What Xiaomi to buy in 2022: A complete guide to choosing a smartphone

Mobile devices are a hugely diverse market in 2022, and Chinese giant Xiaomi is one of the top players setting the pace of the industry. Choosing a device is no longer just a “take what’s cheaper” question, becoming a difficult balancing act between performance, quality and autonomy. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the current vendor lineup to help you determine which Xiaomi to buy in 2022 for your specific needs and budget.

To make matters worse, the brand has been actively using sub-brands like Redmi and POCO, each with its own unique features and target audiences. It's easy for an inexperienced user to get confused with the abundance of models with similar names but different characteristics. We structured the information based on real-world tests and technical specifications to avoid unnecessary costs.

Before we get to specific models, it's important to understand that 2022 has been a period of stabilization after global chip supply issues, allowing companies to roll out balanced products. Xiaomi this year has been betting on collaborating with Leica in the top segment and optimizing MIUI for more affordable devices. Let's get it straight.

Flagship race: Xiaomi 12 and 12S series

If you're looking for the best and the price is a secondary issue, the Xiaomi 12 series is the uncontested leader. At the beginning of the year, the main flagship was the Xiaomi 12, which offered a compact form factor with the most powerful stuffing, and it was the response of engineers to the queries of users tired of "laptop phones".

But the real tech savvy was the launch of the Xiaomi 12S series, developed in conjunction with legendary camera company Leica. Xiaomi 12S Ultra got the Sony IMX989 inch sensor, which revolutionized mobile photography. If you care about photo potential, it's unrivalled in the brand ecosystem.

• 📸 Camera: The main module with a huge sensor and optical stabilization of the new generation.
• ⚡ Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or its improved Plus version for maximum performance.
• 📱 Screen: AMOLED-matrix with 120 Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support.

It’s worth noting that the regular Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro versions also got great cameras, but without Leibلا Leica, they work with standard image processing algorithms. For most users, the difference will only be noticeable in difficult shooting conditions, such as at night or in counterlight.

The software is a big deal, and the flagships are the first to receive MIUI updates, which will guarantee support for several years, which is an important aspect if you plan to use your phone for a long time.

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When buying a flagship, pay attention to the memory version: in 2022, the de facto standard becomes 256 GB of internal storage, since applications and photos in high resolution take up a lot of space.

The Golden Mean: Redmi Note 11 and 12 Series

The most massive segment where the main struggle for the buyer is unfolding is the middle class, where the Redmi Note traditionally dictates the rules of the game, offering characteristics that were the lot of flagships a year earlier. In 2022, the lineup split into the Note 11 series and the nascent Note 12.

Redmi Note 11 Pro and 11 Pro+ received AMOLED-It's a case where overpaying for a flagship doesn't make sense unless you need wireless charging or a top-end processor for console emulators.

⚠️ Note: The Redmi Note 11 series is often confusing with processors. The same model for different markets can have Snapdragon and MediaTek chips. Always check the exact CPU model before buying if you care about a particular architecture.

The newer Redmi Note 12 began to appear later in the year, offering even thinner bezels around the display and improved nighttime shooting algorithms.However, if the budget is tight, the previous-generation Note 11 can often be found at a better price with minimal performance difference.

For those who play a lot, but are not ready to spend money on gaming smartphones, a great choice will be versions with the prefix Pro. They are equipped with more productive chipsets and improved cooling system, which allows you to comfortably play PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile at high graphics settings.

Budget King: Redmi 10, 11 and 12

With every ruble counting, Redmi’s base models come on the scene. In 2022, the Redmi 10, 11 and 12 range offered surprisingly decent specs for its class, focusing on autonomy and reliability, not benchmark records.

The main feature of these devices is a 5,000 mAh battery, which, paired with energy-efficient MediaTek Helio or Snapdragon 4 Series processors, provides up to two days of uncharged operation, ideal for schoolchildren, the elderly or as a second working phone.

Screens in this segment are most often IPS, which for many is even better than cheap AMOLED, since there is no risk of pixel burnout and flickering (PWM). Redmi 11 and Redmi 12 got a rather nimble interface, although heavy games on them will go only on minimal payloads.

• 🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh with support for fast charging 18-33 Watt.
• 🛡️ Protection: Availability of a certificate IP53 spray-proof.
• 🎧 Audio: Retained 3.5mm connector for wired headphones, which is becoming rare.

It's important to understand that in the budget segment, you often save on housing materials -- you'll find a lot of plastic here, but modern polymers have learned to make them feel good and less branded than glass.

Game Solutions: The POCO Series

The POCO sub-brand was created specifically for enthusiasts who want maximum performance for minimal money. In 2022, the POCO F4 and POCO X5 lines became sales hits, offering processors of the level of past flagships at the price of the middle segment.

The POCO F4, for example, is based on the Snapdragon 870, a chip that has earned a reputation for being cold and stable. It doesn't overheat in long gaming sessions, which is critical for mobile gaming. Devices are usually more aggressive, with bright colors and a logo on the entire back cover.

But when buying POCO, you have to be willing to compromise: Cameras here are often mediocre, inferior even to some Redmis, and case materials can be simpler, a technique "for the cause," not for status or content creation.

⚠️ Attention: Shell MIUI for POCO It has its own features and can contain more advertising in system applications by default. It is recommended to disable recommendations in system settings immediately after purchase.

If you choose a phone solely to emulate a PSP, Nintendo Switch, or run heavy shooters, then POCO is your choice.

Comparative Characteristics Table

To organize the choices, let's put the basic parameters of popular models into a single table, which will help to quickly weed out the wrong options.

You can see from the table that even at different price points, Xiaomi is trying to implement screens with a high refresh rate, which makes using the interface smooth and enjoyable, regardless of the cost of the device.

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When choosing between models with the same price, always prefer a device with a newer processor rather than a large number of megapixels in the camera. Performance affects the phone’s performance 100% of the time, and the camera only when shooting.

What to look for when buying in 2022

Buying a smartphone is an investment for 2-3 years, so it is important to consider not only hardware. In 2022, the availability of an NFC module for contactless payment became critical, although in the context of sanctions, functionality may be limited, the possibility of using alternative payment systems or simply fast pairing with equipment remains useful.

Also worth paying attention to is the type of memory: In 2022, the standard is becoming UFS 3.1 flash memory, which is much faster than the old UFS 2.2.

The European versions of Xiaomi often come without a charger in the box, while the global (Global Version) is usually complete.By buying a "gray" import, you risk getting a box without charging or with a Chinese fork requiring an adapter.

• 🌍 Global Version is preferred for stable network operation 4G Band 20.
• 📦 Kit: Check for protective cover and film (usually pasted).
• 📡 Communication: Make sure you maintain the required frequencies of your operator.

An important aspect remains the ecosystem: If you already have a smart speaker or air purifier from Xiaomi, then buying their smartphone will allow you to combine all devices into a single Mi Home network and manage them from desktop widgets.

In conclusion, the choice of a particular device depends on your priorities: for games, take POCO, for photos, Xiaomi 12S, for everyday tasks, Redmi Note, and for savings – basic Redmi. In 2022, every user has the opportunity to find the perfect gadget in the line of this manufacturer.