Which Xiaomi smartphone to choose in 2026: an expert guide on models for any task

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 has become more difficult than ever: the brand offers more than 20 current models in different price categories - from the budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra. But how not to get confused in the characteristics and not overpay for unnecessary functions? This article will help you determine the best option for your tasks: whether it is professional shooting, multi-day autonomy or maximum performance for games.

We have analyzed all the current Xiaomi lineups, including the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+, Poco F6 The Pro, Xiaomi 14 and Mix Fold 3, to make an honest rating, took into account not only the “paper” characteristics, but also the real-world experience of using: how fast the devices warm up, how convenient their screens are for reading, and which models are most often returned under warranty. Special attention was paid to the ratio of price / quality – because even the flagship for 100 000 ₽ It could be worse than the average budget for 30 000 ₽ specific tasks.

Spoiler: If you want a smartphone "just for calls and social networks," overpaying for Xiaomi 14 Pro makes no sense — Redmi Note 13 5G will cope no worse, and work on one charge for 30% longer. But to shoot video in 8K or run Genshin Impact at maximum settings, you have to fork out on top chipsets. Next, we will analyze all the scenarios in detail.

Xiaomi’s Key Lines in 2026: How They Differ

Xiaomi has structured its product range according to clear principles, where each series solves specific problems, and to understand them is the first step to the right choice.

• 📱 Redmis are budget and mid-budget smartphones, perfect for everyday tasks: social networks, calls, souvenir photos. Examples: Redmi 13C, Redmi Note 13 Pro+.
• 🎮 POCO — These are devices for gamers and enthusiasts, with powerful processors, high-frequency screens and improved cooling: POCO F6 Pro, POCO X6 Pro.
• 📸 Xiaomi (digital series) are flagships with top-end cameras and premium materials, suitable for professional shooting and status. Examples: Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
• 📺 Mix - experimental models with unique chips: folding screens (Mix Fold 3), underscreen cameras (Mix 4).

Important: there's a price gradation inside each line. For example, the Redmi Note 13 is cheaper than the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+, But it's inferior in charge speed and the quality of the main camera. POCO F6 Pro more powerful POCO X6, but it's worth 15,000. ₽ We're going to compare models within the same price range to make the choices objective.

Best budget smartphones Xiaomi (up to 20 000) ₽)

The budget segment is the most competitive: Xiaomi competes with itself, releasing 3-4 models per year. In 2026, the Redmi Note 13 5G became the leader, but there are alternatives with unique advantages.

Redmi Note 13 5G — The only budget smartphone Xiaomi with AMOLED-It's a 120Hz screen in this price range, which means it's going to show more juicy colors and smooth scrolling than the Redmi. 13C s IPS-And thanks to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor, it won't brake in games on medium settings (like Call of Duty Mobile or the likes of the game). PUBG).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 13C It is cheaper but uses an outdated Helio processor. G85, It's not optimized for modern applications, and after a year of use, it can start to lie down when it multitasks.

If you want a smartphone exclusively for gaming, look for the POCO M6 Pro. Despite the budget price, it comes with liquid cooling and supports Game Turbo technology, which reduces delays when pressing the screen. However, its camera is weaker than the Redmi Note 13 – a compromise for gaming performance.

Middle class (20 000-40,000) ₽): Optimal ratio of price and opportunity

In this segment, Xiaomi offers models that are not inferior to the flagships of two years ago, but are 2-3 times cheaper. The main contenders for the title of “best” – Redmi Note 13 Pro+, POCO F6 Pro and Xiaomi Civi 3.

• 📷 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Best camera in the segment (200 MP) + OIS), but a weak processor for games.
• 🎮 POCO F6 Pro - the top chipset Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but mediocre AMOLED-screen.
• 💎 Xiaomi Civi 3 is the thinnest and lightest (6.98 mm, 173 g), but the smallest battery (4500 mAh).

For most users, the best choice will be the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+. Its 200-megapixel camera with optical stabilization (OIS) It shoots better than the flagships of 2022, and the screen 1.5K AMOLED 120Hz is not inferior to display devices for 60 000 ₽. The only downside is the Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor, which plays the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in 30-40 performance%.

If you need a smartphone for games or resource-intensive tasks (video editing, 3D-modelling, take POCO F6 Pro. His Snapdragon processor. 8+ Gen 1 still in the top-5 The performance of all Android devices, and the cooling system with a steam chamber prevents trottling (decreased performance when heated). 13 Pro+ brightness and color reproduction.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Civi 3, although it looks premium (glass body, thin profile), but its battery 4500 mAh discharges in 4-5 hours of active use. If you want autonomy, choose Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Xiaomi flagships (40 000-70,000) ₽): when it makes sense to overpay

Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones in 2026 are represented by Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra, with top-end processors, best cameras on the market and premium materials.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the only smartphone on the market with variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0), It's like a professional camera, and it allows you to control the depth of field and the amount of light that hits the sensor. 14 Pro and Ultra will be invisible - except for the price (difference) ~20 000 ₽).

If you want a flagship for everyday use, look for the Xiaomi 14.It’s the most compact flagship of 2026 (6.36) that sits comfortably in your hand and doesn’t require two hands to control.Its Leica-optics camera shoots better than the iPhone 15 in some scenes (like night shooting).

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If you choose between Xiaomi 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24+, Note the screen: Xiaomi has a brighter display (3,000 nits vs. 1,750 nits from Samsung) and supports Dolby Vision technology for viewing. HDR-content.

Exclusive models: foldable smartphones and niche solutions

For those looking for something unusual, Xiaomi offers foldable smartphones and devices with unique chips.The protagonist of this segment is the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, which competes with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

• 📖 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is a foldable smartphone with an internal screen of 8.03" and an external 6.56." Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, Leica camera (50 MP: ~120 000 ₽.
• 🔍 Xiaomi Mix 4 – smartphone with a subscreen front camera (20 MP). screen 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz Price: ~50 000 ₽ (Older model, but still on sale).

The Mix Fold 3 is the best foldable multi-tasking smartphone, with its internal screen supporting three apps in windows simultaneously, such as editing a document in Word, viewing a spreadsheet in Excel, and texting to Telegram all on one screen, but it has two critical downsides:

1. Weight – 255 g (30 percent heavier than conventional smartphones).
2. Autonomy - 4800 mAh is enough for 1 day with active use.

Try to open / fold the device 10 times - there should be no backlashes

Check the internal screen for the uniformity of the backlight (are there any dark spots)

Make sure the outside screen doesn’t scratch your nail (the Mix Fold 3 has Gorilla Glass Victus 2)

Compare Weight to a Smartphone – Are You Ready to Wear 250?+ gramme-->

Which Xiaomi to Choose for Specific Tasks

If you need not abstract recommendations, but a specific smartphone for your tasks, use this table:

For photography, the best choice is the Redmi Note 13 Pro+. Its 200-megapixel camera with Samsung ISOCELL HP3 optics takes pictures with detail comparable to flagships. And thanks to the Xiaomi Imaging Engine algorithms, photos are bright even in low light. The alternative is Xiaomi 14, but it costs 3 times more.

If you need a smartphone for video editing or streaming, look for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.It supports video recording in 8K@24fps with Dolby Vision processing, and its screen is certified for accurate color reproduction (Delta E < 1).

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For POCO F6 Pro games, the Redmi K70 Pro is better than the Redmi K70 Pro, despite similar characteristics: POCO has optimized gaming software (Game Turbo 6.0) and physical triggers (MagTrigger), which replace virtual buttons.

What to look for when buying: 5 critical points

Even the best smartphone can be disappointing if you don’t take into account these nuances:

1. Xiaomi smartphones for the Chinese market (CN ROM) do not have Google Services and Russian. Buy only Global or EEA versions.
2. AMOLED is better than IPS in contrast and energy efficiency, but can have a burnout effect when static elements (for example, navigation panels).
3. Fast charging: The 120W+ (Redmi Note 13 Pro+) models charge up to 100% in 19 minutes, but require a proprietary power supply.
4. NFC. Not all budget models (Redmi) 13C) Support contactless payments. Check the specifications if you use Apple Pay or Google Pay.
5. Guarantee: The official warranty in Russia is valid only when buying from authorized sellers (list on the Xiaomi website).

How to check the originality of the smartphone before buying:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → All the characteristics.
2. Check the IMEI on the box and in the phone menu (should match).
3. Check the serial number at mi.com/global/verify.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)