Samsung or Xiaomi: Which TV is the best to buy in 2026? 7 key criteria

Why the choice between Samsung and Xiaomi is more relevant than ever

Just 5 years ago, the question “Which TV is better – Samsung or Xiaomi?” would sound like comparing Mercedes with Lada: a Korean giant with a half-century history against a young Chinese brand that is just entering the market. Today, the situation has changed dramatically. Xiaomi has not just caught up with Samsung in sales in the budget and middle segments, it offered consumers a unique combination of price, technology and ecosystem that makes even ardent fans of the Korean brand think.

In 2026, Xiaomi’s share of the Russian TV market exceeded 20%, and Samsung remains the leader with 32% – but the gap is narrowing quarterly. First, Xiaomi aggressively innovates from the premium segment (for example, Mini-LED and 144 Hz) in a model worth from 40 000 rubles, while Samsung holds similar technologies for 100 000 rubles.+. Second, the Mi Home ecosystem has become a real alternative to SmartThings for smart home owners. Finally, after many Western brands left Russia, Xiaomi quickly filled the niche, offering localized software, warranty service and even credit programs.

But does that mean Samsung is losing ground? Not at all. The Korean brand is still leading the premium segment (QLED, Neo QLED, MicroLED, which offers industry-leading video processing thanks to Quantum Processor processors, remains the benchmark for reliability – the average life of Samsung TVs is 25% higher than that of competitors (service centers data for 2023). In addition, only Samsung can boast its own production base in Russia (factory in the Kaluga region), which guarantees stable supplies and service.

Image quality: QLED vs LED — Who won the technology race?

The main argument in the dispute "Samsung or Xiaomi" is a picture, and the comparison is unequal: Samsung invests in its own matrix technologies (QLED, Neo QLED, MicroLED), while Xiaomi buys panels from the same suppliers as other brands (e.g., Microsoft, BOE or CSOT). But that doesn’t mean the Chinese company is losing everything.

Let’s look at the key parameters:

• 🔹 Brightness and contrast: Samsung TVs QLED (for example, QN90C) They produce up to 1,500 nits of peak brightness versus 400-600 nits in most Xiaomi models, but in dark scenes the difference is less noticeable due to local dimming (Xiaomi Mi has a similar effect). TV Q2 75" — 128 zones against 32 budget Samsung CU7000).
• 🎨 Color rendering: Samsung covers 100% DCI-P3 In premium models, Xiaomi up to 97% (RTINGS.com test data), but for most users, the 3% difference is not noticeable without professional equipment.
• 🖥️ Update frequency: Here Xiaomi beats the competitor: even budget models (e.g. Redmi Smart Fire) TV 55′′ supports 120 Hz, while Samsung has a similar frequency only in the series. CU8000 (60,000 ₽).

Important nuance: Samsung uses proprietary upscale algorithms (for example, AI Upscaling Pro, which really improves the picture on Full HD-Xiaomi has a similar feature, but it works worse, especially on low-bitrate channels (e.g., terrestrial TV).

⚠️ Note: If you watch a lot of sports or dynamic movies, pay attention to response times. Samsung has lower response times (up to). 8 HS in game mode), which is critical for PS5/Xbox. Xiaomi even in the top models delay reaches 12–15 miss.

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For moviegoers and gamers better Samsung QLED (For everyday viewing and economy – Xiaomi with 120 Hz and Dolby Vision.

2. Performance and Smart TV: Tizen vs Google TV — conveniently?

The operating system of the TV determines how comfortable you will be using it, where Samsung and Xiaomi have chosen different ways: the Korean brand develops its own Tizen, and the Chinese one uses Google. TV (pre-Android TV). Every solution has pros and cons.

Samsung Tizen:

• ⚡ Speed: The most optimized OS among TVs – app launches 30-40% faster than Google TV (HDTVTest).
• 🎮 Gaming Hub: Unique Gaming Hub feature with cloud services (Xbox Cloud, GeForce) NOW) low-latency.
• 🔒 Closed ecosystem: No access to Google Play – you can only install apps from the Samsung App Store (no, for example, VLC or Kodi without workarounds).

Xiaomi Google TV:

• 📱 Android integration: You can install any application from Google Play, including Steam Link, Plex or Twitch.
• 🔍 Google Assistant understands Russian better than Samsung’s Bixby.
• 🐢 Brake Over Time: After 1-2 Years of Google Use TV It starts to “hang” (especially on budget models with 1.5-2 GB of RAM).

Samsung guarantees 5 years of updates for its TVs (e.g., the latest updates, QN90C Xiaomi has received an update to Tizen 7.0 in 2026. Xiaomi usually supports models for a maximum of 2-3 years, after which new features (for example, support) AV1-codecs become inaccessible.

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If you need non-standard applications (for example, IPTV-Players, go with Xiaomi. For stability and speed, Samsung Tizen.

3.Sound: Built-in speakers vs soundbars - who won the audio battle?

The “bad sound” stereotype is long out of date, especially in premium models, but Samsung and Xiaomi have fundamentally different approaches to the audio system.

Samsung is betting on virtual surround sound technology:

• 🔊 Object Tracking Sound (in the series) QLED): Dynamics monitor the movement of objects on the screen, creating an effect 3D-soundless.
• 🎵 Adaptive Sound+: Automatically adjusts the equalizer for the genre of content (film, sports, music).
• 📉 Weak basses: In budget models (e.g, CU7000) Low frequencies "drum" - without soundbar can not do.

Xiaomi is on the path of quantity and power:

• 🔈 6 speakers in top models (e.g. Mi) TV Q2 75) vs. 2-4 for Samsung.
• 🎶 Dolby Atmos support even in the mid-range (e.g. Xiaomi) TV A Pro).
• 🔇 Problems with setting: There are no presets in the sound menu - all adjustments have to be done manually.

AudioScienceReview shows that Samsung QN90C It gives a more balanced sound due to processing by the processor, but Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 15-20% louder (which is important for larger rooms); If you want theatrical sound without additional equipment, you better look at Xiaomi. For audiophiles, both brands offer integration with soundbars (Samsung has a better look at the soundbars — HW-Q990C, Xiaomi has Mi Soundbar Pro).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi models until 2023 often have a flaw – the wheezing of speakers at high volume).

4. Design and Assembly: Premium vs. Practicality

The appearance of the TV is as important as the technical characteristics — especially if it becomes the center of the living room, where Samsung traditionally leads, but Xiaomi is actively catching up.

Samsung:

• 🖼️ Ultra-thin frames: In a series QN90C frame of only 2.6 mm - visually the screen as if "soaring" in the air.
• 🏆 Premium materials: aluminum case, glass stand (in top models).
• 🔌 Cable management problems: In budget models, wires stick outwards, spoiling the view.

Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Modular design: For example, in Mi TV Q2 the stand can be moved along the width of the body.
• 🖥️ Minimalism: No extra buttons on the body - only the touch panel at the bottom.
• 🛠️ Low quality plastic: In models up to 50,000 ₽ squeak.

Weight and mounting are important, and Samsung TVs are 10 to 15 percent lighter due to the use of carbon fiber in the body (e.g., the mounting, QN90C 55" weighs 16.3 kg vs 18.5 kg Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 55) This simplifies wall mounting, especially on drywall.

Price and Price-Quality: Where is the real benefit?

Xiaomi's biggest bargaining chip is price. But how much is the cost savings worth? Let's take a look at some examples (prices are up for June 2026).

At first glance, Xiaomi is winning on price.

• 💰 Hidden costs: Xiaomi often lacks cables HDMI 2.1 (necessary 4K@120 Hz) and wall anchorages.
• 📉 In 2 years, Xiaomi TVs lose up to 60% of the value in the secondary market, Samsung – 40%.
• 🛠️ Service and warranty: Xiaomi’s matrix repair costs 30-50% of the cost of a TV, Samsung’s costs are 20-30% (due to its own service centers).

Conclusion: if the budget is limited to 30,000-50,000 ₽, Xiaomi offers the best value for money, but if you plan to use your TV for more than 3-4 years, the overpayment for Samsung will pay off with reliability and support.

✅ Status of the matrix (no broken pixels)

✅ Operations of all ports (HDMI, USB, optical output)

✅ Lack of “clouding” effect (gray spots on a black background)

✅ Software version (updates)

✅ Original remote (replacement costs 3,000–5,000) ₽)

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6. Ecosystem and compatibility: smart home, smartphones, accessories

If you already have Xiaomi or Samsung devices, choosing a TV can determine how convenient it fits into your ecosystem.

Samsung SmartThings:

• 🏠 Smart Home Integration: The TV can control Samsung-compatible devices (e.g. Jet Bot robot vacuum cleaner or WindFree air conditioner).
• 📱 Galaxy Sync: Quick Share feature allows you to broadcast your smartphone screen on TV without delay.
• 🔄 Limited compatibility: Other brands (e.g. Philips Hue) only use basic scripts.

Xiaomi Mi Home:

• 🌐 Open platform: Supports devices from Aqara, Yeelight, Roborock, etc.
• 🎮 Game features: You can connect the Xiaomi Game Controller and play Google Stadia or Xbox Cloud.
• 🔒 Privacy issues: TV usage data is sent to Xiaomi servers (you can disable in settings).

The key difference is that Samsung offers a more stable ecosystem (sync errors are less common), but Xiaomi gives more freedom to set up automations. For example, in the Mi Home, you can create a scenario where the TV will turn on when the door opens (with an Aqara sensor), and SmartThings will need an additional hub for this.

7. Reliability and durability: what breaks down more often?

According to TechnoDoctor service centers (2023), Xiaomi TVs break down 1.8 times more often than Samsung, but there are nuances:

Interesting observations:

• 🔧 Xiaomi is more likely to suffer from hardware problems (matrix, power supply), but they usually appear in the first 6 months – they are covered by the warranty.
• 🖥️ Samsung is less likely to break with hardware, but software glitches are more common (especially after Tizen updates).
• 📅 On average, Samsung lasts 6-8 years, Xiaomi – 4-5 years (data Rostest).

Tip: if you buy Xiaomi, be sure to take an extended warranty (costs 3,000–5,000) ₽). Samsung has a less critical system, but it is useful for protection against software failures.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs 2022-2023 release often have a defect - overheating of the processor, which causes the TV to spontaneously turn off. Before buying, check the temperature of the case (in the menu of engineering settings: # # #3644633## → Temperature) Normal: up to 65°C.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions