What inexpensive smartphone Xiaomi to buy in 2026: an honest rating and comparison

Choosing a budget Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 became more difficult than ever: the range has expanded, and the difference between models for 10 000-15,000 rubles sometimes comes down to trifles: somewhere the manufacturer saved on the screen, somewhere on the processor, and in some cases the camera became the victim of optimization. But there is good news: even in this price segment, you can find devices with a high price. AMOLED-Display, fast charging and clean Android without a ton of advertising.

In this article, we analyzed the current models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO 2023-2026, dropping outdated versions like Redmi 10A or POCO M4 Instead, they focused on phones that are easy to find in official stores today (including Wildberries, Messenger and MegaMarket) and are guaranteed to receive updates until at least 2026. All recommendations are based on real user tests, GSMArena and DxOMark data, as well as on the analysis of reviews from Yandex.Market and AliExpress.

If you need a smartphone for calls, social networks and rare photos – enough model for 8000-10 000 ₽. If you plan to play Genshin Impact on medium settings or shoot TikTok videos, you’ll have to spend 2,000 to 3,000. ₽ Next, we'll look at the tradeoffs that we have to make in each case, and how we can avoid overpaying for unnecessary functions.

Choice Criteria: What to Look at First

Xiaomi’s budget smartphones are often criticized for weak processors or mediocre cameras, but in practice, the main complaints of users are related to very different things.

• 🔋 Weak battery (less than 4,000 mAh) – discharged in half a day with active use.
• 📱 Bad screen (definition below Full) HD+ 60 Hz refresh rate – tire the eyes and slow down when scrolling.
• 📡 Reduced support 4G/5G — Some models do not catch the MegaFon network or Tele2 regionally.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware — MIUI Android 11 is no longer getting security updates.

To avoid these problems, check before buying:

1. Android Version: The minimum allowed version is Android 13 (released in 2022), and Android 12 and older models are no longer supported.
2. Screen type: AMOLED preferably IPS (Better contrast and less battery consumption, but on a budget of up to 10,000 ₽ it's rare.
3. RAM: 4 GB – minimum for comfortable work, 6 GB – if you plan to keep 10 open+ chrome.
4. Presence NFC: Without it, you will not be able to pay for purchases by phone (relevant for Sberbank and Tinkoff).

⚠️ Note: Budget Xiaomis are often sold in different versions. e.g. Redmi 12C happens 4/64 GB and 4/128 GB of memory and with support NFC Always check with the seller, the price difference can be anything. 500–1 000 ₽, But the functionality is very different.

Top.-5 Cheap Xiaomi smartphones in the 2026 year: comparative table

Below are the current models that can be bought (new) in official stores as of June 2026.Prices are indicated by the average market (may vary by market). ±1 000 ₽ All phones support two. SIM-maps, connectors. USB-C Certified for Russia (no problem with Google Play).

The table shows that even in the budget segment there are models with the AMOLED-screen (POCO M6 Pro) and quick charging of 67 W (POCO X6 However, these chips have to be paid for either by absence. NFC (like M6 Pro, or stripped down by the main camera (Redmi 12) 5G no ultra-wide module).

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Best Price/Quality Rate in 2026: Redmi Note 13 (14,990) ₽) and POCO M6 Pro (11 990 ₽). The first one wins on camera and NFC, The second - on the screen and charging speed.

Best choice for photos: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13

If you want a smartphone with a good camera for a reasonable amount of money, the Redmi Note 13 is one of the few options on a budget under 15,000. ₽. Its core module at 108 MP (with pixel binning up to 9 MP) shows results at the level of flagships of 2021, and the 8-MP ultraswire allows you to shoot landscapes without distortion at the edges. According to DxOMark tests, this camera bypasses the Samsung Galaxy A34 And it's getting closer to the Google Pixel. 6a day-scenes.

Examples of photos from the Redmi Note 13:

• 🌄 Landscapes: good detailing of grass and foliage, natural colors (without excessive saturation, like Realme).
• 🌃 Night photography: noise suppressed better than the noise POCO X5, But the iPhone is losing. SE 2022.
• 👤 Portraits: Exact separation of background and object, but sometimes eats away at hair.

Of the minuses:

• 🎥 The video only takes in 1080p@30fps (No stabilization in the 4K).
• 🔦 The frontal is 13 MP weaker than the POCO X6 Pro (16 MP).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note 13 shipments have a yellow screen defect at minimum brightness. Check the display before buying from an offline store or order with a return option.

The fastest budgetary: POCO X6 Pro with Dimensity 8300-Ultra

POCO X6 Pro is the only smartphone in this ranking with a flagship-level processor (Mediatek Dimensity). 8300-Ultra). In the AnTuTu test, he scores 900,000+ Scores, overtaking the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 and getting closer to Apple A14 Bionic. That means the phone will pull:

• 🎮 Games: Genshin Impact on medium settings (40–50) FPS), Call of Duty Mobile at maximum (90) FPS).
• 📱 Multitasking: 15+ chrome + Telegram + YouTube in the background without hanging.
• 📹 Video editing: CapCut or KineMaster work without lags in rendering 1080p.

Additional benefits:

• 🔋 Charging 67W: from 0 to 100% in 45 minutes (there is a power supply unit included).
• 🖥️ 120Hz screen with Dolby Vision support – colors brighter than the Redmi Note 13.
• 📡 5G (Supports the networks of MegaFon and Beeline in Russia).

The main disadvantage is the price of 17,990 ₽, But if you need a phone for 2-3 years without thinking about replacing it, the overpayment is justified — POCO M6 Pro (11 990 ₽), But he's losing 30 to 40 in productivity%.

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If you play in PUBG Mobile or Free Fire, turn on the 90 mode in the graphics settings FPS And turn off the smoothing, it will increase. FPS 10-15% without loss of quality.

Budgetary 5G-smartphone: Redmi 12 5G — overpay?

Supported models 5G budgeted up to 15,000 ₽ — It's a big rarity. Redmi 12. 5G — It is one of the few options, but it only makes sense in three cases:

1. You live in a city that has already been networked. 5G (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi. Check the coverage on your operator's website.
2. Your tariff includes unlimited 5G-Internet (for example, "All for your own" from MegaFon).
3. You plan to use your phone for more than 2 years by 2026 5G will become more accessible.

If none of these are good, it is better to save 2,000. ₽ and take the Redmi 12C (8 990 ₽) or POCO M6 Pro (11 990 ₽). The rest of the Redmi 12 5G — standard-selling:

• ✅ 90 Hz screen (but) IPS, not AMOLED).
• ✅ NFC contactless.
• ❌ Weak processor (Snapdragon 4 Gen 2) – in games will slow down.
• ❌ Charging 18W – Full charging takes 2 hours.

⚠️ Attention: In Russia, networks 5G work in test mode, and the real speed often does not exceed 100-150 Mbit / s (like a good one). 4G). Don't overpay for it. 5G Check the actual coverage in your area.

The cheapest option: Redmi 12C — prepare

If the budget is tightly capped at 9,000 ₽, Redmi 12C — It's one of the few more or less adequate options:

• 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh – enough for 1.5-2 days with moderate use.
• 📷 50 MP camera – shoots well during the day, but at night the photos are noisy.
• 🛡️ Splash protection (IP53) — It can withstand light rain, but not submersion in water.

But there are also serious trade-offs:

• 🐢 Helio processor G85 — launcher PUBG Mobile only on Low (20-30) FPS).
• 🖥️ Screen. 60 Hz – scrolling in social networks feels “twitchy” after 90/120 Hz.
• ⚡ Charging 10W – full charging takes 2.5-3 hours.
• 🚫 No. NFC — You can't tie a Sberbank or Tinkoff card.

Who's good for Redmi? 12C:

• 👵 Elderly relatives – a big screen, a loud speaker, simple firmware.
• 📞 For calls and instant messengers, the battery keeps 5-7 days in standby mode.
• 🎵 Like a second phone for music and navigator (there is a 3.5mm connector).

Turn off the adverts in MIUI|Install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher)|Enable energy saving mode|Update the firmware to the latest version-->

What you should not buy in 2026

Despite the attractive prices, some Xiaomi models are better to avoid.

Also avoid:

• 📦 "Grey phones from China without official warranty may not work with Russian SIM-map.
• 🔄 Used models older than 2022 – the battery is already worn out, and the firmware is not updated.
• 🎁 "Gifts (earphones, covers) – usually a way to distract from weak characteristics.

If you offer a smartphone cheaper than 7000 ₽, Most likely, it is either a fake or a device with unofficial firmware (without Google Play.

Where to buy: official shops vs marketplaces

Prices for the same models can vary by 1,000–2,000 ₽ So, depending on where you're buying, here's the actual offers for June 2026:

Lifehack: Check the price on Yandex.Market before you buy, where offers from all stores are collected, and you can quickly find the best.

• 📄 Availability of a check - without it it it will not be possible to issue a guarantee.
• 📦 Package – some sellers save on charging or cable.
• 🔄 Refund Terms – Wildberries and Ozon can return the phone within 14 days without explanation.

⚠️ Note: If you buy on AliExpress, choose sellers with a rating of at least 98% and a number of orders from 1 000+. The description should be “Global Version” (not “China”). ROM"), Otherwise, there will be no Google Play.

Frequently asked questions