Which Xiaomi phone is better to buy in 2018: TOP-5 models with prices and tests

Choosing a smartphone in 2018 is not an easy task, especially when it comes to the Xiaomi brand. The company has released more than 10 models, each of which is focused on different needs, from budget phones for calls to flagships with top-end cameras and processors. But how not to get confused in this variety and buy the one Xiaomi that will last longer than a year?

In this article, we will analyze the top 5 Xiaomi phones of 2018, compare them by key parameters: performance, camera, battery and price, you will learn which model is suitable for gaming, which is suitable for video shooting, and which will be the best choice for everyday tasks without overpaying, all data are based on real tests and user feedback, not on marketing promises.

We’ll focus on the relevance of the firmware — many 2018 models still get MIUI updates, but not all, and we’ll also look at which phones are outdated and which remain competitive even in 2026 (spoiler: fewer than you think).

1. Flagship of 2018: Xiaomi Mi 8 - should you overpay?

Xiaomi Mi 8 is the main competitor of the iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S9 in 2018. This is the first smartphone of the brand with a notch in the screen (so-called "brows"), a Snapdragon 845 processor and a dual camera with optical zoom. But is it so good in 6 years?

The Mi 8 still has a performance level of 2023-2026, and the AnTuTu 9 scores around 250,000, enough for PUBG Mobile to be high-set or multitasking with 10+ apps.

• 🔋 The 3400mAh battery is a weak spot. When used actively, it lasts 4-5 hours of screen, and after 3-4 years, the capacity drops to 70%.
• 📸 Camera. 12+12 MP with optical zoom 2× It gives good pictures during the day, but loses even in the dark Redmi Note 2020+ year-end.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI They officially ended in 2022 — MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11.

Critical point: Xiaomi Mi 8 does not support 5G networks and modern Wi-Fi standards 6/6E. If you are interested in future upgrades, this phone is already obsolete.

⚠️ Note: Mi 8 is often sold on the secondary market SE (The younger version) under the guise of the usual Mi 8. You can distinguish them by the screen diagonal: SE — 5.88", the flagship - 6.21".

2.Best Price/Quality Balance: Xiaomi Pocophone F1

The Pocophone F1 (or simply the POCO F1) is the rare case when a budget phone overtakes flagships. Launched in August 2018, it is still considered one of the most profitable devices for gamers and multitasking.

The main advantages:

• 🚀 Snapdragon 845 processor (like the Mi 8, but cheaper by 30-40%).
• 🎮 Cooling system with copper tube – does not overheat even after 2 hours of play.
• 💰 Price: In the secondary market you can find for 8000-12,000 ₽ (in 2018, it cost 25,000 ₽).
• 🔋 4000mAh battery – 18% more than the Mi 8.

There are downsides too:

• 📱 Design made of plastic (not glass, like flagships).
• 📷 Camera. 12+5 MP is weaker than Mi's 8 — no optical zoom.
• 🔄 Last update — MIUI 12.5 (as in the Mi 8).

If you need a powerful phone for games or work, and the look doesn’t matter, the POCO F1 is the best choice among Xiaomi 2018.

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Before buying a POCO F1, check the battery status using the AccuBattery app. Capacity below 3000 mAh is an excuse to bargain or refuse the deal.

3. Budget King: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and its clones

The Redmi Note series has always been famous for its price-performance ratio, and the Redmi Note 5 (released in February 2018) is no exception. It is Xiaomi's best-selling smartphone in Russia at the time. But should you buy it now?

Advantages:

• 💰 Price: in the secondary market - 5,000-8000 ₽ (New 2018 cost 12 000 ₽).
• 🔋 Battery 4000 mic + Snapdragon processor 636 = 2 day of work with moderate use.
• 📸 Camera. 12+5 Good color reproduction (better than Redmi) 4X).

Weaknesses:

• 📱 Screen with an aspect ratio of 18:9 (not 19:9 as in the new models) and a large frame.
• 🔄 Last firmware — MIUI 11 based on Android 9 (updates stopped in 2021).
• 🎮 For modern games (such as Genshin Impact) power is not enough.

The Redmi Note 5 is suitable for elderly relatives, a second phone or a backup device, and is too weak for basic use in 2026.

⚠️ Attention: There are many Redmi Note 5 fakes on the market, posing as the Redmi Note 5 Pro (Indian version with the best camera), and you can tell them by the inscription on the box: the Pro has a Snapdragon 636 processor, the regular version has a Snapdragon 625.

4.For photographers: Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro vs Mi Mix 2S

If the camera is your priority, Xiaomi had two options in 2018: the Mi 8 Pro (a global version of the Mi 8 with a transparent rear panel) and the Mi Mix 2S (a frameless flagship with a ceramic body).

Comparative table:

The Mi Mix 2S is a great camera in the dark thanks to its dual pixel technology (similar to Google’s Pixel Visual Core), but it doesn’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack and a weak front camera (5MP vs. 20MP for the Mi 8 Pro).

If you want a stylish phone with a good main camera, take the Mi Mix 2S. If selfies and headphone jack are important, the Mi 8 Pro.

5. Alternative for the frugal: Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro

The Redmi 6 Pro is Xiaomi’s cheapest phone of 2018 with a cut-out in the screen, billed as the “budget iPhone X,” but it’s actually more of a “budget Redmi Note 5 with bangs.”

Pros:

• 💰 Use price: 4,000-6,000 ₽ (new cost 10,000 ₽).
• 📱 Compact: diagonal 5.84" with small dimensions.
• 🔋 4000mAh battery (like the Redmi Note 5).

Cons:

• 🛠️ Snapdragon 625 processor is weaker than the Redmi Note 5 (there is Snapdragon 636).
• 📸 Camera. 12+5 MP worse than the Redmi Note 5 (no phase autofocus).
• 🔄 Last firmware — MIUI 11 on Android 9.

Redmi 6 Pro is only for calls, social media and YouTube, and for everything else, you'd better pay extra and take the Redmi Note 5 or POCO F1.

Battery condition (capacity) > 80% of the original)|Performance of all cameras (test in the Camera app) FV-5)|No yellow spots on the AMOLED-screen (check against a white background)|Original charger (Chinese power supplies are often faked)|-->

Comparison of all models: which one to choose in 2026?

To sum up, the best Xiaomi phones of 2018 are distributed as follows:

• 🎮 For games: POCO F1 (better performance for money).
• 📸 For photos: Mi Mix 2S (best-case).
• 💼 To work: Xiaomi Mi 8 (if you need a 3.5 mm connector and optical zoom).
• 💰 Budget option: Redmi Note 5 (if you don't need games).
• 📱 Cheapest: Redmi 6 Pro (only for basic tasks).

Important: All Xiaomi phones from 2018 are no longer getting security updates. If you are critical to security (for example, for banking applications), consider 2020+ models (for example, the POCO X3 or Redmi Note 9 Pro).

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The best choice in terms of price/quality ratio in 2026 is the POCO F1. It still copes with modern tasks and is cheaper than the flagships of 2018.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi phones of 2018