What Xiaomi smartphone is the best in 2026: the ranking of the TOP-5 models by price, camera and performance

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 is not an easy task. The brand offers dozens of models, from budget Redmi to premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and it is almost impossible to understand their differences without expert analysis. The main problem is that marketing slogans often do not coincide with the real needs of users. For example, a flagship with a top-end processor can disappoint autonomy, and a budgetary with a great camera can bring slow charging.

In this guide, we tested 15 Xiaomi models released in 2023–2026 years and took the top-5 The best ones for different use cases: for gaming, video shooting, long battery life and budget savings, all recommendations are based on laboratory tests (AnTuTu, Geekbench, DXOMark), owner reviews and price analysis in the Russian market. The rating takes into account only officially supplied models to Russia – no “gray” imports with guarantees problems.

To avoid making a mistake, answer 3 questions:

1. What budget are you willing to spend? (up to 20 thousand, 20-40,000, 40-70,000, 70+ thousand rubles).
2. Which is more important: performance, camera, battery or screen?
3. Do you need 5G, superfast charging or water protection?

1.The best flagship Xiaomi 2026: Xiaomi 14 Ultra – for professionals and enthusiasts

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is not just a smartphone, but a mobile workstation with a DSLR-level camera and performance that overtakes many laptops. The model features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor that is 20% more powerful than its predecessor, and a 2K AMOLED screen with an adaptive frequency of up to 120 Hz. But the main advantage is the Leica camera with four lenses, including a telephoto with 5x optical zoom.

According to the results of tests DXOMark, Xiaomi 14 Ultra took 2nd place in the ranking of cameras (158 points), behind only Huawei P60 Pro. Especially impressive night shooting and detail when zooming.

• 💰 Price from 120 000 rubles. is a record for the brand.
• 🔋 Battery 5300 mAh discharges in 6-7 hours with active use (games, video).
• 📦 Dimensions: 161×75×9,2 mm 224 D. It is not comfortable to control one hand.

For professional photographers, gamers and those willing to pay for premium chips. If you don’t need superzoom and top-end performance, consider the Xiaomi 14 Pro — it’s cheaper by 20,000 rubles at 90% of Ultra’s capabilities.

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If you buy Xiaomi 14 Ultra for video shooting, be sure to buy a memory card UFS 4.0 – built-in memory 256 GB will only last for 2-3 hours of video in 8K.

2.The best Xiaomi for gaming: Black Shark 6 Pro is a performance monster

Black Shark gaming smartphones (a Xiaomi sub-brand) were created for one thing - the maximum FPS in games. Black Shark 6 Pro 2026 equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (overclocked version of the chipset), liquid cooling and AMOLED 144 Hz screen. In the test AnTuTu model scored 1,350,000 points - this is 15% more than the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Key features for gamers:

• 🎮 Physical Maglev triggers with tactile recoil (tuned in games).
• 🔋 Double battery 5000 mAh with charging 120W — full charge 15 minutes.
• 🖥️ Shark Space Mode – Blocks notifications and optimizes performance.

Cons:

• 📸 The camera is weak (even by 2022 standards) – only 64 MP main module.
• 💼 Design "game" - aggressive, with RGB-lighting (not everyone will like it).

For hardcore gamers, streamers and those willing to sacrifice a camera for an FPS. If you want a middle ground between gaming and everyday use, better POCO F6 Pro.

3. Best Xiaomi in price/quality ratio: POCO F6 Pro

The POCO F6 Pro is a hidden flagship under the guise of a mid-budget. Under the hood the same Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, as in the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, but costs 2.5 times cheaper (from 35,000 rubles.), AMOLED 120 Hz screen, 5160 mAh battery with 120W charging, and even stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos.

Why is this the best choice for most people?

The main disadvantage is that there is no official 5G in Russian firmware (but it can be activated through Settings) → SIM-map → Turn on 5G It's also plastic, not glass.

For those who want flagship performance at half the price and are willing to put up with a mediocre camera.

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POCO F6 Pro is the only smartphone in the segment up to 40 thousand rubles, which pulls the Genshin Impact at maximum settings (60 FPS) without overheating.

Best Budget Xiaomi: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G – Maximum for Minimum

In the segment up to 25 000 rubles Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G has no competitors. Here there is a 200-MP camera (yes, in the budget!), AMOLED 120 Hz screen, charging 120W and even IP68 protection from water. Processor Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra does not pull heavy games on ultra-tuning, but for everyday tasks it will be enough with a margin.

Pros of the model:

• 📸 200 MP camera with Samsung optics ISOCELL HP3 — In the daytime, the pictures are no worse than the flagships of 2022.
• 🔋 5000mAh battery + Fast charging – full cycle in 19 minutes.
• 💧 Protection IP68 — You can drop into water to a depth of 1.5 m.

Cons:

• 🎮 In games (PUBG, Call of Duty) FPS falls to 30-40 for long sessions.
• 🔊 Monodynamics – sound is quiet and “empty".

For those looking for a budget smartphone with a top camera and not playing heavy games, the alternative is the Redmi Note 13 Pro (no "+"), but it has an IPS screen and 67W charging.

Component (must be charging) 120W cable)|Check the 200 MP camera in manual mode|Make sure it's on. 5G (In some cases, the scaling is deactivated by default)|View the screen for "broken" pixels (especially at the edges)-->

5.The best Xiaomi for autonomy: Xiaomi Redmi 13C - 3 days without a socket

If you want a smartphone that lasts 3 days on a single charge, the Redmi 13C is your choice. It has a 5,000 mAh battery, a Helio G85 processor (energy efficient) and an HD+90Hz screen (not AMOLED, but bright). In moderate use (social media, calls, YouTube), the device lives up to 72 hours.

Additional benefits:

• 🔌 Charging. 18W — It is slow, but it is enough for such a battery.
• 📦 Polycarbonate body with texture "under the skin" - does not slide in the hands.
• 💰 Price from 12 000 rubles. – One of the cheapest new smartphones Xiaomi.

Cons:

• 📸 50 MP camera – mediocre in the dark.
• 🎮 Games only in low settings (Mediatek Helio) G85 weak for modern projects).

For travelers, summer residents, retirees and those who value autonomy above all else. If you want the best battery + 5G, look at the POCO M6 Pro 5G (5,000 mAh battery + Dimensity 6100+).

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To extend the life of the Redmi 13C battery, turn off Adaptive Brightness and set a charge limit to 80% in Settings → Battery → Battery Status.

Comparative table TOP-5 Xiaomi 2026: what to choose?

To facilitate the selection, the key parameters were brought into one table:

⚠️ Note: Prices are indicated for June 2026 for the Russian market (official dealers). In the "gray" stores, models can cost 10-15% cheaper, but without a warranty Xiaomi Russia.

Which Xiaomi Shouldn’t Be Buying in 2026?

Not all Xiaomi models are worth seeing. Here are 3 smartphones that you can avoid:

• 🚫 Xiaomi 13T Pro - outdated processor Dimensity 8200 Ultra (2022) at a price of 50 000 rubles In 2026 for this money you can take POCO F6 Pro with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
• 🚫 Redmi 12C — weak Helio processor G85 + screen HD+ 60 Hz in 2026 is unacceptable. It's better to pay 3,000 rubles and take Redmi. 13C 90 Hz.
• 🚫 Xiaomi Civi 3 - positioned as a "selfie-smartphone", but the 32 MP camera loses even to the budget Redmi Note 13 (50 MP.

⚠️ If you are offered Xiaomi with the prefix "Global Version" at a suspiciously low price, check the support of Russian 4G/5G-Many of the global models don't work with MTS, Beeline, Television.2 full-speed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi