Which Xiaomi smartphone is better to buy in 2022: a detailed guide to choosing

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 is not an easy task. Even years after its release, the brand’s models remain relevant due to balanced specs, regular updates, and the company’s newest smartphone. MIUI But how not to get lost among dozens of devices? Flagships like Xiaomi 12 Pro compete with the budget Redmi Note 11, and mid-budget ones. POCO F4 The performance of the top models for half the price.

In this guide, we will analyze the best Xiaomi smartphones of 2022 on four key criteria: performance (for gaming and multitasking), camera (for photos and videos), autonomy (battery life), and price/quality ratio. We'll focus on models that are still relevant in 2026, thanks to upgrade support and power reserve. And if you're looking for a device for specific tasks (like shooting in the dark or streaming), at the end of the article you'll find a new one. FAQ recommendatory.

Spoiler: if you need a universal flagship – look at Xiaomi 12S Ultra with a Leica camera.To save without loss in performance is suitable POCO F4 GT. And for those who appreciate compactness, you should pay attention to the Xiaomi 12 Lite, which weighs only 173 grams.

1. Top.-5 Xiaomi smartphones 2022 year: rating by category

To avoid overloading you with technical details from the start, we have compiled a short list of the best models by major use cases, detailed specifications and comparisons in the following sections.

• 🏆 Best flagship: Xiaomi 12S Ultra – camera with Leica optics, Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1 and ceramic case: Xiaomi’s only 2022 smartphone with a 1-inch camera sensor (like Sony’s). IMX989), It still competes with the flagships of 2026 for photo quality in the dark.
• 🎮 Best for games: POCO F4 GT — Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, magnetic cooling and trigger buttons. 4700mAh battery with support for fast charging 120W.
• 💰 Best price/quality ratio: Xiaomi 12 – flagship chip Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, AMOLED-screen with support for Dolby Vision and the price is below 50 000 rubles (for 2026).
• 📸 Best camera in the middle segment: Xiaomi 12 Pro – triple camera with optical zoom 2x support 8K video.
• 🔋 Best Autonomousity: Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — 5,000mAh battery with charging 120W (full charge 15 minutes).

If you need a specific recommendation, answer two questions:

1. What is your budget? (up to 20,000) ₽ / 20 000–40 000 ₽ / 40 000–60 000 ₽ / more than 60,000 ₽).
2. Which is more important: camera, performance, autonomy or design?

Based on the answers, you can easily determine the model from the table below.

⚠️ Note: The prices in the table are for the new condition for 2026 (including sales and discounts). In the secondary market, the same models can be found 30-50% cheaper, but check the battery condition (should be at least 85% of the original capacity) and the availability of the original box (for warranty on service service).

Xiaomi 2022 flagships: should you overpay?

Xiaomi flagship smartphones in 2022 are represented by Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi lines 12S. Their key difference from the mid-budget models are the top-end processors (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 8).+ Gen 1), premium enclosure materials (ceramics, aluminum) and advanced Leica optics cameras.

But do the average user need these benefits? Let's look at this.

• 🔥 Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the top flagship of the year. Its camera with a Sony sensor IMX989 (1 inch) still tops-5 The best mobile cameras from DxOMark. Leica optics provide a natural color reproduction, and Night Mode mode allows you to shoot in complete darkness without noise (225 (d) and the price which in 2026 still-over-year 70 000 ruble.
• ⚡ Xiaomi 12 Pro is a more balanced option. Here is the same processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but the camera is weaker (main sensor 50 MP instead of 1 inch). 2K 120Hz with Dolby Vision and Harman Kardon stereo. Perfect for multimedia.
• 📱 Xiaomi 12 is a compact flagship. It weighs only 179 g, but it is equipped with the same chip Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The main disadvantage is the battery on 4500 mAh, which is enough for a day of active use.

Should you buy Xiaomi 2022 in 2026? Yes, but only if:

1. You need the best camera (then) 12S Ultra is justified).
2. You are planning to use a smartphone 3+ The year – flagships receive updates longer MIUI.
3. You found a device that was priced below 50,000. ₽ (Xiaomi 12 is often sold at a discount).

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Xiaomi 2022 flagships are relevant in 2026 only for photographers (12S Ultra) or those looking for a powerful processor at a reduced price (Xiaomi 12 (POCO F4, Redmi K50) Offer 90% of the opportunity for half the cost.

3. Medium-budget smartphones: the best choice

If you are not willing to spend $50,000+ If you want a device with good performance and a high-quality camera, pay attention to the mid-budget segment. POCO F4, Redmi K50 Xiaomi 11T.

The main advantages of this segment:

• 💪 Processors level Snapdragon 870 or Dimensity 1200, which cope with games on medium settings (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile).
• 📷 Cameras with a main sensor 48-64 MP and support 4K video.
• 🔋 4500–5,000 mAh batteries with fast charging (67W–120W).
• 💰 Price in the range of 25 000-40,000 rubles (for 2026).

Let’s look at the three best models:

POCO F4 GT — The best choice for gamers thanks to:

• Magnetic cooling (prevents trottling during long sessions).
• Physical trigger buttons (configured for games).
• Support 120W Charging (full charge in 17 minutes).

Xiaomi 11T Pro stands out with a 108 MP camera with optical zoom 2x. It is one of the few models in the segment that shoots video in the 8K. However, the battery is weaker here - 5000 mAh against 4700 mAh POCO F4 GT, but with slower charging (120W vs 67W).

⚠️ Attention: B POCO F4 GT redmi K50 Gaming uses a plastic case, which may not seem premium.If metal and glass matter, consider Xiaomi 11T Pro, but be prepared for a higher price (around $40,000) ₽).

Make sure IMEI Not blacklisted (checking through *#06#)

Check the battery capacity (via the AccuBattery app)

Examine the screen for broken pixels (test on a monotonous background)

Check the operation of all cameras and speakers

Check if the boot loader is unlocked (important for firmware)-->

4. Xiaomi budget smartphones: what you can buy up to 20,000 ₽

Xiaomi’s budget segment in 2022 is represented by the Redmi Note 11 and Redmi 10 lines, which are ideal for those who need a reliable smartphone for calls, social networks and simple games (for example, Brawl Stars or Clash Royale).

The main compromises of budget smartphones:

• ❌ Processors level Snapdragon 680 or Helio G96 — modern AAA-game.
• ❌ Cameras with a 50MP main sensor (but real quality is closer to 12-16MP due to software processing).
• ✅ But: 5000 mAh batteries, screens with a frequency of 90-120 Hz and support 5G (prefixed 5G).

Top.-3 budgetary models 2022 year-end:

• 🔋 Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — Best autonomous in the segment. 5000mAh battery + charging 120W (Full charge in 15 minutes. Dimensity 920 processor is weak for gaming, but will cope with everyday tasks. AMOLED 120 Hz is a rarity for public sector workers.
• 📱 Redmi Note 11S — It's a balanced version. G96, 108 MP camera (but real quality at 48 MP), 5000 mAh battery with charging 33W. Suitable for photo during the daytime.
• 💰 Redmi 10C — The cheapest option (about 12 000) ₽). Snapdragon 680 processor, 5000 mAh battery, but screen only 60 Hz. If you need maximum savings, this is your choice.

If your budget is strictly limited to 20,000 rubles, but you want something more powerful, consider buying a used flagship (for example, Xiaomi). 11T or POCO F3). On the secondary market, they can be found for 18,000-22,000. ₽ — It will be more profitable than the new budget.

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Before buying a budget smartphone, check if it supports 5G (For example, the Redmi Note 11 (without the console) 5G) It only works on networks. 4G, Price difference with Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Maybe just 2000-3,000. ₽.

5. Xiaomi smartphones for photography: which model to choose

If the camera is your top priority, Xiaomi had a few worthwhile options in 2022, and the rule of thumb is that the larger the physical size of the sensor, the better the photo quality, especially in poor lighting conditions.

Photography Leader – Xiaomi 12S Ultra with Sony sensor IMX989 (1 inch. This is the same sensor used in the Sony Xperia 1. IV Huawei Mate 50 Pro and its advantages:

• 📸 Larger pixel size (1.6 μm vs. 0.7 μm in most smartphones) – better collects light.
• 🌙 Night Mode works even in complete darkness (for example, in a forest without a moon).
• 🎨 Leica optics - two lenses with a fixed aperture f/1.9 and f/4.1 (for macro and telephoto).

Alternatives for those who are not willing to pay $70,000+ ruble:

• 📷 Xiaomi 12 Pro – triple camera with telephoto 2x support 8K Video. Sensor. 50 MPP (1/1.28") yield 12S Ultra, but still better than most of its competitors.
• 🎥 Xiaomi 11T Pro is a 108MP camera with great detail, suitable for video shooting thanks to stabilization and support HDR10+.
• 💸 Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — budget version with a camera 108 MP. the quality of the day is acceptable, but in the dark loses to the flagships.

If you are making a video, pay attention to:

• Presence OIS (Optical stabilization – there is in Xiaomi 12 Pro and 11T Pro.
• Support 4K 60 FPS and HDR — fitting.
• The presence of a microphone with noise cancellation (in flagships is usually better than in public sector).

6. Xiaomi gaming smartphones: POCO F4 GT vs Redmi K50 Gaming

If you’re looking for a smartphone to play with, Xiaomi had two top contenders in 2022: POCO F4 GT redmi K50 Gaming.Both models feature top-end processors, cooling systems and high-frequency screens.

Let’s compare them by key parameters:

POCO F4 GT Wins on three key parameters:

1. Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is 10-15% more powerful than Dimensity 8100 in games.
2. Cooling: Magnetic fan more effectively prevents trottling (falling) FPS heat-up).
3. Charging: 120W against 67W — the difference in charging speed is almost 2 times.

Redmi K50 Gaming is losing out on performance, but has two advantages:

• ✅ Lower price (by 5000-10 000) ₽ cheaper).
• ✅ Best front camera (20 MP vs 16 MP) POCO F4 GT).

For professional gamers (streamers, eSports disciplines) it is definitely worth choosing POCO F4 GT. If you play irregularly and want to save money, Redmi K50 Gaming is a worthy alternative.

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To extend the life of a gaming smartphone, turn off the background activity of unnecessary applications (Settings) → Battery → Optimize and use the game mode (Settings) → Special facilities → Turbo-play mode).

7. Which Xiaomi to choose for long work without recharging?

If you need a smartphone that will work 1.5-2 days without an outlet, pay attention to three parameters:

1. Battery capacity: minimum 5000 mAh.
2. Power efficient processor: Snapdragon 7xx or Dimensity 900/1200 They consume less than the flagship chips.
3. Software optimization: MIUI Ultra Battery Saver mode extends autonomy by 20-30%.

The best models for autonomy:

• 🔋 Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — battery + charging 120W. One charge lasts up to 1.5 days with moderate use (social networks, messengers, 2-3 hours of video).
• 📱 POCO M4 Pro 5G — battery + Dimensity 810 processor (power efficient Snapdragon) can standby for up to 3 days.
• 💡 Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE — 4,250 mAh battery, but thanks to the Snapdragon processor 778G And light firmware lasts longer than many flagships