Which Xiaomi phone is better to buy in 2026: a detailed guide to choosing a smartphone for any task

Xiaomiโ€™s 2026 smartphone selection is more difficult than ever: the brand offers more than 30 models in Redmiโ€™s lineups, POCO And Xiaomi (formerly Mi), each of which is tailored to specific tasks, with performance for gaming, autonomy for travel, and cameras for bloggers, all of which range from 10 to 100.+ Thousands of dollars, which makes the choice even more responsible.

In this guide, we will not only list the best Xiaomi smartphones of 2026, but also help you determine which model is right for you. We analyzed specifications, user reviews, test results and even software nuances (including HyperOS, the new shell from Xiaomi). FAQ frequent questions from buyers.

Spoiler: if you want a universal flagship, look at the Xiaomi 14 Ultra with a Leica camera. POCO F6 Pro with Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1. And those who are looking for a budget phone with good autonomy, the Redmi Note 13 Pro is suitable.+ It's a 5,000mAh battery, but it's all in order.

๐Ÿ“Š What budget do you plan on a Xiaomi smartphone?
Up to 15,000. โ‚ฝ
15 000โ€“30 000 โ‚ฝ
30 000โ€“50 000 โ‚ฝ
50 000โ€“80 000 โ‚ฝ
More than 80,000. โ‚ฝ

1.How to determine which Xiaomi smartphone you need: 5 key criteria

Before comparing models, answer questions that narrow down your search:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ What's the phone for? Games, photos, videos, work, social media, or all at once.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ How important is autonomy? If you're on the road a lot, the priority is a 5,000mAh battery and fast charging.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Do you need a professional camera? Only flagships with Leica optics will be suitable for blogging or shooting in manual mode.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ What's the budget? Budget to 20,000 โ‚ฝ The selection is limited to Redmi lines and POCO M.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Are updates important? Flagships receive support longer (up to 4 years), public sector employees - 1-2 years.

For example, if you're a gamer, POCO F6 The Pro or Black Shark 6 (if available) will be better than the Redmi Note 13 Pro thanks to its cooling system and 144Hz screen refresh rate. And if you need a phone for photos, even the mid-budget Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro will overtake the quality of images of any Redmi due to software processing and dual main camera.

โš ๏ธ Note: Xiaomi smartphones on MediaTek Dimensity processors (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro) 5G) You may have compatibility issues in some games (e.g. Genshin Impact does not support a portion of the Dimensity 7000 series chipsets.

2. TOP-3 Xiaomi 2026 year in different price categories

We selected the best models for price/quality, considering the current prices for June 2026. 5G (In addition to budget versions, they work on HyperOS.

๐Ÿฅ‡ Premium segment (from 60 000) โ‚ฝ): Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Who: Professional photographers, premium content enthusiasts, and those who want the best from Xiaomi.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Screen: 6.73" AMOLED, 2K (3200ร—1440), 120 Hz, brightness to 3000 thread.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera: Four modules (50 MP) + 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP) with Leica Summicron optics, Dolby Vision support.
  • โšก Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16 GB of RAM, cooling system with steam chamber.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery: 5300mAh, 90W wired + 80W wireless charging.

Cons: Weight 224 g, high price (from 99,990) โ‚ฝ), no memory card slot.

๐Ÿฅˆ Middle segment (30 000-50,000) โ‚ฝ): Xiaomi 13T Pro

Who: Those who want flagship specs for less money, perfect for gaming and video.

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Screen: 6.67" AMOLED, 144Hz, support HDR10+.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera: Three modules (200 MP) + 8 MP + 2 MP) with Leica optics, video recording in 8K.
  • โšก Processor: Dimensity 9200+ (analogue of Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery: 5000 mAh, 120W fast charging (0-100% in 19 minutes).

Cons: No wireless charging, plastic case (despite premium design).

๐Ÿฅ‰ Budget segment (up to 20 000) โ‚ฝ): Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G

Who: Students, retirees, those who are looking for a reliable phone for calls, social networks and easy games.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Screen: 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz protection, Gorilla Glass Victus.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera: 200 MP (main) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 2 MP (macro).
  • โšก Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (enough) PUBG Mobile on Medium Settings).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery: 5000 mAh, 67W fast-charging.

Cons: No optical stabilization in the main camera, MIUI with advertising (can be turned off).

๐Ÿ’ก

If you need a phone solely for calls and instant messengers, consider Redmi. 13C for 10,000 โ‚ฝ โ€” He will serve 2-3 years without complaints, but does not pull the modern games.

3. Comparative table: Xiaomi vs Redmi vs. POCO

To understand which line is right for you, examine the key differences:

CharacteristicsXiaomi (premium)Redmi (medium/budget)POCO (gamer-producer)
Price range50 000โ€“120 000 โ‚ฝ10 000โ€“40 000 โ‚ฝ15 000โ€“50 000 โ‚ฝ
ProcessorsSnapdragon 8 Gen 2/3, Dimensity 9000+Snapdragon 6/7 series, Dimensity 7000Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, Dimensity 9000
Screens.AMOLED, 2K, 120 Hz+AMOLED/IPS, FHD+, 90โ€“120 HzAMOLED, FHD+, 120-144 Hz
CamerasLeica Optics, 50โ€“200 MP, 8K video13โ€“200 MP, video before 4K@30fps48โ€“200 MP, video before 4K@60fps
PO Updates4 years of major updates1-2 years2โ€“3 years

The table shows that POCO โ€” It is the gold standard for gamers: the best processors in its segment, high-frequency screens and advanced cooling system. Redmi offers balanced solutions for everyday tasks, and Xiaomi offers premium chips (cameras, materials, long-term support).

4.The Best Xiaomi Smartphones for Specific Tasks

๐ŸŽฎ For games: POCO F6 Pro vs Black Shark 6 Pro

If gaming is your priority, pay attention to:

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ POCO F6 Pro: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 144Hz screen, trigger buttons (included).

Important: Black Shark is not officially sold in Russia, but it can be ordered from China, but the warranty does not apply.

๐Ÿ“ธ For photos and videos: Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro

Choose for the film:

  • ๐Ÿ“ท Xiaomi 14 Ultra: best camera on the market (according to DxOMark version), optical zoom 3.2ร— 5ร—.

๐Ÿ”‹ For maximum autonomy: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G

If you need a phone that will last 2 days without recharging:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery: 5000 mAh + 120W Charging (full charge in 17 minutes).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Energy efficiency: Dimensity 7200 Ultra (4nm) processor consumes 20% less power than Snapdragon 7 Gen 2.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Fast charging 120W+ Reduces battery life by 10 to 15 percent after 500 cycles. If you plan to use your phone for longer than 2 years, charge it up to 80 percent and avoid overheating.

5.What to look for when buying: 7 hidden nuances

Even a perfect smartphone on paper can be frustrating with little things, and this is what experienced users check:

  1. Screen type. IPS cheaper but yielding AMOLED In the budget Redmi often puts IPS.

View reviews about a specific model on Yandex.Market|Clarify the firmware version (Global/EEA)|Check availability NFC and 5G specification|Weight and size (if hand comfort is important)|Find out about the availability of service centers in your city-->

6. Frequent mistakes when choosing a Xiaomi smartphone

Many buyers regret their choice because of the following misconceptions:

  • ๐Ÿ’ธ "Last year's flagship is cheaper than the new. Yes, but it won't get HyperOS updates and will get outdated faster.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ "The more megapixels, the better the camera. โ€” Redmi Note 13 Pro+ It has 200 MP, but Xiaomi is losing out. 13T (50 MP) in detail due to weak processor.
  • โšก "All games will work at maximum settings.... Even the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 doesn't pull the Genshin Impact at 60 FPS shadowed.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ "Fast charging is harmless. Charging. 120W heats up the battery to 45.ยฐC, which reduces its resource by 15-20% in 2 years.

Another common myth is that "Xiaomi and Redmi are the same thing." In fact, Redmi is a sub-brand for budget and mid-budget devices, and Xiaomi (formerly Mi) makes premium models, such as the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Xiaomi. 13T They are similar in appearance, but differ in processor, cameras and body materials.

Why are Xiaomi smartphones cheaper than competitors?
Xiaomi saves on marketing (there is no global advertising like Appleโ€™s), uses unified components for different models and optimizes logistics (many phones are assembled locally, for example in India for the Asian market).

7.Where to buy a Xiaomi smartphone: official and alternative ways

The place of purchase depends not only on the price, but also on the warranty and the region of the firmware.

Place of purchasePlusesConsAverage markup
Official website of the Mi Store1 year warranty, original firmware, promotionsLong delivery, limited range0โ€“5%
The Connection, M. Video, EldoradoInstant delivery, check before purchase10-15% markup, aggressive apsell10โ€“20%
Yandex.Market, Ozon, WildberriesPrices below retail, cashback, reviewsRisk of โ€œgrayโ€ imports5โ€“10%
AliExpress, GearbestPrices are 20-30% lower, a wide range of productsNo warranty, long delivery, possible fees-20 percent (but risks)

Tip: If you buy on AliExpress, choose sellers with a 98 rating%+ Pay attention to the line "Ships from": if you specify Russian Warehouse, delivery will take 3-7 days without duties.

โš ๏ธ Note: When buying a gray phone (without an official warranty), you will not be able to contact the Xiaomi service center in case of a breakdown. For example, replacing the screen with Xiaomi 13 Lite in an unofficial service will cost 15,000 dollars. โ‚ฝ (30% of the cost of the phone).

8. Xiaomi Alternatives: When to Consider Other Brands

While Xiaomi offers a great price/quality ratio, in some cases itโ€™s better to look at the competition.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ For the iOS ecosystem: iPhone SE (2022 or iPhone 13 โ€“ if you want stability and long updates (up to 6 years).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ For hardcore gamers: ASUS ROG Phone 7 with 165Hz screen and cooler included.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ For video: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with camera 200 MP and support 8K@30fps.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ For maximum autonomy: Samsung Galaxy M54 7,000mAh battery.

However, these alternatives have disadvantages: iPhone more expensive 2-3 times, ASUS ROG Inconvenient for everyday use, and Samsung updates budget models for only 2 years.

๐Ÿ’ก

If youโ€™re choosing between Xiaomi and Samsung in the same price segment, compare them to DxOMark (for cameras) and AnTuTu (for performance). 13T Pro bypasses Galaxy S22+ In CPU tests, but loses in video stability.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

๐Ÿ” Which Xiaomi Smartphone Is Better for Seniors?
For pensioners, Redmi is suitable 13C or Redmi A2+: Simple interface (you can turn on "For the elderly" in the settings), large icons and fonts, long running time (battery 5000 mAh), Low price (from 9000 โ‚ฝ). The disadvantages are the weak processor (Helio). G85) and a 50MP camera without stabilization.
๐ŸŽฎ Xiaomi pulls Genshin Impact at maximum settings?
For Genshin Impact at 60 FPS Maximum graphics settings are suitable: POCO F6 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1). Xiaomi 13T Pro (Dimensity 9200+). Black Shark 6 Pro (if available) on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ The game will work on medium settings (30-40). FPS).
๐Ÿ“ธ Xiaomi shoots video better than iPhone?
Quality of video Xiaomi 14 Ultra bypasses iPhone 15 Pro in the following aspects: Permission: 8K@24fps vs 4K@60fps Iphones. Stabilization: optical stabilization on all cameras (iPhone only on the main camera). Color rendering: Leica optical lenses give more natural colors. However, the iPhone is better at handling video in motion and has easier editing in iMovie.
๐Ÿ”‹ How to extend the life of a battery on Xiaomi?
To keep the battery lasting longer than 2-3 years: Turn off Adaptive Charging in settings (Settings) โ†’ Battery. Charge the phone to 80% and do not discharge below 20%. Avoid overheating (do not play while charging). Use the original power supply (fast charging). 120W If these rules are followed, the battery will last 800-1000 cycles (4-5 years).
๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Can I change the battery to Xiaomi?
Theoretically, yes, but: In modern Xiaomi, the battery is glued to the body, you need an iOpener (heater) or a hairdryer to replace. If you open the screen plume or the camera in a sloppy way, the system can show a warning "Unoriginal battery" (removed by flashing). Replacement cost in the service: 3000-6000 โ‚ฝ (model-wise).