Which Xiaomi smartphone to choose in 2026: a detailed guide to models, prices and characteristics

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 difficult to understand this variety without preparation. Some users are looking for a powerful processor for games, others for a long-playing battery, others for a camera-level camera, and even in one price segment, 3-4 devices with different โ€œchipsโ€ can compete at once.

In this article, we will not just list the top models, but will help you choose Xiaomi for specific tasks. You will learn which smartphones of the brand are better for photography, which are for multitasking, and which will stretch any one. AAA-We analyzed real-world tests of performance, autonomy and quality (not just paper performance) to give honest recommendations. Plus, we will reveal the pitfalls that the sellers are silent about (for example, why the Redmi Note 13 Pro)+ It may disappoint the owners. POCO F5).

1. How to Set Your Budget and Priorities: 5 Key Questions Before Buying

Before comparing models, answer these questions โ€“ they will narrow the search range from 20+ devices to 2-3 optimal options.

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ How much are you willing to spend? 15 000 โ‚ฝ โ€” watch Redmi and POCO M-series. 15 000โ€“30 000 โ‚ฝ โ€” Redmi Note 13 Pro, POCO F6, Xiaomi Civi 4. 30 000โ€“50 000 โ‚ฝ โ€” Xiaomi 13T Xiaomi 14. Up. 50 000 โ‚ฝ โ€” Xiaomi flagships 14 Pro/Ultra.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Do you need a top-end processor? Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is enough for social networks and calls (in Redmi). 13C). For games on medium settings - Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (POCO X6 Pro) For maximum FPS Call of Duty Mobile only Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Xiaomi 14).
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera over performance? budget Xiaomi (up to 20,000) โ‚ฝ) It is less competitive (for example, Samsung Galaxy). A34). For high-quality shooting will have to pay to Xiaomi 13T (with a Leica sensor or a Civi 4 (for selfies).

Note that Xiaomi is actively splitting the lineups, and sometimes the difference between the models is minimal.+ They only differ in fast charging (67W vs 120W) and at a price of 3,000 โ‚ฝ. Is it worth overpaying? Depends on how often you discharge your phone to zero.

โš ๏ธ Note: If you use Xiaomi to shoot videos, check the support 4K@60fps and 10-bit HDR. Many models including POCO F5) limited 4K@30fps, critical to editing.

๐Ÿ“Š What is the most important priority when choosing Xiaomi for you?
Productivity
Camera.
Autonomy
Design and screen
Price.

2. Top.-5 Xiaomi smartphones 2026 year: comparative table

We selected the most balanced models in our price categories, and the table shows the key parameters that affect the user experience (not just the dry numbers from the specifications).

ModelPrice (โ‚ฝ)ProcessorScreen.Camera (main)Battery/chargeFor whom?
Redmi Note 13 Pro+28 000โ€“32 000Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz200 MP (Samsung HP3)5000 mAh / 120WFans of photography and fast charging
POCO F6 Pro35 000โ€“38 000Snapdragon 8+ Gen 16.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz64 MP (OmniVision OV64B)5000 mAh / 67WGamers and users who need a โ€œcleanโ€ Android
Xiaomi 1460 000โ€“65 000Snapdragon 8 Gen 36.36" AMOLED, 120Hz, LTPO50 MP (Light Fusion 900)4610 mAh/90WTech enthusiasts who care about upgrades and premium design
Xiaomi Civi 430 000โ€“33 000Snapdragon 7s Gen 26.55" AMOLED, 120 Hz50 MP (Sony IMX800) + 32 MP selfies4500 mAh / 67WBloggers and those who take a lot of selfies
Redmi 13C10 000โ€“12 000Mediatek Helio G856.74" IPS, 90 Hz50 MP (excluding OIS)5000 mAh / 18WOlder relatives or a second phone

Note the software support: flagships (Xiaomi 14) get 4 years of Android updates, and budget models (Redmi 13C) only get 2 years.

๐Ÿ’ก

In 2026, Xiaomi abandoned charging in the bundle even in flagships.If you want fast charging out of the box, take the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ โ€” therein 120W-adapter.

3 Budget up to 20,000 โ‚ฝ: Which Xiaomi Should Consider Consider?

In this segment, Xiaomi competes with itself: Redmi, POCO M and POCO X-series often overlap in characteristics, but differ in firmware and design. The main pitfall is saving on trifles: cheap models can have monodynamics, plastic housing or weak vibrating response.

Best options:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Redmi Note 13 5G (18 000 โ‚ฝ): Pros: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, AMOLED-screen, 33W Cons: 100 MP camera "on paper" shoots worse than the 50 MP in the Samsung Galaxy A24.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ POCO M6 Pro (16 000 โ‚ฝ): Pros: Helio G99 Ultra, 67W Charging, 5,000mAh. Cons: IPS-resolution-screen HD+ (720p) โ€” pixels visible to the naked eye.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Redmi 13C 5G (13 000 โ‚ฝ): Pros: 5000 mAh, 3.5 mm connector, 90 Hz Cons: weak processor (Helio) G85) no NFC.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Budget Xiaomi often cuts down on camera features. e.g. Redmi 13C can't shoot video in 4K, Night mode only works on the main camera (without ultra-wide).

If your budget is strictly up to 20,000 โ‚ฝ, But you need a good camera, consider Xiaomi Civi 3 (if you find it at a discount) or Samsung Galaxy A34 โ€” They shoot better than any Redmi in this price range.

Why is POCO cheaper than Redmi for the same performance?
POCO is a sub-brand of Xiaomi that focuses on naked Android (without the MIUI shell) and aggressive pricing, which saves on licenses and marketing but loses on optimization. For example, the POCO M6 Pro and Redmi Note 13 have the same processor, but the former is warmed more because of the less advanced cooling system.

4. Mid-segment (20,000-40,000) โ‚ฝ): Best Price/Quality Relationship

Xiaomi offers the most balanced devices, the main difference from the state-owned โ€” premium โ€œchipsโ€, which previously were only flagships: optical camera stabilization, stereo speakers, screen with support for Dolby Vision.

Top.-3 model:

  1. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G (30 000 โ‚ฝ): Best choice for most. 200 MP camera (albeit with software upscale), 120W charging, IP68. Minus - weight 205g.
  2. Xiaomi Civi 4 (32 000 โ‚ฝ): Perfect for selfies (32 MP frontal with autofocus) and compactness (6.55) but a 4500 mAh battery is a weak spot.
  3. POCO F6 (28 000 โ‚ฝ): Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 โ€” It's almost a flagship chip for the price of an average. 1.5K (2712ร—1220), but there's no memory card slot.

Comparison of cameras in this segment:

  • ๐Ÿ“ท Redmi Note 13 Pro+: 200 MP (Samsung) HP3) โ€” Good in daylight, but noisy in the dusk.
  • ๐ŸŒƒ Xiaomi Civi 4: 50 MP (Sony) IMX800) + OIS โ€” better for night photography.
  • ๐ŸŽฅ POCO F6: 50 MPP (IMX882) โ€” medium quality, but maintains 8K@24fps.

5G support in your region (not all models work with n78 in Russia)

NFC (nothing in POCO F6)

Memory card slot (only one slot in Xiaomi Civi 4 โ€“ either 2 SIM, or 1 SIM + microSD)

Battery warranty (in official Xiaomi stores give 1 year, dealers - 3 months)-->

5. Xiaomi flagships (from 50,000) โ‚ฝ): overpay?

The flagships Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra in 2026 were ambiguous. On the one hand, they overtook the iPhone 15 Pro in performance tests (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs A17 Pro). On the other hand, the price increased by 20% compared to the Xiaomi 13, and some โ€œchipsโ€ (for example, wireless charging) in Russia are not officially supported.

Flagship comparison:

ParameterXiaomi 14Xiaomi 14 ProXiaomi 14 Ultra
ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 3Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Screen.6.36" AMOLED, 120 Hz6.73" 2K AMOLED, 120 Hz6.73" 2K AMOLED, 120 Hz, 3,000 nits
Camera.50+50+12 MP (Leica)50+50+50 MP (Leica)50+50+50+50 MP (Leica, 1" type)
Battery4610 mAh/90W4880 mAh / 120W5300 mAh / 90W
Price (โ‚ฝ)60 000โ€“65 00075 000โ€“80 000110 000โ€“120 000

Who wants Xiaomi 14 Ultra? Only for professional photographers or enthusiasts who care about:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Shooting in RAW dynamically 14EV.
  • ๐Ÿ” Optical zoom 3.2x and 5x (quality-free).
  • ๐ŸŽž๏ธ Video in the video 8K@24fps Dolby Vision.

โš ๏ธ Note: In Russia, Xiaomi 14 Ultra is sold without an official warranty on the camera (due to sanctions restrictions on the import of Leica optics). โ‚ฝ.

๐Ÿ’ก

If you like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra design but donโ€™t need 4 cameras, look at Xiaomi 13T Pro (2023) It's cheaper by 40,000. โ‚ฝ, The same is true for Dimensity 9000.+).

6. Xiaomi vs. Competitors: When to Choose a Different Brand

Xiaomi isnโ€™t always the best choice, even if the budget allows, but here are some of the reasons why you should look at the alternatives:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Need a long soft-sapport: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (4 years of updates vs 2 years for Redmi Note 13 Pro+).

Xiaomiโ€™s main advantage is price/feature ratio, but if you care about the ecosystem (like Apple), software stability (like Google), or premium service (like Samsung), overpaying for competitors is often justified.

Why is Xiaomi cheaper than its competitors?
Xiaomi saves on: 1. Marketing (there are no global advertising campaigns like Samsung). 2. Licenses (use their own MIUI shell instead of โ€œpureโ€ Android). 3. Compacts (no chargers, headphones, cases in the box). 4. Guarantees (in Europe โ€“ 2 years, in Russia โ€“ often 1 year).

7.Where to buy Xiaomi: official stores vs marketplaces

The price of the same smartphone can vary by 10-15% depending on the place of purchase.

Place of purchasePlusesConsRecommendation
Official Mi Store Store24-month warranty, original firmware, promotions (for example, a 5% discount on a promotional code).Prices are higher than on marketplaces (by 2,000โ€“5,000) โ‚ฝ).If you need Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with full warranty.
Wildberries/OzonThe price is lower by 10-15%, there are often sales, you can pay with bonuses.The risk of running into a โ€œgrayโ€ import (guarantee 3-6 months).For budget models (Redmi 13C, POCO M6 Pro).
Svyaznoy/M.VideoYou can touch before buying, sometimes give gifts (cover, film).Limited range (often no new models).If you need a phone "here and now" without waiting for delivery.
AliExpressPrices are 20-30% lower, there are models that are not available in Russia (for example, Xiaomi 14T).Warranty only from official sellers (check reviews!), delivery 3-4 weeks.Only if you are willing to take risks and wait.

How to check that the phone is original? Type IMEI (on the box or in the settings on the About Phone โ†’ General Information โ†’ IMEI path) on imei.info. If the model does not match the declared one or the country of production is China (for official import it must be Russia or the EU), this is a โ€œgrayโ€ device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

๐Ÿ” Which Xiaomi is Best for Games in 2026?
For games at maximum settings, you can use the POCO F6 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1) for the best price/performance balance. Xiaomi 14 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) if you don't have a budget limit. Black Shark 6 Pro (if you find it on sale) for gamers (physical triggers, active cooling). Avoid Redmi Note 13 Pro+ - despite the 200MP camera, its Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor sags in heavy games after 30 minutes of gaming.
๐Ÿ“ท Which Xiaomi shoots better than the iPhone?
In terms of photo quality, Xiaomi 14 Ultra beats the iPhone 15 Pro in: Details (thanks to the 1" matrix); Color rendering (Leica Authentic/Leica Vivid profiles); Zume (optical 5x vs software 5x on the iPhone); But the iPhone wins in: Video stabilization (especially in 4K@60fps); Automatic shooting (Apple's algorithms are better at exposure); Ecosystem integration (fast synchronization with Mac/iPad).
๐Ÿ”‹ Which Xiaomi keeps charge longer than others?
Top.-3 Autonomous (real tests, not paper mAh): Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G โ€” 1.5 The day is used actively (thanks to Dimensity) 7200 Ultra and 5000 mic). POCO M6 Pro โ€” 2 social-networking + calls" (Helio processor G99 Ultra is very energy efficient. - Xiaomi 14 Ultra - despite 5300 MAC, because 2K-screen and snapdragon 8 Gen 3 hold on 1 The secret to long work is to turn it off. 5G (If not, set it up. 60 Hz instead 120 Hz, and use the dark theme โ€” AMOLED-screens save charge.
๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Can you fix Xiaomi under warranty if you bought on AliExpress?
Yes, but with reservations: If the phone is officially imported into Russia (check IMEI), the warranty is valid in Xiaomi service centers. If the phone is gray (IMEI indicates China / India), the warranty does not apply. Repair is only possible for money. Except that some sellers on AliExpress offer an extended warranty (for example, through AliExpress Choice), in which case the platform will pay for the repair, but you will have to send the phone to China. Before buying the device, check with the seller: Is this officially to Russia? Does it a global ROM? If the answer is "no" - be ready for self-repair.
๐Ÿ’ก Should you take Xiaomi with root rights (unblocked bootloader)?
root rights give full control of the system, but there are risks: โœ… Pros: You can remove embedded applications MIUI, install custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), overclock the processor. โŒ Cons: The phone loses warranty; Google Pay, SberPay and banking apps don't work (because of SafetyNet); the risk of hacking increases (if you install unverified modules); Alternative: buy POCO F6 โ€” It has almost "clean" Android without excess software, and no root is needed.