Which Xiaomi smartphone is better to buy in 2026 TOP of the year-10 plus-and- minus models

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 has become more difficult than ever: the brand offers more than 20 current models – from the budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra. But how not to get confused in the specs and not overpay for unnecessary functions? This article will help determine the priorities: whether you need a top camera for shooting video in 8K, a game processor for Genshin Impact at maximum settings or a fairly reliable device for 15,000 rubles with a good battery.

We analyzed Xiaomi’s current product range, user reviews and test results to rank the key categories: price/quality, performance, photos, autonomy and design, and focused on the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9200+ chips, which first appeared in the brand’s smartphones in 2026 – they radically change the way mobile devices are capable.

Important: If you choose between multiple models, pay attention not only to the “bare” characteristics, but also to the real-world experience. For example, the Xiaomi 13T Pro looks more powerful on paper than the Redmi K60 Ultra, but in everyday use the latter shows better autonomy thanks to optimized software.

1.The best Xiaomi smartphones in terms of price / quality

Price/quality is the most controversial category, where people often overpay for the brand or, conversely, save on important details, and we selected models where the balance between cost and opportunity is as balanced as possible.

The leader is Xiaomi Poco. X6 Pro (from) 28 000 ₽) — The first smartphone with a Dimensity chip 8300-Ultra It's outperforming the competition in terms of performance. 30-40% at a similar price, and his 67-The battery fills the battery with 100% post 44 The only drawback is the plastic case, but for that money, even the Samsung Galaxy. A54 offers the same material.

• 🏆 Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro is the best choice for gaming and multitasking (Dimensity chip) 8300-Ultra, 120 Hz AMOLED)
• 📸 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Optimum camera in the segment up to 30,000 ₽ (200 MP main module with OIS)
• 🔋 Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro – the champion of autonomy (5100 mAh) + 67W charging)
• 💰 Redmi 13C — cheapest smartphone NFC (12,000 ₽, battery)

Let’s compare the key parameters of the category leaders:

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 13 Series models are officially sold with global firmware in Russia, but some dealers install Chinese firmware MIUI No Google services. Before buying, check the software version through Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — It should be listed as "Global".

Top Xiaomi flagships: when overpayment is justified

Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones in 2026 are divided into two lines: Xiaomi 14 (premium design, best cameras) and Xiaomi 14 Ultra (maximum performance).

Xiaomi 14 Ultra (from Ultra) 120 000 ₽) It was the first smartphone of the brand with a four-camera system Leica, where all modules have optical stabilization. 50-megapixel main camera with variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0) Bypasses even the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Tests DXOMARK. For most users, the difference is Xiaomi. 13 Pro (which is now worth it) 70 000 ₽) will be invisible.

More balanced choice - Xiaomi 14 (from 85 000) ₽). It lost the telephoto camera compared to the Ultra version, but retained the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and screen resolution. 2K+. Its key advantage is compactness (weighing 188 g vs. 224 g in Ultra) and support for wireless charging. 50W.

• 📷 Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best camera on the market (DXOMARK: 152 points)
• ⚡ Xiaomi 14 is the best flagship for everyday use
• 🎮 Black Shark 6 Pro is the only gaming smartphone with physical triggers (from 65,000+) ₽)

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi flagships with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor can overheat during long gaming sessions. If you plan to play Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile at maximum settings, be sure to buy a cooling case (for example, Xiaomi Cooling Back Clip Pro).

3.The best Xiaomi smartphones for gaming: not just Black Shark

Xiaomi gaming smartphones are traditionally associated with the Black Shark lineup, but in 2026 that changed: the regular Poco and Redmi K series models offer comparable performance for less money.

The Ultimate Leader - Redmi K70 Pro (from 45,000) ₽) It's powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and a Loop LiquidCool liquid cooling system. 3DMark Wild Life scores 14,500, 15 percent higher than Black Shark 5 Pro. K70 Pro is thinner (8.2 mm vs 10.3 mm) and supports wireless charging.

For those who are looking for the maximum FPS, Poco's fine. F6 Pro (from 40,000) ₽). Its 144Hz screen and AdaptiveSync technology automatically adjusts to content from 60Hz for video to 144Hz in games. The package includes a proprietary Poco Game Turbo trigger that is attached to the case with magnets.

🔹 Run AnTuTu Benchmark (result should be at least 1,200,000 for flagships)

🔹 Check the body temperature after 15 minutes of Genshin Impact (normal to 42).°C)

🔹 Make sure you have Game Turbo mode in your settings

🔹 Check support 4K@60fps screen-recording

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Xiaomi smartphones with the best camera: what to choose for photos and videos

V 2026 Xiaomi has been betting on cooperation with Leica, and it brought results: Xiaomi models 14 Ultra and Xiaomi 13T Pro's in top-5 rating DXOMARK. But do you need those opportunities?

For professional shooting is suitable Xiaomi 14 Ultra with its unique camera: variable aperture (like in DSLRs), 6-multiple periscopic zoom and support for video recording in 8K@24fps. Its main competitor is Xiaomi. 13T Pro (from) 60 000 ₽), cheaper 40%, but has a similar 50-Sony megapixel sensor IMX707 Leica-optic.

For everyday photos, Redmi Note is enough. 13 Pro+ (from 30 000 ₽). His. 200-Megapixel main camera with pixel binning 16-into-1 It gives you detailed photos even in low light, and in video mode, it supports them. 4K@30fps electronically stabilized, which is rare for this price segment.

• 🎥 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – Best Video (8K, Dolby Vision HDR)
• 📸 Xiaomi 13T Pro – the optimal price/quality ratio for the photo
• 🌃 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — best night shoot on budget
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Xiaomi Civi 3 – the perfect selfie smartphone (32 MP) + 32 MP frontal)

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To enable professional shooting mode on Xiaomi, go to the Camera → More. → Professional. You can manually adjust the shutter speed (up to 32 seconds), ISO (100–3200) and white balance (2000–10000K).

5. The longest-playing Xiaomi smartphones: record-breakers of autonomy

If you want a smartphone that lasts 2-3 days without recharging, look for models with a 5000 mAh+ battery and energy-efficient processors. The leader here is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro with its 5100 mAh and the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip, optimized for low power consumption.

In the PCMark Battery test, it scored 18 hours 32 minutes — 2 hours longer than the Samsung Galaxy M54 with the same battery capacity. The Note 13 Pro supports quick charging of 67W, which fills the battery 100 percent in 45 minutes.

For those who are willing to sacrifice productivity for autonomy, Redmi is the right fit. 13C (12,000 ₽). Its 5,000mAh battery paired with a Helio processor G85 It's got up to 4 days of moderate use, amazingly, even at 12,000. ₽ supports NFC and stereo speakers.

⚠️ Note: In smartphones Xiaomi with battery 5000 mic+ Often there is a problem of "blowing" the battery through 1.5-2 To avoid this, avoid charging before the year of operation. 100% (optimally, up to 80%) and don't leave your phone charging overnight. In the battery settings (Settings) → Battery → Battery settings) enable Optimized charging option.

6. Xiaomi budget smartphones: what you can buy up to 15,000 ₽

The budget segment is Xiaomi’s most competitive category, and it’s important not to run into a stripped-down version with 2/32 GB of memory or no NFC. We’ve selected models that won’t have to be changed in six months.

Best pick - Redmi 13C (from 12 000 ₽) version 4/128 It's powered by a Helio processor. G85, He is able to cope with everyday tasks and easy games (PUBG Mobile is medium-sized. It has NFC, stereo speakers and even an infrared port for control equipment. HD+, But in this price segment, it's the norm.

The alternative is Poco C65 (from 13 000 ₽) helio-processor G88 screen-wise 90 Hz, he's winning against Redmi. 13C performance-wise 15-20%, It loses in autonomy (battery). 5000 mac against 5030 um 13C). Both smartphones support 18W Charging, but only in the set comes 10W-block.

• 💰 Redmi 13C 4/128 GB is the best budgetary NFC and stereo speakers
• 🎮 Poco C65 — Optimal for light gaming (90 Hz screen)
• 📱 Redmi A2+ — The cheapest smartphone with a pure Android (from 8000) ₽)

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In budget smartphones, Xiaomi often saves on memory: versions with 32 GB actually have only ~22 GB of available space after installing MIUI. Always take a minimum of 64 GB, even if you plan to use the cloud.

7. Which Xiaomi to Choose for Seniors or Gift

If you buy a smartphone for parents or as a gift, the priorities are different: simple interface, large icons, good speaker and reliability. Xiaomi has several suitable models.

Best option – Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (from 18 000) ₽). It has a simple screen mode (Settings). → Special opportunities → Simple mode, which increases fonts and simplifies menus, matte plastic body does not slide in the hands, and the 5,000 mAh battery provides 2 days of operation. Importantly, this model has a 3.5 mm headphone jack — many older people prefer wired headsets.

For those who are willing to spend more, the Xiaomi Civi 3 (from 35 000) is suitable. ₽). Its main advantage is the ultra-thin and lightweight body (173.5 g), which is convenient to hold with one hand. AMOLED Dolby Vision supports video viewing and stereo speakers provide loud sound without distortion.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions