What Xiaomi smartphone to buy in 2021 up to 30 000 rubles: a detailed guide with a comparison of models

Why Xiaomi is the best choice in 2021 in a budget of up to 30,000 ₽?

Choosing a smartphone in 2021 is not an easy task, especially if the budget is limited to 30,000 rubles. Xiaomi has been leading the price-quality segment for several years in a row, offering devices with flagship characteristics at affordable prices. But how not to get lost among dozens of models and choose the device that will last for more than one year?

This year, the company has released several worthy candidates: from the game monsters of the POCO series to the balanced Redmi Note and premium Mi. We analyzed the market, studied user reviews and technical tests to make an objective rating of the best Xiaomi 2021 to 30,000 rubles. In the article you will find not only a comparison of characteristics, but also unique insights about the imminent sales and models that are about to fall in price.

Important: smartphone prices in 2021 are strongly influenced by the dollar and retailers’ shares. We focus on the average market value of new devices in official stores (for example, Mi Store, Svyaznoy, M. Video) excluding used and “gray” supplies.

Xiaomi’s Key Choice Criteria for 2021: What to Look for

Before we go into specific models, we'll figure out which parameters are really important in 2021 and which ones you can ignore. Smartphones are evolving, and what was relevant 2-3 years ago may not be useful today.

Here. TOP-5 Criteria that determine whether to buy a particular model:

• 🔋 Processor and performance: in 2021, the minimum acceptable chipset – Snapdragon 732G Or MediaTek Helio. G95. Everything that is weaker, no longer pulls modern games and multitasking.
• 📸 Camera: Megapixel count is not a metric. OIS (Optical stabilization and support 4K@30fps video.
• 🔄 Screen: AMOLED 90 Hz or 120 Hz – Must-have for comfortable use. IPS In 2021, that’s the last century.
• 🔌 Charging: fast charging from 33W Power Delivery support will save you hours of time.
• 📶 Network 5G: It is not critical, but if you plan to use a smartphone for more than 2 years, it is better to take a model with support for the new standard.

⚠️ Attention: In 2021, Xiaomi is actively reducing the supply of smartphones with a 3.5 mm headphone jack. If this is important for you, check the presence of the audio jack in the characteristics!

Now that you know what to look for, we’ve selected the top 5 Xiaomi 2021 to 30,000 rubles that are worth your attention.

TOP-5 Xiaomi 2021 before 30 000 ₽: comparison table

Here are some models that have passed our rigorous price/quality selection, and we've taken into account not just paper-based performance, but real-world tests, user reviews and long-term use.

Now, let’s talk about each model – its strengths and weaknesses.

POCO F3: Best gaming smartphone to date 30 000 ₽ into 2021 year

The POCO F3 is a redesigned version of the Redmi K40, adapted for the global market, with the Snapdragon 870 processor, which is on par with 2020 flagships (such as the Snapdragon 865+), making the POCO F3 the perfect choice for gamers and those who appreciate speed.

The screen here is AMOLED with HDR10+ support and 120Hz refresh rate. Combined with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, this provides a stunning experience when watching movies and games. The 4520mAh battery with 33W fast charging allows you to forget about battery issues.

• ✅ Pluses:
• 🎮 Snapdragon 870 processor is one of the most powerful in the segment
• 🔥 Screen. AMOLED 120 Hz with support HDR10+
• 🔋 Fast charging. 33W complete
• 📦 The glass case of Gorilla Glass 5
• ❌ Cons:
• 📸 Average main camera (48 MP without) OIS)
• 🔊 There is no 3.5 mm headphone connector
• 📦 No memory card slot.

⚠️ Attention: In 2021 POCO F3 often sold on stock for 25,000-26,000 ₽ During sales periods (for example, on AliExpress or Mi Store), if you are not in a hurry, wait for Black Friday or 11.11!

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POCO F3 is the best choice for gamers and those who want maximum performance for a reasonable amount of money.

Redmi Note 10 Pro: balanced flagship with a 108 MP camera

Redmi Note 10 Pro is the rare case when a mid-range smartphone gets a camera of 108 megapixels with a Samsung HM2 sensor. For comparison: even some flagships of 2020 had a main camera at 48 MP. Of course, the real quality of the photo depends not only on the megapixels, but in combination with good software processing Redmi Note 10 Pro gives great pictures during the day and acceptable – at night.

The screen here is the same as the POCO F3 – AMOLED with 120 Hz, but the processor is weaker: Snapdragon 732G. It is enough for most tasks, but in heavy games (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) will have to reduce the graphics settings, but the battery 5020 mAh provides a record autonomy – up to 2 days of moderate use.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro is made of matte glass, making it less than its competitors, and it also retains a 3.5mm connector and a memory card slot, a rarity for smartphones in 2021.

• ✅ Pluses:
• 📸 108 MP camera with good detail
• 🔋 The 5020 mAh battery is one of the most capacious in the segment
• 🎧 There is a 3.5 mm connector and a slot for microSD
• 💧 Splash protection as standard IP53
• ❌ Cons:
• 🎮 Snapdragon processor 732G Snapdragon 870 loses in performance
• 🔥 No Dolby Vision support (unlike the Dolby Vision) POCO F3)

Mi 11 Lite: stylish and lightweight smartphone for everyday tasks

If you want a thin, light and stylish smartphone that won’t stand out in your hand, the Mi 11 Lite is your choice, weighing only 157g and 6.81mm thick, it’s one of the most compact handsets of 2021, and it doesn’t compromise on screen: AMOLED with HDR10+ and 90Hz.

The processor here is the same as the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the Snapdragon 732G, but the battery is smaller: 4250 mAh. That's enough for a day of active use, but gamers will have to carry a power bank. But the camera here is 64 MP with a SONY IMX682 sensor, which is better at night shooting than the Samsung HM2 in the Redmi Note 10 Pro.

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If you like the Mi 11 Lite design, consider the Mi 11 Lite version. 5G with a 4250mAh battery and a Snapdragon processor 780G. It's a little more expensive (about 32 000). ₽), supports the network 5G And it has better performance.

One of the key advantages of the Mi 11 Lite is the design: the glass case with a gradient color and aluminum frame looks premium, and there is NFC for contactless payments and stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos.

• ✅ Pluses:
• 🏋️‍♂️ The lightest and thinnest smartphone in the selection (157 g)
• 📸 64 MP camera with good night photography
• 🎨 Premium design with gradient coloring
• 🔊 Stereodynamics with Dolby Atmos
• ❌ Cons:
• 🔋 The battery of 4250 mAh is not enough for active users
• 🔥 90 Hz screen (not 120 Hz like competitors)
• 📦 No memory card slot.

POCO X3 Pro: budget monster with Snapdragon 860 processor

If your budget is strictly limited to $25,000 ₽, But you don't want to sacrifice productivity — POCO X3 The Pro would be a great compromise. It's got a Snapdragon 860 processor (remarked Snapdragon 855).+), Which is still relevant for gaming and multitasking.

Sure, the screen here is IPS (not AMOLED), but with 120Hz and HDR10 support, the 5160mAh battery provides record-breaking autonomy — up to 3 days in moderate use, and also contains a 3.5mm connector and memory card slot, which is rare for smartphones in 2021.

The downsides are a 48MP camera without optical stabilization and a plastic case that doesn't look as premium as the competition's. ₽ that's forgivable.

The model number should be M2012K11AG (global)|Check availability NFC (In some regions it is not)|Make sure the screen doesn’t have broken pixels (test on a monotonous background)|Check the fast charging operation 33W (should come in complete)-->

• ✅ Pluses:
• 💰 The lowest price for smartphones with Snapdragon 860
• 🔋 5160 mAh battery – the record holder for autonomy
• 🎧 There is a 3.5 mm connector and a slot for microSD
• 🔥 120 Hz screen (albeit and IPS)
• ❌ Cons:
• 📸 Mid-camera without OIS
• 🏋️‍♂️ Plastic case (not premium)
• 📦 No Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

What Xiaomi to buy in 2021 to 30 000 ₽: final verdict

So let's summarize. If you need to,

• 🎮 The best gaming smartphone → POCO F3 (Snapdragon 870, AMOLED 120 Hz)
• 📸 Best camera ever. → Redmi Note 10 Pro (108 MP, good autonomy)
• 🏆 Balanced flagship → Mi 11 Lite (Stylish design, AMOLED 90 Hz)
• 💰 Maximum for minimum money → POCO X3 Pro (Snapdragon 860) battery 5160 mAh)

If you are still in doubt, answer two questions:

1. What's more important to you, camera or performance? If you're on camera, take the Redmi Note 10 Pro. If you're on POCO F3.
2. Are you willing to sacrifice autonomy for a thin body? If so, the Mi 11 Lite. If not, the POCO X3 Pro.

⚠️ At the end of 2021, Xiaomi plans to release new models of the Redmi Note 11 series and POCO F4. If you’re not in a hurry, it makes sense to wait until November-December — prices for current models will drop by 15-20%, and new smartphones will get improved cameras and processors.

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In 2021, the best choice for most users is the POCO F3 (performance) or Redmi Note 10 Pro (camera and autonomy).

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi before 30 000 ₽