Which Xiaomi smartphone to choose in 2020: rating of the best models by price / quality ratio

2020 was a watershed for Xiaomi: the company released several revolutionary smartphones that still remain relevant for purchase in the secondary market. But how not to get confused in the variety of models? the flagship Mi 10 Pro with a 108-megapixel camera, the compact Mi 10 Lite for lightweight gadgets or the budget Redmi Note 9 Pro with record autonomy โ€“ each model has its strengths.

In this guide, we will take a look at all of Xiaomiโ€™s 2020 key lineups, compare them by specifications and price, and give specific recommendations on which smartphone to choose depending on your tasks. We will focus on the unique features of 2020 models that have disappeared in subsequent generations โ€“ for example, the 3.5 mm audio jack in the POCO X3 NFC or the infrared port in all Redmi Note 9.

If youโ€™re looking for a smartphone for gaming, video, long hours without recharging, or just a reliable device for every day, here are the answers. At the end of the article, youโ€™ll find the FAQ answering the most common questions about buying Xiaomi in 2020.

1. 2020 flagships: Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro and Mi 10 Ultra - should you overpay?

The Mi 10 lineup was the first in the world to have a Snapdragon 865 processor -- which was an absolute record for performance at the time of release -- but today, 4 years later, these smartphones don't seem so flawless. Let's see which ones are still relevant to buy.

Mi 10 Pro โ€“ top model with 108 MP main camera, 8K-video 50W Its main advantage over its competitors is the optical stabilization in the main module, which Xiaomi removed from subsequent flagships. However, today it can be found on the secondary market for 15-20 thousand rubles - the price at which it competes with new mid-budget models.

  • โœ… Pros: Best camera among Xiaomi 2020, premium AMOLED-90Hz screen, wireless charging support 30W.
  • โŒ Cons: No memory card slot, heavy (208g), 4500mAh battery seems small today.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Used price (2026): 15,000 - 22,000 โ‚ฝ (conditionally).

The Mi 10 Ultra is a Chinese exclusive that hasnโ€™t officially been sold in Russia.Itโ€™s the most powerful Xiaomi 2020 smartphone with 120W fast charging (charges in 23 minutes!) and 120x digital zoom. However, buying it today comes with risks: no global firmware, 4G issues in some regions.

โš ๏ธ Note: When buying Mi 10 Ultra, check your operatorโ€™s frequency support! LTE may work unstablely.

๐Ÿ“Š Which Xiaomi 2020 flagship you like best?
Mi 10 Pro
Mi 10 Ultra
Mi 10 (regular)
Mi 10 Lite
Not one.

2.Middle segment: Mi 10 Lite, Mi Note 10 and POCO F2 Pro - Gold balance?

If flagships are too expensive and budget models are not satisfied with the characteristics, pay attention to the middle segment. Here Xiaomi in 2020 offered several successful solutions that have not lost their relevance.

Mi 10 Lite is one of the lightest smartphones Xiaomi (only 169 g) AMOLED-Snapdragon screen and processor 765G. Its main advantage is compactness and support 5G (However, the camera is weaker than the flagships: the main module is only 48 MP without optical stabilization.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ For whom: Those who appreciate lightness and design donโ€™t need a supercamera.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Autonomy: 4,160 mAh lasts a day with moderate use.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Used price (2026): 10,000 - 14,000 โ‚ฝ.

The POCO F2 Pro is a redmi K30 Pro, but with global firmware. Its chips are a retractable front camera (no monobrov), a 64 MP main module and a 4700 mAh battery, the main drawback is the lack of a 3.5 mm connector, which can be critical for music fans.

๐Ÿ’ก

If you choose between the POCO F2 Pro and the Redmi K30 Pro, take the former โ€“ it has better firmware optimization for the global market.

ModelProcessorScreen.BatteryUsed price (2026)
Mi 10 LiteSnapdragon 765G6.57" AMOLED, 60 Hz4160 mAh10 000 โ€” 14 000 โ‚ฝ
Mi Note 10Snapdragon 730G6.47" AMOLED, 60 Hz5260 mAh12 000 โ€” 16 000 โ‚ฝ
POCO F2 ProSnapdragon 8656.67" AMOLED, 60 Hz4700mAh18 000 โ€” 22 000 โ‚ฝ

Budget hits: Redmi Note 9 and Redmi 9 - cheap and angry

The Redmi Note 9 lineup was the best-selling smartphone in 2020, and for good reason: These smartphones offered record-breaking autonomy, good screens and cameras for minimal money, and even today they can be found in perfect condition for 5-10 thousand rubles.

The Redmi Note 9 Pro is the best choice in the budget segment. Here you get: Snapdragon 720G (still pulls modern games on the medium settings), 64 MP camera with good detail in the daytime and 5020 mAh battery, which is enough for 2 days of active use. The only serious drawback is a 60 Hz screen, but in this price segment it is forgivable.

  • ๐ŸŽฎ For games: Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG They are in the middle settings with FPS ~40.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera: in the daytime is not inferior to many average budgetary 2023.
  • โš ๏ธ Minus: No. 5G and NFC basic.

Redmi 9 is even cheaper (from 4,000) โ‚ฝ B/u, but here's Helio. G80 โ€” The processor is weaker, and the 13MP camera is only suitable for social networks, but the 5,000mAh battery and 3.5mm connector make it a great option for elderly relatives or a spare phone.

Battery status (capacity must be >80% of 5020 mAh)

All cameras (especially macro and wide-angle)

Absence of "yellow spots" on the screen (a typical AMOLED problem in public sector workers)

Original charger (18W)

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4.Gaming smartphones: Black Shark 3 and POCO X3 NFC - for gamers and not only

2020 brought us two outstanding gaming smartphones from Xiaomi: Black Shark 3 (premium gaming) and POCO X3 NFC (budget station wagon), both still in demand among gamers, but suitable for different tasks.

Black Shark 3 is 120Hz AMOLED-The screen, Snapdragon 865, 4720 mAh and unique physical triggers on the case that replace touch buttons in games. Its main problem today is the price: on the secondary it costs 20-25,000 rubles, which is comparable to new mid-budget. But for real gamers, itโ€™s still one of the best options.

POCO X3 NFC, Instead, he's become a budget gaming legend. 120 Hz. IPS-screen, Snapdragon 732G And 6,000 mAh is a record capacity for 2020, and today you can buy it for 8,000 to 12,000 rubles, and it's one of the best options for you to use. PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact on budget.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Y POCO X3 NFC There is a problem with autobrightness - it often works incorrectly. โ†’ Display. โ†’ Autobrightness.

How to turn 120Hz on a POCO X3 NFC?
Go to Settings โ†’ Display โ†’ Screen refresh rate and select 120Hz. Note that when Battery mode is turned on, the frequency automatically decreases to 60Hz to save charge.

5.Smart watches and fitness bracelets Xiaomi 2020: Mi Band 5 and Mi Watch

In 2020, Xiaomi updated its lineup of wearables, and some models are still relevant.For example, the Mi Band 5 is a 1.1-inch. AMOLED-It's got 11 sports modes and 14 days of autonomy, and you can buy it for 1500 to 2,000 today. โ‚ฝ, Which makes it one of the best budget fitness trackers.

Mi Watch (not to be confused with Mi Watch Lite!) is a full-fledged smartwatch on Wear OS with 1.78-inch AMOLED and NFC for contactless payments. Their main problem is weak software optimization, but for 5-7 thousand rubles used, this is one of the cheapest ways to try Wear OS.

  • โฑ๏ธ Mi Band 5: Best Sports and Sleep Choices SPO2 (blood-oxygenation).
  • โŒš Mi Watch: Fully-fledged watch with Google Assistant, but only 1.5-2 days of autonomy.
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Alternative: if necessary SPO2, Watch Mi Band 6 (2021).

6. Which Xiaomi 2020 to Buy Today? Task summary

What smartphone Xiaomi 2020 should buy in 2026, depending on your needs?

The challengeBest model.The alternativeBudget (b/u, 2026)
Photos and videosMi 10 ProMi Note 1015 000 โ€” 22 000 โ‚ฝ
GamesBlack Shark 3POCO X3 NFC8 000 โ€” 25 000 โ‚ฝ
AutonomyPOCO X3 NFCRedmi Note 9 Pro8 000 โ€” 15 000 โ‚ฝ
CompactnessMi 10 LiteMi 9 SE (2019)10 000 โ€” 14 000 โ‚ฝ
Budget up to 5,000 โ‚ฝRedmi 9Redmi Note 8 (2019)4 000 โ€” 6 000 โ‚ฝ

If youโ€™re looking for a smartphone for long-term use, look for models with the Snapdragon 865 (Mi 10 Pro, POCO F2 Pro โ€” they will drag on modern tasks for another 2-3 years. To save money, you should take the Redmi Note 9 Pro or POCO X3 NFC โ€” They offer the maximum return for money.

(1) Battery condition (capacity must be >80% of factory capacity)

(2) Operation of all sensors (gyroscope, compass, NFC).

(3) No blurred screen (problem with Redmi Note 9 with AMOLED).

4) Global firmware (especially in Mi 10 Ultra and Redmi K30 Pro).-->

7. Where to buy and what to look for?

When buying Xiaomi 2020 in the secondary market, there are several key points that will help to avoid disappointment: First, avoid โ€œgrayโ€ sellers โ€“ it is better to take on proven sites:

  • ๐Ÿ›’ Avito - many offers, but the risk of running into a "killed" battery is high.
  • ๐Ÿ›’ Yula โ€“ often cheaper, but less guaranteed.
  • ๐Ÿ›’ SberMegaMarket (used) - there is a check of the device before selling.
  • ๐Ÿ›’ Telegram channels (e.g, @xiobuy) โ€” Often come across "clear" machines at a good price.

Second, check the firmware. Many Chinese versions (Mi 10 Ultra, Redmi K30 Pro) don't have official global firmware, and you'll have to do it yourself, and it's risky to lose IMEI or serial number.

Third, pay attention to the little things:

The Redmi Note 9 Pro often leaves the charging plume - check if the USB-C connector is wobbling.

The Mi 10 Lite sometimes has NFC falling off after a fall.

- POCO X3 NFC You may have vibration problems (check in the Settings menu). โ†’ Sound).

โš ๏ธ Note: If the seller refuses to show IMEI The device or the check is not available, that's a reason to be alert. IMEI on imei.info โ€“ it must match the data on the box.

FAQ: Frequent questions about buying Xiaomi in 2020

๐Ÿ”‹ How long will the battery last in the smartphones Xiaomi 2020?
The average battery life is 3-4 years when used actively. For models with a capacity of 5000 mAh and above (POCO X3 NFC, Redmi Note 9 Pro), the degradation is less noticeable. To check the battery condition, use the AccuBattery application (should show > 80% of the original capacity).
๐Ÿ“ฑ Will Xiaomi 2020 smartphones get updates?
Xiaomi has officially stopped supporting all 2020 models (the latest major update is MIUI 14 based on Android 12).However, informal firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can extend the life of the device for another 2-3 years.
๐ŸŽฎ Can you play modern games on Xiaomi 2020?
Yes, but with reservations: - Snapdragon 865 (Mi 10 Pro, POCO F2 Pro, Black Shark 3) pulls Genshin Impact on medium settings with FPS ~30-40. - Snapdragon 720G/732G (Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3 NFC) will cope with Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG at low/med settings. - Helio G80/G90T (Redmi 9, Redmi Note 9S) is suitable only for casual games (Clash Royale, Brawle Star).
๐Ÿ”Œ Why some models do not have a 3.5 mm connector?
In 2020, Xiaomi began to abandon the 3.5 mm audio jack in flagship and some mid-budget models (Mi 10, POCO F2 Pro). This was done to: Reduce the thickness of the case, make room for other components (for example, an additional camera), Advance wireless headphones (Mi True Wireless Earbuds). If the connector is critical, look for the Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3 NFC or Mi 10 Lite.
๐Ÿ’ฐ Should you buy Xiaomi 2020 in 2026?
It depends on your tasks: - โŒ No: If you need a flagship with long-term update support or a top-end camera. - โœ… Yes: If you are looking for a budget gaming smartphone (POCO X3 NFC), long-playing device (Redmi Note 9 Pro) or compact gadget (Mi 10 Lite). - ๐Ÿ’ก Alternative: If the budget allows, consider POCO X5 Pro (2023) or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ โ€” They offer the best screens and cameras for comparable money.