Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 is not an easy task. Even years after its release, the models of this brand remain in demand due to the optimal ratio of price, performance and functionality. But how not to get lost in the variety of Redmi, POCO, Mi and Black Shark series? In this article, we will analyze the current models for 2022, their key features and help determine which Xiaomi will suit you – whether it is a flagship for games, a budget phone for calls or a universal camera for photography.
It’s important to consider that in 2022 Xiaomi continued to develop several lines at the same time: the flagship Mi 12 and Mi 12 Pro competed with the Samsung Galaxy S22, and the budget Redmi Note 11 offered record-breaking autonomy. while the brand actively promoted the POCO sub-brand for gamers and enthusiasts. We will analyze not only the technical specifications, but also real user feedback so that you can make an informed choice.
If you're looking for a smartphone for specific tasks -- like 4K video or multi-day autonomy -- there are separate sections in this article that offer recommendations, and for those of you who haven't yet decided on a budget, we've compiled a comparison table of models across different price categories.
Xiaomi 2022 flagships: what to pay for?
Xiaomi’s flagship models in 2022 are the Mi 12 series, which includes the base version, Pro and Ultra. These devices are aimed at users who care about performance, premium design and advanced cameras. The main difference from the budget lines is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, displays with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and support for wireless charging.
The main advantages of the Mi 12 Pro are:
- 📸 Leica camera with optics 50+50+48 MP and support 8K-Video is one of the best in the industry at the time of release.
- 🔋 Fast charging. 120W, Charges the battery 4600 mAh to 100% in 18 minutes.
- 🎮 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor with improved cooling for gaming and heavy duty.
- 🖥️ AMOLED-screen 2K+ Adaptive refresh rate of 1-120 Hz.
Xiaomi’s flagships are not without their flaws, such as the Mi 12 Ultra, which has been criticized for its bulky camera module, and the base model Mi 12 for its small battery (4,500 mAh) compared to its competitors. If you don’t need all these bells and whistles, it’s worth considering mid-range models — they often offer 80% of the capabilities of flagships for 50% of the price.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 2022 flagships don't officially support Android 14 upgrades.If you're looking for long-term software support, look for Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy S.
Middle class: the best balance of price and quality
If you are not willing to spend 60,000-90,000 ₽ If you want a smartphone with a modern processor and a good camera, look at the mid-range. In 2022, the market was the leader:
- 📱 Xiaomi 11T Pro – “lightweight” flagship with Snapdragon 888 and charging 120W.
- 📱 Redmi K50 Pro – a gaming smartphone with a Dimensity 9000 processor and a 120 Hz screen.
- 📱 POCO F4 GT — Alternative for enthusiasts with magnetic triggers for gaming.
The Xiaomi 11T Pro is often called the “half-price flagship” and inherited many of the Mi 11’s features, including a 120W charging and a 108+8+5 MP triple camera, but it’s cheaper with a plastic case and no wireless charging, ideal for those who want a powerful processor for gaming or video editing, but are not willing to pay for premium materials.
Redmi K50 Pro, in turn, became the first Xiaomi smartphone on the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor, which was not inferior in performance to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
- 🎯 Screen. AMOLED 120 Hz with Dolby Vision support.
- 🔋 Battery 5000 mAh with fast charging 120W.
- 📡 Support 5G and wifi 6E.
The main disadvantage of the K50 Pro is that it is not officially sold in Russia (you had to order from China), but it can be found at an attractive price in the secondary market. If you need a smartphone for games, but the POCO F4 GT seems too “gaming” on the outside, the K50 Pro is a great alternative.
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Before buying Redmi K50 Check the support of Russian LTE-Some Chinese versions may not catch MTS or Beeline at full speed.
Xiaomi budget smartphones: what to choose up to 20,000 ₽
In 2022, Xiaomi updated the budget line of Redmi Note 11, which has become one of the best-selling in the world.The main trump cards of these smartphones are long-term autonomy, good screens and a price of 15 000 ₽. Let’s look at three key models:
| Model | Processor | Battery | Screen. | Price (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11 | Snapdragon 680 | 5000 mAh, 33W | AMOLED 90Hz, 1080p | 16,000 ₽ |
| Redmi Note 11 Pro | Dimensity 920 | 5160 mAh, 67W | AMOLED 120Hz, 1080p | from 22,000 ₽ |
| Redmi Note 11S | Helio G96 | 5000 mAh, 33W | AMOLED 90Hz, 1080p | 18,000 ₽ |
Redmi Note 11 It was the first budget smartphone with AMOLED-screen and refresh rate 90 Hz in its price range, which has made it a bestseller among users who want smooth scrolling and deep colors, but are not willing to pay for the flagship. 680 It is a very small game, but the camera is 50+8+2 MP gives mediocre results in low light.
If you want a budget with better performance, look for the Redmi Note 11 Pro with a Dimensity 920 chip. It supports 5G, has faster charging (67W) and a 108 MP camera. But consider that in Russia 5G networks in 2022 were not widely available, so overpaying for this feature made sense only for the future.
⚠️ Attention: The budget Redmi Note 11 often had a problem with the "yellow" shade of the screen at minimum brightness. This is a hardware defect, and it can not be fixed software!
Xiaomi for photography: which models shoot better?
If you think of camera as a top priority, Xiaomi had a few decent options in 2022, with the Mi 12S Ultra with Leica optics being the top-performing camera, but the mid-range also has some competitive handsets.
Top.-3 Xiaomi 2022 photographic:
- The Mi 12S Ultra is the best camera in the lineup thanks to its 1-inch sensor (like the Sony Xperia Pro-I) and Leica Summicron optics. Perfect for professional shooting.
- Xiaomi 11T Pro is a 108 MP camera with good detail and video stabilization.
- Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is a budget version with a 108 MP camera and night mode.
The Mi 12S Ultra is Xiaomi’s only 1-inch smartphone that delivers excellent light transmission and detail. It pairs with Leica optics to deliver photos that are as good as the iPhone 13 Pro in the daytime.
- 💰 Price - from 80,000 ₽ (comparable to Samsung flagships).
- 📏 Dimensions - thickness of 9.1 mm and weight of 225 g make it uncomfortable for single use.
For most users, the best choice will be the Xiaomi 11T Pro. Its 108 MP camera will cope with most tasks, and support for 8K@30fps and Dolby Vision will come in handy for video shooting. If the budget is limited, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ will offer a similar 108 MP sensor, but with a more modest image processing.
How to check the camera before buying?
Xiaomi for games: POCO vs Redmi K50
If you need a smartphone to play games, Xiaomi had two main options in 2022: the POCO sub-brand and the Redmi K lineup. Both are geared towards gamers, but are suitable for different tasks.
POCO F4 GT is a specialized gaming smartphone with:
- 🎮 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and steam-chamber cooling system.
- 🖱️ Magnetic triggers. POCO Pop-Up (similar to the shoulder buttons of Asus) ROG Phone).
- 🔋 Battery 4700 mAh with charging 120W.
- 🖥️ Screen. AMOLED 120 Hz with support HDR10+.
The main advantage of the POCO F4 GT is the triggers that turn the smartphone into a near-console controller. They recognize 4 levels of press, which is convenient in shooters like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty. However, not everyone likes the design of the device: it looks aggressive, and the plastic case collects prints.
The alternative is the Redmi K50 Gaming (sold in Russia as the Black Shark 5), which is also equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but instead of triggers, offers physical buttons on the ends and better cooling.
- 🎯 Screen. OLED 120 Hz with tactile feedback (vibration when touched).
- 🔋 Double battery 4700 mAh with charging 120W.
- 📡 Antennae 5G with improved signal for online gaming.
Which one do you want? If you want triggers and bright designs — POCO F4 GT. If you need a more restrained appearance and better cooling – Redmi K50 Gaming.Both models in 2022 cost about 40,000-45,000 ₽, What is cheaper than the gaming flagships Asus or Nubia.
Make sure the model supports your favorite games (some titles are not optimized for Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
Check for physical triggers (if they are important to you)
Pay attention to weight – gaming smartphones often weigh >200g
Autonomy tests: some devices discharge in 3-4 hours in games
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Xiaomi’s ultra-budgetary: is it worth buying?
If your budget is limited to 10,000-15,000 ₽, Xiaomi in 2022 offered several ultra-budget models:
- 📱 Redmi 10A — 9,000 ₽ 5,000mAh battery.
- 📱 Redmi 10C — 12,000 ₽ with a Snapdragon 680 processor.
- 📱 POCO C40 — 11,000 ₽ chip-wise JLQ JR510 (analogue G35).
The main advantage of these smartphones is autonomy, for example, the Redmi 10A on a single charge can last up to 3 days with moderate use.
- 🐢 Slow processors (even the Snapdragon 680 slows down in heavy games).
- 📷 Weak cameras (resolution 13-50 MP, but the quality of the shooting is mediocre).
- 🖥️ Resolution screens HD+ and 60 Hz.
Who's going to be good for ultra-budget people, those who need a second phone, older users, or those who only use a smartphone for calls and instant messengers, and for everything else, you'd better save up on the Redmi Note 11 -- the price difference is justified.
⚠️ Attention: In the ultra-budget Xiaomi, memory problems are common. 10A 32GB on board leaves the user with only one ~20 GB after you install the system. Keep that in mind when you choose the storage capacity.
What Xiaomi to buy in 2022: final recommendations
We will summarize and give specific recommendations depending on your needs:
| Purchase purpose | Recommended model | Budget (2022) | The alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagship for everything | Xiaomi 12 Pro | 60 000–70 000 ₽ | Xiaomi 12 (cheaper, but weaker camera) |
| Games and productivity | POCO F4 GT | 40 000–45 000 ₽ | Redmi K50 Gaming (Best Cooling) |
| Photography and video | Xiaomi 12S Ultra | 80 000+ ₽ | Xiaomi 11T Pro (budget, but the camera is weaker) |
| Price/quality balance | Redmi Note 11 Pro | 22 000–25 000 ₽ | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE (slimmer and lighter) |
| Ultrabudget | Redmi 10C | 12 000–14 000 ₽ | POCO C40 (better for gaming, but weaker camera) |
If you are still undecided, answer two questions:
- What budget are you willing to spend?
- What is the critical feature (camera, game, autonomy, design)?
For example, if you need a smartphone up to 25 000 ₽ With a good camera, the best choice is the Redmi Note 11 Pro. If the budget is 40,000 ₽ And you care about gaming, take it. POCO F4 GT. For photos without compromises only Mi is suitable 12S Ultra, but be prepared to pay for it as a flagship.
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In 2022, Xiaomi offered the best value for money in the segment up to 30,000 ₽. The flagships of the brand were inferior to Samsung and Apple in long-term support, but won in the “iron” for the same money.