Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 has become more difficult than ever: the brand has released more than 20 models, from budget Redmi to premium Mi and Black Shark for gamers. Each series solves its own problems: someone needs a phone with the best camera for Instagram, someone needs a battery for 2 days, and someone – a top-end processor for mobile games. In this guide, we will analyze the key models of 2022, their strengths and weaknesses, and also help determine which one is right for you.
It’s important to understand that even within the same price segment, devices can be radically different, such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Redmi Note 11 Pro.+ 5G They are about the same, but the first is the flagship. AMOLED-We've got 120Hz displays and stereo speakers, and the second one is an improved mid-range with a focus on autonomy, and we've analyzed real-world performance tests, user feedback and benchmark service data to get a fair ranking.
If you don’t want to read long descriptions, go straight to the model comparison table or FAQ-For those of you who are willing to go into detail, we'll have a detailed breakdown of categories, from budget phones to game monsters.
Xiaomi 2022 flagship models: what to pay for?
Xiaomi flagships in 2022 are represented by the Xiaomi 12 series (including the 12X, 12, 12 Pro) and a special version of the 12S Ultra, released in conjunction with Leica. These devices are distinguished not only by top-end hardware, but also by premium body materials, advanced screens and branded chips like wireless charging at 50 watts.
The big question is, should you take Xiaomi's flagship when you can save money and take a mid-range model?
- 🎮 For gamers: Xiaomi 12 Pro with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and cooling system VC LiquidCool holds 60 FPS in Genshin Impact on maximum settings without trottling.
- 📸 For photographers: 12S Ultra has a Sony sensor. IMX989 (1 inch!) and Leica optics – night, portrait mode and video 8K Here is the level of the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
- 🔋 For travelers: 50W wireless charging and Quick Charge 4 support+ Allows you to charge your phone 100% in 42 minutes (wireless).
- 💰 Savings: If you don't need 120 Watt charging or 120x zoom, look at Xiaomi 11T Pro - it's cheaper on 15-20%, kept 90% flagship capabilities.
But there are pitfalls, too. For example, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is warmer than the Dimensity 9000 in competition, and the 12S Ultra camera requires manual tuning for perfect shots. If you're not ready to understand firmware and manual modes, maybe you should consider the iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S22, which are easier to use.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi flagships are often sold with global firmware MIUI Global, which may contain ads. To turn it off, go to Settings. → Memory. → Clean and deactivate the "Recommendations" option".
Mid-segment: Best Price/Quality Balance
If you’re looking for an all-around phone without overpaying for a brand, look at the mid-range, where Xiaomi offers two key series: the Redmi Note 11 and the POCO F4, with 80-90% of the flagship’s capabilities at 50-60% of the price.
The leader in price/quality ratio in 2022 was the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G:
- 120Hz AMOLED screen (competitors in this segment often have IPS 90Hz).
Dimensity 920 is one of the most energy efficient processors in its class.
- 5000 mAh battery with 120 W charging (full charge in 15 minutes!).
108 MP camera with optics from Samsung (better than the Realme 9 Pro+).
The power-hungry alternative is the POCO F4 GT with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor (yes, the same chip as the flagships!) and magnetic triggers for gaming, with a plastic case and no official water protection, but a 30% lower price than the Xiaomi 12.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Battery/charge | Price (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Dimensity 920 | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 5000 mAh/20Wh | ~35 000 ₽ |
| POCO F4 GT | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 4700 mAh/ 120 Wh | ~42 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 11T Pro | Snapdragon 888 | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 5000 mAh/20Wh | ~48 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 12 Lite | Snapdragon 778G | 6.55" AMOLED, 90 Hz. | 4300 mAh / 67 W | ~32 000 ₽ |
☑️ What to check before buying a mid-budget Xiaomi
Budget smartphones: cheap ≠ badly
Xiaomi’s budget phones are no longer “disposable” in 2022, with the Redmi 10 2022 and POCO M4 Pro offering:
- Screens with a frequency of 90 Hz (previously in this segment there were only 60 Hz).
Helio G88 or Dimensity 810 processors that pull PUBG Mobile at mid-range settings.
- 5000 mAh batteries with support for fast charging of 18-33 W.
The main compromise is cameras. In public sector workers, there is usually a 50MP core module (often without optical stabilization) and a 2MP macro sensor. For social networks, this is enough, but for professional photography you have to buy external optics, but there are unexpected advantages:
- 🔌 Durability: Redmi 10A It has a removable battery, which can be replaced for 1000 ₽ Instead of buying a new phone.
- 🛡️ Protection: POCO M4 Pro passed certification IP53 (dust/splash), which is rare for public sector workers.
- 📶 Connection: All 2022 models support 5G (even for $15,000. ₽), However, competitors often only 4G.
If your budget is up to 15,000 ₽, Pay attention to Redmi. 10C Snapdragon 680 processor is more energy efficient than Helio G35 And if you want maximum autonomy, take the Redmi 10 Power with a 6,000 mAh battery (lasts 3 days in moderation!).
How to check the originality of Xiaomi before buying?
Gamers' phones: Black Shark vs POCO
For mobile gamers, Xiaomi offers two lines:
1.The Black Shark 5 Pro is a specialized gamer phone with physical triggers and liquid cooling.
2. POCO F4 GT - "hybrid" flagship and gamer device, but without dedicated buttons.
The difference between them is fundamental:
The Black Shark 5 Pro has a 144Hz screen (vs. 120Hz for POCO), magnetic triggers with a pressure of 300g and a Sandwich Liquid Cooling cooling system that reduces the temperature by 18°C.
- POCO F4 GT lighter by 30g, thinner by 1.5 mm and cheaper by 10,000 ₽, But his body heats up to 47.°C in Call of Duty Mobile vs. 41°C at Black Shark).
Who has what to choose?
If you play Genshin Impact, Honor of Kings or Diablo Immortal for 3+ hours a day, take Black Shark 5 Pro. Its triggers are customizable for any game, and Shark Space mode blocks notifications and optimizes performance.
If gaming is entertainment for 1-2 hours a day, and the rest of the time the phone is needed for work, then the POCO F4 GT will be more versatile.
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To reduce heat during play, turn on performance mode in Settings → Special Features → Game mode and set the FPS limit to 90 frames instead of 120. This will reduce the temperature by 5-7 ° C without noticeable loss of smoothness.
The Best Xiaomi Photography in 2022
If the camera is your priority, Xiaomi will have three models worth considering in 2022:
1.The Xiaomi 12S Ultra (together with Leica) is the best Android camera after the Google Pixel 6 Pro.
2. Xiaomi 11T Pro is the gold standard for social networks (108 MP + good post-processing).
3. Redmi Note 11S — budgetary with a camera on 108 MP, which bypasses many phones for 50 000 ₽.
Let's take a closer look at them.
- 📷 Xiaomi 12S Ultra: Sony's sensor IMX989 (1 inch) + Leica's optics give you incredible detail. 8K — Here everything is at the level of the iPhone 13 Pro. Minus: weight 225g and thickness 9.1 mm.
By comparison, 12S Ultra takes pictures with a dynamic range of 14 EV (versus 12.5 EV for the 11T Pro), and its night mode uses Leica algorithms to reduce noise. If you shoot for Instagram or tick-to-current, the difference will be noticeable. If you just want good photos for a family archive, the Redmi Note 11S will cope with 80%.
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For the best photos on Xiaomi, always shoot in format. RAW (Hand-activate in your camera settings and process your images in Lightroom Mobile, which compensates for post-processing weaknesses. MIUI.
Maximum autonomy: Which Xiaomis live longer?
If you need a phone that will work. 2-3 Day without a socket, pay attention to models with a battery 5000+ mAh and energy efficient processors. 2022 Year of Leadership in Autonomy:
- Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G – 5000 mAh + Dimensity 920 (6 nm) = 1.5 days of active use.
- POCO M4 Pro 5G – 5000 mAh + Dimensity 810 (6 nm) = 2 days in moderation.
- Redmi 10 Power – 6000 mAh + Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) = 3 days with rare use.
But autonomy doesn't just depend on the battery, but here's what happens.
- 🔄 Screen refresh rate: 60Hz eats 20% less charge than 120Hz.
- 📶 Network: 5G discharge 15-20% faster than 4G.
- 🔊 Sound: Stereo speakers (like in Xiaomi) 12 Pro) increase the cost of 5-10%.
To extend the life of the battery:
1. Turn it off. 5G, If not required (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks).
2. Set the screen frequency to 60 Hz (Settings → Display).
3. Enable Battery mode in Settings → Battery (limits the background activity of applications).
⚠️ Attention: Fast charging on 120 W (as in Redmi Note) 11 Pro+) reduces the battery life of 15-20% after 500 If you plan to use your phone longer 2 years, charge it to 30 W (use adapter from Redmi Note) 10 Pro).