Xiaomi in 2026: Which smartphone to choose for price, camera and performance?

Choosing a smartphone in 2026 has become more difficult than ever: Xiaomi offers dozens of models, from budget Redmi to premium Ultra versions. But how not to get confused about the specs and not overpay for unnecessary features? This article will help you figure out which Xiaomi to buy in 2026, based on your needs: whether it is a gaming smartphone with cooling, a photo beast with Leica optics or a compact device with autonomy.

We analyzed the official announcements, tests from DxOMark and AnTuTu, as well as reviews of the first buyers of new models. In the review, only current devices that can be bought in Russia and the CIS in 2026 (including global versions and special editions for the market). EAEU). The price/quality ratio was given special attention, as Xiaomi is traditionally famous for this.

Spoiler: If you want the most balanced Xiaomi of 2026 at a price of up to 30,000 ₽ — Xiaomi 14T With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and a 200 MP camera.

Xiaomi 2026 Trends: What to Look for When Choosing

2026 The year was a watershed for Xiaomi: the company finally divided the lineup into budget (Redmi), middle class (Poco and the base series Xiaomi) and premium (Xiaomi). Ultra/Mix). Here are the key trends that will influence your choices:

• 🔥 Processors: The flagships are exclusively Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (in Xiaomi 15 Pro) and Dimensity 9400 (in Mix Fold 4).+ Gen 4, which overtook last year’s flagship chips in performance.
• 📸 Xiaomi refused to cooperate with Leica in budget models, leaving branded optics only in the Ultra series. OV50K with a pixel size of 1.6 microns even in smartphones for 20 000 ₽.
• 🔋 Batteries: De facto standard - 5500 mAh + 120W But the Redmi Note 13 Turbo has an experimental Silicon-Oxide technology that increases capacity by 20% without growing size.
• 🖥️ Screens: Even in public sector now 120 Hz and AMOLED (for example, Poco X6 The flagships have received LTPO 4.0 with adaptive frequency from 1 to 144 Hz.

Important: Xiaomi is actively promoting AI-For example, in Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the neural network improves photos in real time, and in Mix Fold 4 it optimizes multitasking for folding screens. But not all chips work in Russian, so check the section before buying. FAQ.

⚠️ In 2026, Xiaomi began to block the ability to unlock the bootloader on some models for the market EAEU (For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+). This means that you will not be able to install custom firmware or obtain root rights!

The best flagships Xiaomi 2026: top performance and cameras

If budget allows, Xiaomi’s flagships in 2026 offer unmatched performance and innovation, with the top new products being the Xiaomi 15 Pro, Xiaomi 15 Ultra and the foldable Mix Fold 4. They all run on Android 15 with the proprietary HyperOS 2.0 shell, which finally got smooth animation at the iOS level.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the first smartphone with a quad-core camera (200 MP) + 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP) and optical zoom 10×. According to DxOMark tests, it beats the iPhone 16 Pro Max in night shooting, but loses in video processing. But the Mix Fold 4 became the first foldable Xiaomi smartphone with a frameless internal screen (no hole under the front camera).

Who's good for:

• 🎮 Xiaomi 15 Pro with Loop LiquidCool 3.0 cooling system (processor temperature does not rise above 42)°C even after an hour of playing Genshin Impact at maximum settings).
• 📷 Photographer: Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the only smartphone with variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0) main-chamber.
• 💼 Business users: Mix Fold 4 with DeX-mode support for connecting to the monitor and full work with documents.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 2026 flagships do not support memory cards (no microSD slot).If you need more than 512 GB of memory, choose models with 1 TB on board (for example, Xiaomi 15 Ultra Explorer Edition).

💡

Xiaomi 2026 flagships optimized for AI-tasks: neural network processes photos in 2 seconds (versus 5-7 seconds for competitors).

Middle class: optimal price/quality ratio

The most popular category – smartphones for 30 000-60,000 ₽. Here Xiaomi offers devices that are not inferior in performance to the flagships of 2023, but cost 2-3 times cheaper:

• 🏆 Xiaomi 14T —"Flagship Killer" with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 200 MP camera for 35 000 ₽.
• 🔥 Poco F6 Pro – a gaming smartphone with 6000 mAh and 210W Charging (full charge in 12 minutes!).
• 📱 Xiaomi Civi 4 – the thinnest (6.3 mm) and lightest (165 g) smartphone with AMOLED-screen and dual front camera.

Xiaomi stands out especially. 14T — This is the first smartphone with supportive communication in the middle class (works with the BeiDou system). IP68, And that's rare for a device like this. F6 Pro will appeal to those who like experiments: there is a slot for the second SIM microSD (to choose from), as well as an infrared port for controlling equipment.

Who's good for:

• 🎬 Tiktokers and bloggers: Xiaomi Civi 4 with dual front camera and pre-installed CapCut Pro (exclusive version for Xiaomi with extended effects).
• 🔋 For those who forget to charge their phone: Poco F6 Pro with 6,000mAh battery and Battery Health Engine technology that retains 90% of capacity after 1,000 charging cycles.
• 🌍 Travellers: Xiaomi 14T Thanks to the support and support of two physical SIM-cards (ideal for roaming).

Make sure the model supports 5G in your area (some versions of the EAEU limited)

Check availability NFC (Redmi Note 13 does not have it in the base version)

Pay attention to the firmware version (must be HyperOS 2.0 or later)

View the tests of autonomy (e.g. Poco) F6 Pro keeps 18 hours in games, Civi 4 only 8)-->

Budget smartphones Xiaomi 2026: cheap ≠ badly

Budget segment (up to 25 000) ₽) 2026, it underwent a revolution: even for 15 000 ₽ You can buy a smartphone with AMOLED-The main characters are the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+, Poco X6 redmi 13C. The latter became the world’s best-selling smartphone in the first quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research).

Key chips of budget Xiaomi 2026:

• 🔋 In Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Graphene battery – charges 100% in 17 minutes (when using charging) 120W complete).
• 📷 Poco X6 Received the main camera 108 MP with optics from Samsung ISOCELL — That's a record for phones under 20,000. ₽.
• 🛡️ All budget models of 2026 are certified to the standard MIL-STD-810H (protection from falls and vibrations).

What to look out for:

• 🔌 Charging: In the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ goes 120W-charging in the kit, and in Poco X6 — only 67W. If you want speed, take the first model.
• 🎮 Games: Poco only X6 Game Turbo 6.0 (optimized for Call of Duty Mobile) PUBG).
• 📶 Network: Redmi 13C supportive 5G — If you are a Redmi Note 13, then you should use the Redmi Note 13. 5G (3,000 ₽ more).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi’s budget 2026 doesn’t have wireless charging (even in the Redmi Note 13 Pro)+). If this is important to you, consider mid-range models (e.g. Xiaomi). 14T).

Foldable smartphones Xiaomi 2026: is it worth overpaying?

Xiaomi launched two foldable smartphones in 2026: the Mix Fold 4 (book) and the Mix Flip (clamshell), the first foldable Xiaomi to be officially sold in Russia (previously from China), but they are expensive: from 130,000. ₽. Is the game worth the candle?

The advantages of folding Xiaomi 2026:

• 📱 Mix Fold 4 received an internal screen without holes (the camera is hidden under the display) and support for the stylus Xiaomi Smart Pen 3.
• 🔄 Mix Flip - the most compact folding (sizes folded: 85×75 mm), but with an external screen 3.5", conveniently.
• 🎮 Both smartphones support DeX mode for connecting to the monitor – you can use as a mini PC.

Cons:

• ❌ Price: Even the basic version of the Mix Flip (12/256 GB is worth it 110 000 ₽ — For this money you can buy the flagship Xiaomi 15 Pro and tablet.
• ⚠️ Reliability: Warranty on the folding mechanism – only 1 year (vs. 2 years on conventional smartphones).
• 🔋 Autonomy: Due to the two screens, the battery lasts a maximum of a day (in the Mix Fold 4 – 4800 mAh, in the Mix Flip – 4500 mAh).

Who's good for:

• 💼 Mix Fold 4 with Microsoft Office multitasking (you can open two documents at the same time).
• 👗 Fashionistas: Mix Flip is available in 5 colors, including the exclusive Star Blue with a shimmering coating.
• 🎮 Both smartphones support Xiaomi Gamepad – a gamepad that is attached to the body (sold separately for 8 000). ₽).

💡

Before buying a foldable Xiaomi, be sure to check if your city has a service center with experience in repairing hinges. In 2026, there are only 12 in Russia (the full list is on the Xiaomi website).

Xiaomi 2026 gaming smartphones: Black Shark is back?

In 2026, Xiaomi revived the Black Shark brand with the release of the Black Shark 6 Pro, the company’s first gaming smartphone in 2 years. F6 Pro with improved cooling and software. Also in the range remained RedMagic 9 Pro (produced by a partner Xiaomi, but sold under a different brand).

What is the difference between the gaming smartphones Xiaomi 2026:

• 🎮 Performance: Black Shark 6 Pro has Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with acceleration up to 3.4 GHz (vs. 3.3 GHz in the standard version).
• ❄️ Cooling: LiquidCool 7.0 system with two fans and an evaporation chamber (processor temperature does not rise above 38)°C).
• 🕹️ Control: Included are ultrasonic triggers (analogue of physical buttons) L2/R2 gamepad).
• 🔋 Battery: 6500 mAh with support 165W Charging (full charge in 15 minutes).

Who's good for:

• 🎮 Black Shark 6 Pro has Esports Mode, which disables all background processes and notifications during the game.
• 📱 RedMagic 9 Pro has a built-in HDMI-access to connect to video capture (no need to buy a separate adapter).
• 🔊 Melomans: Both smartphones have a 3.5 mm headphone jack and support LDAC (Sound quality as on a Hi-Fi player).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi's 2026 gaming smartphones don't have official Google Pay support (due to a modified Android kernel).Use alternatives like Mir Pay or Samsung Pay.

What Xiaomi to buy in 2026: the final guide to budgets

To make the choice easier, we made price recommendations, taking into account not only the characteristics, but also the current prices at the beginning of 2026 (including discounts in official Xiaomi stores).

• 💰 Up to 15,000. ₽: Redmi 13C (Best budget with 90 Hz screen or Poco M6 Pro (if you need 120 Hz).
• 💵 15 000–30 000 ₽: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (200 MP camera and 120W charging) or Poco X6 (108 MP and AMOLED).
• 💳 30 000–60 000 ₽: Xiaomi 14T ("flagship killer") or Poco F6 Pro (for gamers).
• 💎 60 000–100 000 ₽: Xiaomi 15 Pro (best flagship) or Black Shark 6 Pro (for gaming).
• 👑 Over 100,000. ₽: Xiaomi 15 Ultra (best camera) or Mix Fold 4 (foldable flagship).

If you are still undecided, answer 3 questions:

1. Do you need it? 5G? If yes, rule out Redmi. 13C POCO M6 Pro.
2. Is wireless charging important? Then look at models from 30,000 ₽.
3. Do you plan to play? For games, take smartphones with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3/4 or Dimensity 9300/9400.

💡

In 2026, Xiaomi began to complete all smartphones from 20 000 ₽ with a cover and a protective film in the box, saving up to 3,000 dollars. ₽ accessories!

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi in 2026