Which Xiaomi phone is best to buy in 2019 year: top ranking-5 Models in the price/quality ratio

Why 2019 was a watershed year for Xiaomi

2019 The year was a time of radical changes for Xiaomi: the company finally ceased to be a “Chinese state employee” and began to actively compete with Samsung and Apple in the premium segment. 90 Hz displays, 48 MP cameras and support 5G — technologies that were previously available only to flagships 1000+. At the same time, the prices of Xiaomi models remained in the 2-3 less than the competitors.

But how not to get lost in the range of 2019? Only during this period, the company introduced more than 20 models — from the Redmi 7A for 7 000 rubles to the Mi Mix 3 5G for 50 000 +. We analyzed all the key innovations, studied user reviews and expert tests (including DxOMark, AnTuTu and GSMArena) to make an honest rating. In this guide you will find not only technical specifications, but also unique insights about the problems of specific models that the manufacturer chose to keep silent.

The important thing is, if you're looking for a phone for gaming, photography or long-term autonomy, the criteria for choosing will be radically different. We've categorized the rankings so you don't have to read hundreds of reviews. And if you've already decided on a budget, use our comparative table at the end of this article.

📱 Top.-3 Xiaomi's flagship 2019 Years: What to overpay for?

Xiaomi’s flagship models in 2019 were divided into two lines: classic Mi (e.g. Mi 9) and experimental Mix (e.g. Mix 3 5G), the former offering balanced specs, the latter offering innovations like a retractable front-facing camera or support for fifth-generation networks, but not all innovations were useful in practice.

Consider the three most discutable flagships of 2019 that are still discussed on forums:

• 🔥 Xiaomi Mi 9 — The brand’s first smartphone with a triple camera 48+16+12 It had a MT and a glass case that warmed up when it was charged, and despite the overheating problems, it became a bestseller for its price tag. 30 000 ruble 70 000+ Samsung Galaxy S10).
• 🚀 Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G — first 5G-The company's smartphone, which in Russia was sold only through operators, its main problem: the battery 3800 mAh sat down in 4 hours with active use of mobile Internet.
• 🎮 Black Shark 2 is a liquid-cooled, trigger-button gaming flagship, and its Snapdragon 855 processor is still relevant for emulators, but the screen is still a big deal. AMOLED It burns out after a year of intensive use.

⚠️ Note: If you are considering Mi Mix 3 5G, Please note that in 2026 the network 5G Buying for the sake of the “future” is unjustified – it is better to take the Mi 9 and save 20,000 rubles.

💰 The best smartphones Xiaomi 2019 up to 15 000 rubles: budget without compromise?

The budget segment is the traditional stable of Xiaomi. In 2019, the company released 6 models at a time cheaper than 15,000 rubles, but only three of them deserve attention. The main criterion for selection is the ratio of price to life. Many cheap smartphones after a year turned into “bricks” due to weak processors or lack of updates.

We've excluded from the rankings:

• ❌ Redmi 7 - due to problems with the Micro-USB port (breaks after 6 months).
• ❌ Redmi Go is the cheapest smartphone of the line (1 GB of RAM), which did not pull even WhatsApp after the updates of 2020.

Here are three models that are still working and getting updates (albeit unofficial):

Redmi Note 7 Pro is still the best choice for those looking for a reliable device for 10 000 rubles. PUBG Mobile is on medium settings, and the 48MP camera is good in daylight — MIUI 10 based on Android 9, which is no longer updated.

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If you buy the Redmi Note 7 Pro in 2026, replace the thermal paste immediately – this will solve the problem of overheating when charging.

📸 Best Xiaomi for Photography in 2019: Myths and Reality

In 2019, Xiaomi actively promoted its smartphones as “camera killers”, but in practice only two models showed decent results: Mi 9 and Mi. CC9 Pro (aka Mi Note 10 for global market) The rest are from outright marketing (Redmi) K20 Pro with his "108 MP" in advertising) to failed decisions (Mi) A3 s AMOLED-The screen that distorted the colors in the photo).

Let's take a closer look at this.

• 📷 Mi 9: The first model with a sensor Sony IMX586 (The 48MP that was later used in the Google Pixel 4, and in DxOMark, it scored 107 points, a record for Xiaomi at the time, but even Huawei lost night shooting. P30 Pro 2018.
• 🌌 Mi CC9 Pro: the only Xiaomi smartphone with a 108 MP camera (Samsung sensor) ISOCELL Bright HMX). In theory, it was a breakthrough, in practice, it was raw photos without post-processing.
• 🚫 Redmi K20 Pro: Despite the advertising of the “professional camera”, its 48 MP module was inferior even to the Redmi Note 7 Pro due to a weak image processing processor.

⚠️ Note: If you are buying a Mi CC9 Pro for video shooting, note that it does not support 4K@60fps — maximum resolution video: 4K@30fps high-heated.

For comparison, a table with real camera metrics (not advertising):

🎮 Xiaomi 2019 gaming smartphones: Black Shark 2 vs POCO F1

2019 The year was the peak of popularity of mobile games. PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile, and Xiaomi responded with two devices: Black Shark 2 (premium gaming flagship and POCO F1 («Flagship killer" for half the price, but which one did better at playing games through 2-3 year-end?

Black Shark 2 had some obvious advantages:

• 🔥 Snapdragon 855 processor (still relevant for emulators) PS2).
• 🎮 Physical triggers on the body (analogue) L2/R2 gamepad).
• 💧 Liquid cooling (but required replacement every 1.5 years).

However, the POCO F1 proved to be more tenacious:

• 💰 Price: 20,000 rubles vs 45 000 from Black Shark 2.
• 🔄 Updates: Get Android 10 (while Black Shark 2 stuck on Android 9).
• 🔋 Battery: 4000 mAh vs. 3975 mAh in a competitor.

Tests in 3DMark (2026) show that POCO F1 still scores ~250,000 in the Sling Shot Extreme, while Black Shark 2 drops to ~200,000 after 15 minutes of play due to thermal throttling issues.

Battery wear level (use ##4636##)

The state of triggers (on Black Shark 2 they often stick)

Processor temperature under load (normal: up to 75°C)

Custom firmware (can block updates)-->

🔋 Xiaomi with the best battery in 2019: the myth of “two-day” autonomy

In 2019, Xiaomi actively advertised smartphones with a “battery for 2 days”, but in practice only two models really held the charge longer than a day: Redmi Note 7 Pro and Mi Max 3. The rest (including the Mi 9 with its 3300 mAh) required recharging by the evening.

Let’s analyze the real indicators of autonomy (tests at an average load: 4G, WhatsApp, YouTube 2 hours / day):

Mi Max 3 It would be an ideal choice if it weren’t for its size: 176×87 mm 221 That's more than an iPhone. 11 Pro Max, but the battery really held it. 1,5–2 And here's the Mi, in moderation. 9 his 3300 Mach was the most voracious flagship of the year – worse than only Google Pixel 3.

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If you’re in for a bit of autonomy, take the Redmi Note 7 Pro or Mi Max 3. The rest of the 2019 models require a powerbank.

💡 What Xiaomi 2019 to buy in 2026: whether to take a used?

Buying a Xiaomi smartphone from the year 2019 release in 2026 is always a lottery. On the one hand, you save 50-70% of the original price, on the other hand, you risk getting a device with:

• 🔋 Battery worn out (capacity drops by 20–30% in 5 years).
• 🔄 Outdated firmware (most models don’t get updates after Android 10).
• 📱 By pixels broken on AMOLED-screens (Mi 9, Mi) A3).

We recommend that we consider only three models:

1. Redmi Note 7 Pro – if you need a reliable phone for calls and social networks
2. POCO F1 – if you’re a gamer and are willing to put up with a plastic case.
3. Mi 9 – if you need a good camera and don’t mind spending $3,000 to $5,000 on battery replacement.

The remaining 2019 smartphones are either obsolete (Redmi 7A) or have fatal flaws (Mi Mix 3 5G without support for modern networks).

⚠️ Attention: when buying used Xiaomi be sure to check: Battery status via ##4636## (Battery information menu). Original charger (cheap analogues kill the battery); No autopsy traces (violation of tightness leads to oxidation of the board). ❓ FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Xiaomi 2019 🔹 Which Xiaomi 2019 is best for gaming?Application: For gaming in 2026 is optimal POCO F1 — Its Snapdragon 845 still pulls Genshin Impact at low settings.The Black Shark 2 is more powerful, but its cooling system often fails. 🔹 Should you take the Mi 9 in 2026? Answer: Only if you find it for 8,000-10,000 rubles and are ready to replace the battery (the original costs a lot of money). ~2 000 ₽). The camera is still competitive, but Android 9 and a lack of security updates make it vulnerable to viruses. 🔹 What is Xiaomi’s 2019 model the longest-playing model? Answer: Redmi Note 7 Pro - its Snapdragon 675 and 4000 mAh battery allows you to use the smartphone as a "bell ringer" for another 2-3 years. MIUI 11. 🔹 Why Mi? A3 Is photography so bad? Answer: The problem is, AMOLED-It's a pentilage screen that distorts colors when you look at a photo. The 48 MP sensor itself is not bad, but the processing algorithms in Android One are worse than in Android One. MIUI. 🔹 Can I put custom firmware on Xiaomi 2019? Answer: Yes, but with reservations: ✅ POCO F1 mi A3 — Best candidates (many of the best candidates) XDA Developers). ❌ Black Shark 2 is a closed bootloader, difficult to unlock. ⚠️ Mi 9 – After the firmware can stop working NFC.