Xiaomi: What is the name of the brand and its devices?

Have you ever wondered why Xiaomi is so questionable, and some people pronounce it as "Xiaomi," others say "Ziaomi" or even "Shaomi." And why is it so unusual for a smartphone company -- Redmi, POCO, Mi?

In this article, we will not only understand the correct pronunciation and spelling of Xiaomi, but also how the main line of devices of the brand are called, why they are called that, and what mistakes users most often make, you will learn how Mi differs from Redmi, why some models are double-named (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro and Mi 13 Pro), and how not to get confused in the abundance of sub-brands of the company.

We also have a table with the official names of popular series, a list of common errors and answers to frequent questions. If you are planning to buy a Xiaomi device or just want to understand the terminology, this article is for you.

How to pronounce and write “Xiaomi” correctly?

So, to start with, what is the right name for a brand? The official Chinese pronunciation is "Xiaomi" (Chinese, where "xiao" means "small" and "mi" means "rice"), but there are two ways in which the Russian-speaking world is more or less familiar.

  • 🔊 «Xiaomi is the closest to the original, used in official presentations and documents.
  • 🔊 «Ziaomi" - an adapted version, which is more common in colloquial speech.

Important: the wrong options are "Shaomi," "Xiaomi," "Miaomi," and the mistake is to spell it with a hyphen ("Xiao-mi") or separately ("Xiao Mi"). The company logo is always spelled together - Xiaomi.

Interesting fact: in 2018, the company even released an official video with the correct pronunciation in different languages, in English the emphasis is on the first syllable - "Shao-mi", but in Russian it sounds unnatural, so the version of "Xiaomi" caught on.

📊 How do you pronounce the brand name?
Xiaomi
Ziaomie
Shaomi
Another option

Why is the brand name so often confused?

There are several reasons why Xiaomi is in trouble:

  1. The letter X at the beginning of a word is rare in Russian, and the combination of iao is difficult to reproduce without knowledge of Chinese phonetics.
  2. There is no uniform standard for transliteration, and the name is adapted to local pronunciations in different countries (for example, in Spain, they say "Siaomi").
  3. Confusion with sub-brands: The company uses multiple brands (Mi, Redmi, POCO), which creates the illusion of "different companies."

In addition, in the early years of entering the global market, Xiaomi positioned itself as “China’s Apple,” and many mistakenly associated the brand with the Mi name (which later became a separate line of premium smartphones), which exacerbated the confusion.

💡

If you doubt pronunciation, use the official version of “Xiaomi” – it is universal and correct in any context.

What are the main lines of Xiaomi devices called?

Xiaomi has been making devices under several brand names, and these are the main ones:

subbrandOfficial nameTarget audienceExamples of models
XiaomiMain brandFlagship and mid-budget smartphonesXiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi 13T Pro
RedmiBudget lineAffordable smartphones and accessoriesRedmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi A2
POCOGaming and productive devicesYouth, gamers.POCO F5 Pro, POCO X6
MiPremium line (since 2023 it is merged with Xiaomi)Top-end smartphonesMi 11 Ultra (old name), Xiaomi 12S Ultra (new)

Until 2021, flagship smartphones were called Mi (e.g. Mi 10), but then the company simplified branding by switching to the name Xiaomi + model number (e.g. Xiaomi 13).

Why are Redmi and POCO separate brands?
Redmi was originally a sub-brand for budget smartphones, but in 2019 it became a standalone brand (although owned by Xiaomi). POCO was originally created as a line for enthusiasts (with a focus on performance), but later also became a separate brand with its own development strategy.

What is the difference between Mi, Xiaomi and Redmi?

This is one of the most common questions. Let's get into the details.

  • 📱 Mi (until 2021) are premium smartphones with top-end specs, examples include Mi 11, Mi Mix 4, which is now being replaced by Xiaomi. + number (e.g. Xiaomi 14).
  • 📱 Xiaomi (since 2021) – the main line of flagships and mid-budget devices. Examples: Xiaomi 13 Lite, Xiaomi Civi 3.
  • 💰 Redmi - budget and mid-budget smartphones. Examples: Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10A. They differ in affordable price and good price/quality ratio.

A simple way to remember:

⚠️ Note: If the name has Redmi, it's a budget, unless Xiaomi is most likely a flagship or mid-range device, the Mi prefix in new models is rare (mostly in older or in some markets).

It’s also worth noting that POCO is a separate story: These devices are often based on the Redmi platform, but with improved features for gamers (such as a more powerful processor or high-frequency screen). Example: POCO F5 is built on the Redmi K60, but with a different design and firmware.

Common Mistakes in Xiaomi Names

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes. Here are the most common mistakes:

  • ❌ «Xiaome or Xiaommi – Misprints due to incorrect number of i letters.
  • ❌ «Mi Note 12 instead of Redmi Note 12 – confusion between sub-brands.
  • ❌ «POCOPHONE instead of POCOPHONE «POCO F" - an outdated name (previously there was a series) POCOPHONE F1, now POCO).
  • ❌ «Mi Band 7 Pro instead of Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro – new models of fitness bracelets removed the prefix Mi.

To avoid mistakes, always check the official sources:

  1. The website mi.com (global version).
  2. Xiaomi’s official social media accounts (e.g., Telegram channel for Russia)
  3. The labels on the box of the device are always the correct name.

⚠️ Attention: There are many fakes on the market under the Xiaomi brand.The original devices always have the correct name on the packaging and in the settings (check in Settings). → If you see a typo in the title, it's a reason to be wary!

How to find out the exact name of your Xiaomi model?

If you are not sure what your device is called, there are several ways to check it out:

☑️ How to find out the model of Xiaomi

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For example, in the Settings menu → You'll see the line "Model" on the phone:

  • 📱 Full name (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro) 5G).
  • 📱 Codename (e.g. veux for Redmi Note 12 Pro)+).

Code names are often used in firmware and moding, and you can use the database on XiaomiUI to decrypt them.

If your device is old (like the Mi 5 or Redmi 4X), the name may contain the Mi or Redmi prefix even where new models don’t.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

🔹 Why are some smartphones called Xiaomi and Mi?
Until 2021, premium smartphones were called Mi (like Mi 11).The company then simplified branding and new flagships were simply called Xiaomi + number (like Xiaomi 12).However, in some markets (like India), the Mi prefix is retained for premium devices due to the popularity of the brand.
🔹 POCO — It is a separate company or part of Xiaomi?
POCO was originally a sub-brand of Xiaomi, but in 2020 it became independent (although owned by the same corporation).POCO has its own development strategy, but the devices are often based on the Redmi or Xiaomi platform.
🔹 How to say "Siaomi" or "Ziaomi»?
The official version is "Xiaomi," but "Ziaomi" is often spoken, both of which are acceptable, but in documents and presentations, it is better to stick to the former.
🔹 Why Redmi Names Have Letters (Redmi) K50)?
The letter K in the Redmi K series stands for "Killer" (killer) - a line of powerful smartphones for gamers. Other letters: Note - a series with large screens and battery, A - overbudget models (for example, Redmi A2).
🔹 Where to see all Xiaomi models with the right names?
The official list of devices can be found on the mi.com website in the "Products" section, and XiaomiUI, where all models with code names are collected, is also useful.