The smartphone market in 2022 experienced perhaps the most serious turmoil in the past decade, which particularly affected Russian consumers. The departure of official retailers, currency swings and logistics collapse changed the rules of the game, forcing a review of traditional selection criteria.
Chinese giant Xiaomi has shown enviable resilience during this period, maintaining the leadership in sales in Russia, but the range has shifted towards parallel imports. Global versions of devices are now often replaced by Chinese (CN) or Indian (IN) modifications, which makes its own adjustments to work with notifications and banking applications.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what models are relevant right now, what risks are the devices imported unofficially, and what to pay attention to not overpay for outdated features. You will learn whether to chase new products or it is wiser to take a proven flagship of the last year.
⚠️ Note: Buying a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 through “gray” channels, you risk getting a device with a locked bootloader or Chinese firmware without Google services out of the box.
Key changes in the smartphone market in 2022
Market conditions dictate new conditions that cannot be ignored when choosing a gadget, as price has become a major factor, and the availability of software. Many new models launched in 2022 initially ship with Android 12 or 13, but under sanctions, updates may be delayed or not arrive at all on global versions if servers are not available.
The second important aspect is the sharp rise in the price of top-end processors: flagship chips Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Dimensity 9000 provided a huge increase in performance, but also significantly increased the cost of the final product.
The third factor is the problem with NFC Xiaomi smartphones, like other Android devices, in Russia have lost the possibility of contactless payment through Google Pay. NFC It's important to understand when you buy a phone, to transfer files or access keys, but it completely changes the scenario of using the phone in the store. NFC-Paying out of the box without complex manipulations.
Flagship solutions: Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro
If the budget allows and needs maximum experience, the Xiaomi 12 series remains the uncontested leader. These devices represent the quintessence of the company’s technology at the time of release. The compact Xiaomi 12 has become a breath of fresh air for those who are tired of shovels, offering top-end hardware in a comfortable body.
Xiaomi 12 Pro is geared towards multimedia consumers, with a best-in-class LTPO 2.0 screen that dynamically changes refresh rates from 1 to 120 Hz, saving battery life. A camera with three 50 MP modules allows you to take professional shots, although software processing sometimes causes excessive noise cancellation.
But it's worth considering that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which is installed in these models, is known for its high heat output. In hot summers or during long games, the phone can significantly heat up and drop the brightness of the screen, which is a fee for compactness and high performance.
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For flagships of the Xiaomi 12 series, it is strongly recommended to use the original 67W or 120W charger, as third-party units may not activate the fast charging mode due to the proprietary protocol.
Buying these models in 2022 is justified if you find a version of Global that supports all LTE frequencies (Band 7 and Band 20), which is critical for 4G operation in Russia. Chinese versions often lack the seventh band, which can lead to a drop in Internet speed in the countryside.
The Golden mean: subflagships Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro
Xiaomi’s 12T lineup was a hit in the fall of 2022, offering near-flagship specs at a more affordable price.It’s the perfect choice for those looking for a balance between performance and cost.The series’ main feature is a camera with a 108MP (in the base version) and 200MP (in the Pro version), inherited from more expensive models.
The Xiaomi 12T Pro is based on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. It is an improved version of the chip, made using a more slimmer process technology, which solved the problems with overheating typical of its predecessors.
The base model of Xiaomi 12T is built on the chip MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Ultra. This is one of the most successful processors of the middle segment, which in performance is not inferior to the flagships of last year. For most users, the difference in speed between it and the top Snapdragon will be invisible in everyday tasks.
☑️ Checking on purchase 12T/12T Pro
The 12T series also has a strong support for 120W fast charging, even in the base version, which allows you to fully charge a 5,000mAh battery in less than 20 minutes, and for the modern rhythm of life, it becomes more important than having wireless charging, which, alas, is not here.
Budget segment: Redmi Note 11 and 12 series
In the category of affordable smartphones up to 25 thousand rubles, the undisputed leader remains the Redmi Note series. Models of 2022, such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro, brought to the budget segment AMOLED-screens with a frequency of 120 Hz, which a year ago was the lot of premium.
The main difference between these models is the focus on design and screen to the detriment of the processor. It often uses Helio G96 or Snapdragon 680 chips, which are suitable for social networks and video, but do not pull heavy games at high settings.
Importantly, in 2022, Xiaomi began to actively introduce infrared ports for control of equipment and stereo sound, which was previously the prerogative of more expensive devices, making the Redmi Note an excellent multimedia center.
⚠️ Note: Redmi budget models often use a screen type AMOLED, If you have sensitive eyes, be sure to check the device live or check for function before buying. DC Dimming.
Also worth remembering is the plastic bezel and back panel in most of the models in this series, which reduces the cost but makes the smartphone less pleasant to the touch compared to glass flagships. However, the presence of Gorilla Glass (usually version 3 or 5) partially compensates for this disadvantage.
Gaming smartphones: POCO F4 and F5
The POCO brand has traditionally been focused on enthusiasts and gamers, offering maximum performance for minimal money. The POCO F4 and the POCO F5, which was released in early 2023 (but available in 2022), are based on time-tested chips.
The POCO F4 is powered by a Snapdragon 870 processor, a legendary chip that has become a “people’s flagship” thanks to its stability and lack of overheating issues. In 2022, it’s one of the smartest purchases for gaming, as it’s cooler and more predictable than the new hot Snapdragon.
The newer POCO F5 has the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, which is essentially the rebranded flagship of last year. Its gaming performance is comparable to top-end solutions, and it costs significantly less, making it the best choice for mobile gaming in 2022-2023.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Charging. | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POCO F4 | Snapdragon 870 | AMOLED 120 Hz | 67 W. | Stability and cooling |
| POCO F5 | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 | AMOLED 120 Hz | 67 W. | Flagship level power |
| Redmi Note 11 Pro | Helio G96 | AMOLED 120 Hz | 67 W. | Best screen on budget |
| Xiaomi 12T | Dimensity 8100-Ultra | AMOLED 120 Hz | 120 W. | 108 MP camera |
Why is POCO F4 still relevant?
Version problems: Global, CN and EAC
In 2022, it is critical to understand the labeling of boxes, because the functionality of the phone depends on it. Official shipments in Russia were labeled EAC (Eurasian compliance), such devices have a Russified box, a power supply unit with a Euro fork and, most importantly, an unlocked loader for working with global firmware.
Global Version-branded devices (often imported in parallel) may have a Chinese plug (need an adapter) and a Chinese box, but global firmware inside. These are usually the least of the problems, but the warranty in official Xiaomi services may not apply to them.
The most difficult option is the China Version with global firmware installed (called “flashed”), where vendors open the box, change the software to global and pack back, and these phones often have a locked bootloader, which prevents banking applications from being installed through standard methods, and notifications can come with a delay.
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The golden rule of buying in 2022: if the price is too good for the Global version, it is most likely a Chinese machine (CN Global) that is more likely to lose money and nerves than savings.
You can check the version by IMEI code on the official website or in the settings menu. Settings → The phone should be listed as a version of MIUI with the Global index, not China or India.
What to pay attention to when buying
When choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in the current environment, you need to exercise caution. The market is flooded with restored devices and models with defects. First of all, check the integrity of the package and the presence of factory films. If there are autopsy marks on the box or the factory film on the screen is crooked, this is a reason to be wary.
Be sure to test the touch screen and the communication modules. Turn on the flight mode and turn it off, check if the 4G network is caught. Test Wi-Fi at different frequencies (2.4 and 5 GHz), also check the accelerometer and gyroscope, as this is a common problem of budget models.
Be sure to check the package. In 2022, Xiaomi, following the trend of Apple and Samsung, stopped putting protective cases in the kit even in the flagship models (except the Ultra-series), the absence of film or cover in the box is the norm, not a sign of fake.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid buying smartphones with already installed third-party apps (RuStore, Yandex, etc.) right on the desktop if you buy the device as a “new” one. This is a sure sign that the phone has been opened and re-flashed in homemade conditions, which can carry data security risks.