Xiaomi’s Environmental Products: Truth or Marketing?

For the past few years, Xiaomi has been actively positioning some of its products as “green” or “sustainable.” But what is really behind this term: Is Xiaomi’s eco-product really environmentally friendly, or is it just a marketing ploy to attract the attention of environmentally conscious customers?

In this article, we will look at what criteria must be met to make a device environmentally friendly, what specific Xiaomi models meet these standards, and how to verify the authenticity of the manufacturer’s green statements, and we will also analyze how much the carbon footprint is actually reduced when using such gadgets and where the pitfall of premature failure or inability to repair may be hiding.

Spoiler: Not all eco-labeled devices are equally good for the planet. Some can be simply packaged in recycled plastic, while others are truly certified to international standards. To avoid becoming a victim of greenwashing, read on.

What is an eco-product and what standards are there?

The term “ecoproduct” does not have a single legal definition, but in the context of electronics it usually means devices that:

• 🌱 Made from recycled or renewable materials (e.g., plastic from ocean waste, low carbon aluminium).
• ♻️ Must be easily recycled or recycled after the end of their service life.
• 🔋 Higher energy efficiency (e.g. certificates) ENERGY STAR or EU Energy Label A+++).
• 🏭 Manufactured with reduced emissions CO₂ (Use of renewable energy in factories).
• 🛠️ Support long service life and maintainability (replacement of the battery, modular design).

For electronics, the key international certificates are:

• 📜 EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool – assesses environmental impacts at all stages of the life cycle.
• 🌍 TCO Certified – strict requirements for energy consumption, materials and social responsibility.
• 🔄 Blue Angel (Der Blaue Engel) – German sign confirming environmental friendliness and maintainability.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi does not always certify its products to these standards, and most often the brand emphasizes the use of recycled materials in the case or packaging, which does not always guarantee complete environmental friendliness. For example, a smartphone can be packaged in cardboard from recycled raw materials, but also have a non-recyclable battery.

Which Xiaomi models are considered environmentally friendly?

To date, Xiaomi has released several product lines with a focus on sustainability, with the most notable examples being:

Note: Most of Xiaomi’s eco-models don’t have international certifications. EPEAT or TCO. Instead, the brand relies on internal standards (such as China Environmental Labeling), which are often less stringent, not that products are harmful to the environment, but there is no guarantee of complete sustainability.

In addition, some devices are only marketed as eco-friendly in specific regions, such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro in Europe, which is sold with a focus on recycled materials, and in Asia, without such an emphasis, due to the different marketing requirements of local markets.

⚠️ Warning: If you only see phrases like "eco-design" or "planet-friendly" on a package or product description without specific numbers or certificates, this is a sign of greenwashing!

How to verify the authenticity of the product Xiaomi?

To avoid getting caught up in a marketing ploy, follow this algorithm:

Look for specific numbers (e.g., “30% recycled aluminum")|Check for certificates (EPEAT, TCO, ENERGY STAR)|Compare energy consumption with analogues|Check the possibility of repair and replacement of components|Read independent reviews (e.g. on iFixit)-->

For example, if Xiaomi claims that their smartphone has “low power consumption”, compare it to competitors according to GSMArena or NotebookCheck. If the difference is minor, it is just marketing. The same applies to materials: the phrase “use eco-materials” without specifying does not have weight.

Pay attention to the packaging. A true eco-product is usually:

• 📦 It has minimal packaging without plastic.
• 🔖 Contains information about certificates on a box or in documentation.
• ♻️ Indicates how to properly dispose of the device (e.g., pickup points in your area).

Another important point is the timeline for the updates. The eco-friendly gadget needs to last a long time, and this requires regular updates. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro receives updates for 4 years, which meets the standards. EPEAT. Redmi budget models often lose support after 2 years - this is contrary to the principles of sustainability.

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Before buying, check the model on the iFixit website - there assess the repairability of devices by 10-The product should have a score not lower than 7/10.

Pitfalls: When Eco turns into a Problem

Even if Xiaomi’s device does meet environmental standards, it doesn’t guarantee that there will be no problems.

⚠️ Note: Many Xiaomi eco-models have non-removable batteries, which complicates repairs and shortens life. For example, in Redmi Buds 4 Pro, the battery cannot be replaced - after 2-3 years of use, they will have to be thrown away, despite the "eco-packaging".

Other common problems:

• 🔌 Compatibility issues: Some eco-devices (such as charging stations) only work with Xiaomi-branded cables, which leads to additional costs.
• 🛠️ Lack of parts: Even if the case is made from recycled plastic, finding a replacement for a broken screen may be impossible.
• 💰 Overpriced: Eco-versions are often 10-20% more expensive than standard models with minimal differences.

Example: Mi TV Q2 The Eco Edition consumes 20% less energy, but it has a simplified cooling system that can overheat with prolonged use, which reduces the life of the TV and sends it to landfill earlier than the conventional model.

Another nuance is recycling: even if the device is made from recycled materials, Russia and the CIS often lack the infrastructure to properly recycle it, for example, Xiaomi batteries need to be delivered to special reception points, but their number is extremely limited.

Comparison of Xiaomi Eco Products with Competitors

To see how much Xiaomi has really made in terms of sustainability, let’s compare it to other brands:

As the table shows, Xiaomi lags behind Apple and Samsung in terms of certificates but is ahead of them in terms of price availability. However, compared to Fairphone, the leader in sustainable electronics, the gap is huge. Fairphone offers fully modular smartphones with the ability to replace any component, while even Xiaomi’s “eco-models” remain monolithic.

Xiaomi’s main advantage in the eco segment is its wide range: If Fairphone produces 1-2 models per year, Xiaomi has eco-options of smartphones, headphones, TVs and even household appliances, which makes the brand more accessible to the mass buyer, but does not always guarantee true sustainability.

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If your goal is to be as eco-friendly as possible, look for Fairphone or certified models. Apple/Samsung. If the balance of price and green features is important, Xiaomi may be a reasonable compromise, but requires careful verification of a particular model.

Where to buy Xiaomi eco-products and what to look for?

Xiaomi’s official eco-models are sold:

• 🛒 In branded Mi Store stores (in Russia – through partners like the Messenger or M. Video).
• 🌍 Global locations: AliExpress (official Xiaomi Global Store), Amazon (for Europe/America).
• ♻️ In eco-markets (for example, Lamoda Eco or OZON Eko, but the range is limited there.

When buying, be sure to check:

1. Certificates available on the manufacturer's website (in the "Specifications" or "Security" section).
2. Country of supply: Some eco-models are sold only in Europe or China.
3. Guarantee: In eco-devices, it may differ from standard models.
4. Package: Often, the “green” versions do not have a charger (for example, in Xiaomi 13 Pro Eco).

Xiaomi’s eco-products are typically 10 to 30 percent higher than standard products, such as:

• Xiaomi 13 Pro (standard) — ~70 000 ₽.
• Xiaomi 13 Pro Eco — ~75 000–80 000 ₽.

Should you overpay? If you care about sustainable packaging and you're willing to put up with potential drawbacks (like a non-removable battery), yes. If you want real stability (long-term support, maintainability), it is better to consider alternatives like Fairphone or used flagships. Samsung/Apple.

The future of Xiaomi’s eco-products: what to expect?

In 2026, Xiaomi announced several initiatives that could improve the environmental friendliness of its products:

• 🔄 Buyback program: hand over an old Xiaomi gadget and get a discount on a new one (launch scheduled for late 2026).
• 📱 Modular smartphones: Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Eco prototype with replaceable battery and screen (expected in 2026).
• ☀️ Solar power: Plants in India and Malaysia switch to renewables.

But there are some doubtful aspects, such as Xiaomi’s push for IoT devices (smart light bulbs, sensors) that often have short lifespans and are difficult to dispose of, which is against sustainability, even if the devices themselves are made from recycled materials.

In addition, the brand has not yet disclosed full supply chain information, and it is not known whether materials for “eco-products” are extracted in an ethical manner (e.g., without child labor in the Congo in cobalt mines), in contrast, Apple and Fairphone publish annual reports on the origin of raw materials.

If Xiaomi wants to be a leader in sustainable electronics, it will have to:

1. Obtaining international certificates (EPEAT Gold, TCO) eco-model.
2. Increase the support period to 5+ For years (like Google or Fairphone).
3. Introduce modular design at least in flagship devices.
4. Publish detailed reports on carbon footprint and production ethics.

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So far, Xiaomi's eco-products are more of an intermediate step towards true sustainability, better than standard models, but far from ideal. If you care about sustainability, follow the brand announcements in 2026, maybe that's going to change.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi eco-products