Which Xiaomi smartphone is better to choose in 2022 Year: An honest review of the TOP-5 model

Choosing a smartphone in 2022 is not an easy task, especially when it comes to the Xiaomi brand. The company has released more than 20 models in a year, from budget Redmi to premium Mi and Black Shark for gamers. But which one is really worth your money? In this article, we will analyze the key models of 2022, compare them on price, performance and functionality, and help determine the choice for specific tasks โ€” whether it is photography, games or long autonomy.

It's important to understand that the best smartphone is a subjective concept. AMOLED-The screen is 120 Hz, the other one has a 5,000 mAh battery, and the third one just needs a reliable 10,000-ruble phone, and we break it down into categories for price and purpose, and we also point out the hidden flaws that the vendors are silent about. Why Xiaomi 12 Pro is hot when charging or why the Redmi Note 11 Pro camera+ loses to the flagships at dusk.

At the end of this article, you'll find a feature comparison table, answers to frequent questions, and life hacks of your choice, and if you've already decided on a budget, you can immediately skip to the section of interest:

๐Ÿ“Š What budget do you plan for a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022?
Up to 15,000. โ‚ฝ
15 000โ€“30 000 โ‚ฝ
30 000โ€“50 000 โ‚ฝ
More than 50,000. โ‚ฝ
I haven't decided yet.

1. Flagships of 2022: Xiaomi 12 Pro vs Xiaomi 12S Ultra - is it worth overpaying?

Xiaomi flagship models in 2022 are represented by Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi lines 12S, The big question is whether the price difference between the 12 Pro is justified (โ‰ˆ60 000 โ‚ฝ) and 12S Ultra (โ‰ˆ90 000 โ‚ฝ)? Let's figure it out.

Xiaomi 12 Pro is equipped with a processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which, alas, warms up under stress โ€” this is the main disadvantage of all smartphones on this chip in 2022.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ 6.73-inch AMOLED-screen support for 120 Hz, QHD+ Dolby Vision and;
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Three cameras: 50MP main camera (Sony sensor) IMX707), ultra-wide angle 50 MP and telephoto 2ร—;
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery 4600 mAh with support 120W Fast charging (full charge in 18 minutes!).

Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a whole other level:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera with Leica optics: the main module 50 MP (Sony sensor) IMX989 1 inch!, telephoto with 5ร— zoom;
  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1 is cooler and more productive than the 12 Pro;
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Screen. LTPO 2.0 with adaptive frequency from 1 Hz to 120 Hz (saving battery).

But there are nuances:

โš ๏ธ Attention: 12S The Ultra weighs 225g and is 9.1mm thick, one of the heaviest and most bulky flagships of 2022. If you want comfort in your hand, look at the 12 Pro.

Who has what to choose?

  • ๐ŸŽฎ gamers โ€” 12S Ultra (best cooling) + top-end).
  • ๐Ÿ“ท Photographers, too. 12S Ultra, but only if the budget allows.
  • ๐Ÿ’ผ Ordinary users โ€“ 12 Pro (the difference in the camera is noticeable only when printing a photo).

๐Ÿ’ก

If you donโ€™t need professional photos and games on top of the game โ€“ Xiaomi 12 Pro will give 90% of the features 12S Ultra for 30% lower price.

2.The best smartphone Xiaomi 2022 for 30 000 โ‚ฝ: POCO F4 GT or Redmi K50 Pro?

The middle price segment is the most competitive. POCO F4 GT (โ‰ˆ32 000 โ‚ฝ) redmi K50 Pro (โ‰ˆ35 000 โ‚ฝ). Both models are based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but differ in their approach to design and functionality.

POCO F4 GT โ€” It's a smartphone for gamers with:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Retractable triggers (physical buttons for games, like on Black Shark);
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery 4700 mAh with charging 120W;
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Screen. AMOLED 120 Hz with support HDR10+.

Redmi K50 Pro more versatile:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera better: the main module 108 MP (vs 64 MP y) F4 GT);
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery larger - 5000 mAh (versus 4700 mAh);
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Design is thinner and lighter (weighing 201g vs 210g).

Comparison in figures:

CharacteristicsPOCO F4 GTRedmi K50 Pro
ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 1Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Screen.6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz
Main camera.64 MPs108 MP
Battery4700 mAh, 120W5000 mAh, 120W
Weight.210g201g

Who's gonna do what?

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Gamers, definitely. POCO F4 GT (triggers + cooling-off).
  • ๐Ÿ“ท For those who love photography, Redmi K50 Pro (108 MP) + better-handling).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Those who value autonomy, too. K50 Pro (Battery 300 mAh more).

๐Ÿ’ก

If you donโ€™t play heavy games (like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), then triggers are in the game. POCO F4 GT If you're not, you'd better save money and take Redmi. K50 (without the โ€œProโ€ โ€“ it is cheaper by 5-7 thousand, and the difference in performance is minimal.

3 Budget up to 20,000 โ‚ฝ: Redmi Note 11 Pro+ โ€” pick?

In the segment up to 20,000 โ‚ฝ The leader of 2022 was the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (โ‰ˆ19 000 โ‚ฝ). It is one of the few smartphones in this price range:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ AMOLED-Screenshot (most competitors offer a IPS);
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Fast-charging. 120W (4500 mAh battery charged in 15 minutes!);
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ 108 MP camera (although in reality it shoots better than competitors only in the daytime).

But there are pitfalls:

โš ๏ธ Note: Dimensity 920 processor in Note 11 Pro+ weaker than Snapdragon 778G into POCO X4 Pro (โ‰ˆ22 000 โ‚ฝ). If you are interested in productivity, it is better to pay extra and take POCO.

Alternatives in budget up to 20,000 โ‚ฝ:

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Redmi Note 11S (โ‰ˆ16 000 โ‚ฝ) โ€” same screen and camera, but charging 33W Helio processor G96 (weakly).

Who is the best Redmi Note 11 Pro?+?

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ For those who want to AMOLED-Screen and fast charging for minimal money.
Why the 108MP camera in the Note 11 Pro+ worse than the flagships?
Samsung sensor HM2 note 11 Pro+ Uses pixel binning technology (4-into-1), What's real? 12 MP is out. In flagships (for example, Xiaomi) 12 Pro is using Sony sensor IMX707 It's also not optically stabilized in the budget model, which is critical when shooting video.

4.The longest-running Xiaomi 2022: Redmi K50 Ultra or POCO M5s?

If you want a smartphone that lasts 1.5-2 days on a single charge, look for models with a 5,000 mAh battery and energy-efficient processors. In 2022, these are:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Redmi K50 Ultra (โ‰ˆ40 000 โ‚ฝ) โ€” Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1, but with a 5000 mAh battery;

Redmi K50 Ultra is top-end performance + Long-term autonomy:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ 108 MP camera with Leica optics.

POCO M5s โ€” budget option with a surprisingly good screen:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ AMOLED 90 Hz (rare in this price segment);
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery 5,000 mAh + charging 33W;
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ 64 MP camera (removes mediocrely, but enough for social networks).

Autonomy Test (real numbers):

ModelOpening time (screen)Time in gamesTime to watch the video
Redmi K50 Ultra7-8 hours4-5 hours12-14 hours
POCO M5s8-9 hours5-6 hours15-17 hours

Who has what to choose?

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Gamers and lovers of powerful smartphones โ€“ Redmi K50 Ultra.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Those who want maximum autonomy for minimal money โ€” POCO M5s.

โ˜‘๏ธ How to extend the life of a battery in Xiaomi

Done: 0 / 5

5.The best Xiaomi for photography in 2022: Xiaomi 12S Ultra or Xiaomi Civi 2?

If the photo is the first one for you, then the choice is narrowed down to two models:

  • ๐Ÿ“ท Xiaomi 12S Ultra โ€“ flagship with a Leica camera;
  • ๐Ÿ’„ Xiaomi Civi 2 โ€“ โ€œselfie kingโ€ with a double frontal.

Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the best choice for professional photography:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Main camera 50 MP (sensor 1");
  • ๐Ÿ” Telephoto from 5.ร— zoom;
  • ๐ŸŽฅ Video in the video 8K Dolby Vision and.

Xiaomi Civi 2 (โ‰ˆ35 000 โ‚ฝ) โ€” It's a smartphone for selfies and portraits:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ 50 MP main camera (Sony sensor) IMX766, Like the OnePlus 9 Pro).

Comparison of photo opportunities:

ParameterXiaomi 12S UltraXiaomi Civi 2
Main camera.50 MP, 1"50 MP, 1/1.56โ€
Telephoto.48 MP, 5ร—No.
Front camera.20 MP32 MP + 32 MP
Video8K, Dolby Vision4K

Who's gonna do what?

  • ๐Ÿ“ท For serious photography (landscapes, macro, zoom) โ€” 12S Ultra.
  • ๐Ÿ’„ For selfies and portraits โ€“ Civi 2 (best frontal on the market).
  • ๐ŸŽฅ For video, again. 12S Ultra (support) 8K Dolby Vision and).

6.Best Budget Xiaomi 2022: Redmi 10C or POCO C40?

If your budget is limited to 10,000-12,000 โ‚ฝ, There are few options, but there are decent options:

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Redmi 10C (โ‰ˆ9 000 โ‚ฝ) โ€” basic smartphone with a battery of 5000 mAh;
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ POCO C40 (โ‰ˆ11 000 โ‚ฝ) โ€” same-sex 10C, processor JLQ JR510 (weaker than the Snapdragon 680 10C).

Redmi 10C โ€” Best choice in this segment:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Screen 6.71" HD+ (not AMOLED, big);
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery 5,000 mAh + charging 18W;
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ 50 MP camera (on paper good, but in practice average).

POCO C40 It is losing in all respects except:

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Prices (sometimes cheaper by 1-2 thousand);
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Availability NFC (redmi 10C He's gone).

โš ๏ธ Note: There are no smartphones in this price segment 5G. If you need a budget 5G-phone, I'll have to raise the budget to 15,000. โ‚ฝ And look at the Redmi Note 11.

Who has what to choose?

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ For those looking for the cheapest smartphone โ€“ Redmi 10C.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Those who need it NFC โ€” POCO C40.

7. Xiaomi for gamers in 2022: Black Shark 5 Pro or POCO F4 GT?

If you are serious about mobile games, then the choice is narrowed down to two models:

    Black Shark 5 Pro is:

    • ๐ŸŽฎ Physical triggers (configurable buttons on the sides);
    • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ 144 Hz screen (vs. 120 Hz y) POCO F4 GT);

    POCO F4 GT cheaper, but inferior to:

    • ๐ŸŽฎ Screen frequency (120 Hz vs 144 Hz);
    • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Cooling (heats more strongly with long sessions).

    Tests in games (FPS In Genshin Impact on Maximal Albums):

    ModelFPS (medium)Temperature after 30 minutesTime of autonomy
    Black Shark 5 Pro58โ€“6042ยฐC3.5 hours
    POCO F4 GT55โ€“5748ยฐC3 hours

    Who has what to choose?

    • ๐ŸŽฎ Professional gamers โ€“ Black Shark 5 Pro (best screen) + cooling).
    • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Those who want to save money โ€” POCO F4 GT (difference FPS minimal).

    FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

    ๐Ÿ“ฑ Which Xiaomi is the best to buy in 2022 for a photo?
    If the budget is not limited, Xiaomi 12S Ultra (best camera with Leica optics) If you need to save money - Xiaomi Civi 2 (great selfies and portraits). For the budget segment, the Redmi Note 11 Pro is suitable+ (108 MP, but weak night shooting).
    ๐ŸŽฎ Which Xiaomi is Best for Games in 2022?
    Best pick is Black Shark 5 Pro (144Hz, physical triggers, better cooling).Budget alternative โ€” POCO F4 GT (120Hz, push-out buttons, but warms up stronger).
    ๐Ÿ”‹ Xiaomi has longer to hold charge?
    The longest autonomy of the POCO M5s (5,000 mAh + AMOLED-screen K50 Ultra (5000 mAh) + It's a top-end processor, and it's up to 15,000. โ‚ฝ leader - Redmi 10C (5000 mAh, but a weak processor).
    ๐Ÿ’ฐ What cheap Xiaomi to buy in 2022?
    Up to 10,000. โ‚ฝ: Redmi 10C (Best balance, up to 15,000. โ‚ฝ: Redmi Note 11 (5G, 90 Hz. Up to 20,000. โ‚ฝ: Redmi Note 11 Pro+ (AMOLED, 120W charging).
    ๐Ÿ“ฒ Should you buy Xiaomi in 2022 or wait until 2023?
    If you need a smartphone right now, buy it. There will be new models on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in 2023, but prices on current flagships (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, Redmi K50 Ultra will fall 10 to 15 percent. If you can wait, wait until the early 2023 (January-February) sales are due when stores sell off 2022 leftovers.