Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 is not an easy task. The brand offers dozens of models, from budget Redmi to premium Mi and Black Shark for gamers. Each series is focused on different needs: someone cares about the camera for shooting in 4K, others – autonomy for 2-3 days, third – performance for games. In this guide, we will analyze current models, their strengths and weaknesses, and help determine the choice based on your budget and objectives.
It is important to consider that in 2022 Xiaomi is actively developing the direction of foldables (folding smartphones) and 5G devices. At the same time, budget models are still among the most balanced on the market.
Flagships of 2022: Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 Ultra
If the budget is not limited, it is worth looking at the top models of the Xiaomi 12 series. They turned out to be one of the most technologically advanced on the market, ahead of even the Samsung Galaxy S22 and iPhone 13 Pro in a number of parameters.
Xiaomi 12 Ultra is the pinnacle of the company’s engineering thinking. The smartphone is equipped with the world’s first 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor (pixel size – 1.6 microns), which provides incredible detail even in low light conditions. Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor guarantees smooth operation in any task, and the 2K AMOLED screen with a frequency of 120 Hz and support for Dolby Vision makes viewing content as comfortable as possible.
- 📸 Camera: 50 MP core module (1") + 48 MP (periscope, 5)× zoom) + 48 MP (ultra-wide). Support 8K video.
- 🔋 Battery: 4860 mAh with support 67W wired 50W wireless.
- 🎮 Performance: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 + 12 GB RAM (option with 16 GB is available in China).
- 💰 Price: from 100,000 ₽ (exit).
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 12 Ultra is not officially shipped to Russia via standard channels.When buying through parallel imports, check support for all LTE-ranges for your operator!
Xiaomi 12 Pro is a more affordable alternative to the Ultra version, but with the same key features: the Snapdragon 8 Gen processor 1, the 2K AMOLED screen with LTPO (adaptive frequency up to 1 Hz for charge saving) and a triple camera with 50 MP. The main difference is the lack of a 1-inch sensor and periscopic zoom, but for most users this is uncritical.
Mid-segment: Xiaomi 11T Pro and POCO F4 GT
Models of the average price range (30 000 — 60 000 ₽) They often turn out to be the smartest choice. 80-90% the ability of the flagships for half the price. 2022 The leaders in this segment were Xiaomi 11T Pro and POCO F4 GT.
Xiaomi 11T Pro stands out with a record charging speed of 120W. The full battery charge of 5000 mAh takes only 17 minutes! This is ideal for those who constantly forget to put the phone on charge. The camera here is not as advanced as the flagships (108 MP main module), but for everyday shooting it will be enough with the head. Snapdragon 888 processor is still relevant and pulls all modern games at maximum settings.
- ⚡ Charging: 120W (complete! 67W wireless.
- 📱 Screen: AMOLED 120 Hz, HDR10+, brightness up to 1000 nits.
- 🎵 Sound: Stereo speakers by Harman Kardon.
- 💰 Price: from 45,000 ₽.
The POCO F4 GT is a smartphone for gamers, but it's also good for ordinary users. It has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor (like flagships), but by optimizing software and cooling, the smartphone is showing record results in benchmarks. A unique feature is retractable shoulder triggers (like Black Shark), which turn the phone into almost a gaming console. The 4700 mAh battery supports 120W charging.
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If you play Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile frequently, pay attention to the POCO F4 GT – its liquid metal cooling system prevents trottling even after an hour of intense play.
Budget smartphones: Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and POCO M4 Pro
Budget up to 25,000 ₽ Xiaomi proved in 2022 that even with that money you can get a smartphone with a smartphone. AMOLED-screen, fast charging and a decent camera.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — The best choice in your price range: AMOLED-120Hz display, Dimensity 920 processor (support) 5G), main camera 108 MP and battery 4500 mAh with charging 120W. Yes, it's not a flagship chipset, but for social networks, video in Full HD And there's enough of it for non-demanding games. IP53 (dust-and-spray).
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Battery | Price (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Dimensity 920 | AMOLED 120 Hz | 4500 mAh, 120W | ~22 000 ₽ |
| POCO M4 Pro 5G | Dimensity 810 | AMOLED 90 Hz | 5000 mAh, 33W | ~18 000 ₽ |
| Redmi 10 2022 | Helio G88 | IPS 90 Hz | 5000 mAh, 18W | ~15 000 ₽ |
POCO M4 Pro 5G — It's cheaper than the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+, suggestive AMOLED-screen (albeit with a frequency of 90 Hz), Dimensity 810 processor and a battery of 5000 mAh. The main disadvantage is that the camera at 50 MP loses to the 108-megapixel module Redmi, but for storis and everyday photos it will be enough.
⚠️ Note: In budget models Xiaomi often save on the NFC-chip.Clarify whether contactless payment support is available if critical! in Redmi 10 2022, for example, NFC absent.
Smartphones for photography: what to look for?
If the camera is your top priority, Xiaomi has a few worthwhile options in 2022, and it's important to understand that megapixel count is not the number of megapixels, and that sensor size, optical stabilization, and software processing are more important.
The leader in shooting remains Xiaomi 12 Ultra with its 1-inch sensor. But if the budget is limited, consider Xiaomi 11T Pro (108 MP) or Xiaomi Civi — the latter is specially sharpened under the selfie thanks to the front camera 32 MP with autofocus. For fans of macro photography, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ with a 108-megapixel module and Super Night Mode will suit.
Refining the size of the main sensor (preferably 1/1.5)
Check for optical stabilization (OIS)
Pay attention to support for 4K/8K video
View examples of photos in real conditions (not advertising)
Make sure you have a manual mode (Pro Mode)-->
A few selection tips:
- For portrait photography, a double is important. LED-flash and precise operation of background blurring algorithms.
For video, the priority is support for 4K@60fps and the availability of noise reduction microphones.
For night shooting, look for models with Night Mode 2.0 mode (there are Xiaomi 12 and the latest Redmi).
How to check the camera before buying?
Autonomy: Which Xiaomi smartphones hold the charge longer?
If you need a smartphone that works 2-3 day without recharging, pay attention to the models with the battery from 5000 mAh and energy efficient processors. 2022 The best year for autonomy was:
- Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE — despite the thin body, there is a battery of 4250 mAh + Snapdragon 778G processor, which is famous for low power consumption. With moderate use, it lasts for 1.5-2 days.
- POCO M4 Pro 5G - 5000 mAh + Dimensity 810 (6 nm process) give up to 3 days of call/social networking.
- Redmi 10C is a budget battery with 5000 mAh and Snapdragon 680 processor. Not the fastest, but lives on a single charge for up to 4 days with minimal load.
The secret to long-term work lies not only in battery capacity, but also in software optimization, and there are some useful options in Xiaomi’s settings:
Ultra Battery Saver mode (in Settings → Battery) disables background processes and leaves only basic functions.
Adaptive screen refresh rate (available on AMOLED and LTPO models)
- Disable 5G/NFC/Bluetooth manually if not used.
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The longest autonomy - smartphones with processors on 6-7 nm process technology (Snapdragon 6xx, Dimensity 700/800) and IPS 60-90 Hz. AMOLED and 120 Hz eat charge faster, but give a better visual experience.
Foldable smartphones: Xiaomi MIX Fold 2
2022 was a breakthrough for foldables — foldable smartphones. Xiaomi introduced the MIX Fold 2, which became thinner and lighter than its predecessor, retaining all the advantages of the form factor.
The main features of the model:
External and internal screens from E5 AMOLED (Dolby Vision support, 120 Hz).
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 + 12 GB of RAM (without lags even when multitasking).
Triple camera from Leica: 50 MP (main) + 8 MP (periscope, 2× zoom) + 13 MP (ultra-wide).
- 4500 mAh battery with support for 67W charging.
Who will be the right MIX Fold 2?
For those who work with documents and want a big screen (8.02′′ when deployed).
For multimedia lovers, watching movies on such a display is a pleasure.
- For those willing to pay for innovation, the price starts at 120,000. ₽.
⚠️ Warning: folding smartphones have a risk of damage to the hinge mechanism in falls!
How to choose a Xiaomi smartphone for your tasks?
To avoid making a mistake with the choice, answer a few questions:
- What's the budget? ₽ → Redmi 10 2022, POCO M4 Pro. 20 000 — 40 000 ₽ → Redmi Note 11 Pro+, Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE. 40 000 — 70 000 ₽ → Xiaomi 11T Pro, POCO F4 GT. From 70,000. ₽ → Xiaomi 12 Pro, Xiaomi 12 Ultra.
Which is more important: camera, performance or autonomy?
- Camera. → Xiaomi 12 Ultra or Xiaomi 11T Pro.
- Games → POCO F4 GT Black Shark 5 Pro.
- Battery → POCO M4 Pro 5G or Redmi 10C.
Do I need 5G support?
- Yes. → any model with a Dimensity or Snapdragon processor 8xx/7xx.
- No. → You can save money by choosing 4G-version (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro without prefix) 5G).
Don't forget to check:
NFC (if you use contactless payments)
Support for Wi-Fi 6 (relevant for modern routers).
Memory expansion (not all models have a microSD slot).
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If you are in doubt between the two models, compare them in the GSMArena service - there are detailed tests of the screen, camera and battery.