Classification of Xiaomi smartphones: a complete guide to series and models

Xiaomi is one of the world's largest smartphone makers, offering devices for every taste and budget. But this variety often confuses consumers: how to understand the lines of Redmi, POCO, Mi and Black Shark? What are the differences between flagship models and budget models? And why can the same series have radically different prices?

In this article, we will take a closer look at all of Xiaomi’s current smartphone series, their target audience, key features and brand evolution, learn how to recognize the model by name, what technologies are used in each line, and what to look for when choosing. And to make the information as practical as possible, we have added comparison tables, checklists for customers and answers to frequent questions.

1 General structure of Xiaomi brands: who owns whom

Before diving into the models, it is important to understand how the Xiaomi ecosystem works, under the same brand, smartphones are now released under different brands, each of which has its own specialization:

• 📱 Xiaomi (Mi) – flagship and premium devices with advanced technology.
• 💰 Redmi - budget and mid-budget smartphones with the optimal price/quality ratio.
• 🎮 POCO — Devices for gamers and enthusiasts with a focus on performance.
• 🕹️ Black Shark – specialized gaming smartphones with unique design and cooling.

Until 2019, POCO was a sub-brand of Xiaomi, but then became independent. However, in 2020, Xiaomi returned POCO under its wing, keeping it as a separate line.

Fun fact: In some countries (such as India), Redmi is positioned as a separate brand, rather than a sub-brand of Xiaomi, a marketing ploy to increase competitiveness in the budget segment.

2. Xiaomi (Mi) Series: flagships and premium devices

Xiaomi Mi (now often just Xiaomi) is a showcase of the company’s technology, debuting the most powerful processors, innovative cameras and premium materials, starting at 40,000 rubles and can exceed 100,000 for top-end versions.

Key features of Xiaomi flagships:

• 🔥 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen (last generation) or MediaTek Dimensity 9000+.
• 📸 Cameras with optics Leica (since 2022) or Sony IMX sensory.
• 🔋 Support for superfast charging (up to) 210W Xiaomi 14 Pro).
• 🖥️ Screens. AMOLED 120Hz+ permit QHD+.

Xiaomi has been dropping the Mi in titles since 2023, making it easier to brand.The flagships are now simply called Xiaomi 13/14, not Mi 13/14. This is part of a strategy to unify the name, like Apple (iPhone) or Samsung (Galaxy S).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi flagships often get updates MIUI It is longer than other series (up to 4 years), but they are more expensive to repair because of premium components. For example, replacing the screen with Xiaomi 14 Ultra can cost up to 30% of the price of the device.

3. Redmi line: budget and mid-budget smartphones

Redmi is Xiaomi's most massive sub-brand, accounting for the lion's share of sales (~10 000 ₽) upper-middle-class (~35 000 ₽). The main principle of the line is maximum functionality for minimal money.

How to recognize the Redmi model by name:

• 📌 Redmi A – the cheapest smartphones (for example, Redmi) A2 price ~7 000 ₽).
• 📌 Redmi Number (e.g. Redmi 12) – basic models with balanced performance.
• 📌 Redmi Notes are the most popular smartphones in the series, often with the best price/quality ratio (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro).+).
• 📌 Redmi K – “flagship killers” with top-end chips at an average price (for example, Redmi) K70 Pro with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3).

The Redmi Note models in India and China are often different from the global versions. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G for India is equipped with a Dimensity 1080 processor, and the global version is the Dimensity 920. Always check the specifications for your region!

Learn the processor version for your region|Compare the volume of RAM / ROM in different configurations|Check support 5G (Not all models have it)|Clarify availability NFC (Important for contactless payments)-->

4.POCO: Smartphones for gamers and enthusiasts

POCO was originally designed as a brand for “advanced” users who want maximum performance for a reasonable amount of money, and here you’ll find smartphones with top-end processors, high-frequency screens, and aggressive designs — but without a premium markup.

The distinctive features of POCO:

• 🎯 Processors flagship level in mid-budget devices (for example, POCO F6 Pro with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 for a win ~40 000 ₽).
• 🔄 High screen refresh rate (120 Hz)+) Adaptive frequency in most models.
• 🔋 Large batteries (5,000 mAh)+) fast-charging (67W–120W).
• 🎮 Optimization for games: cooling technologies, trigger buttons (in some models).

Since 2023, POCO has divided its smartphones into two sub-series:

• 📱 POCO F - flagship killers (for example, POCO F6 Pro).
• 💰 POCO X – more affordable models with a focus on balance (e.g, POCO X6 Pro).

⚠️ Attention: Smartphones POCO They are often sold with global firmware. MIUI for POCO, different from the standard MIUI. It has fewer browsers (pre-installed apps), but some features (such as Second Space) may not be available.

5.Black Shark: Gamers' Smartphones With Unique Design

Black Shark is a dedicated lineup for gamers that is not only hardware-based, but also design-driven.

• 🎮 Physical trigger buttons (for example, in Black Shark 6 Pro, there are two pairs of buttons).
• 🔥 Liquid cooling systems with multiple layers.
• 🖥️ 144 Hz screens and support HDR10+.
• 🔋 Dual batteries (in some models) for fast charging without overheating.

However, Black Shark has its downsides:

• ❌ High price (from ~60 000 ₽), Xiaomi-like.
• ❌ Limited availability – not all models are officially sold in Russia.
• ❌ Not always up-to-date updates – gaming smartphones are often updated less often due to niche audiences.

Black Shark 6 Pro (2023) was the last smartphone in the series with physical triggers. New models (Black Shark 7/8) moved to touch buttons, which caused discontent among fans of the brand.

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If you need a gaming smartphone but Black Shark isn’t available, look for the Redmi K70 Pro or POCO F6 Pro. They offer similar performance for less money, albeit without specialized triggers.

6. How to choose a Xiaomi smartphone: a step-by-step guide

To avoid confusion with the variety of models, follow this algorithm:

1. Define the budget: 💰 Up to 15,000. ₽ → Redmi A or Redmi Number (e.g. Redmi) 13C). 💰 15 000–30 000 ₽ → Redmi Note or POCO X (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro). 💰 30 000–50 000 ₽ → POCO F or Redmi K (e.g., F, POCO F6 Pro). 💰 From 50,000. ₽ → Xiaomi or Black Shark (e.g. Xiaomi 14).
2. Choose your priorities: 📸 Camera. → Xiaomi with Leica or Redmi Note optics 13 Pro+. 🎮 Games → Black Shark or POCO F. 🔋 Autonomy → battery-model 6000+ mAh (e.g. Redmi Note) 13+ 5G). 🔄 Display. → screen 120 Hz+ (all flagships and POCO).
3. Check compatibility: 📶 Support 5G (Not all budget models have it). 💳 Presence NFC (Important for contactless payments). 🔌 Type of charging (some models require branded power supplies).

Don’t forget the regional features: the same model can have different processors, 5G modules or cameras depending on the market. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G is equipped with Snapdragon 732G for Europe, and for India – Dimensity 1080.

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If you want a smartphone with long-term update support, choose Xiaomi flagships (4 years of updates) or Redmi K series models (3 years). Budget Redmi A often only receive 1-2 major updates.

7.The Evolution of Names: How Xiaomi Changed the Naming System

Over the years, Xiaomi has repeatedly changed the approach to the name of smartphones.

With Redmi, the situation is even more interesting: first it was a separate line inside Xiaomi (Redmi 1, Redmi 2), then a full-fledged sub-brand with its own sub-series (Note, K, A).

8. Frequent mistakes when choosing a Xiaomi smartphone

Even experienced shoppers sometimes make mistakes, and here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• 🔄 Names are confusing: Redmi Note 12 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ — These are different smartphones with different processors and cameras. Always check the full name of the model.
• 📶 Ignoring network support: Not all Xiaomi supports 5G For example, the Redmi Note 11 was sold in Russia. 4G-The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G — fifth-network.
• 🔋 Unverified battery data: The specifications may indicate 5,000 mAh, but the actual capacity is often 5-10% less (e.g., 4850 mAh instead of 5,000 mAh).
• 📦 Many new models (such as the Xiaomi 14) are sold without a charger.

Another pitfall is regional firmware: Smartphones for China (CN ROM) often don’t have Google Services, and global versions (Global ROM) may have limitations on some features (e.g., the IR Blaster is disabled in Europe).

⚠️ Note: When buying a Xiaomi smartphone on AliExpress or other sites, specify the firmware version. CN ROM You can re-flash on Global, but this cancels the warranty and is fraught with errors (for example, non-working). NFC).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions