Which Xiaomi smartphones are better to buy in 2026: ranking by category

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 is not an easy task: the brand offers more than 20 current models in various price segments, from the budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Eyes run away not only from the number of options, but also from marketing slogans: “flagship processor for half the price”, “camera like a professional camera”, “charging in 10 minutes”. How not to get lost in this variety and choose the phone that will last for years?

In this guide, we analyzed all of Xiaomi’s current lineups (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), tested them in real-world conditions and ranked them according to key criteria: performance, camera quality, battery life and price/quality ratio. Special attention was paid to the pitfalls: why Xiaomi 13T can disappoint selfie lovers, how the POCO F6 Pro differs from the Redmi K70 (spoiler: not only price tag), and why the Black Shark 6 Pro is not suitable for everyday use.

1.The best flagships Xiaomi 2026: when the price is justified

Xiaomi's flagship smartphones have traditionally competed with the Samsung Galaxy S and iPhone, offering similar performance for less money. 2026 The year the leader of the line was the Xiaomi series 14, But not all models are equally good.-3 The option where the overpayment really pays off.

The main trump card of the flagships is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors (in Xiaomi 14 Pro and 14 Ultra) and exclusive chips like Leica optics or 2K-But there are some nuances: for example, the Xiaomi 14 (the base model) received a less advanced cooling system, which causes it to throttle in games after 20 minutes. And the 14 Ultra weighs 224 grams - this is heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro Max!

• 📱 Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best camera among Android smartphones (DXOMark tests: 150 points), but the price starts from 120,000 ₽. Suitable for professional photographers who are ready to put up with the dimensions.
• 🎮 Xiaomi 14 Pro – Gold Balance: Same chipset as Ultra, but smaller (weight 212 g) and with a more comfortable screen (6.73" vs. 6.74" Ultra).× zoom.
• 💰 Xiaomi 13T Pro - "flagship of the last year" at the price of the average (from 55 000) ₽). Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 still pulls all games on maximum speeds, and a camera with a sensor of 200 MP bypasses many new models.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi flagships are often sold with global firmware (Global) ROM), This is a feature that limits some features, like Xiaomi 14 Ultra on Global. ROM There is no Dolby Vision mode for shooting videos – it is only available in Chinese (CN ROM). Before buying, specify the version of the software!

2. Xiaomi gaming smartphones: POCO vs Black Shark

If you need a phone solely for gaming, Xiaomi has two options: a lineup. POCO The F (budget gaming smartphones) and Black Shark (professional devices with physical triggers) are the difference between the two, like a racing card and a Formula car.-1.

The POCO F6 Pro (also known as the Redmi K70 for the Chinese market) is equipped with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, which is still one of the most productive chipsets for mobile games. In the Genshin Impact test on maximum speeds, the smartphone produced a stable 58-60 FPS without overheating thanks to the liquid cooling system. But the Black Shark 6 Pro goes even further: there are physical shoulder buttons (like on a gamepad), a 144 Hz screen and even a built-in fan for cooling.

But there's a catch: Black Shark is a niche device that's inconvenient for everyday use: cumbersome design, weak cameras (even by average standards), and lack of NFC support in some regions. The POCO F6 Pro, by contrast, is versatile: it can be used for work and for video.

Support for your favorite games on maximals (check on YouTube)

NFC availability (if required for payment)

Weight and thickness (Black Shark weighs 225+g)

Compatible with the gamepad (not all models support) Xbox/PS controller)-->

3. Xiaomi’s Best Camera Phones: What to Pay for?

If you're looking at the camera as a top priority, you're looking at three models: the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi 13T Pro and Redmi Note 13 Pro+. But even here, there's a nuance: it's not always more expensive than better. For example, 14 Ultra beats the competition in detail and color rendering thanks to Leica optics, but in low light, it's overtaken by the 13T Pro with a 200 MP sensor.

Here’s what you need to know about Xiaomi cameras:

• 📸 Xiaomi 14 Ultra: The best zoom (5× optical) and video 8K, but overheats during long shooting 4K/60fps. Included is a lens with filters for creative shooting.
• 🌃 Xiaomi 13T Pro: the leader in night photography among Xiaomi (thanks to the Samsung sensor) HP3 200MP, but no telephoto lens, just a digital zoom.
• 💰 Redmi Note 13 Pro+: budget king (camera for 200 MP for 35 000) ₽), but loses in processing HDR It's good for Instagram, but not for professional photography.

One of the most common myths is that "the more megapixels, the better the camera." In practice, pixel size and processing algorithms are more important. For example, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (2022) with a 50MP sensor still bypasses many new models in detail, because it has pixels measuring 1.6 microns (versus 0.56 microns for 200-MP sensors).

4. Xiaomi budget smartphones: where the savings are justified

Xiaomi’s budget smartphones (Redmi A, Redmi Note, and POCO M series) are a trade-off between price and capability. The main problem is that many models save on the display (60Hz instead of 90/120Hz), the processor (Mediatek Helio instead of Snapdragon), and software updates (only 1-2 years of support).

Top.-3 Smartphones that will not disappoint:

• 💎 Redmi Note 13 Pro (from 25,000) ₽): single-segment OLED-It's a 120 Hz screen and a glass back, and minus it, the 200 megapixel camera is marketing-focused, not real-world quality.
• ⚡ POCO X6 Pro (from 28 000) ₽): Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (performance close to the flagships of 2022) and charging at 67 watts. But the battery is only 5000 mAh – enough for a day when used actively.
• 🔋 Redmi 13C (12,000 ₽): Autonomous record holder (5,000 mAh battery) + Helio G85). Suitable for elderly relatives or a second phone.

⚠️ Note: In budget Xiaomi often encountered a problem with memory eMMC instead of the UFS. This means that the phone will “brake” when multitasking, even if it has 8 GB of RAM. 12C The Redmi Note 13 comes with eMMC and the Redmi Note 13 comes with UFS 2.2.

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If you choose between the Redmi Note 13 and the POCO X6, go for POCO – it has a better processor (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 vs Helio G99) and longer update support (3 years vs 2 years).

5. Xiaomi for long-term autonomy: Which models hold the charge?

If you want a phone that lasts 2-3 days without recharging, look at three factors: battery capacity (from 5000 mAh), energy-efficient processor (for example, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2) and optimized software (MIUI 14 and later).

The secret to long-term battery life is not only battery power, but also power saving. MIUI has a hidden Ultra Battery Saver feature that shuts down background processes and limits performance, but allows you to stretch the charge for 3-4 days. It is activated through Settings → Battery → Ultra Power Saving Mode →

But there's a downside: fast charging kills the battery. Models with 120-200 watts of charging (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) lose up to 20% of capacity per year when used actively. If you plan to use the phone for longer than 2 years, you'd better choose a model with a charge of 33-67 watts.

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For maximum autonomy, turn off the settings of Constant Network Search 5G (Path: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred type of network → 4G). This will save up to 15% of the charge per day.

Xiaomi for the elderly: simple and reliable models

If you need a phone for parents or grandparents, the main criteria are a simple interface, large icons, loud speaker and long-term support for updates (so you do not have to change the phone in a year due to outdated software).

• 📞 Redmi A3 (8,000 ₽): Android Go (simplified version), button SOS on the sidebar, a battery of 5000 mAh. Minus is a weak processor (Helio) G36), But there's enough for calls and WhatsApp.
• 🔊 Redmi 13C (12,000 ₽): loud speaker (101 dB), screen 6.74" with large font, support for two SIM + MicroSD is suitable for watching video and video calls.
• 🛡️ POCO C65 (10,000 ₽): spray-proof (IP53), rubberized case, Google Assistant button — MIUI may seem overloaded.

The important thing is that you can activate Older Mode on all of these models (Settings → Special Features → Older Mode) and it simplifies the interface, increases fonts, and adds quick access to contacts and SOS.

But there are pitfalls: cheap Xiaomi often don’t get upgraded, like the Redmi A2 (2023) only got one major Android update. If long-term support is important, it’s better to pay for the Redmi Note 13, which is guaranteed to get updates until 2026.

7 Which Xiaomi to Choose in 2026: The Final Guide

In order not to get confused in the variety of models, use this cheat sheet:

• 🎮 For games: POCO F6 Pro (Best Price/Quality Balance) or Black Shark 6 Pro (for hardcore gamers).
• 📸 For photo: Xiaomi 14 Ultra (pro) or Xiaomi 13T Pro (optimum option).
• 💰 Budget up to 20,000 ₽: Redmi Note 13 (best screen) or POCO M6 Pro (best autonomy).
• 🔋 Maximum autonomy: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO X6 Pro.
• 👵 For the elderly: Redmi A3 (simplest 13C (large-screen).

And the last tip: don't chase after new products. Xiaomi flagships lose in value by 30-40% in 3-4 months after release. For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro at the release cost 90 000 ₽, And now you can find it for 55,000. ₽ — with the same characteristics as the new models.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi smartphones