What Xiaomi to buy up to 25000 rubles: the ranking of the best models of 2022

Choosing a smartphone in the budget segment in 2022 has become a challenge due to sharp changes in currency rates and supply disruptions. Many users looking for a device with a good screen and performance, wondering which Xiaomi to buy up to 25,000 rubles, so as not to overpay for the brand, but not to get a “brick” in a year. The market is full of models that look identical, but radically differ in hardware and build quality.

Xiaomi has traditionally dominated this price range, offering features that rivals only put on devices for 40-50,000. However, this is the main trap for the inexperienced buyer: marketing tricks often hide the use of cheap housing materials or outdated display arrays.

We analyzed current offers, customer reviews and technical test results to create an objective ranking, and in this article we will discuss which parameters to look at first, and which “chips” are just a beautiful facade, which will help you choose a device that will be relevant in both 2023 and 2026.

Key criteria for choosing a smartphone Xiaomi

Before we move on to specific models, it is important to determine priorities. AMOLED-But the balance between camera, battery and performance is tough, and usually manufacturers sacrifice either the body materials or the quality of the photography.

Special attention should be paid to the type of memory, and in 2022, the standard drive becomes the de facto standard. UFS 2.2 or even UFS If the smartphone is equipped with the old memory eMMC 5.1, it is better to refrain from buying, even if the processor seems powerful, the system will work slowly, and applications will take a long time to load: LPDDR4X or LPDDR5.

The marketing figure of 108 MP is often less important than having optical stabilization (OIS) and the quality of software processing. In the budget segment, Xiaomi rarely puts OIS, so it is worth looking for models with good night shooting and support for 4K video recording, which is a sign of a quality sensor.

⚠️ Note: Do not buy Global Version with the label CN (Chinese version) on the box, if you are not ready for the difficulties with the translation of the menu and the lack of certain frequencies LTE (Band 7 and Band 20 are a common problem when ordering from marketplaces.

Market leaders: Redmi Note 11 and 11S

Undoubted sales hits in 2022 were the Redmi Note 11 series, which set the bar for the budget segment. The standard Redmi Note 11 offers excellent performance. AMOLED-90Hz screen and Gorilla Glass 3 protection, which is rare for this price. The Snapdragon 680 processor here is not the record holder for power, but it provides excellent energy efficiency.

The Redmi Note 11S is a direct competitor within the lineup and often costs the same money. The main difference lies in the camera: it has a 108 MP sensor versus 50 MP for the base version, as well as a more powerful Helio G96 processor. If you want more photography and game performance, the version with the “S” prefix looks preferable.

Both smartphones have stereo speakers and an IR port, making them universal multimedia devices, but it's worth noting that a complete 33W charge doesn't charge the 5,000mAh battery as fast as you'd like -- about an hour before a full cycle -- that's a charge for using more affordable components.

There is often a dilemma between the two models: On the one hand, the Snapdragon in the regular Note 11 is less warm, on the other hand, the screen in the 11S (in some regions) can be brighter. It is important to check the specific modification, since Xiaomi often changes the suppliers of matrixes even within the same model.

Positions: POCO M4 Pro and M4 Pro 5G

The POCO brand has traditionally been geared towards young people and mobile gaming enthusiasts.The POCO M4 Pro (version 4G) is actually a rebranded Redmi Note 11 Pro, but with a different rear cover design. Here you get 66-watt charging bundled, which is significantly faster than the competitors from the base line of Redmi.

If the budget allows you to stretch the frame a little or catch a discount, you should consider the version. POCO M4 Pro 5G. This device is built on the MediaTek Dimensity 810 platform, which supports fifth-generation networks and has a higher margin of safety in heavy tasks. IPS, not AMOLED, What is a compromise for the sake of support 5G and high frequency sensor survey.

Not only is it hardware that matters for games, but it's also cooling. POCO models typically use larger graphite pads and copper tubes (in older models), which allow for longer frame rates without trottling, but in plastic housing heat sinks are still a weak spot.

The MIUI shell for POCO has its own features, including more aggressive energy saving that can unload background applications, which should be considered if you wait for important notifications from messengers during gaming sessions.

Comparative Characteristics Table

To organize the data and make it easier to choose, we have brought the key parameters of popular models into a single table, which will allow you to quickly assess which device offers the best balance of price and quality in specific categories.

As the table shows, the Redmi Note 11S wins in photo detail, and the POCO M4 Pro 5G offers the best platform for modern networks.The base Redmi 10 (2022) looks like an outsider because of slow charging and a less-performing chip, but it may be of interest to those looking for the cheapest option with NFC.

Alternative options: Redmi 10 and Note 10

Don’t discount the models of last year. Redmi Note 10, released in 2021, can still be found on sale in the region of 18-20 thousand rubles. Its main advantage is the Snapdragon 678 processor and the Snapdragon CPU. AMOLED-Samsung's screen, which can outperform the newer Chinese arrays in color reproduction, is a choice for those who value image quality.

The Redmi 10 (not to be confused with the Note) is an entry-level solution. It has a large 6.5-inch screen and a 5,000 mAh battery, but the screen resolution is only FullHD+ on a low-pixel density IPS matrix. The camera is mediocre and charging is very slow. It only makes sense to buy it if the budget is strictly limited to 15,000 rubles.

⚠️ Warning: When buying the Redmi Note 10, make sure it's the global version.Chinese versions (Mi) 10i or analogues) may have other communication modules, which will affect the quality of signal reception in regions with poor coverage.

In 2022, buying last year's mid-range flagship is often more profitable than buying a new budget model. Older models often receive security updates and have more streamlined software that is devoid of childhood illnesses from the first firmware.

Software and updates

An important aspect of owning a smartphone is the shell MIUI. In 2022, the current versions were MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13. New models immediately get MIUI 13, which is optimized for working with large amounts of memory, but requires addiction. Old models can stay on MIUI 12.5, which is known for its bugs, but more familiar interface.

The Android updates from budget Xiaomi are usually 1-2 years in support, which means that the model released in 2021 with Android 11 will most likely get Android 13, but you can not count on Android 14. If you want to keep the OS version up to date, you should take a fresh model, for example, the Redmi Note 11 series.

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Tip: After buying a new Xiaomi smartphone, be sure to go to the settings and turn off advertising in system applications (MSA). This is done in the section "Passwords and security" → "Access to personal data".

Also worth mentioning is the availability of NFC. In 2022, almost all Xiaomi models up to 25,000 rubles are equipped with an NFC module for contactless payment. However, in some regions (for example, in versions for India or China), this module may not be available. Always check the specification of a particular model before paying.

Final verdict: what to choose?

To sum up, in 2022, there are no clearly bad models from Xiaomi in the budget up to 25,000 rubles, there are only those that do not fit your specific tasks. If you want a versatile soldier with a good screen and camera, take the Redmi Note 11S. This is the most balanced option on the market.

For gamers willing to sacrifice screen quality for performance, the perfect choice is to be a great choice. POCO M4 Pro 5G. If you want a big screen and lots of memory, Redmi is a big one. 10 It's a compromise solution, but it's a workable solution, and the key is to avoid frankly weak models with processors below Helio. G80/Snapdragon 680.

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The best choice of 2022 up to 25000 rubles: Redmi Note 11S (balance) or POCO M4 Pro 5G (games).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi smartphone prices can fluctuate greatly depending on the exchange rate and stocks in stores.The model, which today costs 24,990 rubles, tomorrow may rise to 27,000, so it makes sense to monitor the dynamics of prices.

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