What budget Xiaomi to buy in 2026: fair-scoring-7 model 20 000 ₽

Choosing a budget smartphone Xiaomi in 2026 is not an easy task. Even in the segment up to 20 000 rubles, the Chinese brand offers dozens of models with different chipsets, screens and cameras. Where is the line, beyond which the state-owned employee turns into a “one-off” gadget, and where does a really profitable price-performance ratio begin?

We analyzed the current models of Redmi and POCO 2023-2026, weeded out outdated chipsets (like the Helio G85) and models with weak screens (720p in 2026 is a relic of the past). In this guide, you will find not just dry specs, but real use cases: which Xiaomi is suitable for gaming, which will last longer on a single charge, and which will save you money on screen repairs. And yes, we took into account the new rates for repairs in service centers, some models are now more expensive to repair than new ones.

Choice Criteria: What to Look at First

Budget up to 20,000 ₽ It's very restrictive, but even here, there are priorities. That's what really matters in 2026:

• 🔋 Battery and charging: minimum 5000 mAh and support 18W (better 33W). Models with 4500 mAh are no longer relevant - they last a maximum of a day with active use.
• 📱 Screen: Full only HD+ (permit 2400×1080) frequent 90 Hz or 120 Hz. 720p-display 2026 A year is a compromise for the sake of saving, which is quickly boring.
• 🎮 Processor: Minimum acceptable option - Snapdragon 680 or Helio G99. Chipsets are weaker (for example, Helio) G88) Only social networks and YouTube will be used.
• 📸 Camera: don't expect miracles in the budget, but even here there are differences. Models with a basic module 50 MP (for example, Samsung). JN1) They give acceptable detail during the day, but night photography remains a weak point.

And now, the anti-rating criteria that you should not waste time on:

• 🚫 CPU brand: Snapdragon vs MediaTek doesn't matter in budget.It's the chipset model that matters, not the logo.
• 🚫 Weight and thickness: all budget Xiaomi thick and heavy (from 190 g).If you need a lightweight smartphone, look at the iPhone SE (But that's another price point).
• 🚫 Water protection: no model on the budget, even if you see the labels. IP53, It's just a spray protection.

⚠️ Note: If you see in the characteristics of the model with a Snapdragon 480 processor+ or Helio G80 — These are outdated chipsets from 2021, and they're poorly optimized for modern games and applications, and they're not supported in the future. MIUI soon to be.

TOP-7 budget Xiaomi in 2026: a comparative table

We selected models that are really worth their money, and the table shows only current smartphones (released no earlier than 2023) with proven specs, prices as of May 2026 (may vary depending on the stock).

Note: models with the 4G index in the name (for example, Redmi Note 12 4G) do not support 5G networks, but in most regions of Russia this is not critical – 5G coverage is still limited.

Best budget Xiaomi for gaming: POCO M6 Pro vs Redmi Note 12 Pro+

If you want a smartphone for games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG, the choice is narrowed down to two models: the POCO M6 Pro and the Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

POCO M6 Pro with Helio processor G99 cheaper 14 990 ₽), But it only has the performance to be average in modern games, like Genshin Impact, with maximum graphics settings. FPS sink 20-25, A is the average level. 35-40. But he does. 120 Hz display, which makes the gameplay smoother.

Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (from 22 000 ₽, but sometimes you get caught in a stock for 19 990 ₽) Equipped with MediaTek Dimensity 1080 — It's the middle segment. It's the same games it's the stable segment. 50-60 FPS on high settings, plus supports 5G. However, its price is over budget, so we recommend waiting for discounts.

View the tests in Benchmark (AnTuTu, Geekbench)|To clarify the support of the game on a specific chipset|Check out reviews about overheating|Estimate the price of screen replacement (gamers drop phones more often)-->

⚠️ Attention: In budget Xiaomi often encountered a problem with trottling (reset processor frequencies when heated, POCO M6 Pro after 15 minutes of playing PUBG It can lose up to 30 percent of its performance, and only a cooling case or a cooling room game solves the problem.

What Xiaomi to buy for photos: deceptive megapixels

Xiaomi likes a megapixel race on a budget, it's 64 MP, it's 108 MP, but in practice, pixel count doesn't equal quality.

• 📷 Type of sensor: better than Samsung GM Sony IMX, It's more like OmniVision. IMX582 Redmi Note 12 4G It is more natural than OmniVision. OV64B into POCO M6 Pro.
• 🌃 Night photography: it's always a weak spot on a budget, even 108 MP in a single shot. POCO X5 Pro at night gives noisy pictures without details.
• 🎥 Video: maximum 1080p@60fps or 4K@30fps. Stabilization weak – for video blogging better in the direction of Samsung Galaxy A54.

If the photo is critical to you, consider the Redmi Note 13 4G with Samsung HM6 (100 MP) sensor. It's not perfect, but it gives acceptable detail in the daytime.

But the Redmi 12 despite its 50 MP camera, takes the worst pictures in this ranking – the Samsung JN1 sensor is too small, and the photos are “soapy” even in good lighting.

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Before buying, check if the Google Camera (GCam) model supports. For example, the POCO X5 Pro has GCam working ports that significantly improve photo quality.

Xiaomi budget with the best battery: how long will the battery last?

All models in our ranking have a 5,000 mAh battery, but the actual operating time is very different.

1. Processor: Snapdragon 685 (in Redmi Note 12/13 4G) is more energy efficient than Helio G99 (in POCO M6 Pro).
2. Screen: AMOLED (in the Note 12/13 4G and POCO X5 Pro) spends less energy on displaying dark themes than IPS (in the Redmi 12 and POCO M6 Pro).
3. Software Optimization: MIUI 14 on the Redmi Note 13 4G has better background control than MIUI 13 on the Redmi 12.

Test results (work time during active use, hours):

• POCO X5 Pro 5G: 7-8 (best result thanks to the Snapdragon 778G and AMOLED).
• Redmi Note 13 4G: 6-7.
• Redmi Note 12 4G: 5-6.
• POCO M6 Pro: 4-5 (most voracious due to the Helio G99 and 120Hz screen).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi often saves on charging controllers, such as Redmi 12 and the Redmi. POCO M6 The Pro uses a cheap controller that can start to “caprice” in a year (the phone does not take charge without rebooting). To extend the life of the battery, charge the phone only with the original cable and avoid cheap powerbank.

Should you take Xiaomi with root rights and custom firmware?

Many people buy budget Xiaomi for the possibility of installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but in 2026 it became a risky business:

• 🔓 Blocked bootloader: Xiaomi tightened policy.Unlocking bootloader now requires waiting 7 days and binding to Mi Account.
• 🛡️ Ban account: when unlocking there is a risk of getting into the “black list” Xiaomi, after which the phone will cease to receive updates.
• 🔋 Battery problems: Custom firmware often miscalibrates the power controller, leading to rapid battery wear.

If you still decide, here are the models with the best support for custom firmware:

1. POCO X5 Pro 5G – There are stable builds Pixel Experience and ArrowOS.
2. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G – but its price is already over budget.
3. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (2022) – obsolete, but with a huge community of developers.

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If you want a clean Android without MIUI, look at the Motorola Moto G or Samsung Galaxy A-series. The risks of custom firmware on Xiaomi in 2026 outweigh the benefits.

Where to buy and what to look for when choosing

Xiaomi prices can vary greatly depending on the seller, and here’s where it’s best to buy in 2026:

• 🛒 Xiaomi official website: there are often discounts 10-15% New models, but delivery may take up to 2 week-long.
• 🛒 Wildberries: Fast delivery, but prices are sometimes overpriced 1 000-2 000 ₽ compared to other venues.
• 🛒 SberMegaMarket: often give cashback 5-10% Sbera-card.
• 🛒 AliExpress: only if you buy from official stores (Mi Global Store), the risk of running into a fake is minimal, but delivery takes 3-4 weekdays.

When buying, be sure to check:

1. Russian firmware (Chinese models may not support Google Services)
2. Warranty: Official dealers give 12 months, unofficial - 6 months or not at all.
3. In budget models, charging is often saved (for example, in a box with Redmi 12 there is only a cable without a power supply).

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Before buying, check the model on the Kimovil website - it lists all versions (global, Chinese, Indian) and their differences.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions