Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 has become more difficult than ever: the brand offers more than 20 current models – from the budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra. But which one is really the best? The answer depends on your priorities: someone needs a flagship with a top camera for professional shooting, someone – a gaming monster with cooling, and someone is quite reliable device for 15 000 rubles with a good battery.
In this guide, we analyzed all the new products of the first half of 2026, taking into account not only the “paper” characteristics, but also real tests: autonomy, heating under load, shooting quality in different conditions and even the nuances of the firmware HyperOS. Spoiler: the best Xiaomi for most users is not always the most expensive flagship. We also revealed the pitfalls that are silent in advertising (for example, why Xiaomi 14 loses the Redmi K70 Pro in games).
To avoid confusion, we divided the rankings into categories ranging from premium devices to budget workhorses, and at the end of the article, a 5-question checklist that will help you decide on your choice in 2 minutes.
1.The best flagship Xiaomi 2026: Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14
If the budget is not limited, then the choice is between two top models: the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and its "younger brother" Xiaomi 14.Both run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but the differences begin with design and end with camera capabilities.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a photo monster with four modules from Leica (including a 50-MP sensor 1 inch and a telephoto lens with 3.2x optical zoom). In real conditions, it beats even the iPhone 15 Pro Max in low light shooting, and Dolby Vision mode allows you to record video in 8K.
- 📏 Dimensions and weight: 224 grams and 9.2 mm thickness – this is inconvenient for single use.
- 🔋 Autonomy: 5300 mAh is enough for a day, but with active shooting 4K I'll have to find a socket.
- 💰 Price: from 120 000 rubles is more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy S24+ similarly.
Xiaomi 14 – a more balanced version: compact (6.36), light (188 g) and excellent AMOLED-Its camera is inferior to the Ultra version, but for everyday tasks the difference is not critical. The main plus is the price from 85,000 rubles, which makes it one of the most affordable flagships on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
⚠️ Note: Both models are sold without a charger in the kit.For Xiaomi 14 Ultra you will need to buy separately 120-watt adapter (about 3 000 rubles), otherwise fast charging will not work.
2. Best gaming smartphone: Redmi K70 Pro or POCO F6 Pro?
For gamers, Xiaomi offers two cooling and top-end chips: the Redmi K70 Pro and the POCO F6 Pro. Both run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but the approach to optimization is different.
The Redmi K70 Pro wins thanks to the following:
- 🎮 Cooling system: steam chamber with an area of 5000 mm2 (versus 3725 mm2 y) POCO).
- 🔄 Screen. 2K 144 Hz and Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) at 1920 levels (less flickering).
- 🔋 Battery 5000 mAh with support 120W Fast charging (full charge in 19 minutes).
POCO F6 Pro is cheaper (from 45 000 rubles against 55 000 for the K70 Pro), but inferior in autonomy and build quality, but it has a chip – the “Turbo Gaming” mode, which forcibly overclocks the processor by 10% due to increased power consumption.
| Parameter | Redmi K70 Pro | POCO F6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Cooling | Steam chamber 5000 mm2 | Steam chamber 3725 mm2 |
| Screen. | 2K AMOLED, 144Hz | 1.5K AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Autonomy (games) | ~5 hours in Genshin Impact | ~3.5 hours in Genshin Impact |
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Before buying a gaming smartphone, check for 120+ FPS support for games. For example, Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG New State are optimized for the Redmi K70 Pro, but may not use the maximum settings on other models.
3. Best Budget Xiaomi: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO X6 Pro?
In the segment up to 30 000 rubles, the leader is Redmi Note 13 Pro+.
- 📸 200 MP camera with optical stabilization (rare for public sector employees).
- 🔋 Battery 5000 mAh with support 120W Charging (full charge in 20 minutes).
- 🛡️ Protection IP68 — You can not be afraid of rain or accidental fall into the water.
Competitor — POCO X6 Pro offers MediaTek Dimensity processor 8300-Ultra (which bypasses Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 from Note 13 Pro+ It's not as powerful as the benchmark tests, but it's losing out on the autonomy and the quality of the camera. POCO eat 1.5K-Dolby Vision-enabled screen, which is important for video lovers.
Why is the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ so expensive?
4.The best Xiaomi to photograph: why Xiaomi 13T Pro is still relevant
Despite the release of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, last year’s model, the Xiaomi 13T Pro, remains one of the best choices for photographers.
- 📷 Sony sensor IMX707 (50 MP) with a pixel size of 1.28 microns – better collects light than many new products 2026.
- 🎥 Video 8K@24fps Leica Authentic Look (color profiles that mimic film).
- 💰 The price fell to 60 000 rubles (against 90,000 at the exit).
According to DxOMark tests, the 13T Pro bypasses the iPhone 14 Pro in portraits and night scenes. The only drawback is the lack of a telephoto lens (only 2x optical zoom).
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If you need a camera for social networks (Instagram, TikTok), then the Xiaomi 13T Pro will give better results out of the box than the flagships of 2026 thanks to optimized processing algorithms.
5. Xiaomi's Best Foldable Smartphone: Mix Fold 3 - Should You Overpay?
Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is the brand’s first foldable smartphone that can be recommended without reservation.
- 📱 Interior screen 8.03" with resolution 2K+ Support for Dolby Vision.
- 🔄 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (same as in Redmi) K70 Pro).
- 📸 Leica camera with a 50MP main sensor and 5x zoom.
However, there are critical shortcomings:
- 💸 Price from 150 000 rubles is more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 with similar characteristics.
- ⚠️ No official sale in Russia – you will have to bring from China (risk of problems with the warranty).
- 🔋 Autonomy: 4800 mAh is only enough for a day with active use.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi foldable smartphones are not certified for the Russian market, which means that if the loop or screen breaks, repair will cost you money. 30-50% from the cost of the device (parts are carried to order from China).
6. Which Xiaomi to buy in 2026: Checklist to choose from
To avoid making a mistake with your purchase, answer 5 questions:
Budget (up to 20k / 20-40k / 40-70k / 70k+)
Main use (social networks, games, photography, work)
Is fast charging important (yes/no)
Do you need water protection (IP68)
Are you ready to put up with large dimensions for the sake of the camera / screen (yes / no)
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If you need a universal smartphone without overpayments, take the Redmi Note 13 Pro+. For games, the Redmi K70 Pro is optimal, and for photography – Xiaomi 13T Pro (if the budget is limited) or Xiaomi 14 Ultra (if money is not a problem).
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Don’t chase after new products: Last year’s models (such as the Xiaomi 13T Pro or POCO F5) often offer the best price/quality ratio after price cuts.