it? Let's look at the objective pros and cons of a brand based on feedback from owners and expert tests.

• ✅ Price vs. specs. Xiaomi traditionally offers the best hardware for the same money.+ With a Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor and a 200 MP camera, it costs less than the Samsung Galaxy A54 similarly.
• ✅ If you have a Yeelight smart light bulb, a Mi Robot robot vacuum cleaner or a Mi Band fitness bracelet, Xiaomi’s smartphone will be the “control center” for them through the Mi Home app.
• ✅ Frequent updates MIUI. The branded shell gets monthly security patches and new features (e.g., hyper-rendering for games or games). AI-retouch).
• ❌ Advertising in MIUI. Even in 2026, some users complain about banners in system applications, which can be turned off, but not always easy (you need to dig into the settings).
• ❌ The build quality of budget models. Plastic cases Redmi 12 or POCO M6 scratches and creaks, and speakers can wheez at maximum volume.
• ❌ In Russia, the official service does not support all models (especially those imported from China), for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra can only be repaired in authorized centers of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Critical feature for Russia: c 2022 Xiaomi has suspended the official supply of new flagships (series Xiaomi) 13/14) This means that the gray devices may not support the Russian LTE-Have problems with Google Play before buying, check compatibility through services such as 4G Mark or Kimovil.

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If you buy Xiaomi from China, look at the firmware version. CN (For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ CN) They don't have Google services. Look for Global versions or EEA (Europe).

How to choose a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026: a step-by-step guide

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone is not an easy task: there are dozens of models in the range.

1. Define the budget. 💰 Up to 15,000. ₽: Redmi 12, POCO M6 — basic tasks (calls, social networks, YouTube). 💰 15 000 — 30 000 ₽: Redmi Note 13 Pro, POCO X6 — Games, photography, long work. 💰 30 000 — 50 000 ₽: Xiaomi 13T, POCO F6 Pro - flagship characteristics without overpayment. 💰 From 50,000. ₽: Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Ultra – the best from Xiaomi (but check availability in Russia!).
2. Select priority: 📸 Camera: Look for models with Sony sensor IMX890 (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro) or Samsung ISOCELL HP3 (200 MP in Redmi Note 13 Pro+). 🎮 Games: Pay attention to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors (POCO F6 Pro) or Dimensity 9200+ (Redmi K70 Pro). 🔋 Battery: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ It can last up to 2 days thanks to a 5,000mAh battery and an energy-efficient chip.

Check the network support.

• 4G: B3 (1800 MHz), B7 (2600 MHz), B20 (800 MHz).
• 5G: n78 (3500 MHz – if the operator supports.

For example, if you want a smartphone with a pure Android, look for the Google Pixel. 7a Or Motorola Edge 40, and if long-term support is the priority, the Samsung Galaxy. S23 FE It’s been getting more updates than any Xiaomi.

MIUI: pros and cons of the Xiaomi branded shell

Branded shell MIUI — This is something you will have to deal with on any Xiaomi smartphone (except for the one you’ll find). POCO F6 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which has a clean Android, built on Android, but heavily modified. Let's look at what's good and what's annoying.

• ✔️ Flexible settings. You can change icons, fonts, animations, add widgets to the lock screen. MIUI 14 there were live wallpapers with AI-generation.
• ✔️ Additional features: Examples of unique features MIUI 🔍 Smart search: searches not only in apps, but also inside chats (for example, in Telegram). 📱 Second Space Mode: Creates a separate desktop with its own applications (useful for work). 🎵 Sound effects: imitation 3D-headphones and speakers. 🔋 Super-Energy Saving: Disables background processes, leaving only calls and SMS (battery lasts up to 5 days).
• ✔️ Quick updates: Xiaomi releases security patches monthly, and major updates (e.g., switching to a new security patch) MIUI 15) - once a year.
• ❌ Advertising, even in 2026 in some regions (e.g. India) MIUI It shows banners in system applications. In Russia, this is less common, but it is not completely excluded.
• ❌ Xiaomi has been repeatedly accused of over-telemetry, and most options can be turned off in settings, but it takes time.
• ❌ Instability: After major updates (e.g, MIUI 14 → MIUI 15) users complain of bugs: spontaneous reboots, brakes in games, problems with Bluetooth.

If you don't like it. MIUI, there are a few exits:

1. Install alternative firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may take away the warranty.
2. Buy a model with a pure Android (for example, POCO F6 Pro version for the global market).
3. Use a launcher (such as a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) to change the look of the system.

⚠️ Note: In 2023, Xiaomi began testing MIUI In Russia, this initiative has not yet worked, but if the advertising is critical to you, check the reviews of a particular model on forums before buying, 4PDA or Mi Community).

Where to buy Xiaomi in Russia: official and unofficial channels

In 2026, you can buy a Xiaomi smartphone in Russia in several ways, but not all of them are equal.

If you decide to buy through a “gray” import (for example, on AliExpress), you must:

• 🔍 Check the firmware version (should be Global or EEA).
• 📡 Clarify support for Russian LTE-ranges (see above list of).
• 🛡️ Ask the seller to provide checks and a warranty card (if guaranteed).
• 💬 Read reviews about the seller (on AliExpress, see the rating is not lower than 98%).

Where not to buy Xiaomi:

• 🚫 Street vendors (from hands) have a high risk of counterfeiting.
• 🚫 Unknown Chinese sites (e.g. Gearbest, Banggood) – frequent cases of fraud.
• 🚫 In shops where they can not check IMEI (unique phone number).

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Before buying, be sure to check. IMEI If the device is listed as stolen or "gray", refuse the transaction.

Frequent problems with Xiaomi and how to solve them

Even the most reliable smartphones have bugs, and Xiaomi has some of the typical problems that users face, and we've collected some of the most common and ways to fix them.

• 🔋 Battery discharge is rapid. Cause: background processes MIUI Or non-optimized applications. Solution: Go to Settings. → Battery → Power Saving Mode and turn on Super Saving. Turn off auto-update apps on Google Play → Settings. Check which apps use up the most charge in Settings. → Battery → Battery utilization.

Bad net catches (4G/5G).

Reason: incompatibility with Russian ranges or failure in settings.

Decision:

Settings → SIM- maps and mobile networks → Network settings → Network Mode → Select "4G (preferably)" or "5G"

If it doesn’t help, try manually specifying the operator in Settings. → SIM-map → Choice of network → Manual scanning.

A quiet sound in the speaker or headphones.

Cause: pollution dynamics or limitations MIUI.

Decision:

1. Clean the speaker with a soft brush (do not use alcohol-containing liquids!).
2. Turn on the sound amplifier in Settings → Sound. → Sound effects → Headphone booster.
3. If the problem is Bluetooth headphones, reset their settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ → Forget the device).
4. 📱 The smartphone overheats. Cause: heavy gaming, background processes or system failure. Solution: Close all applications through the recent → Clear everything. Turn off background activity for applications in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Autostart. If you overheat during games, turn on performance mode in Settings → Special facilities → Game mode.

If none of the methods helped, try resetting to factory settings:

Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Erase all data

Before reset, back up the data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi doesn’t turn on after the upgrade, don’t try to reflash it yourself. Contact the service center – 90% of the time this is solved by reinstalling the firmware through Fastboot, but without experience you can “brick” the device.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about Xiaomi