Which Xiaomi smartphone is better to buy in 2026 Year: Fair rating of the TOP-7 model

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 The brand offers dozens of models, from budget Redmi to premium Xiaomi. 14 Ultra, and it's almost impossible to understand the differences without a lot of analysis, and some people are looking for a powerful processor for games, some for a camera-level camera, some for maximum autonomy, and even in one price segment you can find it. 3-4 Decent models with different "chips».

In this guide, we analyzed all current Xiaomi lineups (including Redmi, POCO And Black Shark, compared them on key parameters — performance, screen, cameras, battery and software — and made a ranking of the best smartphones for any budget. And so you don't have to look for reviews individually, we've added real test data (AnTuTu, DXOMark, game time) and honest downsides to each model.

1. How to choose a Xiaomi smartphone: what to look for first

Before you dive into the comparison of specific models, you need to prioritize the criteria that are really important in 2026.

• 🔋 Autonomy: for most users, this is a key parameter.Smartphone with a battery of 4500-5000 mAh and support 67W+ Charging will last longer than a flagship with 4000 mAh, even if it has a more powerful processor.
• 🎮 Performance: for games and heavy tasks, you need a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Dimensity 9300.+ Gen 3.
• 📸 Camera: If zoom is important, look for models with 3x–5x For selfies, it is better to use a front camera at 32-50 MP.
• 🔄 Xiaomi promises 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security for flagships, but budget Redmi get them less often.

Note the ecosystem: if you already have a Mi Band smartwatch or a Mi Smart Speaker speaker, Xiaomi’s smartphone integrates with it without any problems, but there may be restrictions on other brands (such as Samsung or Apple).

⚠️ Note: In 2026, Xiaomi is actively reducing the supply of smartphones to Russia due to sanctions. Some models (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro) are not officially sold, but they can be found at dealers - with the risk of losing the warranty or getting a "gray" firmware.

2. TOP-3 Xiaomi's flagship 2026: For those who don’t count money

Xiaomi flagship smartphones in 2026 are represented by Xiaomi 14 and MIX Fold 3: They offer the best screens, cameras and "iron," but the price starts at $80,000 ₽. Are they worth their money? We're figuring it out.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best camera among Android smartphones

This device became a direct competitor to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max. its main advantage is a camera with variable aperture (from the f/1.6 before f/4.0), It's adaptable to lighting, like a professional camera. 14 Ultra beats all competitors in night shooting and zoom.

• 📱 Screen: 6.73" AMOLED, 2K (3200×1440), 120 Hz, brightness to 3000 thread.
• 🚀 Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm), up to 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of memory.
• 🔋 Battery: 5300 mAh + wireless charging 80W.
• 📸 Camera: Basic 50 MP (1") + 50 MP (3.2x zoom) + 50 MP (5x zoom) + 50 MP (ultra-wide).

Cons: weight 224 g (heavy even for the flagship), price from 120 000 ₽, There's no memory card slot, and there's overheating on long games (up to 45).°C in Genshin Impact on Maximal Albums).

Xiaomi 14 Pro – balanced flagship

If the Ultra is too expensive and the Xiaomi 14 seems weak, the 14 Pro is a middle ground.It has the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, but the camera is simpler (without variable aperture), and the screen has curved edges and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.

Xiaomi 14 Pro is suitable for those who want a flagship chipset and a good camera, but are not willing to pay for the “ultra” version. K70 Pro on autonomy - its battery at 4610 mAh discharged in 5-6 hours in games.

Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 – foldable smartphone with a frameless screen

The third generation of foldable smartphones Xiaomi received a thin frame (only 1.81 mm), a lightweight body (229 g) and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. The main new – 8.03 internal screen with stylus support (the package includes Xiaomi Smart Pen).

Pros:

• 📏 Ultra-thin in folded state (10.86 mm).
• 🔋 Two batteries of 2375 mAh (total 4750 mAh) with fast charging 67W.
• 📸 Camera at the level of Xiaomi 13 Pro: the main module 50 MP with Leica optics.

Cons: Price from 150,000 ₽, no certification IP68 (only IPX8 — Water protection, but not dust protection, and the screen is still afraid of scratches UTG, Not hardened glass).

💡

If you need a foldable smartphone for working with documents and multitasking, MIX Fold 3 is the best choice among Chinese brands, but for games and videos, it is better to use a monoblock (for example, Black Shark 6 Pro).

3.The best mid-range Xiaomi smartphones (30,000 – 70,000) ₽)

The mid-range is the most competitive. Here Xiaomi offers models with Snapdragon processors 7+ Gen 2/3 Dimensity 8200/9000, which are not inferior to the flagships in terms of performance 2022 years, but stand in 2–3 cheaply.

Redmi K70 Pro – the best price/quality balance

This smartphone became a hit of 2026 thanks to the processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at a price of 45 000 ₽. Yes, it is not a full-fledged flagship (cameras are weaker, the body is plastic), but for games and everyday tasks it is perfect.

• 🎮 Performance: AnTuTu is gaining 1,800,000+ Points (like iPhone 15).
• 📷 Camera: 50 MP main camera (Sony sensor) IMX890) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 2 MP (macro).

The main disadvantage is that there is no optical zoom (only digital). 2x), a front camera only 16 MP But there is an IR port (can be used as a remote for technology) and stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos.

POCO F6 Pro - an alternative for gamers

If you need a smartphone to play games, but Black Shark seems too niche, pay attention to the game. POCO F6 Pro. It's a redmi re-faced. K70 Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1 (still relevant in 2026) and a cooling system with a 5,000mm vapor-outlet chamber².

Advantages:

• 🎮 Not warmed above 40.°C even after an hour in Genshin Impact on max-sized.
• 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + charging 120W.
• 🖥️ Screen 6.67" AMOLED supportive HDR10+ and 120 Hz frequency.

Weaknesses: the camera is mediocre (the main module is 50 MP, but without optical stabilization), and the case is plastic. ₽ — The Redmi Note 13 Pro is cheaper than the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro – for selfie and stylish design

If you care about design and camera for selfies, not performance, the Civi 4 Pro is one of the best options.It is Xiaomi's thinnest smartphone (7.45 mm) with a weight of 172g, which offers:

• 📸 Dual front camera: 32 MP (main camera) + 32 MP (ultra-wide object).
• 🎨 Design: glass case with gradient color and aluminum frame.
• 🖥️ Screen: 6.55" AMOLED, 120Hz, support HDR10+.

Cons: Dimensity 8200 Ultra processor is weaker than Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and the battery is only 4500 mAh (enough for a day with moderate use). ₽.

4. Xiaomi budget smartphones (up to 30,000) ₽): What to buy in 2026

The budget segment is the most challenging category because it has to sacrifice either performance, camera, or autonomy, but even among Xiaomi’s cheapest smartphones, there are decent options.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G — best-in-class AMOLED-screen

This is the rare case when a budget smartphone (25,000) ₽) offer AMOLED-120Hz screen and MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor, which pulls modern games on medium settings.

• 🖥️ Screen: 6.67" AMOLED, 1220×2712, 120 Hz, brightness to 1800 thread.
• 📸 Camera: the main 200 MP (Samsung sensor) HP3) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 2 MP (macro).
• 🔋 Battery: 5,000 mAh + charging 120W.

Cons: the case is plastic, there is no optical zoom, and in games with long sessions can slow down (due to restrictions on heat generation).

POCO M6 Pro – a cheap smartphone with good performance

If you need a smartphone for social networks, videos and simple games (for example, Brawl Stars or other games). PUBG Mobile at low settings), POCO M6 Pro is a great choice for 18 000 ₽. It has a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor that is 20% more powerful than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 in last year’s models.

Pros:

• 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + charging 33W.
• 🖥️ Screen 6.79" IPS, 90 Hz, 550 nits brightness.
• 📸 Camera: Basic 50MP + 2 MP (depth).

Weaknesses: screen IPS (not AMOLED), no NFC, It's made of cheap plastic, but for its price, it's one of the best options.

Compare prices in the official store and at dealers (the difference can be up to 20%)

Check availability NFC (In cheap models, it is often cut down)

Update the firmware version (Chinese versions may not support Google Services)

Pay attention to the type of screen (IPS cheaper but worse AMOLED contrast-wise)

-->

5. Xiaomi smartphones for gaming: Black Shark vs. POCO

If you need a smartphone exclusively for gaming, Xiaomi has two options: a dedicated Black Shark lineup or a gamer model. POCO. The former offer better cooling and triggers, the latter more versatile.

Black Shark 6 Pro – a professional gaming smartphone

This is a device designed for eSports.

• 🎮 Physical triggers (extra buttons on the sides).
• 🔥 Liquid cooling with steam chamber and fan (temperature does not rise above 38)°C even in Call of Duty Mobile).
• 🖥️ Screen: 6.67" AMOLED, 144 Hz, response time 1 ms.
• 🚀 Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with acceleration up to 3.36 GHz.

Cons: design aggressive (not everyone likes), the camera is weak (the main module 50 MP without optical stabilization), and the price starts from 60 000 ₽. But in the kit there is a clip for fastening the gamepad.

POCO F5 — budgetary alternative for gamers

If Black Shark is too expensive, POCO F5 Offering a Snapdragon 7 processor+ Gen 2 and 120Hz screen for 30,000 ₽. It’s not a specialized gaming smartphone, but it will handle most games in mid-range settings.

Advantages:

• 🎮 AnTuTu is gaining 1,000,000+ Score scores (enough for Genshin Impact on average settings).
• 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + charging 67W.
• 🖥️ Screen 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz, support HDR10+.

Disadvantages: no active cooling (heats to 43)°C in games), the body is plastic, and the speakers are mono (no stereo sound).

💡

If you choose a smartphone for gaming, pay attention to support 4K@60fps Even powerful processors (like Snapdragon) 8 Gen 3) They can’t always give you stable 60 permitter 4K due to heat-discharge restrictions.

6 Which Xiaomi to Buy for Photography: Camera Comparison

Xiaomi is traditionally strong in cameras, especially in collaboration with Leica, but not all models are equally good.

• 📏 Sensor size: the larger, the better (e.g., the better, 1" Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs. 1/1.56" Redmi Note 13 Pro+).
• 🔍 Optical zoom: a physical lens is needed for a high-quality approximation (for example, 3.2x or 5x Xiaomi 14 Pro).
• 🌃 Night shooting: the best results show flagships with large pixels (for example, 1.6 microns in Xiaomi 14 Ultra).

If you care about photography, here’s the ranking of the best cameras in Xiaomi smartphones (in descending order):

1. Xiaomi 14 Ultra (best zoom and night shooting)
2. Xiaomi 14 Pro (good balance, but no variable aperture).
3. Xiaomi 13T Pro (200 MP sensor, but weak zoom).
4. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (best budget photo).
5. POCO F6 Pro (Camera is mediocre, but Video shoots well).

For selfies, the best choice is Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro (double front camera 32 MP) or Xiaomi 14 (32 MP camera with autofocus).

7. Xiaomi vs competitors: whether to overpay for Samsung or iPhone

Many users are hesitant: buy Xiaomi or fork out on Samsung Galaxy / iPhone? Here's an honest comparison:

When to choose Xiaomi:

• 💰 You need a flagship processor and screen for less money.
• 🔋 Autonomy is important (Xiaomi has more batteries).
• 📸 You need the best camera in your price range.

When to choose a Samsung or iPhone:

• 🔄 You need long software updates (Apple and Samsung have more of them).
• 🎮 You play games optimized for iOS (like Genshin Impact on iPhone runs smoother).
• 🔒 You need it.