ASUS or Xiaomi: Which Smartphone Brand Is Better in 2026? Comparison of 10 Key Parameters

Why is the choice between ASUS and Xiaomi so difficult?

Choosing a smartphone today is like trying to find a needle in a haystack - especially when it comes to two popular brands like ASUS and Xiaomi.Both manufacturers offer devices with excellent value for money, but they are suitable for completely different categories of users.

On the one hand, Xiaomi has won the market thanks to aggressive pricing, powerful hardware features and an ecosystem of smart devices. On the other, ASUS is betting on innovative solutions (like cooling systems or unique accessories), premium design and a focus on gamers. But how do you know which is more important: performance in games or long-term support for updates?

In this article, we'll look at 10 key parameters, from processors to ecosystems, that will help you make your choices: no embellishment, no numbers, no real tests, and yes, even small things like build quality or MIUI vs ZenUI setup, which are often crucial.

1. Performance: Who is faster in gaming and everyday tasks?

If you’re looking for a smartphone to play games, ASUS is taking a leap forward with the ROG Phone series.These devices feature specialized chips (like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in ROG Phone 8), liquid cooling, and even physical triggers for gaming. In benchmarks, they outperform Xiaomi flagships by 15-20%, as confirmed by tests in 3DMark Wild Life and GFXBench.

However, Xiaomi is not lagging behind in the segment of “regular” flagships. Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi K70 Pro models also get top-end processors, but with one caveat: thermothrottle (reduced performance when overheating) they have more pronounced. For example, after 30 minutes of playing Genshin Impact at maximum settings, Xiaomi can lose up to 10% FPS, while ASUS ROG Phone keeps a stable 60 frames.

• 🎮 For gamers: ASUS ROG Phone 8 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16 GB of RAM, 240 Hz)
• 📱 For everyday tasks: Xiaomi 14 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but without gamer chips")
• 💰 The Redmi Note 13 Pro is available for the budget+ (Dimensity 7200 Ultra, 120Hz)

⚠️ Note: If you plan to use a smartphone with an external GPU (for example, ASUS XG Mobile, the choice is definitely for ASUS — Xiaomi has no analogues of this ecosystem.

2.Cameras: Who shoots better in low light?

Xiaomi traditionally leads here, especially in the flagship segment. Xiaomi 14 Ultra and 13T Pro models are equipped with Sony IMX989 sensors (1 inch!) with variable aperture, which in the dark bypass even some iPhones. For example, in tests DXOMARK Xiaomi 14 Ultra scored 152 points per photo (versus 140 for ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra).

But ASUS has a trump card: a flexible camera system. The Zenfone 11 Ultra uses a 6-axis gimbal to stabilize video, making it a better choice for video bloggers. And ASUS doesn't color photos as aggressively as Xiaomi, with colors that come in more natural.

The critical point is, if you want the most detailed photos in the dark, go to Xiaomi. If you want the most natural colors, ASUS.

3. Battery and charging: who lives longer without a socket?

Xiaomi is breaking records here: the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6 Pro are equipped with 5,000-5500 mAh batteries with support for 120W fast charging. For example, the POCO F6 Pro charges from 0 to 100% in 19 minutes – this is one of the best indicators on the market.

ASUS is lagging behind: even the flagship ROG Phone 8 has a 5500mAh battery, but charging is limited to 65W. But gamers have additional charging connectors (for example, on the back), which is convenient during streams.

• ⚡ Fastest charging: Xiaomi 14 Pro (120W, 0-100% in 18 minutes)
• 🔋 The most capacious battery: POCO M6 Pro (6000 mAh)
• 🎮 Best Autonomy in Games: ASUS ROG Phone 8 (optimized cooling)

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi fast charging heats up your smartphone.If you charge your device while playing, you risk getting thermothrottle in 10 minutes.

4.Screen: 120Hz vs 165Hz - which is better for the eyes?

ASUS It's a traditional display focus, ROG Phone 8 has 6,78-inch AMOLED-resolution-screen 2448×1080 and frequency of renewal 165 Hz. For comparison: Xiaomi 14 frequency limited 120 Hz, although quality of color rendering (Delta E) < 1) both brands are on top.

But there's a nuance: Xiaomi uses flat screens more often, and ASUS uses curved screens (especially in the Zenfone series), the latter looking more premium, but can cause false touches when playing or typing.

5. Software: MIUI vs ZenUI - which is more convenient?

Both brands use customized Android shells, but the approaches are radically different. Xiaomi’s MIUI is known for its abundance of features (sometimes redundant), but there are also enough bugs. For example, in MIUI 14, users complain about spontaneous reboots and slow animations.

ZenUI ASUS It's more minimalistic and close to pure Android. It's not a superfluous app, it's faster to update. For example, the Zenfone 10 got Android 14 a month earlier than the Xiaomi 13. MIUI There are chips like Double Apps or Super Wallpaper.

Check out the list of pre-installed apps (can they be removed?)

Check the availability of advertising in the system menu

Refine the timeline for update support (Xiaomi promises 4 years for flagships)

Try navigation gestures (they are different from standard Android)-->

6. Design and Assembly: Metal vs Plastic

ASUS has traditionally used metal and glass even in the mid-range (e.g., the Zenfone 10), while Xiaomi’s budget models (Redmi Note 13) often resort to plastic, which affects not only the tactile sensation, but also the strength: according to JerryRigEverything tests, the ASUS body withstands more pressure.

Xiaomi has a plus, however: weight. For example, Xiaomi 14 weighs 188 g, and ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra – 225 g.

⚠️ Note: If you often drop your smartphone, pay attention to the models ASUS certified MIL-STD-810H (for example, ROG Phone 8. Xiaomi has such protection only in the POCO X6 Pro.

7. Ecosystem and accessories: what do brands offer besides smartphones?

Xiaomi is the undisputed leader, with more than 200 smart devices ranging from robot vacuum cleaners to electric toothbrushes that integrate into a single ecosystem through the Mi Home. For example, Xiaomi’s smartphone can automatically turn on the lights when you walk up to the door, or display notifications from the video intercom camera.

ASUS focuses on gaming accessories: external GPUs (XG Mobile), controllers (Kunai 3), cooling docks. It is a narrow niche, but for gamers it is indispensable.

💡

If you use a smart home based on Mi Home, Xiaomi smartphone will become a central control panel, for example, you can configure a scenario “Leave the house”, which will turn off all the outlets and turn on the alarm by geolocation.

8.Price and price/quality ratio: where is the best?

Budget models (up to 30 000) ₽) Xiaomi is out of competition. For example, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ for 28. ₽ Offers a 200MP camera, 120W charging and 120-Hz screen - at ASUS There are no analogues in this segment.

In the premium segment (from 80 000) ₽) differentiation: ASUS The Zenfone 11 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Ultra cost about the same, but the former offers better optimization for gaming, and the latter offers better cameras.

💡

If the budget is tight, Xiaomi offers more hardware for the same money, but for gaming or long-term use (5+ years), it’s better to consider ASUS.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions