Which Redmi is better to buy in 2026: honest rating of Xiaomi smartphones

Choosing a smartphone from the Redmi line in 2026 became more difficult than ever: the brand offers more than 15 current models with prices from 10 to 50 thousand rubles. Where is the line between overpaying for the brand and real benefits? How not to buy an outdated chipset under the guise of “new products”? We analyzed the technical characteristics, user reviews and benchmark results to make an honest ranking of the best Redmi to date.

In this guide, you will find not just dry numbers, but practical recommendations: which Redmi is optimal for gamers, which will work 2 days without recharging, and which will shoot video better than the flagships of 2022. We took into account even such nuances as MIUI 14 vs. HyperOS, the real charging speed (not the one in advertising), and overheating problems in some models. Spiler: Redmi Note 13 Pro + 5G turned out to be the most balanced choice, but for a budget of up to 15,000 rubles, there is a more interesting option.

Choice Criteria: What to Look at First

Before comparing specific models, prioritize them, and manufacturers often mask their weaknesses with bright numbers on the box. Here's what really matters in 2026:

• 🔋 Battery and charging: Minimum volume is 5000 mAh. Pay attention to the real charging speed (Redmi Note 12 Turbo claimed 67 watts, but after 80% the speed drops by half).
• 📱 Screen: AMOLED 120 Hz is now even available in public sector, but check the brightness (below 800 nits during the day will be uncomfortable).
• 🎮 Processor: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 or Dimensity 7200 Ultra is the gold standard for gaming. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is only suitable for social networks.
• 📸 Camera: Don't look at megapixels - more important than sensor size (okay: 1/1.56", badly: 1/2.76") support OIS (optical stabilization).

Pay special attention to software. Since 2026, Xiaomi has been migrating new models to HyperOS instead of the new ones. MIUI. It’s not just renaming: the new shell optimized animations, added support AI-features (e.g., deleting objects from real-time photos), but some users complain about bugs with notifications. Check which OS is installed on the model you like - this can be a decisive factor.

⚠️ Note: Models with the suffix "Pro" and "Pro"+" They often differ only in camera and body material, not in processor. For example, Redmi Note 13 Pro and Pro.+ have the same chipset but different main sensors (200 MP vs 50 MP).

Top.-5 Redmi 2026 Year: rating by price/quality ratio

We selected models that are objectively leading in their price categories, and the table below shows the key characteristics, but more importantly, what is hidden behind the numbers:

The surprise of the year is the Redmi K70E. Despite being positioned as a “gaming” model, it beats the Note 13 Pro+ in Genshin Impact by 15-20% thanks to the cooler Dimensity 8300-Ultra chipset. However, this model has a critical drawback: there is no microSD slot, and the base version has only 128 GB of memory. If you shoot a lot of 4K video, you will have to overpay for the version at 256 GB.

Best Redmi for Games: Tests and Nuances

If you want a mobile gaming smartphone, you can choose from three models: the Redmi K70E, the Redmi K60 Ultra (still on sale) and the POCO F6 Pro (a close relative of Redmi by hardware), and we tested them in three modes:

• 🎮 Genshin Impact (max. settings, 60) FPS)
• 🏁 Asphalt 9 (Ultra Graphics)
• 🔥 Call of Duty Mobile (max. FPS + ultragraphic)

The results were unexpected: the K70E showed better FPS stability, but warmed more strongly (up to 48°C in the center of the body after 30 minutes); the K60 Ultra kept the temperature at 43°C, but lost in performance by 5-7%. The main conclusion: for long sessions, it is better to choose a model with liquid cooling (there are in the K60 Ultra and POCO F6 Pro).

⚠️ Attention: At Redmi K70E The default is Performance mode, which accelerates the processor and increases the heat. To lower the temperature, go to Settings. → Battery → Performance modes and select "Balanced".

For those who play with a gamepad, support for 4K@60fps via HDMI (only available in the POCO F6 Pro) and sensor delay is important. The K70E has a screen delay of 8.3 ms (excellent), the K60 Ultra has 9.1 ms (good), the Note 13 Pro+ has 12.5 ms (acceptable for casual gaming).

Does the model play your games on max settings (check on YouTube)

Is there a liquid cooling (ask the seller or see the disassembly)

Does the memory card slot support (important for installing heavy games)

How long does the charge last when playing (average) 3-5 flagship)-->

Budget up to 15,000 ₽: What to buy in 2026

In this segment, Xiaomi offers three current models: Redmi 13C 5G, Redmi 12 5G and Redmi A3. The first two are almost twins, but with key differences:

• 📶 Redmi 13C 5G Dimensity 6100 has been installed+ (20% faster than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in Redmi 12 5G)
• 📸 U 13C main chamber 50 MP (against) 48 MP 12 5G), but the sensor is smaller (1/2.76" vs 1/2.0")
• 🔋 Both models have the same battery, but 13C Charge 30 minutes faster thanks to 18 W vs 15 W

Our choice: Redmi 13C 5G 14,990 ₽. Despite the weaker camera on paper, it takes more detailed images in real-world environments thanks to a better image processing system — IPS-A 600-nit screen that's not easily visible in the sun. If you want a smartphone outdoors, consider the Redmi Note 11 Pro. AMOLED) for the same price.

Flagship functions in Redmi: what are the top models capable of

The border between Redmi and Xiaomi flagships is erased: in 2026, even budget models receive technologies that were previously only available in the Mi 11 Ultra or 13 Pro.

• 🤖 AI-Camera: In the Note 13 Pro+ regimen "AI Erase 2.0, which removes objects from photos (works better than Google Pixel 6)
• 🔊 Sound: Stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio K70E Note 13 Pro+)
• 🔋 Fast charging: 120 watts in Note 13 Pro+ Recharges the battery to 100% in 19 minutes (but only with the original power supply)
• 🌧️ Protection: Note 13 Pro+ — First Redmi Certified IP68 (can withstand immersion of 1.5 m for 30 minutes)

However, not all the "chips" work perfectly. For example, wireless charging (there is in the Note 13 Pro+) has a power of only 10 watts - this is 2 times slower than the Samsung Galaxy S23. And the 120x zoom mode in the K70E - pure marketing: after 10x, a strong blur begins, and the quality is worse than the iPhone 12 with 5x zoom.

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If you want to stabilize video, look at the OIS model, which in the 2026 Redmi lineup only has the Note 13 Pro+ (200 MP camera) and the K70E (64 MP main camera), and without OIS, video will twitch even during the day.

What to expect from Redmi in the second half of 2026

According to insiders, Xiaomi is preparing several interesting new products in the line of Redmi:

• 📱 Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 200MP + 8 MP periscope (optical zoom) 3x)
• 🎮 Redmi K80 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (the first Redmi with a flagship chipset)
• 🔋 Redmi Power 5G with a battery of 7000 mAh and charging 67 W

The most anticipated model is the Redmi K80, according to preliminary data, it will receive:

• 2K AMOLED screen with a frequency of 144 Hz
• Cooling system with steam chamber and graphite
• Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4

However, there is a risk that the price will exceed 40 000. ₽, What makes it less attractive in the background? POCO F6 Pro or even Xiaomi 14.If you need a smartphone right now, it's better not to wait - the performance difference between K70E and K80 It will be insignificant for most tasks.

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If you want a smartphone with maximum operating time, look for Redmi 13C 5G with a battery of 5000 mAh and an energy-efficient processor. in standby mode, it will last up to 7 days, and with active use (social networks, messengers) – 2 full days.

How not to run into a fake: 5 signs of the original Redmi

The fake Xiaomi market grew 30 percent in 2023, and scammers learned to copy not just the look, but boxes, stickers, even serial numbers.

1. Price: If the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ sell for $25,000 ₽ (10,000 ₽ The price of the market is 100% fake.
2. Packaging: The original box has a holographic code sticker that can be checked at mi.com/verify.
3. Firmware: The settings (About Phone) must include a version of MIUI or HyperOS with a date not older than 3 months.
4. Camera: Fakes often have blurry images even during the day. Take a test photo and check the detail.
5. Charging: The original Xiaomi power supplies are labeled MDY-12-... (for 120 watts) or MDY-08-... (for 67 watts).

Be careful when buying models on Avito or Yula, and according to the Interior Ministry, 40 percent of Redmi Note 12/13 ads are fraudulent.

1. Ask for a serial number and check it through imei.info
2. Ask for a check (even if the seller says it is not saved)
3. Meet in official communication salons (Svyaznoy, MTS) - there you can check the IMEI on the spot

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Redmi