What Xiaomi smartphone to buy in 2022: a detailed guide to models, prices and characteristics

Choosing a smartphone in 2022 is not an easy task, especially if we are talking about the Xiaomi brand, which offers dozens of models in different price categories. On the one hand, the company is pleased with innovations: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, screens with a frequency of 120 Hz, charging at 120W. On the other hand, it is easy to get confused in the lines of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi itself, where even the names sometimes say nothing about the real capabilities of the device.

In this guide, we analyzed all the current models of 2022, released or officially presented before December, and selected the best options for various tasks, from budget phones for calls to flagships for games and video shooting. We took into account not only the “naked” characteristics, but also the real experience of users, features of the MIUI 13 firmware, as well as the nuances with support for 5G networks in Russia. Importantly, in 2022 Xiaomi began to actively restrict the functionality of some models for the Russian market, we will also discuss this below.

If you're looking for a phone that's just for everything, go to the generics section: What's the best performance? See flagships. Budget constraints? There's budget options with decent specs. And for those of you who don't want to read a lot of text, we've put together a benchmark table with key parameters.

Xiaomi 2022 flagship models: for games, video and maximum performance

Xiaomi’s flagships in 2022 are represented by three key models: Xiaomi 12 Pro, Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Black Shark 5 Pro (a gaming smartphone). All of them are built on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but differ in cooling approaches, screens and cameras. The main question is whether to overpay for the Ultra version or is it enough of the standard Pro?

Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the company’s attempt to create a “killer” Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. It has a 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor (co-developed with Leica), optical stabilization on all three cameras and even the ability to shoot 8K video with HDR. However, in real tests, the camera loses to Galaxy in processing colors and details in low light, but the screen is one of the best on the market: AMOLED 2K with support for 120 Hz and LTPO (adaptive refresh rate).

• 🎮 For gamers: Black Shark 5 Pro with physical triggers and liquid cooling.The processor accelerates to 3.2 GHz, and the screen supports 144 Hz.
• 📸 For photographers: Xiaomi 12S Ultra with Leica lens and manual shooting mode, but be prepared for a weight of 225g.
• ⚡ For speed: Xiaomi 12 Pro with charging 120W (Full charge in 18 minutes) and wireless charging 50W.

⚠️ Attention: In Russia Xiaomi 12S Ultra is not officially sold, only through “gray” imports, which means no warranty and possible problems with firmware updates. Alternatively, Xiaomi 12 Pro, which is available in official stores.

Universal smartphones: the best price/quality balance

If you don’t want extreme specs, but want a modern phone with a good camera, fast processor and long support for updates – look at the mid-range models. In 2022, Xiaomi released several successful devices in this category, among which stand out Xiaomi 12, Redmi K50 Pro and POCO F4 GT.

Xiaomi 12 is a lightweight version of the flagship with the same design, but with an FHD+ screen instead of 2K and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor (but without overheating, like the Pro version). The main plus is compact: the weight is only 179 g at a thickness of 8.16 mm. The camera is simpler here (the main sensor is 50 MP Sony IMX766), but for everyday shooting it is enough. But the battery of 4500 mAh with a charge of 67W can disappoint heavy users – you will have to recharge by the evening.

The Redmi K50 Pro is the case where the Redmi brand offers almost flagship specs for half the price. Here is the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the AMOLED 120 Hz screen, but the camera is simpler (108 MP main sensor without optical stabilization). But there is a 5000 mAh battery with 120W charging - full charge in 19 minutes. Minus: the case is made of plastic, not glass, and there is no official sale in Russia (only through resellers).

Support for Russian support 4G/5G-ranges (especially for gray imports)

Availability of NFC for contactless payments

MIUI version (in 2022, the 13th version is relevant, but some models are still 12.5)

Warranty service (official shops vs grey imports)

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Xiaomi 2022 budget phones: cheap, but not always angry

Xiaomi’s budget segment is traditionally represented by the Redmi line and POCO. In 2022, there are three models: Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, POCO M4 Pro 5G And Redmi 10 2022, all cost less than 25,000. ₽, They differ in productivity and capabilities.

Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — Best choice in the budget segment, if necessary 5G And a good screen. AMOLED-A 120Hz display, a MediaTek Dimensity 920 processor (enough for most tasks) and a 108MP main camera (although the real quality is closer to 12MP due to software processing), the main drawback is the 4,500mAh battery, which sits down per day when used actively.

POCO M4 Pro 5G — The name of the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (The differences are minimal: different logo and firmware. MIUI for POCO And it's often 1,000 to 2,000 lower. ₽. If you are not a principal brand - take it. POCO and save.

• 💰 Cheapest: Redmi 10 2022 (~15 000 ₽), but with a Helio processor. G88 and a 90Hz screen.
• 📶 Best. 5G: Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (range-support n1/n3/n5/n8/n28/n41/n77/n78).
• 🔋 The most tenacious: POCO M4 Pro with 5000 mAh battery and charging 33W.

⚠️ Note: In budget models Xiaomi often save on the NFC If you want contactless payments or hardware management, check if you have these chips before you buy them. For example, Redmi 10 2022 doesn't have any. NFC, POCO M4 Pro 5G he is.

Comparative table of the best smartphones Xiaomi 2022

The table shows recommended retail prices for December 2022. Real value may vary depending on store, stock and availability. Note: 5G models in Russia may not work with all operators due to frequency restrictions. For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G does not support the n79 range that Beeline uses in some regions.

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Before buying, check the support 5G-ranges of your operator on the site 5g.rf. For example, for MTS critical ranges n5 (850 MHz) and n78 (3.5 GHz).

MIUI 13 Firmware Features in 2022: What Has Changed?

In 2022, Xiaomi released a global update MIUI 13, which brought both improvements and controversial innovations, the main change is the optimization of memory consumption: now the system takes 20-30% less RAM, which is especially noticeable on budget models with 4-6 GB of RAM.

• 🔄 Adaptive screen refresh rate (only works on the screen) AMOLED-display-in-display LTPO).
• 🔒 Improved data protection: Apps now need separate permission to access the clipboard.
• 🎨 New widgets and animations, but they can not be turned off – it annoys many users.

There are downsides, though: First, MIUI 13 has become even more aggressive in killing background processes, causing some messengers (like Telegram) to stop notifying. Second, the Russian version of the firmware has removed Google services (due to sanctions), making it harder to install apps. Third, on some models (like the Redmi Note 11), the upgrade to MIUI 13 brought bugs with auto-brightness and GPS.

What Xiaomi phone to buy in 2022: final recommendations

To sum up, choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 depends on your budget and objectives.

• 💎 Best flagship: Xiaomi 12 Pro – if you need top-end performance and fast charging. 12S Ultra should be taken only for professional photography.
• 🎯 Best balance: Xiaomi 12 is compact, powerful, with a good screen.The alternative is Redmi K50 Pro, if not frightened by gray imports.
• 💰 Best Budget: Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — post ~28 000 ₽ You get a 120Hz screen, 5G 108 MP camera.
• 🎮 For gamers: Black Shark 5 Pro or POCO F4 GT — Both with physical triggers and liquid cooling.

If you buy a phone in Russia, look for the official warranty: In 2022, Xiaomi began cutting down on models shipped through official distributors, meaning that many devices (like the Redmi K50 Pro or POCO F4 GT) are sold only through resellers, and in case of a breakdown, repairs can cost half the cost of the phone.

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In 2022, Xiaomi stopped supplying models with 5G support in the n28 (700 MHz) band used by MegaFon and Tele2 to Russia.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi 2022 phones