Why Xiaomi is important to users
Ever wondered why some people say "Xiaomi Mi 11" and others say "Xiaomi Redmi Note 10"? It turns out that even Xiaomi's official distributors don't always have the same standards when translating names into Russian, which creates confusion: you can find different spellings of the same models in stores, forums and even in device instructions.
The problem is compounded by Xiaomi’s launch of smartphones under several sub-brands: Mi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, each with its own transliteration rules. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro model in Russian sources may appear as “Xiaomi 13 Pro”, “Xiaomi 13 Pro” or even “Mi 13 Pro” – all three options will be found on the Internet.
In this article, we will analyze the official recommendations of Xiaomi Russia, analyze common mistakes and give clear instructions on how to call the brand’s phones in Russian, which will help avoid misunderstandings when buying, searching for accessories or discussing devices on forums.
Xiaomi’s official position: how to pronounce and write correctly
According to the press service of Xiaomi Russia (2023), the brand recommends using the following rules for the Russian-language name of its devices:
- 📱 Brand name: right is Xiaomi (soft sign), wrong is Xiaomi, Ziaomi or Shaomi (xiǎomǐ), where "xiao" means "small" and "mi" means "rice».
- 🔤 Subbrands: Mi - pronounced "Mi" (without doubling the "and"). Redmi - pronounced "Radmy" (with emphasis on the first syllable). POCO — Pronounced "Poco" (without stressing the second syllable). Black Shark - pronounced "Black Shark" (without transliteration into Russian).
- 📝 Model writing: numbers and letter designations (Pro, Lite, SE) For example, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra → «Xiaomi 13 Ultra, not Xiaomi 13 Super».
It is important to note that Xiaomi does not insist on strict adherence to these rules in conversation, but in official documents, press releases and on the brand’s website, this is the option, for example, in the Russian version of the Xiaomi website, all models are listed with the transliteration “Xiaomi”.
Common Errors: What Users Say
Despite the official recommendations, there are many alternative spellings on the Russian-language Internet, and here are the most common mistakes:
| Official version | Wrong option | Reason for error |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | Xiaomi 13 Pro | Incorrect transliteration of the Cyrillic alphabet (instead of "Xia" is used "Xi"). |
| Redmi Note 12 | Redmy Note 12 | The stress error is: "Radmy" is correct, not "Radmy." |
| POCO F5 | Poko F5/Pouko F5 | Confusion with the pronunciation of the letter "C" (should be "Poko" rather than "Pouko"). |
| Black Shark 5 | Black Shark 5 / Black Shark 5 | Incorrect translation: the title remains in English. |
Interestingly, even some Russian retailers (such as Svyaznoy or M.Video) sometimes use informal options, which is because search engines are more likely to search for Xiaomi than Xiaomi, so stores optimize product cards for popular queries rather than official standards.
⚠️ Warning: If you buy accessories (cases, glass, chargers), always check the exact name of the model in English. For example, the case for the Redmi Note 11 Pro is not suitable for the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, Although the difference in name is minimal.
How to call popular models Xiaomi
Let’s take a look at how to translate the names of Xiaomi’s most popular smartphones into Russian, and we will follow the official recommendations of the brand, but also point out alternatives that are found on the Internet.
- 📱 Xiaomi 14 → Xiaomi 14 (not "Xiaomi 14" or "Mi 14»).
- 📱 Xiaomi 13 Ultra → Xiaomi 13 Ultra (not "Xiaomi 13 Super»).
- 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G → Redmy Note 12 Pro+ 5G (Not Redmy Note 12 Plus»).
- 📱 POCO X5 Pro → Poko X5 Pro (not Powko X 5 Pro»).
- 📱 Black Shark 6 → Black Shark 6 (not Black Shark 6»).
Particular attention should be paid to models with letter suffixes:
- Pro → Pro (not “Plus” or “Premium”).
- Lite → “Light” (not “Light” or “Light”).
- SE → Special Editorial (not Super Edition or Special Version)
Make sure the brand is called “Xiaomi” and not “Xiaomi”
Check that the sub-brand (Mi, Redmi, POCO) is written correctly
Numbers and letters (Pro, Lite) are not translated into Russian.
The emphasis in "Radmy" falls on the first syllable, not the second.-->
If you are in doubt about the correct name for a particular model, the most reliable way is to visit the official website of Xiaomi Russia, where all the names are listed in accordance with corporate standards.
Why do they write differently in stores: marketing or error?
Many users notice that in different stores, the same Xiaomi models can be called differently. For example, in the “Svyaznoy” you will see “Xiaomi 13T”, and on the “Citilink” website – “Xiaomi 13T.”
The fact is that stores often optimize names for search queries. According to Yandex Wordstat, the “Xiaomi” query is more popular in Russia than “Xiaomi”, so retailers can deliberately use the informal option to make their products appear more often in the results.
But there's another side to the coin: some vendors just don't follow the official rules and write in a way that they feel comfortable with, for example, in small online stores, you can find pearls like:
- “Ziaomi Mi 11” (mistake in transliteration of the brand + extra “Mi”).
- Redmy Note 9 Pro Max (incorrect accent + extra note instead of note)
- Poco F4 GT (incorrect pronunciation of POCO)
⚠️ Note: If you see unnecessary words in the model name (for example, “Smartphone Xiaomi” or “Redmi Phone”), this is a sign of an unscrupulous seller. Xiaomi’s official names are always concise and do not contain specifications like “mobile” or “gadget».
To avoid getting a fake or incorrect description, always check the model name with the official Xiaomi website or verified sources such as GSMArena or 4PDA.
How to call Xiaomi in colloquial speech: can you say “Xiaomi”?
The official rules are good, but what about informal communication? Is it okay to say "Xiaomi" if you're used to it? There's no rigid restriction, and in conversation, both "Xiaomi" and "Xiaomi" are acceptable.
But there are nuances:
- 🗣 If you are in technical forums (for example, 4PDA Or Mi Community, it's better to stick to the official "Xiaomi" that will help avoid misunderstandings, especially when discussing firmware or repairs.
- 🛒 In the store, check the name of the model in English (for example, Xiaomi). 13T Pro) so that the seller understands exactly what device is in question.
- 📱 When searching for information online, try both options. For example, if you don't find an answer for "Xiaomi 12T firmware", try "Xiaomi 12T firmware" - perhaps the topic is discussed under a different name.
Interesting fact: in Ukraine and Belarus, the variant “Xiaomi” is also used, while in Kazakhstan and some CIS countries, “Xiaomi” is more common, due to the peculiarities of transliteration of Chinese words in different languages.
💡
If you are not sure how to pronounce the model name in Russian, just say it in English (for example, "Xiaomi 13 Ultra"). This is a universal way that any seller or repairman will understand.
The most common examples: how to name old and rare models
With modern smartphones Xiaomi is more or less clear, but what about the old or rare models? For example, how to call Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S or Xiaomi Mi A3?
- 🔄 Mi Mix series: spelled "Xiaomi Mi Mix" (e.g. Mi Mix 4) → «Xiaomi Mi Mix 4. Wrong: Mi Mix (without Xiaomi) or Mix 4 (without Mi Mi Meeks»).
- 🤖 Mi A (Android One) series: spelled "Xiaomi Mi A" (e.g. Mi Mi) A3 → «Xiaomi Mi A3. Wrong: "Xiaomi Hey 3" or "Mi Android 3».
- ⚡ Redmi K series: spelled "Radmy Kay" (e.g. Redmi) K60 → «Redmy Kay 60. Wrong: Redmy Ka 60 or Xiaomi Kay 60».
- 🎮 Black Shark gaming smartphones: no name translated. Right: Black Shark 5 Pro, wrong: Black Shark 5 Pro».
It is especially difficult with models that were released before 2018, when Xiaomi did not yet have clear transliteration rules for the Russian market. 5s Plus in different sources can be called:
- "Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus" (correctly).
- Mi 5s Plus (without Xiaomi is an incomplete title).
- Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus (incorrect transliteration of the brand).
Why is it that Xiaomi names sometimes have “Mi” and sometimes they don’t?
If you come across an old model and are not sure of its correct name, consult the archive on Xiaomi or check the specifications on GSMArena. There is always an official name in English that can be correctly transliterated.