What Xiaomi smartphone to buy in 2022: a detailed analysis of all the lines

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 is no easy task. Even though the brand has long ceased to be a “Chinese outsider” and firmly established itself in the top of the world’s manufacturers, a variety of lines can be baffled.+ Best price/quality ratio, and budget Poco M4 Pro and Redmi 10 offer unexpectedly powerful filling for modest money?

In this article, we will analyze all the current Xiaomi 2022 models, compare them by key parameters (performance, camera, battery, screen) and help you determine which one is right for you. And then we'll reveal the hidden pitfalls of some of the devices that the manufacturer prefers to keep quiet about, such as why Xiaomi 12 Lite can disappoint mobile photography enthusiasts, or why Redmi Note is a big deal. 11S You should not use it for games despite the powerful processor.

Spoiler: if you need a smartphone “for everything” with a margin of 3-4 For the year, look at Xiaomi. 12 Pro or Mix 4. If the budget is limited, but you want the maximum of opportunities – Poco F4 GT or Redmi K50 And for those of you looking for a workhorse without frills, we've put together a separate rating of budget models with a battery on them. 5000+ mAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

1. Xiaomi 2022 flagships: should you overpay?

The flagship Xiaomi smartphones in 2022 are represented by the Mi 12 and Mix 4 lines. Their main trump cards are top-end processors (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1), premium displays with support for 120 Hz and QHD+, Advanced cameras with Leica optics (in the case of Mi) 12S Ultra, but are they really good in practice?

Let's start with the Xiaomi 12 Pro, the most balanced model in the lineup.

• 🔥 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor (although with overheating problems in the first batches)
• 📸 Triple camera. 50+50+50 MP with Leica optics (but without telephoto in the basic version)
• 🔋 Battery 4600 mAh with support 120W Fast charging (full charge in 18 minutes!)
• 🖥️ Screen 6.73" AMOLED from 120 Hz and QHD+

But there are pitfalls:

• ❄️ Overheating at long loads (games, video editing)
• 📏 Dimensions: smartphone heavy (204 g) and slippery
• 💰 Price: from 70 000 rubles - not everyone is ready to pay for the "brand»

⚠️ Note: If you plan to use the Xiaomi 12 Pro for mobile streaming or video recordings 8K, Note that when you run the camera for a long time, it can shut down due to overheating. This is a well-known problem of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which was partially fixed in firmware after May 2022.

The alternative is the Xiaomi Mix 4, which is advantageous:

• 🔄 Subscreen front camera (but with a noticeable "grid effect" on light backgrounds)
• 🎮 Best cooling due to ceramic housing
• 📡 Support 5G and Wi-Fi 6E

2.Middle class: the best price/quality ratio

If you can't afford flagships, but you want a smartphone with good performance and a camera, look at the mid-range segment. K50, Xiaomi 11T Pro and Poco F4 GT. Their main advantage is flagship chips at the price of the average.

For example, Poco F4 GT Snapdragon-equipped 8 Gen 1 (Xiaomi-like 12 Pro! but stands on 20-25 You get a thousand rubles for that money:

• 🎮 Magnetic triggers for games (like Black Shark)
• 🔋 Battery 4700 mAh with 120W charging
• 🖥️ 6.67 screen with 120 Hz and Dolby Vision support

But there are downsides:

• 📸 Medium camera: the main module is only 64 MP without optical stabilization
• 🧊 Plastic body (although it reduces weight)
• 🔊 Stereo speakers are worse than Redmi's K50

Redmi K50 — Another strong player in this segment:

• 🔥 MediaTek Dimensity 8100 processor (less warm than Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
• 📸 Camera. 48+8+2 MP OIS (optical stabilization)
• 🔋 Battery 5500 mAh s 67W charging

⚠️ Note: If you choose between Poco F4 GT redmi K50, Note that the former is better for gamers (because of triggers and a more powerful CPU), and the latter is better for everyday use (better camera, battery and body).

Gaming triggers (if needed for gaming)

Presence OIS In camera (for high-quality video)

Support 5G (If future compatibility is required)

Screen type (AMOLED preferably IPS)-->

3. Xiaomi budget smartphones: what you can get for 15-25 thousand?

The budget segment is the realm of the Redmi Note and Poco M lines. The main thing here is not to expect miracles, but you can find very decent options.+ 5G offer:

• 📸 108 MP camera (though not optically stabilized)
• 🔋 Battery 5000 mAhh s 67W charging
• 🖥️ Screen 6.67" AMOLED 120 Hz
• 💰 Price: from 25 000 rubles

But there are also hidden disadvantages:

• 🐢 MediaTek Dimensity 920 processor is weak for modern games at maximum settings
• 📡 5G Not all networks (check compatibility with your carrier!)
• 🔊 Monodynamic (sound worse than flagships)

If you want an even cheaper option, consider Redmi 10 or Poco. M4 Pro:

• 💰 Redmi 10 - from 13,000 rubles (but with a screen of 90 Hz and a battery of 5000 mAh)
• 🔋 Poco M4 Pro - from 18 000 rubles (c) AMOLED-screen 90W charging)

Xiaomi for Photography: Which Models Shoot Better?

If the camera is your top priority, Xiaomi has a few decent options in 2022. 12S Ultra with:

• 📸 50 MP main camera (Sony sensor) IMX707, 1 inch!)
• 🔍 Leica optics with variable aperture f/1.9-f/4.0
• 🎥 8K-Video and Dolby Vision

However, the price of this monster starts at 100,000 rubles, which makes it unaffordable for most.

• 📷 Xiaomi 12 Pro is a good camera with Leica optics, but without telephoto
• 📷 Redmi K50 Pro - 108 MP with OIS, but a weak frontal
• 📷 Xiaomi 11T Pro – 108 MP, but without brand optics

If you are interested in the front camera, pay attention to the Xiaomi Civi – it is specially sharpened for selfies:

• 🤳 Frontal 32 MP with autofocus
• 💄 Xiaomi’s beauty modes (some of the best on the market)
• 🖥️ Screen. AMOLED 120 Hz

💡

Before buying a smartphone for a photo, be sure to check if it supports RAW-shooting and manual settings (exposure, ISO, White balance, for example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ These functions are reduced compared to flagships.

5. Xiaomi for gamers: What models will stand up to modern games?

For mobile gaming in 2022, not all Xiaomi smartphones will be suitable.

1. 🔥 Processor: minimum Snapdragon 870 or Dimensity 1200
2. 🖥️ Screen: AMOLED 120Hz and support HDR10+
3. 🔋 Battery: from 4500 mAh with fast charging
4. 🧊 Cooling: liquid or graphite

Best options:

• 🎮 Poco F4 GT — Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, magnetic triggers, 120W charging
• 🎮 Redmi K50 Gaming - Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, shoulder buttons, 120Hz screen
• 🎮 Black Shark 5 Pro (from the same manufacturer) – Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, physical triggers, liquid cooling

What to avoid:

• ❌ Redmi Note 11 Pro+ — Dimensity 920 processor is weak for modern games
• ❌ Xiaomi 12 Lite — Snapdragon 778G No pulling Genshin Impact on high settings
• ❌ Xiaomi 11 Lite NE — overheating and slowing down in games

💡

If you're playing in PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty or Genshin Impact, choose a smartphone with a processor not weaker than the Snapdragon 870 and a screen with a frequency of 120 Hz. Otherwise you will have to sacrifice graphics or endure lags.

Xiaomi with the best battery: who lives longer without a power outlet?

If you need a smartphone that works 2-3 Day without recharging, pay attention to models with battery 5000 MAh and higher. 2022 year-end:

It is important to understand that the operating time depends not only on the capacity of the battery, but also on:

• 🖥️ Screen (AMOLED cost-effectively IPS)
• 🔥 Processor (MediaTek is often more energy efficient than Snapdragon)
• 📡 Links (5G eat up the charge faster 4G)

⚠️ Note: If you choose a smartphone with fast charging (67W, 120W), Remember that these batteries degrade faster with frequent use of "turbo" mode. 18-30W.

7 Which firmware to choose: global (MIUI Global) or Chinese?

When you buy a Xiaomi smartphone, you will inevitably encounter firmware choices, which not only determines the interface language, but also:

• 📡 Support 4G/5G (Chinese firmware may not have some ranges)
• 🔒 Google services (in Chinese versions they are not out of the box)
• 🔄 Updates (global firmware updates less frequently than Chinese ones)

Recommendations:

• ✅ MIUI Global – if you need Google Play, stable work and Russian language.
• ⚠️ MIUI China – only if you’re willing to install Google services manually and put up with Chinese apps.
• 🚫 EEA (Europe – avoid if you do not live in the EU (no Russian, restrictions on some functions).

How to check the firmware version before buying?

1. Go to the Settings → About the phone → MIUI version.
2. If there is a name at the end CN — Chinese firmware, Global - global, EEA — European.
3. To change the firmware, you will need to unlock the bootloader (risk a guarantee!).

💡

If you bought a smartphone with Chinese firmware, but want to switch to global, use the official Mi Unlock Tool. However, note that unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the device!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions