What Xiaomi phone is the best in 2026: expert rating of TOP-5 models by price, camera and performance

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 is not an easy task. The brand offers more than 20 current models, from the budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and each is focused on different needs. Someone needs a flagship with the best camera for professional shooting, someone is a gaming monster with cooling, and someone is looking for an inexpensive phone with a good battery for 2-3 years. In this article, we will analyze the TOP-5 best Xiaomi phones by price / quality, taking into account user reviews, performance tests and real-cases.

We won’t just list the specifications — instead, we’ll look at which model is right for specific tasks: 8K video shooting, multi-day autonomy, maximum settings games or working with heavy applications. You’ll also learn which pitfalls to look for when buying (for example, why Xiaomi 13T Pro can disappoint iPhone owners, and POCO F6 Pro is not suitable for shooting in the dark).

We note right away: there is no universal "best Xiaomi phone". The optimal model depends on your budget and priorities. For example, Xiaomi 14 objectively leads in performance, but its camera loses 14 Ultra in detail, and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ at a price of 2 times lower offers 90% of the capabilities of flagships.

1.The best flagship Xiaomi 2026: Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 - which to choose?

If the budget is not limited, then the choice is between two top models: Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Xiaomi 14. Both run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but differ in cameras, screen and design. 14 Ultra is a photo monster with four 50-megapixel modules (including telephoto with 3.2x optical zoom), while Xiaomi 14 relies on compactness and balance.

Key advantages of Xiaomi 14 Ultra:

• 🖥️ Screen. 2K AMOLED with an adaptive frequency of 1-120 Hz and a brightness of up to 3000 nits (seen in the sun).

However, 14 Ultra has disadvantages: weight 224 grams (uncomfortable for one hand) and the price of 120,000 rubles, which is comparable to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. If you do not need professional photos, the Xiaomi 14 for 80 000-90,000 rubles will be more reasonable: it is lighter (188 g), thinner and has the same processor.

⚠️ Attention: In Xiaomi 14 Ultra has no memory card slot – only 256/512 GB of internal memory. If you're shooting a lot of video in 8K, take the version 512 GB.

An important nuance: Xiaomi 14 Ultra is sold only in official Xiaomi stores (in Russia - through "Svyaznoy" and "M.Video"), while Xiaomi 14 can be found at dealers cheaper by 10-15%. But beware - gray imports are deprived of warranty for cameras (a frequent problem when contacting the service).

2. Xiaomi's Best Gaming Phone: Black Shark 6 Pro or POCO F6 Pro?

For gamers, Xiaomi offers two fundamentally different models: a specialized Black Shark 6 Pro with physical triggers and a universal POCO F6 Pro based on the Redmi K70 Pro. The first is sharpened for eSports (support for MagSafe accessories, liquid cooling), the second is for everyday use with the ability to play at high settings.

Comparison of key parameters:

The Black Shark 6 Pro wins in tactile recoil (the vibration when shooting PUBG or Call of Duty feels like a controller) and FPS stability, but loses in autonomy and weight (225 g vs 204 g at POCO). If you play for 4-5 hours a day, take Black Shark. POCO F6 Pro is enough for games and everyday tasks.

⚠️ Black Shark 6 Pro has no official support NFC Google Pay in Russia will have to use alternative payment systems (for example, Mir Pay).

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If you choose POCO F6 Pro for games, turn off Adaptive Update in the screen settings (Settings → Display → Update Frequency) and set a fixed 120Hz – this will reduce input delays.

3. Best Budget Xiaomi: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or Redmi 13C?

In the segment up to 30,000 rubles, Xiaomi dominates with the Redmi Note line. The two most popular models are the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+ (from 28,000 rubles) and Redmi 13C (from 15 000 rubles.) - solve different problems. The first is suitable for those who want a good camera and AMOLED-screen at the price of a budgetary, the second - for those who need the cheapest phone with a large battery.

Why the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is worth the overpayment:

• 📱 Screen. AMOLED supportive HDR10+ (bal 13C — IPS low-contrast).
• 🔋 Charging. 120W — full charge in 19 minutes 13C — 18W, 2 hours).

But if you only need a phone for calls, social media and YouTube, the Redmi 13C will save 13,000 rubles with minimal casualties. Its 5,000mAh battery holds 2 days with moderate use, and the 3.5mm jack will allow you to use wired headphones.

View reviews about a particular batch (sometimes you come across defective screens)

Check 5G support in your area (Dimensity 7200 Ultra does not work with all carriers)

Make sure there is a charger in the bundle (the Note 13 Pro+ has it separately)

Compare prices in "Svyaznoy" and AliExpress (sometimes the difference is up to 5 000 rubles.)

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4. Best Xiaomi for Video Shooting: Why Xiaomi 13T Pro is Overtaking Xiaomi 14?

Surprise: While Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the leader in the photo, Xiaomi 13T Pro is better suited for video shooting. The reason is the Dimensity 9200+ processor, which is optimized for recording 8K HDR with minimal overheating. In tests, the 13T Pro keeps a stable 60 FPS in 8K for 20 minutes, while Xiaomi 14 begins to trotttle after 10 minutes.

Benefits of Xiaomi 13T Pro for videographers:

• 🎥 Recording. 8K@30fps without crops (at Xiaomi) 14 — crop 1.2x).
• 💰 Price. ~60 000 rubles (cheaper than Xiaomi 14 by 20 000 rubles. with similar video quality).

Another plus is the removable battery (in theory, it is difficult to replace it in practice, but it makes it easier to repair), and the minus is the lack of optical zoom (only 2x digital), so for shooting from a long distance, it is better to consider the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

5. Best Xiaomi with long running time: Redmi Note 12 Pro+ vs POCO M6 Pro

If you want a phone that lasts 2-3 days without recharging, the choice is narrowed to two models: the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (5,000 mAh battery) and the POCO M6 Pro (5030 mAh battery). Both support fast charging 120W, but differ in power optimization.

Results of the tests of autonomy (60 Hz screen, Wi-Fi, average brightness):

• 📞 Redmi Note 12 Pro+: 14 hours of screen (36 hours of standby).
• 📞 POCO M6 Pro: 16 hours of screen (40 hours of standby).

The difference is explained by the processor: POCO M6 Pro costs Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, which is less voracious than Dimensity 1080 in Note 12 Pro+. But POCO worse camera (48 MP vs 200 MP) and no AMOLED-If autonomy is critical and the photo quality is not, take it. POCO M6 Pro If you need a balance - Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

⚠️ Attention: There is no wireless charging in both phones.If critical, consider Xiaomi 13 Lite (a 4500mAh battery, but with support) 50W wireless).

6. Which Xiaomi to buy in 2026: the final checklist for tasks

To make the choice easier, we have made recommendations for target scenarios:

If you are still in doubt, answer three questions:

1. What is your budget? (up to 20,000 / 20,000-50,000 / 50,000+)
2. Which is more important: camera, performance or autonomy?
3. Do you need 5G? (Not all budget models support it.)

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If you’re taking a phone for 3+ years, avoid Helio G-based models (like the Redmi 12C) — they’re getting older faster than Snapdragon or Dimensity.

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi