Which Xiaomi smartphone to choose in 2026: flagship, middle class or budget?

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 The year has been more challenging than ever, with the brand’s range expanding to multiple lines, each geared towards different tasks and budgets, with optical zoom cameras being important somewhere, and autonomy on the other. 2-3 Some people are looking for a Genshin Impact game processor at maximum settings, and some people want a compact device with a clean Android without a shell. MIUI.

In this article, we tested 12 models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO 2023-2026, compared them on 15 criteria -- from screen to charging speed -- and compiled checklists for scenarios ranging from student to professional photographer. Xiaomi 14 Ultra has surpassed the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the tests of night shooting, but for 90% of users its capabilities are excessive – the rational choice lies in the line of Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO F6 Pro.

We won’t tell you that the best smartphone is... Instead, we’ll tell you what each model does, where Xiaomi saves (sometimes to the detriment of the user), and what to look for when buying. AMOLED, POCO X6 Pro - Mediatek Dimensity processor 8300-Ultra, Which is more performance than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1? These nuances determine whether to overpay for the brand or save without losing quality.

1. Xiaomi flagships: what to pay for 100 000+ ruble?

Xiaomi 14 lineup (including Pro and Ultra) is the brand’s answer to Samsung Galaxy S24 And the iPhone 15. Here you get the best screens on the market (2K AMOLED 120 Hz, up to 3,000 nits of brightness, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors, and cameras developed in conjunction with Leica?

🔍 Performance test: In Geekbench 6, Xiaomi 14 Ultra scores 2200+ The single-core test scores are 15 percent higher than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but the real-world challenges (social, video, navigation) are pretty much the difference, but the gameplay is impressive: Genshin Impact keeps 60 stable at maximum settings. FPS, Call of Duty: Mobile - 90 FPS heat-free.

📸 Camera: Here's Xiaomi 14 Ultra really pulls ahead.Four modules (50MP main) + 50 MP ultra-wide + 50 MP telephoto with 3.2x zoom + 50 MP periscope 5x zooms allow you to take professional photos even in the dark.For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has only one. 5x optical zoom, and Samsung S24 Ultra — 10x, But with the worst detail in low light.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi flagships do not support wireless charging more powerful than 50 watts (vs. 67 watts for Samsung and 75 watts for Oppo).If you are critical charging speed without wires, look at Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 - there are 67 watts.

• ✅ Pros of flagships: Best screen, camera, performance, premium design
• ❌ Cons: Price from 90,000 ₽, No memory card slot, heavy (220)+ gram)
• 💡 Who is suitable: Professional photographers, gamers, those who want to "years ahead"

2.Middle class: the gold balance of price and opportunity

If the budget is limited to 30,000-60,000 ₽, The best choice is the Redmi Note 13 Pro line.+, POCO F6 Pro or Xiaomi 13T. Here you get 90 percent of the power of flagships for half the price, and the key is to figure out what you can save without losing quality.

📱 Redmi Note 13 Pro+:

• 🔋 5000mAh battery + 120 W charging (full charge in 19 minutes!)
• 📷 200 MP camera (Samsung) ISOCELL HP3) — best-of-class
• 🖥️ Screen. 1.5K AMOLED (120 Hz, 1800 nits of brightness)
• ⚡ Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor optimized for gaming

📱 POCO F6 Pro:

• 🎮 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 – the top chip of 2022, still relevant
• 🔄 120W fast charging + battery
• 📸 64 MP camera (OMNIVISION OV64B) s OIS
• 💰 Price from 35,000 ₽ — It is cheaper than the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+, but with a more powerful processor

⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ There's no stereo speakers, just one speaker at the bottom. If you care about sound (like watching movies), you can choose. POCO F6 Pro or Xiaomi 13T.

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If you need a smartphone for all occasions without overpaying for the brand, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — It's the best choice in the middle class, and it's outperforming the competition in camera, screen and charging speed.

3. Xiaomi budget smartphones: cheap ≠ badly

Budget up to 20,000 ₽ It doesn't mean you're going to have to put up with lags and a bad camera. In 2026, even for 15,000. ₽ You can buy a smartphone with AMOLED-screen, 5G And a 2-day battery, and the key is to avoid marketing tricks.

💰 The best budgetary officers of 2026:

• 📱 Redmi Note 12 5G — AMOLED-screen (120 Hz) + Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 + 5,000 mAh battery for 16,000 ₽
• 📱 POCO M6 Pro - 67 watts of charging + Helio G99 Ultra (better for games than Snapdragon 4 Gen 1) for 18,000 ₽
• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi A2+ — Android Go (without a clean Android Go) MIUI) + 5,000 mAh battery for 10,000 ₽ (for elderly relatives)

⚠️ Attention: Budget Xiaomi often cuts down on camera features. e.g. Redmi Note 12 5G It has a 48 MP module but no optical stabilization (OIS), So, if you're interested in shooting, you'd better pay 5,000 extra. ₽ Take the Redmi Note 13 Pro.

🔋 Autonomy: All Xiaomi 2026 budget models are powered by 5,000mAh batteries, but charging speeds vary:

• 18 Watts (Redmi) A2+) — full charge in 2.5 hours
• 33 W (Redmi Note 12) – in 1 hour 10 minutes
• 67 W (POCO M6 Pro - in 45 minutes

Make sure there is a memory card slot (in) POCO M6 Pro not!)

Check support 5G (redmi A2+ only 4G)

Estimate the refresh rate of the screen (60 Hz vs 90/120 Hz)

Watch the camera tests on YouTube (often the real quality is worse than claimed)-->

4. Xiaomi for gaming: which smartphone will withstand Genshin Impact on max-sized?

If you are a gamer and want to run Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile or Honor of Kings at maximum settings, then the choice is narrowed down to three models:

1. POCO F6 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
2. Black Shark 5 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 + physical triggers)
3. Xiaomi 14 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3)

🎮 Performance tests (average) FPS In Genshin Impact on Maximal Albums):

• POCO F6 Pro: 58 FPS (stable, without overheating)
• Black Shark 5 Pro: 60 FPS (But he's warmed up after 40 minutes of play)
• Xiaomi 14: 60 FPS (without heating, but more expensive 2 times)

🔥 Cooling system:

• POCO F6 Pro: liquid cooling (3700 mm2 of the evaporation chamber)
• Black Shark 5 Pro: Double fans + metal-frame
• Xiaomi 14: Graphite plates + AI-optimization

⚠️ Black Shark 5 Pro does not have a slot for SIM-If your carrier does not support eSIM (for example, Tele2 in some regions), this smartphone will not work for you.

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Before buying a gaming smartphone, check the support of your operator in the list of eSIM compatible" → "eSIM".

5. Xiaomi for Photography: Which Camera Is Better than an iPhone?

If you care about the photo, Xiaomi offers a few models that overtake the iPhone in separate scenarios:

• 🌃 Night shooting: Xiaomi 14 Ultra better than iPhone 15 Pro Max by 20% (based on DxOMark tests)
• 🔍 Zoom: Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a perscope with 5x optical zoom (against) 3x iPhone)
• 🎥 Video: Xiaomi 14 Pro's shooting. 8K@24fps (iPhone 15 Pros 4K@60fps)

📸 Top.-3 cameras in Xiaomi smartphones (2026):

💡 Tip: If you want a professional shoot, but do not want to drag the DSLR, look at the Xiaomi 14 Ultra with a Leica Summilux lens. RAW and has manual settings (exposure, ISO, white balance, like mirrorless.

6. Xiaomi for the elderly: simple, reliable, long

If you choose a smartphone for parents or grandparents, the main criteria are:

• 📞 Loud speaker (so you can hear it in a noisy room)
• 🔋 Battery on 3-4 The day (so that you do not forget to charge)
• 📱 Simple interface (without unnecessary functions)
• 💰 Price up to 15,000 ₽ (loss-proof)

👵 The Best Models for the Elderly:

• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi A2+: 🔊 Loud speaker (85 dB) 🔋 5000 mAh battery (lasts 4 days in call mode) 📱 Pure Android Go (without unnecessary apps) 💰 Price: 9,990 ₽
• 📱 Redmi 10C: 📞 Button SOS (call-up) 🔋 5000mAh battery + 18W charging 📷 50 MP camera (for video calls) 💰 Price: 12,000 ₽

⚠️ Attention: At Redmi A2+ There is no fingerprint sensor, only a face unlock or PIN-If it's critical, go with Redmi. 10C.

🔧 Adjustment for the elderly:

1. Enlarge the font: Settings → Screen. → Size of text → Very big.
2. Enable the "For the Elderly" mode: Settings → Special opportunities → Simplicity mode
3. Install Big Launcher launcher (large icons, simple interface)

7.Where to buy Xiaomi: official stores vs marketplaces

The price of the same smartphone can vary by 30 percent depending on where you buy it.

🛒 Official stores (Mi Store, Messenger, MTS):

• ✅ 24 months warranty (vs. 12 on marketplaces)
• ✅ Original firmware (without "castom" assemblies)
• ✅ Checking before sale (no marriage)
• ❌ Prices up 5-10%

🛒 Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, AliExpress):

• ✅ Price lower (stocks, cashback)
• ✅ Quick delivery (1-3 days)
• ❌ 12 months warranty (or even a “gray” import)
• ❌ Risk of counterfeiting (especially on AliExpress)

💡 How to Check the Originality of Xiaomi:

1. Check it out. IMEI IMEI.info
2. Launch ##4636## → check the version MIUI (must coincide with the official)
3. Make sure there is a warranty stamp in the box with the store stamp

⚠️ AliExpress often sells “global versions” of Xiaomi, which do not support Russian in firmware or have reduced frequencies. 5G Before buying, check with the seller whether the model supports Band 3 (1800 MHz) and Band 7 (2600 MHz) - these are the main ranges for Russian operators.

8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)