What Xiaomi to buy in 2022 up to 20 000 rubles: expert analysis of the 7 best models

The budget of 20,000 rubles in 2022 is the gold segment for the purchase of a Xiaomi smartphone. Here you will no longer have to put up with a weak processor or a camera of the soap level, but also overpay for top-end chips like a 108-megapixel sensor or ceramic case will not be required. However, the range of the brand is so wide that it is easy to get lost: Redmi Note 11 Pro, POCO X4 Pro, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE – what to choose?

In this article, we analyzed all the current models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO 2022 release, which can be bought for 15,000-20,000 rubles (new or at a minimum discount), took into account not only the “paper” characteristics, but also real tests of performance, screen quality, autonomy and cameras, and added unique life hacks, how to save money when buying and what to pay attention to in the store.

If you want the best balance of price and features, then Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G — The only model in this budget with AMOLED-120Hz display, Snapdragon 695 processor and support 5G. But that doesn't mean the other options are worse, they just solve different problems.

1. Choice criteria: what to look at in 2022?

In a budget of up to 20,000 rubles, you can already claim a smartphone that will last 2-3 years without brakes.

🔹 The processor. 2022 The minimum acceptable chip is Snapdragon. 680/695 Or MediaTek Helio. G96. Weaker (e.g. Snapdragon) 662 or Helio G88) Modern games on average settings won't work, except if you only need a phone for social media and calls.

🔹 Screen. AMOLED preferably IPS: It's better contrast, deep black, lower power consumption. AMOLED It is rare, only the Redmi Note 11 Pro and Xiaomi 11 Lite NE. If smooth scrolling is important, look for a display with a frequency of 90-120 Hz.

🔹 Autonomy: A 5,000 mAh battery can run 1.5 to 2 days at medium load, but it's not just capacity that matters, it's fast charging: 33W It's standard. 67W (Like the Note 11 Pro.+) — Premium Options in this Budget.

🔹 In this segment, you can not expect flagship quality, but the main camera is 50-64 MP with good processing (for example, the camera is not very good). POCO X4 Pro will handle daytime snapshots at the mid-budget level, but ultra-wire and macro are usually weak, and their presence is more of a marketing ploy.

🔹 Updates and support. Xiaomi promises 2 major Android updates for most 2022 models.But in practice, Redmi and the Redmi and the Redmis are not. POCO They're often received later than the flagships. MIUI Download.

⚠️ Note: In 2022, Xiaomi began to actively split the line, releasing models with similar names, but different characteristics (for example, Redmi Note 11 vs Redmi Note 11). 5G). Always check the full model name and check the specifications on the official website or in GSMArena.

2. TOP-7 Xiaomi smartphones 20 000 ₽ into 2022 year

We selected the 7 best models that can be bought new or at a minimum discount within budget, all of which were released in 2021-2022, so they are relevant in terms of characteristics and support.

As you can see from the table, the leaders in terms of price and performance are the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and POCO X4 Pro 5G — they are almost identical in hardware, but differ in design and firmware. Xiaomi 11 Lite NE stands out more powerful processor Snapdragon 778G, but loses in autonomy.

3. Detailed analysis of the best models

🥇 1st place: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G — balance

This smartphone is an absolute favorite in the segment up to 20,000 rubles.

• 📱 AMOLED-120 Hz screen with support for Dolby Vision – the picture is bright, contrasting, smooth.
• ⚡ Snapdragon 695 – one of the best processors in this budget, pull Genshin Impact on the mid-range settings.
• 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + 67W Charging – charges up to 50% in 15 minutes, full cycle in 40 minutes.
• 📸 Main camera 108 MP (with binning up to 9 pixels in 1) – day shoots at the level of flagships of 2020.

The downsides are that there are no stereo speakers (only one speaker), but the body is made of plastic, although it looks like glass, and some users complain of overheating during long-term 4K video shooting.

For those who want the maximum opportunity for 20,000. ₽: fast screen, powerful processor, good camera and superfast charging.

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If you find the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G priced below 19,000 ₽ — Often such discounts are on Black Friday or at sales in the official Xiaomi store.

🥈 2nd place: POCO X4 Pro 5G — The same Note 11 Pro, but cheaper

It's basically a clone of the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, but with a different brand and firmware.

If you are not a principled designer and are willing to accept a less optimized camera (the processing algorithms are weaker in POCO), then this is a profitable alternative.

⚠️ Attention: In some stores POCO X4 Pro 5G sold under the name POCO X4 GT — This is another model with a MediaTek Dimensity 8100 processor and a price tag of 25,000. ₽. Don't mix it up!

🥉 3rd place: Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G — thinnest

This smartphone stands out among competitors:

• ⚖️ Weight of only 158 grams is one of the lightest in the segment.
• 🖥️ Snapdragon 778G — More powerful than the Note 11 Pro, but the battery is weaker (4250 mAh).
• 🎥 Leica’s 64MP camera with optics (though it’s more of a marketing than a real advantage).

For those who value compactness and performance, but are willing to put up with medium autonomy (a day is enough, but not more), and it is the only option on the budget with Xiaomi’s brand identity (unlike Redmi/POCO).

4. Camera comparison: Which is better at shooting?

You can't expect cameras to do anything like that on a budget of 20,000 rubles, but some models do better than others, and we've tested daytime, nighttime and video on all of these smartphones.

📸 The leader in quality photos: Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G — Thanks to the Snapdragon processor 778G The colors are natural, the detail is high, but the night shot loses to the Redmi Note 11 Pro.

🎥 Video leader: Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G — The stabilization works better, and 4K@30fps It's a little smoother, but it takes longer to record. 10 minutes the body is very heated.

🌃 Night shooting: All models in this segment do not cope well with the dark, but the least noise in the film POCO X4 Pro (Thanks to Night Mode 2.0).

🔍 Macro and ultra-wire: Don't pay attention to them - the quality of all models is weak. If you want a good macro, it is better to buy an external lens (for example, Xiaomi Lens Attachment).

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If the camera is critical for you, consider buying a used flagship (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 for 22,000-25,000). ₽). In this segment, the quality of the shooting will be an order of magnitude higher.

5. Where and how to buy: savings tips

Xiaomi prices can vary greatly depending on the store, stock, and even color. Here are 5 proven ways to save:

• 🛒 Official Xiaomi Store (mi.com/ru) — discount 5–10% when paying with a card of certain banks.
• 📦 Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market) – look for sellers with a rating of 95%+ and reviews of original products.
• 🔄 Trade-in – in some salons (for example, Svyaznoy, MTS) you can rent an old smartphone and get a discount of up to 3000-5000 ₽.
• 🎁 Cashback services (e.g. LetyShops or Megabonus) – return 3–7% of the cost.
• 📅 Sales are the best time to buy: Black Friday (November), 11.11 (Single's Day), New Year's Eve.

Checklist before purchase:

⚠️ Warning: Be careful of sellers who offer Xiaomi "from Europe" at a low price. Often these are gray deliveries without an official warranty in Russia.

6.Alternatives: What to Consider If You Don't Like Xiaomi

If for some reason Xiaomi doesn’t suit you, here are 3 worthy alternatives in the same budget:

• 📱 Realme 9 Pro+ (19 990 ₽) — Best camera in the segment (Sony sensor) IMX766), It is a smaller processor (Dimensity 920).
• 🤖 Samsung Galaxy A33 5G (22 000 ₽, 4 years of Android updates, but the screen is only 90 Hz.
• 🔋 Motorola Moto G82 (18 990 ₽) — pure Android, AMOLED 120Hz, but weak processor (Snapdragon 695).

If you want long-term update support, the Samsung Galaxy A33 is the best choice, despite the higher price tag, and if you want maximum performance for minimal money, the POCO X4 Pro 5G is still the leader.

7 Frequent mistakes in selection and how to avoid them

Many buyers are frustrated with their choices because of incorrect expectations or ignorance of nuances.-5 Mistakes and how to avoid them:

🔴 "I have a smartphone with the largest battery" → Capacity does not equal autonomy. For example, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE A 4250 mAh battery can last longer than a 6,000 mAh battery, but with a weak processor and unoptimized software.

🔴 "I need a 200-megapixel sensor" → Budgeted to 20,000 ₽ The camera resolution is not the same as the quality. You should pay attention to the pixel size (for example, 1.4 μm for the Note 11 Pro vs. 0.7 μm for the cheap 48 MP sensors).

🔴 "5G I don't need to, I'll take a version without it" → In 2022, the price difference between 4G and 5G Minimum versions (1000–2,000) ₽), support 5G Your smartphone will be ready for a few years ahead.

🔴 "I will buy a used flagship instead of a new medium" → Used smartphones are often sold with worn-out batteries (capacity below 80%) or hidden defects. If you pick up, be sure to check:

Dial ##4636## → Battery → Wear level


Or use the AccuBattery app.

🔴 "All Xiaomi are the same, I take the one that is cheaper" → Even within a single line (e.g. Redmi Note 11 vs Redmi Note 11 Pro) the difference can be critical: different processor, screen, cameras.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions