What Xiaomi smartphone to buy in 2022 up to 15 000 rubles: honest rating and expert advice

Choosing a smartphone up to 15,000 rubles in 2022 is not an easy task. Budget segment is full of models with similar characteristics, but radically different user experience. Xiaomi traditionally leads here in terms of price / quality, but even among their devices there are both successful options and outright “lotteries”.

We analyzed real user reviews, performance tests and current prices for the end of 2022, the rankings show only those smartphones that can be bought new in official stores or from trusted retailers, no grey shipments or overpriced models, and take into account key trends: 5G support (yes, even on budget), screen quality for watching videos and autonomy – the main “sick” issue of cheap smartphones.

Spoiler: If you want a smartphone solely for calls and social media, there's one best choice. If you're planning on playing Genshin Impact or shooting Stories for Instagram, it's a different one. Read on, so you don't get it wrong!

Xiaomi selection criteria up to 15 000 rubles in 2022

Before you go to specific models, you need to prioritize. You can't get "everything and everything" in the budget segment, so you have to make trade-offs. Here are the key parameters to look at:

• 🔋 Battery: Minimum battery capacity is 5,000 mAh. Less is only if the smartphone is used as a "bell ringer." Pay attention to real tests, not the declared capacity: some Redmi models "eat" charge in the background due to aggressive optimization MIUI.
• 📱 In 2022, even for 15 000 you can find models with a AMOLED (Redmi Note 11 Pro, but more often than not, IPS 90Hz. If you watch a lot of video, contrast and brightness (from 450 nits) are the priority.
• 🎮 Performance: Snapdragon chipsets are relevant in this budget 680/685, Helio G88/G96 or Dimensity 700. The first two are for everyday tasks, the last one is for everyday tasks. 5G. Games like this PUBG Mobile on medium settings will pull only Dimensity 700 or Snapdragon 685.
• 📸 Camera: Don't expect miracles. Budgeted to 15Even Sony’s flagship modules IMX They're working mediocrely because of poor processing. 11S s 108 PM (but it's a marketing move, real quality closer to the real thing) 12-16 MPP).

An important nuance: in 2022, Xiaomi is actively cutting out the equipment, and in the box with most models you will find only cable (no charging!). This applies even to devices with support for 33W fast charging.

⚠️ Note: If you see Xiaomi or Redmi with a price tag below 10,000 rubles from an unknown seller, it is either a fake or a “gray” import with Chinese firmware. LTE-russian.

TOP-5 Xiaomi smartphones up to 15 000 rubles: rating 2022

We selected the top 5 models available for purchase at the end of 2022, based on tests, reviews and current prices (according to Yandex Market, SberMegaMarket and M.Video).

Now we will analyze each model in more detail so that you can choose the best option for your tasks.

1. Redmi Note 11 Pro is the best AMOLED in the budget

Redmi Note 11 Pro is a revolution in the segment up to 15,000 rubles. Here you get a 120-hertz AMOLED-screen (yes, no) IPS!), Which is as good as the 2020 flagships, 5,000,000:1 contrast, support HDR10 And the peak brightness of 1,200 nits makes it ideal for watching movies and TV shows, and stereo speakers are rare for budget smartphones.

Under the hood is the Snapdragon 695 chipset, which handles most modern games in mid-sets. For example, Call of Duty: Mobile comes at 60 FPS without heavy drawdowns. A 5,000 mAh battery paired with 67W fast charging (charges up to 100% in 42 minutes!) makes the device one of the most autonomous in its class.

• ✅ Pluses:
• 🌟 Best screen on budget (AMOLED + 120 Hz)
• ⚡ Fast charging. 67W (charging-in!)
• 🎵 Stereodynamics with Dolby Atmos support
• 📸 Good 108MP main camera (but don’t expect miracles)
• ❌ Cons:
• 🔥Gregret for long games (trotting after 20 minutes)
• 📏 Large size (inconvenient to use one hand)
• 🤖 MIUI Advertising (you will have to manually disconnect)

Important: Redmi Note 11 Pro is the only model in this ranking that supports video shooting in 4K@30fps. However, stabilization leaves much to be desired, so for blogging it is better to consider alternatives.

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If you want the smoothest interface possible, turn on the screen settings 90 Hz instead of 120 Hz. This will reduce the load on the processor and increase battery life by 10-15%.

2. POCO M4 Pro 5G is the best choice for high-speed Internet

If you want 5G at the lowest price, the POCO M4 Pro 5G is one of the best options. It uses the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset, which not only supports fifth-generation networks, but also shows good performance in games. For example, Genshin Impact at low settings comes with a stable 30 FPS.

The 90Hz IPS screen here is not as contrasting as AMOLED, but without the yellow tint that is common in low-end Xiaomis. A 5,000mAh battery paired with 33W charging provides a full day of operation with moderate use. And here NFC is a rarity for POCO in this price segment.

⚠️ Attention: In some parties POCO M4 Pro 5G There is a defect with poor sensitivity of the touchscreen at the edges.Be sure to test the device in the store before buying, swiping your finger all over the screen.

• ✅ Pluses:
• 🚀 Support 5G (It is important for the Moscow region and large cities)
• 🎮 Good performance for games (better than Redmi Note) 11S)
• 🔄 Pure Android without any extra software (compared to the MIUI)
• ❌ Cons:
• 📸 Weak front camera (5 MP, blurred selfies)
• 🔊 Monodynamics (sound worse than Redmi Note 11 Pro)
• 🔋 No chargers in the set (you will have to buy separately)

3. Redmi Note 11S – the best camera and autonomy

The Redmi Note 11S is the gold standard of Xiaomi’s budget smartphones in 2022, with a perfect balance between price, performance and quality. The 108MP main camera (actually 9 in 1 pixel binning, which is a real 12 MP resolution) delivers the best results in this segment, with detailed photos in the daytime and socially acceptable at dusk.

Screen. AMOLED frequent 90 Hz is very nice with deep blacks and good viewing angles. 5000 paired with 33W charging 1.5-2 It's one of the most autonomous smartphones in the world.

The only serious downside is the Helio G96 chipset, which is very warm at long loads, for example, after 30 minutes of playing PUBG Mobile, the case heats up to 45 ° C, and the performance drops by 20-30%.

4. Redmi 10 2022 - the most budget option

If your budget is strictly limited to 10,000 rubles, the Redmi 10 2022 is one of the few adequate options. Here you get a 6.5-inch screen with a frequency of 90 Hz, a battery of 5000 mAh and a Helio G88 chipset that copes with everyday tasks.

The main advantage of this model is the price. For 9,990 rubles, you get a smartphone with an NFC, a 3.5 mm connector and a micro-SD slot, which makes it a great choice for older relatives or as a spare phone.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 10 2022 uses an outdated version MIUI 12.5 that will not receive an update to MIUI 14.This means that in a year or two, a smartphone may become vulnerable to new viruses.

• ✅ Pluses:
• 💰 Lowest price in the ranking (9,990) ₽)
• 🔋 Good autonomy (5,000 mAh) + weak-processor = 2 days of work)
• 🎧 There is a 3.5 mm headphone jack
• ❌ Cons:
• 🐢 Slow chipset (Helio) G88 Even the Snapdragon 480 is inferior)
• 📸 Terrible front camera (5 MP, heavy noise)
• 🔄 Outdated PO (MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11)

5. POCO X4 Pro 5G – an alternative to the Redmi Note 11 Pro

POCO X4 Pro 5G — It's almost a twin of the Redmi Note 11 Pro, but with a different design and firmware. AMOLED-120 Hz screen, Snapdragon 695 chipset and 5000 mAh battery 67W But there are a few key differences:

• 🔹 Design: Y POCO X4 Pro plastic back panel (the Note 11 Pro has glass), but there is no camera in the “island” – it is built into the case, which reduces the risk of breaking the glass.
• 🔹 Firmware: POCO It uses a cleaner Android without unnecessary Xiaomi apps.
• 🔹 Price: Usually for 500-1000 ₽ cheaper than the Redmi Note 11 Pro.

If you don’t have a brand, the POCO X4 Pro 5G is a great alternative with the same specs, but for less money.

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If you want a smartphone to play, choose between the POCO M4 Pro 5G (best performance) and the POCO X4 Pro 5G (best screen).Both models support 5G and have fast charging.

What you should not buy in 2022

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are worth your attention, but here are some models that you can avoid despite the attractive price:

• 🚫 Redmi 9A/9C — obsolete chipsets (Helio) G25/G35), weak screens and no NFC. V 2022 For this money, you can find something better.
• 🚫 POCO M3 Pro 5G — Dimensity 700 chipset is much inferior even to the Snapdragon 480, and the screen is 60 Hz IPS low-brightness.
• 🚫 Redmi Note 10 Pro (2021) – Despite good reviews, in 2022 its price is unreasonably overpriced (16,000)+ ₽). This is the best way to buy the Redmi Note 11 Pro.
• 🚫 Any model with a battery less than 5000 mAh. In the budget, autonomy is a key parameter.

Also avoid smartphones with Chinese firmware (e.g. Xiaomi 11 Lite) NE 5G They often don't support the Russians. LTE-Frequency and problems with Google services.

FAQ: Frequent questions when choosing Xiaomi before 15 000 ₽