Mobile devices are booming in 2018, and Chinese giant Xiaomi is setting the game here. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to decide which model from the brand’s huge lineup to buy, so as not to overpay for unnecessary features, but also to lose performance. The question of which phone Xiaomi should choose in 2018 worries both fans of the brand and those who are first to look at this ecosystem.
This year, the company has been betting on bezel-free, dual-camera and artificial intelligence even in the mid-range, and we've analyzed the specs, user reviews and current market offerings to get an objective picture, and choosing the right gadget is an investment of 2-3 years, so it's worth understanding the nuances of processors, screens and case materials.
In this article, we're not just going to list dry numbers from the specifications, but our goal is to help you figure out which model will be the perfect companion for your specific tasks, whether it's mobile gaming, professional photography or just active communication in instant messengers. Let's dive into the world of technology in 2018.
The flagship line of Mi: power and innovation
If you are looking for maximum performance and are willing to pay for top-end performance, then you should pay attention to the Mi series. In 2018, the main flagship was the Xiaomi Mi 8, dedicated to the 8th anniversary of the company. This device received the advanced Snapdragon 845 chipset, which at the time of release provided unmatched speed of the interface and games.
The screen deserves special attention. Unlike previous generations, it uses a Super AMOLED matrix that provides deep black and high contrast. For those who value image quality when watching video or reading text, this is a critical parameter. In addition, it is the flagships that first introduced support for NFC technology for contactless payments, which in 2018 became the de facto standard for the premium segment.
The Mi Mix 2S is a special feature, and it's designed for those who want to stand out. The experimental design with a ceramic body and slider (in later versions) or a minimalist frame at the bottom is a big draw, but if you're choosing a phone that's purely for gaming, the regular Mi 8 might be more practical because of its more efficient cooling system.
⚠️ Note: The flagship Mi series models in 2018 were often delivered in versions for the global market (Global) and for China (CN). When buying the Chinese version, make sure it supports the frequencies you need. LTE Band 7 and Band 20, otherwise mobile internet speeds in Europe and the CIS may be low.
Mid-segment: Balance of price and quality
The most popular category is traditionally the middle class, where value for money comes to the fore, with the Redmi Note 5 (known in China as the Redmi Note 5 Pro) the undisputed leader, which has been the Snapdragon 636 processor, which has become a hit thanks to its energy efficiency and stable performance.
The main feature of the models of this segment in 2018 was the emergence of a dual main camera with support for portrait mode. AI algorithms have learned to blur the background well, which was previously the prerogative of only expensive flagships. Screens here, as a rule, IPS with a resolution of 2160×1080 (Full HD+), which provides excellent picture clarity.
Also in this segment, it is worth noting the Xiaomi Mi A2. This smartphone is included in the Android One program, which guarantees receiving operating system updates directly from Google without delay from the manufacturer. For fans of “pure” Android without unnecessary shells, this can be a decisive factor in choosing.
- 📱 Redmi Note 5 is the best choice for most users due to its balanced features.
- 📷 Xiaomi Mi A2 — Perfect for fans of clean Android and high-quality night shooting.
- ⚡ Xiaomi Mi 6X — Chinese-style A2 shelled MIUI and more striking design.
💡
When buying a mid-range smartphone, pay attention to the amount of RAM. In 2018, the comfortable minimum for fast MIUI is 4 GB, and optimally – 6 GB.
Budgetary decisions: maximum for minimum money
Xiaomi’s budget segment has always been strong, and 2018 was no exception: the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus series brought the 18:9 format to the low price range, which allowed for a larger screen size while keeping the body dimensions compact, which is important for management.
The main material of the case is metal, which provides good strength and heat sink, although it does not allow wireless charging. Processors level Snapdragon 450 or Helio P18 is quite cope with everyday tasks: social networks, navigation and watching video in HD.
It's important to understand that public sector workers often use a simpler screen array and plastic safety glass, but if you prioritize autonomy, these models may surprise you, because the lack of power-intensive features and optimization of the system allow them to work up to two days without recharging.
For those looking for a low-cost option for a child or older parents, the Redmi 5A is a good fit. Despite its modest specs, it remains one of the best-selling smartphones in the world due to its affordability and reliability.
💡
In the budget segment of 2018, the key difference was the ability to get a screen with an aspect ratio of 18:9 even for $100-120, which was previously impossible.
Gaming opportunities and productivity
Mobile gaming has taken on a new level in 2018, and hardware requirements have increased, and if you're planning to play PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9, or Fortnite, you can't save on the processor, and the leader is the Snapdragon 845 bundle and the Adreno 630 graphics accelerator.
But it's not just the chipset that affects the experience. It's the cooling system that matters. The Mi 8 and Mi Mix 2S flagships use graphite gaskets and copper tubes to remove heat. Mid-range models like the Pocophone F1 (which also came out this year and is a hidden flagship) have a liquid cooling system that allows high frequencies to be kept long without trottling.
Software optimization is a special focus, with the Game Turbo (or its 2018 counterparts) in the MIUI shell blocking notifications and redistributing system resources to the game, allowing even mid-range processors like the Snapdragon 660 to get a stable 60 frames per second in optimized games.
| Model | Processor | Graphics | AnTuTu Assessment (Example) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 8 | Snapdragon 845 | Adreno 630 | ~290 000 |
| Pocophone F1 | Snapdragon 845 | Adreno 630 | ~285 000 |
| Redmi Note 5 | Snapdragon 636 | Adreno 509 | ~140 000 |
| Redmi 5 Plus | Snapdragon 625 | Adreno 506 | ~90 000 |
Secrets to boosting FPS
Camera: Megapixel race or software?
In 2018, smartphone manufacturers finally shifted the focus from the number of megapixels to the quality of image processing. Dual Pixel autofocus, which first appeared in Xiaomi smartphones this year (in the Mi 8 and Mi Mix 2S model), allowed to achieve lightning-fast focus even in low light.
The main trend of the year is the use of the second camera module not only for zoom, but also for an optical stabilization telephoto lens (OIS) and a wide-angle lens. Although OIS in 2018 was still rare for Xiaomi (mostly found in the Mi Mix 2S), software stabilization of video did wonders. AI Scene Detection algorithms learned to recognize up to 200 scenes and adjust colors: make the grass greener and the sky richer.
Front cameras also received a major upgrade, with a screen-based flash where the display lights up with a white color of a certain brightness to illuminate the face, a solution that became the standard for selfies at night, replacing the need to carry extra lighting.
⚠️ Warning: Don't blindly trust the megapixel counts advertised. Sony's 12MP smartphone with good optics will shoot better than a low-quality 24MP device.
Autonomy and charging speed
Battery remains one of the main criteria of choice: in 2018, the standard for flagships was the capacity of 3400 mAh, which when optimizing the Snapdragon 845 processor allowed you to live confidently into the evening. However, the champions of autonomy were mid- and low-end models with batteries of 4000 mAh or more, such as the Redmi Note 5 (4000 mAh) or Max 3 (5500 mAh).
Quick Charge 3.0 and 4.0+ fast charging technology has been introduced in all segments, allowing the device to charge from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes. It is important to use original cables and power supplies, as third-party accessories may not support the required voltage protocols.
For those who are constantly traveling, the Xiaomi Mi Max 3 became a real king. The huge screen and giant battery turned it into a full-fledged tablet that could be used for 2-3 days without an outlet, but due to its size, it was almost impossible to control one hand.