What Xiaomi smartphone is the best in 2026: expert rating by 5 criteria

The best smartphones Xiaomi 2026: how not to go wrong with the choice

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 has become more difficult than ever: the brand offers more than 20 models in different price categories - from the budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra. But which one is really the best? The answer depends on your priorities: someone cares about the camera at the level of Samsung flagships, others - autonomy for 2 days, and the third - the price below 20,000 rubles at maximum performance.

In this guide, we analyzed the current 2026 tests from DXOMark, AnTuTu and real user reviews to rank the best Xiaomi smartphones on five key criteria: performance, camera, battery, display and price/quality ratio. No water – just facts, comparative tables and honest recommendations.

Spoiler: If you want the best Xiaomi without compromise, it's Xiaomi 14 Ultra — but its price of 120,000 rubles is not justified for everyone. But the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ for 35,000 rubles breaks records in the balance of characteristics.

TOP-5 best smartphones Xiaomi 2026: a brief overview

So let's start with a composite table, where we compare the key parameters of the leading models, and notice the Who for column, which will help you navigate quickly.

As you can see, the price gap is huge, from 13,000 to 120,000 rubles. But that doesn't mean that the budget models are bad. For example, the Redmi 13C beats many competitors in terms of autonomy, and the POCO F6 Pro offers a flagship processor for half the price of the Xiaomi 14 Pro.

Best Xiaomi flagship 2026: Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 Pro

If the budget is not limited, the choice is between two top models: Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Pro. Both run on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but differ in approach to cameras, design and charging.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a photomonster with Leica optics and variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0) that automatically adjusts to lighting. In DXOMark tests, it scored 150 points — higher than the iPhone 15 Pro Max (147 points).

• 📸 Camera: 4 lenses (50 MP main lens) + 50 MP telephoto with 3.2x zoom + 50 MP ultra-wide + 50 MP periscope 5x Zoom, perfect for professional photography.
• 🔋 Battery: 5300 mAh with 80W wireless charging (full charge in 47 minutes).
• ⚠️ Cons: Weight 224g and thickness 9.2mm - uncomfortable for one hand.The price of 120,000 rubles bites.

Xiaomi 14 Pro cheaper by 30 000 rubles, but loses in the camera: there is no variable aperture, and a telephoto only 2x.

• ⚡ Recharge: 120W (full charge in 18 minutes!) – the fastest on the market.
• 🎮 Performance: Same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but with better cooling (graphite substrate) + steam-chamber).
• 💎 Display: 2K AMOLED with a brightness of 3000 nits (vs. 2600 nits in Ultra).

⚠️ Note: If you are not a professional photographer, the Xiaomi 14 Pro will be more profitable – the difference in cameras is noticeable only when you zoom in or shoot in manual mode.

Best Xiaomi in price/quality ratio: Redmi Note 13 Pro+

If you’re looking for the best balance between price and specs, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is the undisputed winner. For 35,000 rubles, you get:

• 📱 Display: 6.67" AMOLED permittingly 1.5K (2712×1220) frequency 120 Hz Bright to the point 1800 yarn.
• 🔥 Processor: Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra (4 nm) – 20% more productive than the Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
• 📸 Camera: 200 MP main module (Samsung) HP3) pixelated 16-into-1. In the daytime, pictures are not inferior to flagships.
• 🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh with 120W charging (full charge in 19 minutes).

The main competitor is the POCO F6 Pro for 43,000 rubles with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. It is more powerful, but loses in the camera and autonomy. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ offers:

• 💧 Protection by standard IP68 (rareness).
• 🎨 Display with Dolby Vision support and HDR10+.
• 📦 Box with a charge of 120 watts (y) POCO She's often absent).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ There's no optical stabilization in the main camera -- that's a compromise over the 200 MP sensor. POCO F6 Pro OIS.

Is 120 watts of charging included (sold without it in some regions)

Check for IP68 protection in specifications (Chinese version may not have one)

Make sure that the model supports 20 5G bands (in Russia, n1, n3, n7, n28, n78 are important)

Compare prices in the official Xiaomi store and retailers (the difference can reach 5000) ₽)

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Best Budget Xiaomi: Redmi 13C or POCO M6 Pro?

In the segment up to 15 000 rubles Xiaomi offers two worthy options: Redmi 13C (12 990 ₽) and POCO M6 Pro (14 990 ₽). Let's see who's outplaying who.

Redmi 13C is the maximum autonomy for the minimum amount of money.

• 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + Helio G99 (12 nm) give 2.5 days of operation with moderate use.
• 📸 50 MP camera with night mode (not bad for the budget).
• 💎 Display 90 Hz (versus 60 Hz competitors).

POCO M6 Pro is more expensive by 2000 rubles, but offers:

• 🔥 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) processor is 40% faster in gaming.
• 🔋 Charging 33 watts (vs. 18 watts at Redmi) 13C).
• 🎮 Support for 120 Hz (but only in mode) FHD+).

Who has what to choose?

• 📱 Redmi 13C — If you need a maximum range and a better camera.
• 🎮 POCO M6 Pro – if you play Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.

⚠️ Attention: At Redmi 13C It's microUSB instead of Type-C, which is an anachronism in 2026. If it's critical to you, take it. POCO M6 despite the lower autonomy.

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Before buying a budget Xiaomi, check for Global ROM.The Chinese versions (CN ROM) often don't support Google Services and have language restrictions.

Best Xiaomi for gamers: POCO F6 Pro or Black Shark 6 Pro?

For gamers, Xiaomi offers two options: POCO F6 Pro (42 990 ₽) Black Shark 6 Pro (59,990) ₽). The first is a “civil” flagship with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and the second is a specialized gaming smartphone with physical triggers.

Comparison of key parameters:

The Black Shark 6 Pro is objectively more powerful, but the POCO F6 Pro wins by two criteria:

1. 💰 Price: 17,000 rubles cheaper with minimal compromises.
2. 📸 Universality: Black Shark is inconvenient for everyday use (massive, "game" design).

If you play regularly and seriously (tournaments, streams), take Black Shark. For the rest of the POCO F6 Pro is the best choice: it not only “can play”, but also shoots good videos, has a stylish design and supports wireless charging.

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For maximum FPS in games on POCO F6 Pro, activate Game Turbo mode in the settings: Settings → Special features → Game mode. This turns off background processes and increases the clock speed of the processor.

What Xiaomi to buy in 2026: the final guide to choose

In order not to get confused in the model range, use this cheat sheet:

• 💰 Budget up to 15,000 ₽: Redmi 13C (autonomy or POCO M6 Pro (productivity).
• 📊 20 000–30 000 ₽: Redmi Note 12 Pro (if you find it at a discount) POCO X6 Pro.
• 🔝 30 000–45 000 ₽: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — balance.
• 🎮 For games: POCO F6 Pro (up to 45,000) ₽) Black Shark 6 Pro (without compromise).
• 📸 For photo: Xiaomi 14 Ultra (pro) or Xiaomi 14 Pro (amateurs).

If you are in doubt between the two models, ask yourself 3 questions:

1. Do I need optical camera stabilization? (If so, delete the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.)
2. Is fast charging important? (120 watts is available in Xiaomi 14 Pro, POCO F6 Pro and Redmi Note 13 Pro+).
3. Do I plan to play heavy games? (If yes, only Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1/2)

⚠️ WARNING: Buying Xiaomi in 2026, pay attention to the regional version (CN) Google Play is often not supported, and the global versions may not have some features MIUI (Check it out with the seller!

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing a Xiaomi smartphone