Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2020 is a tough task, especially if you want a great camera and long battery life. The manufacturer has produced dozens of models, from budget Redmis to flagship Mis, each promising to be “best in its class.” But how do you sort through this variety without overpaying for unnecessary features?
In this guide, we analyzed all the current Xiaomi 2020 models, tested their cameras in real-world conditions (from twilight to macro photography) and measured battery life under heavy use. We won’t praise everything – we’ll be honest about the strengths and weaknesses of each model so you can make an informed choice, and we’ll also give you an idea of what hidden “chips” Xiaomi should pay attention to when buying, so as not to be disappointed in a month.
Spoiler: If you want a balance of value, the Redmi Note 9 Pro is the best choice for 80 percent of users, but if you're willing to pay for premium features, the flagship Mi 10 Pro will surprise even sophisticated photographers. And for those who are looking for maximum autonomy, we found a model with a battery of 6000 mAh!
Choice Criteria: What to Look at First
Before comparing specific models, prioritize the camera and battery, which are broad concepts, and each user has different requirements:
- 📸 Camera: You need night photography, portrait mode or video in the video 4K? Or enough good selfies?
- 🔋 Battery: you need a smartphone that lasts 2 days without recharging, or 1.5 days with active use is enough?
- 💰 Budget: Are you willing to overpay for a flagship or looking for the best value for money?
- 🎮 Performance: will you play heavy games or smooth enough messengers?
For example, if you often shoot videos for Instagram or TikTok, look for models with optical stabilization (OIS) and support for 4K@60fps. And if you need a smartphone for travel, the priority is capacious battery and fast charging. We took all these nuances into account in our review.
⚠️ Note: In 2020, Xiaomi was actively experimenting with cameras, and some models (such as the Mi Note 10) received a 108-megapixel sensor. ≠ It's often better to pick a 48MP model with Leica optics than to chase numbers.
Top.-5 Xiaomi 2020 The best camera and battery of the year
We selected the top 5 models in different price categories that combine high-quality cameras and long battery life, and the table below provides key features for quick comparison:
| Model | Camera (main) | Battery (mAh) | Fast charging. | Price (2020, rub.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro | 108 MP + 8 MP (telephoto) + 12 MP (wide-angle) + 20 MP (depth) | 4500 | 50 W. | 55 000 — 60 000 |
| Redmi Note 9 Pro | 48 MP + 8 MP (wide-angle) + 5 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth) | 5020 | 30 Watts. | 20 000 — 25 000 |
| Poco X3 NFC | 64 MP + 13 MP (wide-angle) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth) | 5160 | 33 Watts | 22 000 — 26 000 |
| Mi Note 10 Lite | 64 MP + 8 MP (wide-angle) + 5 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth) | 5260 | 30 Watts. | 28 000 — 32 000 |
| Redmi 9C | 13 MP + 5 MP (wide-angle) + 2 MP (macro) | 5000 | 10 Watts. | 10 000 — 12 000 |
Now we will analyze each model in detail so that you understand which one is right for you.
1. Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro – flagship for photographers
The Mi 10 Pro is the best camera of any Xiaomi of 2020, and it has a 108-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor that, when combined with Leica optics, delivers amazing results even in difficult conditions: Night photography, portrait mode, 8K video — this smartphone will cope with everything.
- 🌙 Night shooting: thanks to Night Mode 2.0, photos are bright and detailed even with minimal lighting.
- 🎥 Video: Support 8K@30fps and 4K@60fps optically stabilized.
- 🔋 Battery: 4500 mAh lasts 1.5 days when used actively, and 50-watt charging fills the battery in 45 minutes.
But there are downsides to this model: First, the price is the most expensive smartphone in our review; second, the weight (208 g) and dimensions can seem bulky; and finally, there is no memory card slot — only 256 GB of internal storage.
⚠️ Note: If you are planning to shoot a video in 8K, Please note that one minute of the video takes ~600 MB. with active shooting 256 GB may not be enough!
💡
To extend the life of the Mi 10 Pro battery, turn off background activity for unnecessary applications in the Battery settings → Optimize power consumption.
2. Redmi Note 9 Pro – the best balance of price and quality
The Redmi Note 9 Pro is the perfect choice for most users. It has everything you need: a good camera, a capacious battery, a productive processor and an affordable price. 48-megapixel main camera shoots as well as many flagships, and a battery of 5020 mAh provides 2 days of operation with moderate use.
Advantages of the model:
- 💰 Price: 2-3 times cheaper than flagships with comparable camera quality.
- 🔋 Autonomy: 5020 mAh + Powerful Snapdragon processor 720G = long-time.
- 📸 Camera: 48 MP with good detail, wide-angle module and macro lens.
- 🎮 Games: Snapdragon 720G pull-out PUBG Mobile at high settings.
The disadvantage is that there's no optical stabilization (only electronic), so it can be a little bit jiggy when you're moving, and it's also plastic, but at that price, it's excusable.
Check all cameras in the store | Make sure that fast charging (30W) is included | Evaluate build quality (no backlashes) | Check all 4G frequencies for your operator-->
3. Poco X3 NFC – for fans of power and long work
The Poco X3 NFC is a smartphone for those who like to play and shoot videos. It has a 120-hertz screen that makes animations incredibly smooth, and a 5160 mAh battery provides 1.5-2 days of work even when used intensively. The 64 MP camera shoots well, but inferior to the Mi 10 Pro in detail.
Key features:
- 🎮 120Hz screen: ideal for gaming and scrolling social networks.
- 🔋 5160 mAh battery: one of the most capacious in its class.
- 📸 64 MP camera: good detail, but poor night shooting.
- 💨 Fast charging 33W: charges up to 100% in 65 minutes.
The main disadvantage is the weight (215 g) and thickness (10 mm).The smartphone turns out to be quite bulky, but does not overheat even with long games.
How to turn 120Hz on on Poco X3 NFC
4. Mi Note 10 Lite - stylish smartphone with curved screen
The Mi Note 10 Lite is a simplified version of the flagship Mi Note 10, but with the same key advantages: curved. AMOLED-The 5260 mAh battery provides a day and a half of work, and the 64 megapixel camera shoots as well as many flagships.
Pros of the model:
- 📱 AMOLED-screen: deep black color, high contrast.
- 📸 64 MP camera: good detail and color reproduction.
- 🔋 Battery 5260 mAh: one of the most capacious in the line Xiaomi.
- 💎 Design: glass case and curved screen look premium.
Cons: no optical stabilization, no water protection, and the Snapdragon 730G processor is not as powerful as the flagships, but the price is much lower than the Mi 10 Pro.
5. Redmi 9C - Budget option with good battery
If you want a budget smartphone with a long battery life, the Redmi 9C is a great choice. It has a 5,000 mAh battery that lasts for 2-2.5 days with moderate use. The 13 MP camera is not a professional shoot, but it is enough for social networks and random shots.
Advantages:
- 💰 Price: one of the cheapest smartphones Xiaomi with a good battery.
- 🔋 Autonomy: 5000 mAh is long enough.
- 📱 Display: 6.53 inches with good viewing angles.
Cons: weak processor (Helio G35), no fast charging (only 10 watts), and the camera is mediocre. But for this price, it is a sin to complain!
💡
If you want a smartphone solely for calls, instant messengers and rare photos, the Redmi 9C is the perfect choice.
Camera comparison: what photos are obtained from each model
We tested all the models in real-world conditions: daylight, dusk, night photography, portrait mode and macro.
| Model | Daylight | Twilight. | Night. | Portrait | Macro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi 10 Pro | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Redmi Note 9 Pro | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Poco X3 NFC | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mi Note 10 Lite | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Redmi 9C | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
As you can see from the table, the Mi 10 Pro is leading in all respects, but it is also much more expensive. Redmi Note 9 Pro and Mi Note 10 Lite perform very well for its price, and Poco X3 NFC loses in the night shooting.
How to extend the life of Xiaomi battery: tips from experts
Even the most capacious battery loses capacity over time, so to keep your smartphone running longer, follow these tips:
- 🔌 Avoid full discharge: try to charge your phone when the charge has dropped to 20-30%. Full discharge (0%) is very harmful to the battery.
- ☀️ Don't overheat: Don't leave your smartphone in the sun or near heat sources. The optimum temperature is 10-35.°C.
- 🔋 Use the “native” charger: fast charging from Xiaomi is safe for the battery, and cheap analogues can damage it.
- 📵 Disable unnecessary functions: GPS, Bluetooth, NFC and background activity of applications drain the battery.
We also recommend calibrating the battery every 2-3 months: completely discharge the smartphone, and then charge to 100% without interruptions.
⚠️ Warning: If your smartphone is rapidly draining (e.g., losing 20 to 30% of its charge overnight), check it for viruses or app background activity. Often the problem lies in Facebook, Instagram or instant messengers that constantly sync data.