Introduction: why Xiaomi is always on the ear
Xiaomi continues to surprise the smartphone market with innovative solutions, affordable prices and powerful characteristics. 2026 was no exception: the brand introduced several lines of devices at once - from budget Redmi to premium Xiaomi 14 and MIX Fold 4. But how to understand this diversity and choose a phone that meets expectations?
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the key Xiaomi 2026 innovations, compare them by technical parameters, price and target audience, focus on the flagships with the worldβs first 200-megapixel Light Hunter 900 sensor and folding models with an ultra-thin body, and for those looking for the best value for money, we have prepared an analysis of the Redmi Note 13 and POCO F6 lines.
Spoiler: If you want a smartphone with the best camera on the market, look at the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If the priority is autonomy and performance for reasonable money, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G is a great choice. But about everything in order.
Flagships 2026: Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra β revolution in photography
Xiaomiβs 14 lineup was a major hit in the first half of 2026: Not only did it get the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, but it also set new standards in mobile photography, with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra being the first phone to feature a Light Hunter 900 (1 inch, 200 MP) sensor that beats rivals Samsung and Apple in detail and aperture.
What else is important to know about the flagships:
- π₯ Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) with clock speeds up to 3.3 GHz β 20% more productive than its predecessor.
- πΈ Camera: At Xiaomi 14 Ultra β quadruple camera with optical zoom 3.2Γ and 5Γ (Leica Summilux in the base model Xiaomi 14 β triple-camera 50+50+50 MPP.
- π Battery: 5300 mAh (Ultra) and 4610 mAh (standard) with 80W wireless charging support.
- π Display: AMOLED 2K (120 Hz) with a brightness of up to 3000 nits β the best screen among Android smartphones according to DisplayMate.
But thereβs a caveat: Xiaomi 14 Ultra weighs 224 grams and is 9.2 mm thick, one of the heaviest flagships on the market. If youβre looking for compactness, youβd better pay attention to the standard Xiaomi 14 model (weighing 188 grams).
Foldable smartphones: Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 vs MIX Flip
2026 was the year of foldable phones for Xiaomi, with the company unveiling two models: the MIX Fold 4 (book) and the MIX Flip (clamshell), the main difference from competitors is the ultra-thin body (only 4.6 mm in the unfolded state of the Fold 4) and the use of ceramic coating to protect against scratches.
Let's compare the key parameters:
| Characteristics | Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 | Xiaomi MIX Flip |
|---|---|---|
| Display (external/internal) | 6.56" AMOLED / 8.03" AMOLED 2K | 4" AMOLED / 6.81" AMOLED FHD+ |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 |
| Camera (main) | 50 MP (Leica, 1/1.31) | 50 MP (1/1.56) |
| Battery | 4880 mAh (67W) | 4780 mAh (67W) |
| Price (example, Russian Federation) | ~180 000 β½ | ~120 000 β½ |
The MIX Fold 4 is perfect for multi-tasking thanks to its large internal screen, and the MIX Flip is for those who want a compact foldable phone with a stylish design.Both devices support the Xiaomi Smart Pen stylus, but only the Fold 4 boasts full-fledged optimization for drawing and notes.
β οΈ Note: Xiaomi foldable smartphones are not officially delivered to Russia through standard channels, they can only be bought from dealers or through Parallel Import, which means the lack of an official warranty and possible problems with firmware.
Budget new products: Redmi Note 13 and POCO F6 β the best value for money
If the flagships of Xiaomi break records for performance, the budget line of Redmi Note 13 and POCO F6 They prove that a good smartphone can be bought for 20-30 thousand rubles β AMOLED-120Hz screens, which were previously only in premium models, and powerful processors from MediaTek and Qualcomm.
Let's look at the key models:
- π° Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G: Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra, 200MP camera, 5,000mAh battery (120W!) Price: ~28 000 β½.
- β‘ POCO F6 Pro: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, screen 2K (120Hz), charging 67W Price: ~35 000 β½.
- π± Redmi Note 13 5G: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, AMOLED 120Hz, 5,000mAh battery price: ~20 000 β½.
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ became the first smartphone in its price category with a 200-megapixel camera (samsung ISOCELL HP3). However, do not expect from it the quality of shooting at the level of flagships β here is more important than marketing move, but the autonomy (5000 mAh + ultra-fast charging) model bypasses many competitors.
Review the quality of a particular model|Check support 5G in your region|Compare prices in official and unofficial stores|To clarify the presence of Russian-language firmware-->
Gaming smartphones: Black Shark 6 and POCO F6 for gamers
For mobile gaming enthusiasts, Xiaomi offers two key models: the Black Shark 6 (a special gaming phone) and the POCO F6 (a universal flagship killer), the main difference is that the Black Shark 6 has physical Maglev Pop-up Triggers that mimic the gamepad buttons, as well as a liquid cooling system with two fans.
Comparison for gamers:
| Parameter | Black Shark 6 | POCO F6 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 |
| Screen. | 6.79" AMOLED, 144 Hz | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz |
| Triggers. | Yes (physical) | No (only touch-sensitive) |
| Cooling | Liquid + 2 fans | Liquid (passive) |
Black Shark 6 wins games thanks to triggers and better cooling, but loses out in autonomy (a 5,000mAh battery vs. 5,500mAh at the POCO F6).If you're not a professional gamer, then the POCO F6 will be a more versatile choice.
β οΈ Warning: Black Shark gaming smartphones often come with global firmware, which may not support Russian in the system menu!
Updates MIUI 15: what is new in the firmware for new products Xiaomi
All new Xiaomi 2026 comes with preinstalled MIUI 15 based on Android 14.
- π Performance: Optimized RAM allocation algorithm β applications are less likely to be unloaded from memory.
- π Privacy: New App Lock 2.0 feature with biometric authorization for hidden folders.
- π¨ Design: Adaptive icons that change color depending on wallpaper.
- π Autonomy: Ultra Battery Saver Mode Extends Up to 24 Hours at 5% Charge.
But there are pitfalls, too: for example, MIUI 15 has a Smart Assistant feature on default that collects app usage data. To turn it off, go to Settings β Privacy β Special Permissions β Smart Assistant.
How to Reverse MIUI 15 to MIUI 14
Price comparison and where to buy new Xiaomi products in 2026
Xiaomiβs new product prices are highly regional and supply chain-specific, with official sales in Russia being handled by Xiaomi RUS, but many models (such as foldable smartphones) are only available through Parallel Import.
| Model | Price (RF, officially) | Price (Parallel Import) | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 (12/256 GB) | ~90 000 β½ | ~85 000 β½ | SberMegaMarket, M.Video |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (12/512 GB) | ~28 000 β½ | ~25 000 β½ | Wildberries, Ozone |
| POCO F6 Pro (12/512GB) | ~35 000 β½ | ~32 000 β½ | Yandex Market |
| Black Shark 6 (16/512GB) | β | ~55 000 β½ | Aliexpress, local retailers |
When buying through Parallel Import, pay attention to:
- π Russian-language firmware (global version may not support it) NFC pay).
- π Compatibility with Russian 4G/5G Networks (some models do not support ranges) n78 and n28).
- π‘οΈ Having a warranty (even if the seller promises a "store guarantee", it does not amount to an official one).
π‘
Before buying, check the IMEI phone on the IMEI.info website. If the production date is older than 6 months, there is a high risk that this is a "storage stagnant" device with a discharged battery.