Xiaomi vs Redmi: Which phone is the best to buy in 2026?

Choosing between Xiaomi and Redmi is one of the most popular dilemmas among buyers in 2026. Both brands are owned by the same company, but are positioned differently: Xiaomi offers flagship solutions with premium specs, and Redmi focuses on affordable devices with optimal value for money. However, the line between them is gradually blurred: modern Redmi are equipped with powerful processors, and Xiaomi produces budget models under its own name.

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between brands, compare them on performance, cameras, autonomy and other parameters, and help you determine which device is right for you — whether it’s Xiaomi 14 Ultra for professional shooting or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ for games and multimedia.

1.Who makes Xiaomi and Redmi: what's the difference between brands?

Both brands belong to the Chinese corporation Xiaomi Group, but originally had different target audiences:

• 📱 Xiaomi is a premium segment. Here you will find flagship models with top-end processors (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3), innovative cameras (collaboration with Leica) and premium materials (ceramics, titanium.
• 💰 Redmi is a budget and mid-range device that's focused on accessibility, but not at the expense of performance.+ equipped with a processor MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra, which is not inferior to many flagships of 2022. Prices - from 10 to 25 thousand rubles.
• 🔄 POCO — Xiaomi is another sub-brand that was previously marketed as "Redmi for enthusiasts," but now occupies an intermediate position, POCO F6 Pro offers flagship chipset at the price of a mid-budget smartphone.

It’s important to understand that since 2023, Xiaomi has started to “descend” to the mid-range (e.g., Xiaomi Civi series), and Redmi has started to master premium chips (e.g., Redmi K70 Pro with cooling for games), so the difference between brands has become less obvious.

⚠️ In 2026, Xiaomi officially announced the merger of the Redmi Note and POCO X in some regions, which means that some models can be duplicated under different names (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro). 5G and POCO X6 Pro is the same device with different branding).

2. Price comparison: what is more profitable to buy?

The main difference between Xiaomi and Redmi is the pricing policy, so let’s see what you pay more for when you choose Xiaomi, and where Redmi might be more profitable.

Example: Xiaomi 13 Lite (2023) and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ have similar cameras (the main module for 200 MP), but the first costs 10-15 thousand rubles more expensive due to the more premium design and processor Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 instead of Dimensity 1080. Should you overpay? Only if you want to support MIUI updates for 1-2 years longer.

Tip: If you have a budget, look for Redmi with the Pro or Pro+ console – they often get the same chipsets as the mid-budget Xiaomi, but cheaper. For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with the Dimensity 7200 Ultra will cost less than the Xiaomi Civi 3 with the same processor.

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Redmi wins on price in the up to 30,000 segment ₽, Xiaomi offers better long-term support and premium chips (e.g. wireless charging or stereo speakers).

Performance: Which phone is faster?

If you want a smartphone for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, look at the processor and RAM, where Xiaomi has traditionally been the leader, but Redmi is not far behind in the middle segment.

• 🎮 For gamers: The best choice is Xiaomi Black Shark (specialized series for games) or Redmi K70 Pro with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and cooling system.Both handle Genshin Impact at maximum settings, but Black Shark has physical triggers.
• 📱 For everyday tasks: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Dimensity 7200 Ultra will not give Xiaomi 12T But Xiaomi 14 with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is 30 to 40 ahead of all Redmi in performance%.
• 🔋 For long run: Xiaomi models often feature more energy-efficient processors (like the Snapdragon 7).+ Gen 2 in Xiaomi Civi 3, which extends battery life.

PUBG Mobile (Ultra HD + 60 FPS settings):

• Xiaomi 14 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) – stable 60 FPS, heating to 42 ° C.
• Redmi K70 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) – 55-60 FPS, heating to 45 ° C.
• Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (Dimensity 7200 Ultra) – 40-50 FPS, heating to 40 ° C.

⚠️ Attention! In 2026, Xiaomi began to limit performance on some models in the first batches (called "trottling"). For example, Xiaomi 14 in China out of the box runs at 80% of power until 7 days of use have passed, this is done to extend the battery life. Redmi doesn't have that kind of practice.

Set benchmark (AnTuTu, Geekbench)|Compare the results with YouTube reviews|Check the heating in the games (should be) ≤45°C)|Note the CPU version (e.g., Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is weaker than Snapdragon 7).+ Gen 2)-->

4.Cameras: who shoots better?

If photography is your priority, Xiaomi definitely wins, thanks to the collaboration with Leica and more advanced processing algorithms, but Redmi is not so far behind: for example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a main module on 200 MP, which in good conditions shoots as much as the Xiaomi 13 Lite.

Let's compare the key models:

Examples of shooting:

• 🌅 Daylight: Xiaomi 14 Ultra gives more natural colors, and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Excessive saturation (not everyone likes it).
• 🌃 Xiaomi flagships (e.g. 13 Pro) use Night Mode with exposure up to 30 seconds, while Redmi is limited to 5-10 seconds.
• 🎥 Video: Only Xiaomi supports shooting in the 8K@24fps and 4K@60fps Redmi has the maximum — 4K@30fps.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with a 200MP camera beats the Xiaomi 13 Lite in detail, but loses in dynamic range and portrait processing. If you want beautiful photos for social networks, take Xiaomi. If detail is important (for example, for document shooting) – Redmi can be better.

5. Battery and charging: who lives longer?

Autonomy is a key consideration when choosing a smartphone, where Redmi often benefits from more capacious batteries, while Xiaomi benefits from software optimization.

Comparison of key models:

• 🔋 Battery capacity: Redmi traditionally have 5,000-5500 mAh batteries (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro)+ — 5000 mAh), whereas Xiaomi is often limited to 4500–4800 mAh (e.g. Xiaomi 14–4610 mAh).
• ⚡ Fast charging: Redmi leads here with support 120W–210W (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Explorer charges in 9 minutes — 90W (For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro).
• 🔄 Wireless charging: Available only in premium Xiaomi (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Ultra supports) 50W). Redmi has no wireless charging even in the top models.

Real-world tests of autonomy (Screen 120 Hz, 5G, active use):

• Redmi Note 13 Pro+ – 7-8 hours of screen.
• Xiaomi 14 – 6-7 hours of screen (but with a smoother performance).
• Redmi K70 Pro – 8-9 hours of screen (due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a battery of 5000 mAh).

⚠️ Attention, Redmi fast charging (210W) According to tests, after 500 charging cycles, the battery capacity drops by 20-25% (versus 10-15% for Xiaomi with a battery). 67W). If you plan to use your phone for longer than 2 years, it is better to choose models with a charger before. 67W.

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To extend battery life, turn off ultrafast charging in settings (Settings → Battery → Charging Modes) and charge your phone to 80% instead of 100%.

6. Design and Assembly: Which is more pleasant in the hands?

If you care about the look and feel of the touch, Xiaomi offers more premium materials:

• 🖼️ Xiaomi flagships (e.g. 14 Ultra) have a ceramic or titanium body, whereas Redmi is limited to plastic or glass (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro)+ — glass glass glass Gorilla Victus).
• 🎨 Design: Xiaomi is experimenting with shapes (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a camera in the form of a round island), while Redmi sticks to classic solutions.
• 🔊 Speakers: Only premium Xiaomis are equipped with stereo speakers (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro). Redmi usually has one speaker (except for Redmi). K70 Pro).
• 💧 Protection: Xiaomi flagships are certified IP68 (Dust and waterproof, and Redmi has the maximum — IP53 (spray-proof).

Examples:

• Xiaomi 14 – weighs 188 g, thickness 8.2 mm, glass + aluminum.
• Redmi Note 13 Pro+ – weight 205 g, thickness 9 mm, plastic + glass.
• Redmi K70 Pro – weight 209 g, thickness 8.2 mm, glass + metal (similar to Xiaomi in assembly).

If you want to have a premium look and moisture protection, go for Xiaomi. If lightness and practicality are the priority, and design is not the priority, Redmi is the best option.

7.Software: MIUI on Xiaomi and Redmi - is there a difference?

Both brands are based on MIUI (in 2026, Android 14 version 14) but there are some nuances:

• 🔄 Updates: Xiaomi gets updates longer. for example, Xiaomi 12T (2022) is still supported, and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ same year, no.
• 🗑️ Pre-installed software: Redmi has more advertising in MIUI (For example, banners in the settings. Xiaomi has no ads or can be turned off.
• 🎯 Features: Some chips are only available on Xiaomi, such as Ultra Battery Saver (extends up to 24 hours at 5% charge). MIUI+ (PC integration: Advanced camera settings (e.g. Leica Authentic Look).

How to remove ads in MIUI on Redmi:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Special Opportunities.
4. Activate the option to Disable MIUI Ads (if any).

⚠️ Attention! In 2026, Xiaomi began blocking the ability to disable ads on some Redmi models in global firmware. EEA (Europe) or install custom ROM.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions