What Xiaomi smartphone to buy up to 20 000 rubles in 2022: a detailed guide with a comparison of models

Why Xiaomi is the best choice in a budget of up to 20,000 ₽

Choosing a smartphone in 2022 for 20,000 rubles is not an easy task, one that wants to get maximum performance, and the other that does not overpay for unnecessary features, and this is where Xiaomi comes to the rescue with its sub-brands Redmi and POCO, which have dominated the budget and mid-market segment for several years in a row.

This year, the company has released several models that fit perfectly into a given budget. But how not to get confused about the characteristics and choose the device that will last for many years? We analyzed all the current offers, taking into account not only hardware, but also real user experience, software updates and even the nuances of after-sales service. In this guide you will find not just dry numbers, but practical recommendations that will help make an informed choice.

We focused on such criteria as autonomy (after all, no one wants to carry a powerbank), screen quality (120 Hz is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for many) and cameras (even in the budget you can shoot decent photos), and we will tell you what hidden shortcomings are often overlooked when buying, but which then spoil the impression of the device.

Top.-5 Xiaomi smartphones 20 000 ₽ into 2022 year: summary

So, to start with, the most important thing is to rank the best models you can buy right now, and we've selected the ones that are not just budget-friendly, but also offer the best price-performance ratio.

• 🥇 Redmi Note 11 Pro – the best balance of features and price
• 🥈 POCO X4 Pro 5G — for speed lovers and 5G
• 🥉 Redmi Note 11S — Best choice for photos
• 4️⃣ POCO M4 Pro 5G — budget flagship with AMOLED
• 5️⃣ Redmi 10 2022 – the most affordable option with good autonomy

Each of these models deserves a separate look, but already now we can say that the Redmi Note 11 Pro was a real hit of 2022. AMOLED-screen, 108 MP main camera and 67W fast charging — a complete set that a year ago could only be found in devices for 30 000+ But let's take a look at each model in more detail.

Detailed characteristics: what is important to know before buying

When it comes to budgets of up to 20,000 rubles, it's important to know what to spend that money on. Some people are willing to sacrifice the camera for a powerful processor, others are willing to sacrifice it for a powerful processor, and we've put together a table with key parameters of the top models, so you can easily compare them.

Pay attention to a few key points:

⚠️ Note: Models with a Helio processor G96 (For example, Redmi Note 11S) They show good performance in games, but they warm up strongly under long loads. If you plan to play Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings, you should pay attention to devices with Snapdragon 695.

It is also worth considering that 5G-modem 2022 If you don't have fifth generation coverage in your region yet, you can save money by choosing a model without. 5G (For example, Redmi Note 11S instead POCO X4 Pro 5G). The difference in price can reach 2-3 thousands of rubles with almost identical characteristics.

View the Autonomy Tests on YouTube (real time) ≠ declared)

Check for NFC if you plan to pay by phone

Make sure you support the right 4G/5G bands for your carrier

Compare prices in official and unofficial stores (the difference can be up to 15%)

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Redmi Note 11 Pro vs POCO X4 Pro 5G: the battle of the flagships of the budget segment

These two models are the ones most often compared to each other, and for good reason -- they're really very similar. Both are built on the Snapdragon 695 platform, have 120 Hz. AMOLED-It's a screen that supports 67 watts of fast charging, but there are also significant differences that can be crucial when choosing a device.

The advantages of the Redmi Note 11 Pro:

• 📸 Best main camera (108 MP vs 64 MP y) POCO)
• 🔊 Higher quality stereo speakers (volume 15% higher)
• 📦 There is a cover in the kit (y) POCO He's gone)
• 🔄 More stable updates MIUI (POCO Sometimes he gets a firmware later)

The advantages of POCO X4 Pro 5G:

• 🌐 Support 5G (future-proof)
• 🎮 Best Optimization for Games (Less Trottling)
• 🛡️ Splash protection as standard IP53
• 💰 Often cheaper 1000-1500 ₽ stock

If you care about photography and media, take the Redmi Note 11 Pro. If gaming and the future of 5G are the priority, the POCO X4 Pro 5G will be the best choice. Both devices perform well in everyday tasks, so there can be no mistakes here.

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The Redmi Note 11 Pro wins in media and camera, while the POCO X4 Pro 5G wins in gaming performance and 5G support.

Hidden shortcomings of budget Xiaomi: what to close your eyes, and what should alert

No smartphone is perfect, and Xiaomi’s budget models are no exception. Some flaws can be forgiven for the price, and some can seriously mess up the experience of the device.

Typical problems of all budget Xiaomi:

• 🔋 Rapid wear of the battery - after a year and a half, the battery capacity can fall on the 15-20%. This applies to all models with a battery. 5000 mic.
• 📱 Plastic case – despite the declared glass, the back panel of all models is plastic (except Note 11 Pro with Gorilla Glass 5).
• 🔊 Average microphone quality – when recording video or voice messages may appear noise.
• 📲 Advertising in MIUI — Even in global firmware sometimes pop up banners (you can turn off in the settings).

⚠️ Many users complain about overheating Redmi Note 11S This is because the model does not support fast charging (only 33 watts), but even so the case can heat up to 45.°C. If you plan to use your phone while charging, it is better to choose a different model.

There are more serious problems that are less common, but they are worth knowing:

• 🚨 POCO M4 Pro 5G Has problems with autofocus in the dark – the camera can long “catch” sharpness.
• 🚨 Redmi 10 2022 sometimes decreases the brightness of the screen even when the autoregulation is turned off.
• 🚨 In Redmi Note 11 Pro, some users note the “soap” video on the main camera when shooting in the video. 4K.

Most of these problems are not critical and can be solved with software updates, but if any of the shortcomings are fundamental to you (for example, overheating or camera problems), it is better to exclude the problem model from consideration beforehand.

Where to buy Xiaomi in 2022: official stores vs marketplaces

The price of the same smartphone can vary by 2000-3000 rubles depending on where you buy it, but cheaper is not always better, we tell you where it is better to buy Xiaomi and what to pay attention to.

Official sources:

• 🏬 Xiaomi branded stores – 2-year warranty, original firmware, but prices are often above the market.
• 🌐 Official website – sometimes exclusive promotions, but delivery can take up to 2 weeks.
• 📱 Salons (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon) - often give discounts when buying with a tariff, but can impose unnecessary services.

Marketplaces and other venues:

• 🛒 Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market – prices lower 10-15%, The risk of a “grey” import.
• 📦 AliExpress – you can find cheaper, but the guarantee will be only 1 A year and delivery will take 3-4 weekdays.
• 🤝 Avito, Yula – only if the seller can provide a check and a phone number for guarantees.

⚠️ Warning: When buying on marketplaces, be sure to check the firmware region. If the specifications say "Global Version" - that's good. If "China" ROM" — Be prepared for the lack of Google services and Chinese apps that are difficult to remove. 4G/5G — Some "grey" models may not support Russian frequencies.

Our advice: if the difference in price between the official store and the marketplace does not exceed 1500 rubles, it is better to overpay and get a full warranty. In the case of Xiaomi, this is especially important, since warranty repairs (for example, changing the screen) can only be performed in authorized service centers.

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Before buying, check the serial number of the phone on the official Xiaomi website – this will help to verify the authenticity of the device and the warranty period.

Xiaomi alternatives: should other brands be considered in this budget

While Xiaomi offers some of the best smartphones in the under 20,000-ruble segment, it would be unfair not to mention the competition.

Xiaomi’s worthy competitors in 2022:

• 📱 Realme 9 Pro is a great camera (64 MP with Sony optics), but a weaker processor (Snapdragon 695 vs Dimensity 920 in) POCO).
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy A33 5G — 4 years of Android updates, but screen only 90Hz and no fast charging.
• 📱 Motorola Moto G62 — Android is clean, but a weak camera and plastic case.
• 📱 Honor X8 — Good screen (90 Hz) AMOLED), no NFC and a weak processor.

Xiaomi’s main advantage over its competitors is price/characteristics. No other brand offers 120Hz. AMOLED-screen and 108 MP camera for 20 000 rubles, but if you are critical:

• 🔄 Long-term software updates – consider Samsung or Motorola.
• 📸 The quality of the photo – take a look at the Realme 9 Pro.
• 🛡️ Wet protection is just POCO X4 Pro 5G It has at least some certification (IP53).

In most cases, Xiaomi remains the best choice, but if any specific features are fundamental to you, it makes sense to look at alternatives.

FAQ: Answers to the most popular questions about choosing Xiaomi before 20 000 ₽