Xiaomi Mi 2026: which latest smartphone series to choose – a comparison of flagships

Xiaomi Mi has long been synonymous with flagship smartphones with top-end specs at a competitive price. 2021 Xiaomi announced a rebranding: the Mi series was renamed Xiaomi (without the console), and the flagship models are now released under the Xiaomi brand 13/14. This caused confusion among users: what was the last smartphone officially called "Mi"? 2026 year?

In fact, the last smartphone with the prefix "Mi" was Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, released in April 2021. Since then, the company has completely moved to a new nomenclature, where the flagships are indicated simply by numbers (for example, Xiaomi 14). But that does not mean that the lineup has disappeared — it has evolved. In this article, we will analyze which models have replaced the Mi, how they differ, and which smartphone from the current line of 2026 can be considered the "heir" of the legendary series.

We will also analyze whether you should buy the latest “real” Mi 11 Ultra today or pay attention to the new flagships Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra.Comparing them on key parameters: performance, cameras, screens and price, which will help you make an informed choice – especially if you are used to the Mi series and are looking for a worthy replacement.

The latest Xiaomi Mi: the characteristics of the Mi 11 Ultra

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, launched in 2021, was the last smartphone to have the Mi in its name, a monster by the standards of its time that still holds true for many applications.

The heart of the device was the chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 — top-end 2021 It's a year that still handles most of today's games and apps. AMOLED permittingly 3200×1440 and frequency of renewal 120 Hz provided a stunning picture, and the battery capacity 5000 mAh supported fast charging power 67 Watt.

But the main feature of the Mi 11 Ultra was the camera, which was Xiaomi's first smartphone with a secondary display on the back, which showed notifications and could be used as a viewfinder for selfies on the main camera.

• 📸 Primary sensor 50 MP (Samsung) GN2, 1/1.12") optically stabilized
• 🔍 Periscopic telephoto lens 48 MP with 5× optical and 120× digital zoom
• 🌄 Ultra-wide-angle module 48 MP (128)°)

Despite its age, the Mi 11 Ultra is still available for sale (new or used), and it remains an interesting option for those who appreciate the premium build, powerful camera and unique design.

⚠️ Note: The smartphone has not officially received updates to Android 14 and MIUI 15.The last firmware — MIUI 14 is based on Android 13.This means that some new features and apps may not work smoothly.

What replaced Xiaomi Mi: the evolution of the flagship line

After the Mi was abandoned, Xiaomi switched to a more concise nomenclature. 12/13/14, And their "Ultra" versions retain the Ultra prefix for premium devices:

As can be seen from the table, the main improvements were:

• 🔧 Performance: Switching to new Snapdragon 8 Gen chipsets with improved energy efficiency.
• 📷 Camera: sensor IMX989 physical-size 1" (mi 11 Ultra was. GN2 size 1/1.12").
• 🔋 Charging: Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a wireless charging capacity of 80 W (versus 67 W at the Mi 11 Ultra).

Interestingly, the design of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has returned to the “classic” circular camera platform, reminiscent of the Mi 11 Ultra, but without a secondary display. Instead, it now uses a smart ring indicator that changes color depending on notifications.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs Mi 11 Ultra: What has changed in 3 years

If you’re considering buying the latest “real” Mi or its modern successor, let’s compare them in key terms, which will help you understand whether to overpay for the new product or whether the Mi 11 Ultra is still a viable choice.

Productivity and software:

• 🔥 Xiaomi 14 Ultra on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on 30-40% Faster in games and heavy tasks than Mi 11 Ultra on Snapdragon 888.
• 🤖 MIUI 15 based on Android 14 vs MIUI 14 on Android 13: New features (like HyperOS) are only available on Xiaomi 14.
• 🕒 Mi 11 Ultra no longer gets security updates after 2026.

Screen and multimedia:

Both smartphones have AMOLED-120Hz displays, but Xiaomi 14 Ultra has advantages:

• 🌞 Brightness up to 3000 nits (vs. 1700 nits in Mi 11 Ultra).
• 🎨 Support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ "box".
• 🔊 Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support (Mi 11 Ultra sound is worse balanced).

Cameras: here the gap is most noticeable. Xiaomi 14 Ultra got:

• 📸 Sony sensor IMX989 physical-size 1" (against 1/1.12" Mi 11 Ultra).
• 🔍 Diaphragm variable (f/1.6-f/4.0), which automatically adjusts to the lighting.
• 🌌 Improved nighttime and processing AI (For example, removing reflections in glass).

However, the Mi 11 Ultra still holds good in terms of photography thanks to the large sensor and optics of Leica (the Xiaomi 14 Ultra also uses optimization Leica, but with new algorithms).

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If you want long-term support and maximum performance, go for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If you have a budget and are willing to put up with outdated software, the Mi 11 Ultra still offers great price-performance ratio.

Should you buy the last Xiaomi Mi in 2026?

The relevance of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra in 2026 depends on your priorities. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of buying this smartphone today.

Arguments FOR:

• 💰 Price: on the secondary market Mi 11 Ultra can be found for 30-40 thousand rubles (against) 120+ Thousands for the new Xiaomi 14 Ultra).
• 📸 Camera: Even today, photos are at the level of many flagships of 2023.
• 🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh with quick charging of 67W – this is enough for a full day.
• 🛡️ Assembling: Ceramic case and aluminum frame look premium even after 3 years.

Arguments against:

• ⚠️ No updates: After 2026, the smartphone will remain on Android 13, which can create compatibility issues.
• 🔥 Overheating: Snapdragon 888 warms up more than new chipsets, especially in gaming.
• 📡 Network: no support 5G in bands that are actively deployed in 2026 (for example, n28, n78).
• 🔌 Charging: No 80W wireless charging as in new models.

If you are buying the Mi 11 Ultra in 2026, pay attention to the following points:

⚠️ Note: In the secondary market, Mi 11 Ultra is often found with a replaced screen or battery. You can check the originality of parts through the service code # # #4636## (section "Battery Information") or using the AccuBattery application.

Alternatives to the latest Xiaomi Mi: what models to consider in 2026

If the Mi 11 Ultra isn’t right for you and the new Xiaomi 14 Ultra is too expensive, consider the following alternatives from the current lineup:

1. Xiaomi 14 (standard version)

This is a lightweight version of the flagship, but with the same key features:

• 🔧 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset (as in Ultra).
• 📸 Trinity of cameras 50+50+50 MP (main) + telephoto + superbread).
• 💰 Price: from 80 thousand rubles (against 120)+ thousand for Ultra).

Cons: no variable aperture, screen smaller (6.36), battery 4610 mAh.

2. Xiaomi 13T Pro

This is the “pseudoflagship” of 2023 on the chipset Dimensity 9200+, Which is not inferior in performance to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2:

• 📷 Sensor camera IMX707 (like Xiaomi 12S Ultra).
• 🔋 Fast charging 120 W (charges 5000 mAh in 19 minutes).
• 💰 Price: from 60 thousand rubles.

Cons: There is no optical stabilization in the super-wide.

3. POCO F6 Pro

If you want the maximum "iron" potential for the minimum money, pay attention to the POCO F6 Pro (aka Redmi) K70 It's in China:

• 🔥 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (as in Xiaomi 13 Ultra).
• 📺 Screen. 2K AMOLED 120Hz.
• 💰 Price: from 45 thousand rubles.

Cons: Cameras are weaker than flagships, there is no official support for Leica.

Comparison of key models:

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If you care about photography but have a limited budget, consider Xiaomi. 13T Pro – it offers a camera at Xiaomi level 12S Ultra for half the price.

Where to buy the latest Xiaomi Mi and how not to run into a fake

If you are buying the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra (or another Mi smartphone), it is important to choose a reliable seller.

1. Official retailers (if stocks remain):

• 🛒 Mi Store (official Xiaomi stores).
• 🛒 Svyaznoy, M. Video, Eldorado (sometimes there are new devices).

Secondary market:

• 🔄 Avito, Yula – Check the reputation of the seller and ask for a check.
• 🌍 AliExpress, Banggood – only sellers with a rating above 98%.
• 🏢 Xiaomi Service Centers (sometimes sell refurbished devices).

How to distinguish the original from the fake:

⚠️ Note: The market is often found in the "gray" Mi 11 Ultra from China with firmware for the domestic market. Such devices do not support Google Play and have limited functionality. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (must be listed as Global or EEA).

If you buy from hand, you must:

1. Check it out. IMEI via imei.info (must match the box).
2. Run a screen test for broken pixels (for example, through the Screen Test app).
3. Check all cameras, especially the periscopic zoom.
4. Make sure your smartphone is not blacklisted (*#06# for checks) IMEI).

The future of Xiaomi Mi: what to expect next

Although the Mi has officially been discontinued, Xiaomi continues to develop its flagship lineup under the new brand, with the following new products expected in 2026:

1. Xiaomi 14T / 14T Pro

These will be updated versions of Xiaomi 14 with minor improvements.

• 🔧 Possible transition to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3+ (Qualcomm will release an updated version of the chipset).
• 📷 Improved processing of photos with AI (For example, removing objects in a photo in real time).
• 🔋 Possible increase in wireless charging power to 100 W.

2. Xiaomi 15 Ultra (2026)

According to the leaks, the next flagship will receive:

• 🔧 Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset (performance) +20% energy efficiency +30%).
• 📸 Sensor 1.5" (vs 1" in Xiaomi 14 Ultra).
• 🖥️ Screen with refresh rate of 240 Hz (for gamers).
• 🤖 HyperOS 2.0 with improved integration with Xiaomi IoT devices.

Xiaomi is also expected to return to experimenting with the design of the camera module – perhaps we will see something similar to the secondary display Mi 11 Ultra, but in a modern version.

If you’re looking for a radical change, you might want to wait until Xiaomi 15 is announced in early 2026, but if you want a smartphone right now, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Xiaomi 14 are the best options in the current lineup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the latest Xiaomi Mi