What Xiaomi phone to buy in 2026: ranking of the best models by characteristics and price

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 has become more difficult than ever: the brand offers more than 20 current models - from budget Redmi for 10 000 ₽ Xiaomi 14 Ultra with a price tag under 150 000 ₽. Eyes are running away not only from variety, but also from marketing terms: 200-megapixel camera, 120W charging, 4K-144Hz displays – but what do you really need?

In this article, we analyzed the specifications of 37 Xiaomi models from 2023-2026, weeded out outdated chipsets and collected the TOP-10 smartphones for various tasks: from long-duration autonomy to professional shooting. You will learn which Snapdragon and Dimensity are relevant today, why AMOLED is not always better than IPS, and how not to overpay for unnecessary features.

Key criteria for choosing Xiaomi in 2026

Before you compare specific models, you need to prioritize them.

• 🔋 Autonomy: battery capacity (from 4500 mAh for the middle class) + Type of charging (33W – minimum for fast charging).
• 📱 Display: AMOLED 120Hz for gaming and multimedia, IPS from 90 Hz - for public sector.
• 📸 Camera: megapixel count doesn't equal quality! More important than sensor size (from the pixels) 1/1.5") and optical stabilizers.
• 🔄 Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for flagships, Dimensity 9200+ Alternatively, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 is the gold standard of the middle class.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi often releases regional versions of the same models (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro) 5G Check the specifications on the official website mi.com by device article!

TOP-3 flagship Xiaomi 2026: when money is not the main thing

If the budget allows you to spend 80 000-150 000 ₽, Xiaomi flagships offer the best screens, cameras with Lake and processors for 2-3 years ahead. But not all models are equally useful – let’s figure out what you should not overpay for.

What to choose?

• 🎥 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – for professional shooting (the best camera among Android smartphones on DXOMark tests).
• ⚡ Xiaomi 14 Pro – if you need the fastest charging (120W charge from 0 to 100% in 18 minutes).
• 💰 Xiaomi 14 – the optimal flagship in terms of price / characteristics (compact brothers, but with the same chipset).

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Xiaomi flagships often become cheaper 3-4 months after release. If you do not need the "first batch", wait for sales on AliExpress or in official stores (for example, mi-store.ru).

Best Xiaomi mid-range (30,000-60,000) ₽): balance of price and opportunity

The segment where Xiaomi is traditionally strong: here you get 90-95% of the capabilities of flagships for half the price, the main thing is not to run into outdated chipsets (for example, the Snapdragon 778G+ in 2026 is no longer relevant).

Segment leaders:

• 🏆 Xiaomi 13T Pro — Dimensity 9200+ (Snapdragon 8 competitor+ Gen 1) + Leica camera ~55 000 ₽.
• 🔋 Redmi K60 Ultra: battery 5000 mAh + Dimensity 9200+ + 144 Hz screen per screen ~45 000 ₽.
• 📸 Poco F6 Pro is the same as Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, which is in Xiaomi 12S Ultra, but for ~40 000 ₽.

⚠️ Attention: In the middle class, Xiaomi often saves on camera stabilization and body materials. K60 Ultra has plastic frame despite premium chipset.

Budget Xiaomi (up to 25 000) ₽): What you can get for little money

Budget up to 25,000 ₽ — In 2026, even the cheap Redmis are going to be offered:

• 🔄 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 or Dimensity 6080 (enough for social media and light gaming).
• 📱 120Hz screens (e.g. in Redmi Note 13 Pro) 4G).
• 🔋 5000 mAh batteries with 33-67W charging.

But there are pitfalls:

Learn the chipset version (don't take the Helio G series)

Check the refresh rate of the screen (minimum 90 Hz)

Specify the type of memory (preferably UFS 2.2, not eMMC)

Compare prices in official stores and on marketplaces (the difference can be as high as 20%)

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Xiaomi for gamers: which models will withstand heavy games

Three parameters are important for games:

1. Processor: minimum Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 or Dimensity 9200+
2. Cooling system: liquid cooling (found in the Black Shark and Poco F series).
3. Screen: 144 Hz with HDR10+ support.

Best options:

• 🎮 Black Shark 6 Pro – a specialized gaming smartphone with physical triggers and a fan included.
• 🔥 Poco F6 Pro — Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 + 120Watts for charging. ~40 000 ₽.
• 💰 Redmi K60E — Budget version with Dimensity 8200 and 5500 mAh.

⚠️ Xiaomi’s gaming smartphones (especially Black Shark) often don’t get long-term updates MIUI. If software is important, choose the Poco F series.

Camera comparison: which Xiaomi shoots better photos and videos

Xiaomi has been working with Leica since 2022, but not all models get branded lenses.

• 📏 Sensor size: minimum 1/1.5" for good low light photos.
• 🔍 Optical stabilization (OIS) — video-required.
• 🎥 Support 8K Video (only available in flagships on Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2/3).

Rating of cameras (by decreasing quality):

1. Xiaomi 14 Ultra (best camera on the market according to DXOMark, 152 points).
2. Xiaomi 13T Pro (sensor 1/1.28" + optical zoom 2x and 3x).
3. Xiaomi 13 Lite (the best budget for selfies: 32 MP + 8 MP frontal).
4. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G (unexpectedly good for its price: 200MP main camera with pixel binning).

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A 200MP sensor (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+) doesn’t guarantee better photos! Pixel size and software processing are more important. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Lite with 50 MP shoots better than many “two hundred megapixels”.

What Xiaomi to buy for long-term autonomy

If you need a smartphone that will work 1.5-2 days without an outlet, pay attention to:

• 🔋 Battery capacity: minimum 5000 mAh (ideally 5500-6000 mAh).
• 🔄 Power efficient processor: Snapdragon 6 or Dimensity 7000 series.
• 📱 Screen with LTPO (adaptive refresh rate up to 1 Hz in standby mode).

TOP-3 "long-playing" Xiaomi:

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Choosing Xiaomi