Why is the choice between Xiaomi and Huawei so difficult?
Xiaomi and Huawei have been fighting for leadership in the smartphone market for more than a decade, offering devices with advanced technology at competitive prices. In 2026, both brands released flagship models that blur the lines between the premium and affordable segments: Xiaomi 14 Ultra with Laker optics and Huawei P70 Pro with the revolutionary Kirin 9010 chipset. But which one is really better?
This article will not just list the technical specifications — we will analyze the real-world user experience, including the nuances of working with firmware, ecosystems of accessories and even geopolitical factors affecting device support. For example, did you know that Huawei smartphones after 2019 are deprived of Google services, and Xiaomi actively blocks overclocking processors in its firmware for Europe?
1.Performance: Kirin vs Snapdragon vs Dimensity
In 2026, Huawei returned to the arena with its own Kirin 9010 (5nm) processor, which in Geekbench 6 tests beats the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in Xiaomi 14 Pro by 12-15% in multithreaded tasks. However, there is a catch: the chipset is only available in Chinese versions of devices. Huawei international models (for example, the Mate 60 Pro for the global market) are equipped with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G – an outdated solution in 2022.
Xiaomi, in turn, is betting on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) and MediaTek Dimensity 9300 (in the Redmi K70 line).The latest AnTuTu v10 tests show that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is 8% faster in graphics tasks thanks to optimized cooling with a liquid metal heat pipe. But in everyday use, the difference is almost invisible - both brands provide smooth 120Hz performance.
- 🔥 Huawei Kirin 9010: Better energy efficiency (20% longer than video autonomy) but only in Chinese models.
- ⚡ Xiaomi Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Support for Ray Tracing in games and better compatibility with global LTE-net.
- 🛠️ MediaTek Dimensity 9300: Cheaper to manufacture, so Redmi and the others are not. POCO Offer top-end performance at half price.
2.Cameras: Lake vs Sony IMX800 - who takes better pictures?
Photos have always been Huawei's strong suit, and in 2026, the company strengthened its partnership with Leica.The P70 Pro module includes:
- 📸 Primary sensor 1/1.18" variable-diaphragm f/1.4–f/4.0 (uniquely).
- 🔍 Periscope with 10x optical zoom and stabilization OIS+EIS.
- 🌈 Spectral sensor for accurate color reproduction (similar to Xiaomi ProFocus, but with support) RAW 16-bit).
DXOMARK test results (April 2026) give the Huawei P70 Pro first place with an 8-point margin from the Xiaomi 14 Ultra due to better detail in low light conditions.
Xiaomi is not far behind, however: their flagship uses the Sony IMX989 sensor (1 inch!) with Pixel Binning 4-in-1 technology, which gives excellent dynamics in 8K@24fps video. Xiaomi’s key advantage is the open camera firmware (modified by GCam), allowing you to manually adjust color profiles, while Huawei blocks such features.
Secret mode of shooting in Xiaomi
⚠️ Note: Huawei smartphones will not support Google Camera (GCam) after May 2019 due to a lack of Google services, which means you won’t be able to use popular modified firmware to improve photos like on Xiaomi.
3.Software: MIUI vs EMUI (HarmonyOS)
Xiaomi uses MIUI 15 based on Android 14, an open source system that is overloaded with advertising (in Chinese versions) and duplicate services.
- 🤖 Full compatibility with Google Play and services (GMS).
- 🔄 Possibility of installing custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
- 🛠️ Regular security updates (monthly for flagships).
MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, which is why some applications (for example, pedometers or messengers) may not work in the background without manual settings.
Huawei has since 2021 switched to HarmonyOS 4.0, its own operating system built on a microkernel.
- ⚡ Instant data exchange between Huawei devices (laptops, tablets, smartwatches) via Huawei Share.
- 🔒 Lack of advertising and pre-installed applications.
- 📱 Unique gestures (e.g., tapping the screen with two fingers for a screenshot").
But there are critical drawbacks: there is no Google Play (you have to install APK manually or use AppGallery with limited choice), and many banking applications (like SberBank or Tinkoff) refuse to work on HarmonyOS due to lack of Google certification.
| Criteria | Xiaomi (MIUI 15) | Huawei (HarmonyOS 4.0) |
|---|---|---|
| Access to Google Play | ✅ Complete. | ❌ Absent. |
| Security updates | Monthly (3-4 years) | Once a quarter (2 years) |
| Customization | ✅ Themes, icons, widgets | ⚠️ Limited (no launchers) |
| Integration with the ecosystem | Moderate (Mi Home) | ✅ The full version (Huawei SuperDevice) |
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If you buy Huawei for work, check the compatibility of critical apps ahead of time.Zoom and Microsoft Teams, for example, are working, and Slack may require manual installation via APK.
4. Autonomy and charging: who lives longer without an outlet?
In the tests PCMark Battery 3.0 (March 2026) Huawei Mate 60 Pro lasted 14 hours 32 minutes under mixed load – 2 hours longer than the Xiaomi 14 Pro. The secret is the optimization of HarmonyOS and the energy-efficient process Kirin 9000S. However, Xiaomi compensates for this ultra-fast charging:
- ⚡ Xiaomi 14 Pro: 120W wired + 80W wireless (100% in 18 minutes!).
- 🔋 Huawei P70 Pro: 100W wired + 66W wireless (100% in 25 minutes).
Important: fast charging Xiaomi heats the battery more, which can reduce its life by 10-15% in 2 years.
For comparison, budget models:
- 💰 Redmi Note 13 Pro+: 5,000 mAh + 120W Charging (best price/autonomy ratio).
- 📉 Huawei Nova 12: 4500mAh + 100W, but without wireless charging.
💡
If you want maximum autonomy, choose Huawei with Kirin. If charging speed is important and you are often at the outlet – Xiaomi with 120W.
5. Ecosystem and accessories: what do brands offer besides smartphones?
Huawei is building a closed but deeply integrated ecosystem. For example, the Multi-Screen Collaboration feature allows you to control a smartphone directly from the screen of a Huawei MateBook laptop, and the Watch Ultimate smartwatch can unlock the phone as it approaches. 20-30% More expensive than other models (for example, FreeBuds Pro) 3 stand 18 000 ₽ against 12 000 ₽ for Xiaomi Buds. 5 Pro).
Xiaomi is betting on accessibility and compatibility, with its Mi Home ecosystem supporting more than 400 devices from 200 brands (including Roborock, Yeelight).
- 🏠 Cheap smart lamps (from 800) ₽) and sensors (from 500) ₽).
- 🔌 Universal chargers (e.g. Xiaomi) 100W GaN charges both iPhone and MacBook).
- 🚀 Frequent discounts on accessories (up to 50% on sales).
But there is a caveat: many Xiaomi devices require a connection to Chinese servers, which can cause delays in management (up to 1-2 seconds).
⚠️ Note: Smart watch Huawei Watch GT 4 are not synced with Google Fit and Apple Health. If you use these services for training, the data will have to be manually transferred.
6.Prices and availability: where is the best place to buy?
In 2026, Xiaomi will remain the leader in price/quality ratios.
- 📱 Xiaomi 14 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12/256 GB) — 75 000 ₽.
- 📱 Huawei P70 (Kirin 9010, 12/256 GB) — 95 000 ₽ (on 26% more).
The difference is even more noticeable in the budget segment: Redmi Note 13 Pro (200 MP camera, 256 GB) costs 25 000 ₽, The same as the Huawei Nova 12. SE — 32 000 ₽.
However, Huawei offers unique trade-in programs, for example, when exchanging an old smartphone for the Mate 60 Pro, you can get a discount of up to 30% (subject to purchase through the official Huawei in the VK Marketplace), Huawei also gives an extended warranty (3 years instead of the standard 2) when registering a device with the Huawei Club.
Pre-orders (up to 10% discount).
Buy from official stores (for example, Mi Store or Huawei Shop) – there are more bonuses.
Keep an eye out for sales on AliExpress (but check the seller for reviews!).
Use cashback services (e.g. LetiShops or Epn).
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7.Geopolitics and Support: What to Expect in the Future?
This is the most controversial point: Since 2019, Huawei has been under US sanctions, which has led to:
- ❌ Google Mobile Services (no YouTube, Gmail, Maps out of the box).
- ⚠️ Delays in updates (e.g, P60 Pro received HarmonyOS 4.0 only 8 months after release).
- 🔄 Repair problems (parts for new models often come with a delay) 2-3 month).
Xiaomi
Qualcomm
What does that mean for the buyer?
- 📦 If you use Huawei, be prepared for manual application installation and possible banking issues.
- 🔄 Xiaomi is more reliable in terms of long-term support, but its budget models (for example, the company is not a big seller, POCO X6) Often receive updates with a delay.