Xiaomi, Xiaomi or Xiaomi: what is the correct name for the brand’s phones?

Have you ever wondered why some people say "Xiaomi," others say "Xiaomi," and some people insist on calling the brand "Mi"? Or why smartphones sometimes use Redmi, then POCO, then just Xiaomi 13T? If so, you're not alone. Mispronunciation and spelling of Xiaomi phone names is one of the most common problems among users. And it's no wonder that Chinese transcription often baffles even those who have long used the brand's technology.

In this article, we will learn how to name Xiaomi phones in Russian, why there are discrepancies, and what mistakes users most often make. You will learn the official transcription of the brand, the rules for naming series (Mi, Redmi, POCO), and also get practical tips on how to avoid confusion when buying or discussing devices.

Spoiler: There's a right option, but it's not as obvious as it sounds, and some "mistakes" actually have a right to live! Let's get this straight.

The official name of the brand: how to pronounce Xiaomi

Let’s start with the main thing: how to name the brand? Xiaomi is officially registered in China under the name (Xiǎomǐ Kējì), It literally translates to "Little Rice Technology." But what does that name sound like in Russian?

According to the company's official website and press releases, the correct English transcription is Xiaomi (pronounced "Shaomi" with emphasis on the first syllable), but two options have been entrenched in the Russian-language segment of the Internet and the media:

• 🔹 Xiaomi is the most common variant used in most Russian media and on the official website of Xiaomi Russia.
• 🔹 Xiaomi is a less popular, but also common variant that is closer to the original Chinese pronunciation.

Importantly, the company does not insist on strict adherence to transcription, the brand is called differently in different countries: in Spain – “Xiaomi”, in Germany – “Xiaomi”, in India – “Shaomi”, the main thing is that the name is recognizable, but in Russian official documents (guarantee coupons, instructions) the version of “Xiaomi” is a key reference for users.

⚠️ Note: If you see the name "Mi" as a standalone brand (e.g. Mi 11), it's an outdated designation. Since 2021, the company has abandoned the Mi prefix in the names of flagship smartphones, replacing it with just Xiaomi (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro).

Why the confusion arises: "Xiaomi" vs "Xiaomi" vs "Mi"

The main reason for the discrepancy is the peculiarities of the Chinese-Russian transcription: in Chinese, the syllable "Xiao" can be translated into Russian as "Xiao" or "Xiao", and "Mi" as "Mi", hence the options:

• 📌 Xiaomi is a simplified transcription where "Xiao" is translated as "Xiao" and "Mi" as "Mi».
• 📌 Xiaomi is a more accurate representation of the Chinese sound, where the "X" is pronounced as "XX».
• 📌 Shaomi is an English version (Shaomi) that sometimes seeps into Russian-language discussions.
• 📌 Mi is short for Mi, which was previously used for flagship lines.

Further confusion is caused by:

1. Brand localization: In different countries, Xiaomi registers different variants of the name, for example, in India, the brand is known as "Mi", although it is only a sub-brand.
2. Previously, the flagship smartphones were called Mi 5, Mi 9, and budget – Redmi 4A. Now Mi as a prefix is not used, but many out of habit say “Mi 11” instead of Xiaomi 11.
3. Translator errors: In some sites (such as AliExpress), model names are automatically translated, leading to curiosities like Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro.

Interesting fact: in China, the brand name is often shortened to «» (Xiǎomǐ), It sounds like "Xiaomi." That explains why this particular variant became popular in Russia.

How to call Xiaomi phone models correctly

It's even more complicated than the name of the brand, because Xiaomi has several sub-brands, each with its own naming rules.

Key rules:

1. The flagship models (series Xiaomi 12/13/14) are called without the prefix Mi. Correct: “Xiaomi 13”, incorrect: “Mi 13”.
2. Redmi is a separate sub-brand, but it is often associated with Xiaomi. Right: "Redmy Note 12 Pro", acceptable: "Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro".
3. POCO is positioned as an independent brand, but is owned by Xiaomi.
4. The numbers and letters are written with the model name: RedmiNote12Pro - error, correct: Redmi Note 12 Pro.

Check the official name on the website mi.com

Do not add extra words ("Max", "Light") if they are not in the original

Use the hyphen only where it is in the official name (e.g. POCO X5 Pro)

Don’t confuse Redmi and Mi – they are different lines.-->

How a brand name affects your phone search and purchase

The wrong name of the model can lead to serious problems:

• 🛒 If you search for Mi 12 Pro instead of Xiaomi 12 Pro, search engines may not give relevant results.
• 💰 Buy the wrong model: For example, Redmi Note 11 Pro and Redmi Note 11 Pro+ — Different phones, but they are often confused.
• 🔧 You will not find firmware or accessories: on sites like 4PDA AliExpress names must match the official names.

Examples of how the wrong name distorts the results:

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Always check the full model name in product specifications before buying. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ differ in processor and camera, but are often confused.

How to avoid mistakes when searching:

1. Use the official names from mi.com.
2. If you are not sure, copy the model name from Settings → About phone → Model name.
3. On sites like AliExpress or JD.com, search for models by article (e.g. 22101316C for Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

How to pronounce the names of models in Russian: practical tips

Even if you know how to spell a name correctly, you still need to pronounce it correctly.

• 🗣 Xiaomi: “Xiaomi” (stress on the first syllable) or “Xiaomi” (more accurate transcription).
• 🗣 Redmi: Redmy (not Redmy or Red Me»).
• 🗣 POCO: «Poco (not "Pokou" or "Pioko»).
• 🗣 Note in titles: "Note" (e.g., "Redmy Note 12 Pro»).
• 🗣 Pro/Pro+: «Pro and Pro Plus (not Pro Plus or Max»).

Common pronunciation errors:

• ❌ «Mi Note 10 instead of Redmy Note 10 (Mistrangement between Mi and Redmi).
• ❌ «Xiaomi Redmi" - tautology as Redmi is already a sub-brand of Xiaomi.
• ❌ «Poko Ef4 GT instead of Poko Ef4 GT (mispronunciation) GT).

If you doubt the pronunciation, check out the official video reviews on the Xiaomi Russia channel – there the announcers use the correct options.

Where to see the official name of your Xiaomi model

If you are not sure what your phone is called, there are a few ways to check it out:

1. In phone settings: Settings → About phone → The name of the model will be specified here, for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G.
2. On the box or in the documents: On the original packaging and in the warranty card, the name of the model is duplicated in English.
3. Through IMEI: Find out the phone’s IMEI (type *#06#), then check the model on sites like IMEI.info.
4. In the Security app: Open Security → Device → Device Information.

Example: If the settings indicate M2101K6G, it is code-marked Redmi Note 10 Pro. To decrypt this designation, use databases like XiaomiDevice.

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The code name of the model (e.g., M2007J1SC) is not the same as the trade name (Redmi K30 Ultra). Always check both options when looking for firmware or parts.

Frequent questions about Xiaomi phone names

If you have doubts about the name of a particular model, you can always check it on the official website or in the Xiaomi Russia Telegram channel.