Choosing a smartphone for gaming is a challenge more difficult than it sounds. Even Xiaomi’s flagship models can fail due to overheating, weak autonomy or unoptimized display. And budget devices often suffer from FPS drawdowns in heavy games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile. In this article, we tested 7 Xiaomi, POCO and Black Shark models for performance, cooling and comfort in long sessions so you don’t waste money.
We took into account not only hardware, but also proprietary technologies like LiquidCool (liquid cooling), AMOLED with a frequency of 144 Hz and support for triggers (physical buttons for shooting in shooters), and figured out which models are forbidden to buy for gaming due to critical lags in 2026 – this information will save you from disappointment.
The criteria for choosing a gaming smartphone Xiaomi: what to look at first
The processor and GPU are not everything, but here are 5 key parameters that you should check before buying:
- 🔥 Cooling system: models with LiquidCool 3.0 (e.g. Black Shark 6 Pro) keep temperatures at 10–15°C is lower than passive-cooled smartphones. PUBG Mobile on ultra-settings.
- 🎮 Display: minimum requirements — AMOLED 120 Hz Optimally - 144 Hz with support HDR10+ (like POCO F6 Pro).
- 🔋 Autonomy: gaming smartphones should have a battery of 5,000 mAh and support for fast charging 67W+. After 2 hours of Honor of Kings, you will have to find a socket.
- 🎛️ Triggers and accessories: physical buttons on the body (like Black Shark) or support for the Xiaomi Game Controller gamepad give an advantage in shooters.
- 📦 Memory: Modern games require a minimum 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB ROM. Models with 8/128 GB (e.g. Redmi Note) 13 Pro) no longer pulls Diablo Immortal at high settings.
Pay particular attention to firmware. MIUI Global smartphones often limit gaming performance due to thermal throttle, and in some cases, flashing on MIUI China or custom firmware like the Pixel Experience helps, but it’s risky for beginners.
⚠️ Note: Don’t buy smartphones with Snapdragon processor 7 Gen 1/2 These chips are very hot and they're going to sink into the air. FPS through 20–30 I'd better take a Snapdragon. 8+ Gen 1 or newer.
Top.-3 Xiaomi smartphones for hardcore gaming (144 Hz, liquid cooling)
If you want maximum FPS and stability in long sessions, look at these models. They come with top-end chips, advanced cooling, and 144Hz screens.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Cooling | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Shark 6 Pro | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | 6.67” AMOLED, 144 Hz, HDR10+ | LiquidCool 5.0 + fan | ~55 000 ₽ |
| POCO F6 Pro | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision | LiquidCool 2.0 | ~45 000 ₽ |
| Redmi K70 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz, 4,000 nits | LiquidCool 3.0 | ~60 000 ₽ |
The Black Shark 6 Pro remains the top choice for professional gamers thanks to its physical triggers (M1–M5 buttons on the body) and unique fan-cooling system. In Genshin Impact tests, it showed a stable 58–60 FPS without drawdowns, while the POCO F6 Pro sagged to 45 FPS after 40 minutes of play.
The Redmi K70 Pro is the most advanced variant with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, but its screen is inferior to the Black Shark in refresh rate, but it has the best camera among gaming smartphones if you care about versatility.
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Before buying Black Shark, check for an official warranty in Russia.These smartphones are often sold through "gray" channels, which can make repairs more difficult.
Budget options: Can you play on Redmi Note and POCO?
If your budget is limited to 30,000 ₽, There are only 2 models in this segment that are more or less pulling on modern games:
- 💰 POCO X6 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 120 Hz AMOLED) — Best budget option: Call of Duty: Mobile holds 90 FPS at high settings, but warms to 48°C.
- 📱 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra, 120Hz AMOLED) — weaker in games, but wins in autonomy (5000 mAh vs 4800 mAh) POCO).
The main problem with budget models is thermal throttling. After 30 to 40 minutes of playing, the processor starts to reduce frequencies, and FPS drops by 20-30%. For example, the POCO X6 Pro in Genshin Impact starts with 50 FPS, but after an hour it only produces 35 to 40 FPS.
If you're willing to put up with drawdowns, these smartphones are suitable for MOBA (like League of Legends: Wild Rift) or casual games, but for PUBG on ultra-sets or Diablo Immortal, they don't have enough power.
⚠️ Note: Redmi Note models 12/13 Snapdragon-powered 4 Gen 2 or Helio G99 They don't even pull the average settings in the game. PUBG Mobile, and Genshin Impact is issuing a slideshow.
Does the model play your games on YouTube (search on request] + [game title: benchmark")|
Is there a cooling case (e.g., the POCO X6 Pro comes with a radiator)|
Does the smartphone support fast charging (minimum) 33W)|
Can I turn off MIUI-optimization for games in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times tap)
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Xiaomi and Black Shark Smartphone Comparison: Which Is Better for Esports?
If you play professionally (playing PUBG Mobile or Free Fire), Black Shark is the only right choice.
- 🎯 Physical triggers: buttons M1–M5 Black Shark 6 Pro allows you to shoot and jump without delay, which is critical in shooters.
- 🖥️ 144 Hz screen: even POCO F6 The Pro has only 120 Hz, and an additional 24 Hz gives the reaction advantage.
- 🔧 Game modes: Shark Space allows you to turn off notifications, block brightness and turn on “do not disturb” mode for games.
However, Black Shark has its downsides:
- 📸 Bad cameras (compared to Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70 Pro).
- 🔋 Less autonomy due to a powerful chip and bright screen.
- 💸 High price (from 50 000) ₽).
For streamers or those who combine gaming with content shooting, it is better to choose Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70 Pro. They are worse in games, but have better cameras and versatility.
How to Enable Shark Space Mode on Black Shark
How to check your smartphone before buying: tests and benchmarks
Don't rely on reviews - check your smartphone before you buy. Here are 3 mandatory tests:
- 3DMark Wild Life Stress Test: Run a 20-cycle test. If performance drops more than 15% by the end of the test, the smartphone will slow down in long sessions. For example, the POCO X5 Pro sags by 22%, and the Black Shark 6 Pro by only 8%.
- Throttling Test (CPU Throttling Test): If the throttling score is above 40%, the smartphone warms up a lot. For Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the norm is 25-35%.
- Manual Test in Games: Set Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile at maximum settings and play 30-40 minutes. If FPS drops below 40 (for Genshin) or 60 (for PUBG), the model does not fit.
Also, look at the touchscreen. In shooters, the frequency of the sensor survey (touch sampling rate) is important. In Black Shark 6 Pro, it is 720 Hz, and in Redmi Note 13 Pro+, it is only 240 Hz. You will feel the difference in Free Fire or Call of Duty.
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If a smartphone heats up above 50°C in games, it is not recommended for long sessions, leading to battery degradation and performance decline.
Gaming accessories: what to buy additionally
Even the most powerful smartphone will not reach its potential without the right accessories.
- 🎮 Gamepad: Xiaomi Game Controller (~3 500 ₽) Razer Kishi Mobile (~10 000 ₽) Managing in Genshin Impact or Diablo Immortal.
- 🧊 Cooling case: Black Shark Cooling Backplate reduces temperature 5–8°C. Suitable for most models Xiaomi/POCO.
- 🔋 Power Bank with fast charging: Xiaomi HyperCharge 120W (~4 000 ₽) Allows you to play and charge simultaneously without any drawdowns FPS.
- 🎧 Headphones with low latency: Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro (LC3 codec) or wired KZ ZSN Pro X for accurate sound in PUBG.
Magnetic triggers are also sold for Black Shark (~2 000 ₽), They're attached to the body and they simulate the clicks on the screen, which is cheaper than buying a gamepad, but less convenient.
If you stream gameplay, you’ll need an external microphone (like the Fifine K688) and a tripod for your smartphone to improve the quality of content and attract more viewers.
What not to do with a gaming smartphone Xiaomi
Even the top models can be killed by misuse, and here are 5 mistakes that shorten the life of the device:
- 🔥 Play while charging: this increases battery heat and accelerates battery degradation. If you need to charge, use Game Boost in the settings and reduce the brightness to 50%.
- 🧴 Stick a low-quality protective film: it worsens the sensitivity of the touchscreen.
- 🔄 Update MIUI Immediately after release: early firmware versions often contain bugs that cause lags in games.
- 🚫 Disable optimization for games in MIUI: It can cause you to overheat. Instead, use Game Turbo in your settings.
- 💦 Use your smartphone in a wet environment: even if it has protection IP53, steam from the hot processor can condense inside the housing.
If your smartphone is starting to warm up or sink in FPS, try resetting to factory settings. Often lags are caused by accumulated cache or conflicting background processes. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install custom firmware (like LineageOS) on gaming smartphones. This turns off branded cooling and game mods, causing performance to drop by 20-30%.