Choosing the “coolest” Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 is not an easy task. the brand offers more than a dozen models in various price categories: from the budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra and experimental MIX Fold 4. The year was rich: the company introduced the revolutionary Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chips, cameras with Leica optics and screens with a refresh rate of 240 Hz. But how not to get lost in this variety and choose the really best device?
In this article, we will analyze Xiaomi’s top models by key criteria: performance, camera, design, autonomy and unique chips. Based on DxOMark tests, AnTuTu benchmarks and user reviews, we will determine which smartphone deserves the title of “coolest” in 2026. Spoiler: the answer depends on your priorities – for gamers, photographers and fans of folding screens, the leaders will be different.
1. Xiaomi 14 Ultra: the absolute flagship or overpayment?
Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the pinnacle of the company's engineering, but is it worth its 180,000 rubles? Let's see. The device got the world's first 4-speed telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, which paired with the main sensor Sony IMX989 (1 inch!) provides photos of the quality of SLR cameras. According to DxOMark tests, it beat even the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the night shooting.
Performance is also on the rise: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with clock speeds up to 3.3 GHz and 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM let you run any game at maximum settings. The 2K AMOLED screen with 120 Hz and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits makes the picture incredibly juicy even in direct sunlight.
- 📸 Camera: Four-modular system with Leica optics (50+50+50+50 MP), support 8K@24fps
- ⚡ Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm), AnTuTu ~1,500,000 points
- 🔋 Battery: 5300mAh with wireless charging 80W wired 120W
- 💎 Design: Ceramic case, protection IP68, 224g
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 14 Ultra does not support slots for memory cards – when buying, choose a modification with sufficient internal memory (the minimum version of 256 GB can quickly fill up when shooting in the video). RAW).
2. Xiaomi MIX Fold 4: a folding revolutionary or a raw solution?
Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 is the company’s answer to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Huawei Mate X5. The main innovation is an ultra-thin internal screen with a thickness of only 0.1 mm with support for the Xiaomi Smart Pen stylus. In the unfolded state, you get a tablet with a diagonal of 8.02" and a resolution of 2160×1914, and in the folded one, a compact smartphone with an external screen of 6.56".
Under the hood is the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but with an improved cooling system — liquid metal radiator area 10 128 mm2. This allows you to avoid trottling even when multitasking with 10+ applications. The camera is not inferior to 14 Ultra: the same main sensor IMX989, but with an improved processing algorithm for folding devices.
| Parameter | Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 | Galaxy Z Fold 5 | Huawei Mate X5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior screen | 8.02", 2160×1914, 120 Hz | 7.6", 2176×1812, 120 Hz | 7.85," 2224×2480, 90 Hz. |
| External screen | 6.56," 2520×1080, 120 Hz. | 6.2", 2316×904, 120 Hz | 6.4.", 2504×1080, 120 Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Kirin 9000S |
| Battery | 4880mAh, 67W | 4400mAh, 25W | 5060 mAh, 66W |
| Price (2026) | ~160 000 ₽ | ~180 000 ₽ | ~200 000 ₽ |
The main disadvantage is software optimization. Despite the shell of HyperOS, some applications (for example, banking) are not adapted to the big screen, and users note that the hinge eventually begins to fall back on – this is a typical problem of foldable smartphones of the first or second generation.
What happens if you drop MIX Fold 4?
3. Xiaomi 14 Pro: Gold balance of price and opportunity
If the 14 Ultra seems too expensive and the MIX Fold 4 too experimental, the Xiaomi 14 Pro is the perfect compromise. It’s the same flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, but in a more compact body (weighing 212g vs. 224g at Ultra) and with a slightly less advanced camera, but the price starts at 120,000 rubles — 30% cheaper than the Ultra version.
The screen here is the same 2K AMOLED with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, but without a ceramic body — instead of a matte aluminum. The camera lost one telephoto lens, but the main module IMX989 and ultra-wide 14 mm remained. For 90% of users, the difference in shooting will not be noticeable.
- 🎮 For gamers: Ray Tracing support in games, 240Hz tactile response on screen
- 📷 For photographers: Leica Authentic mode with natural color reproduction
- 🔄 For multitasking: Up to 16 GB of RAM and Memory Fusion technology (virtual memory extension)
- 💰 For economists: the price/quality ratio is better than the Samsung Galaxy S24+
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If you shoot videos often, look out for the Dolby Vision HDR mode in the Xiaomi 14 Pro – it automatically improves contrast and color range even in manual mode.
4.Redmi K70 Pro: flagship killer for half the price
The Redmi K line traditionally offers top performance at the price of mid-budget smartphones. Redmi K70 Pro 2026 is no exception: here is the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 as in Xiaomi 14, but with a stripped-down camera and plastic body. But the price starts from 55 000 rubles - almost 3 times cheaper than 14 Ultra!
The main trade-offs are:
Camera: Sony IMX800 main sensor (1/1.49) instead of IMX989
Screen: 1.5K AMOLED instead of 2K, no Dolby Vision support
- Body: polycarbonate instead of metal/ceramics
Charging: 120W, but battery is smaller - 5000 mAh
But there are some features that even flagships don't have: an infrared port for control, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos. If you don't need professional shooting, but performance is important for gaming and multitasking, this is the best choice.
View the firmware version (must be at least HyperOS 1.0.3.0)|
Check the work 5G (Some of the parties have problems with the module. X70)|
Make sure there is film screen protection (factory film is thinner than standard)|
Testing the camera in low light conditions (sensor) IMX800 high-pitched ISO)
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5. POCO F6 Pro: An alternative for enthusiasts
The POCO sub-brand launched the POCO F6 Pro in 2026, a rebranded version of the Redmi K70 with minor modifications, the main difference being the cooling system with a steam chamber of 5000 mm2, which allows you to accelerate the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 to the extreme frequencies, resulting in the AnTuTu device gaining 1,300,000 points - almost like the flagships on 8 Gen 2.
The screen here is 2K AMOLED with a frequency of 120 Hz and support for HDR10+, and the 5500 mAh battery provides up to 2 days of autonomy. The camera is weaker than the K70 Pro (main sensor IMX707), but for social networks and random shots it is enough. The main plus is the price: from 45 000 rubles.
⚠️ Attention: POCO F6 Pro has no official support 5G in some regions (e.g. networks) n78 Before buying, check compatibility with your operator on the FrequencyCheck website.
6. Key Criteria Comparison: Which Xiaomi Should You Choose?
To determine which Xiaomi smartphone is right for you, answer the following questions:
- Budget: - Until 50 000 ₽ → POCO F6 Pro or Redmi K70 - 50 000–100 000 ₽ → Redmi K70 Pro - 100 000–150 000 ₽ → Xiaomi 14 Xiaomi 14 Pro - Above. 150 000 ₽ → Xiaomi 14 Ultra or MIX Fold 4
- Priority: - Photography: 14 Ultra > 14 Pro > MIX Fold 4 - Performance: 14 Ultra = 14 Pro = K70 Pro - Autonomy: POCO F6 Pro > Redmi K70 Pro > 14 Ultra - Innovations: MIX Fold 4 > 14 Ultra (ceramics) > 14 Pro (2K screens)
| Model | Best for you. | The main minus | The alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Professional photography, premium design | Price, weight 224g | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
| Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 | Multimedia, working with documents | Software bugs, fragility | Huawei Mate X5 |
| Xiaomi 14 Pro | Balance of price and opportunity | No superzoom. | OnePlus 12 |
| Redmi K70 Pro | Games, budget flagship | Middle camera. | Realme GT 6 |
| POCO F6 Pro | Maximum autonomy | There is no official guarantee in some countries. | Motorola Edge 40 Pro |
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If you want a 3+ year smartphone, choose models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70 Pro). Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1/2 (POCO F6 Pro) chips will become obsolete faster due to the lack of support for new standards, such as Wi-Fi 7.
7. Where to buy and what to look for?
Official dealers of Xiaomi in Russia - Svyaznoy, M. Video, Citilink and branded store mi.com. When buying, check:
- 📦 Package: There must be a cable in the box USB-C → USB-C (for fast charging), 3.5 mm adapter (if there is a connector) and protective film.
- 🔍 Firmware: Global version (Global) ROM) Supports Google Services. Chinese (China) ROM) It is cheaper but without the Play Market.
- 🛡️ Warranty: Official warranty in Russia - 12 months (MIX Fold 4) check for screen damage insurance.
- 📡 Network Support: Clarify Compatibility with 5G Your company, especially for the POCO/Redmi).
Avoid buying on AliExpress or Avito without checking IMEI (check on imei.info). In 2026, cases of selling “gray” Xiaomi 14 with fake firmware, which are blocked after 2-3 months of use, have increased.