The smartphone market is undergoing major changes in 2021, and the budget segment is becoming a battleground for the attention of the buyer. If you are wondering which Xiaomi to buy up to 20,000 rubles, then you have come to the right place, because this is the price range that is the most competitive, manufacturers are forced to offer technologies that were considered flagship a year ago, making them available to the mass consumer.
This year’s selection is particularly large, from the time-tested Redmi Note series to the more recent and compact Mi lineup models. Not only dry specs, but also ergonomics, build quality, and the relevance of software support. Xiaomi is traditionally strong in offering the best specs for its money, but in 2021, nuances like NFC availability, screen refresh rates and charging speeds come to the fore.
This article will help you not get confused in many modifications and choose a really decent device, we will analyze the key parameters that you should pay attention to when buying, and highlight the models that will be the best investment of your funds right now.
Criteria for choosing a smartphone in 2021
The first thing to look at at at a budget of about 20 thousand rubles is the balance between the processor and the screen. In 2021, the de facto standard becomes the refresh rate of 90 Hz or even 120 Hz. Ignoring this parameter is no longer possible, since it directly affects the smoothness of the interface and the overall perception of the speed of the device. If the smartphone slows down in the menu, no megapixels of the camera will not save the impression from the purchase.
The second important aspect is the amount of RAM. For comfortable multitasking in the current realities, the minimum permissible volume is 6 GB. Models with 4 GB of RAM in 2021 can already be considered outdated, since modern applications and the MIUI shell consume significant resources.
- 📱 Screen: Required availability IPS or AMOLED Matrix with a resolution not lower than FullHD+.
- ⚡ Charging: Support for fast charging with power from 18 W and above significantly saves time.
- 📡 Communication: Availability of the module NFC Contactless card payment is a critical function for the city.
The eMMC 5.1 standard is gradually becoming a thing of the past, giving way to the faster UFS 2.2. The difference in file write and read speed can be doubled, as you can see when installing games and downloading heavy applications. So always choose between two similar models, which indicates a more modern memory standard.
Redmi Note 10: The Golden Mid-market
The undisputed leader in the category of “what Xiaomi to buy in 2021 to 20000” is the Redmi Note 10 series. AMOLED-It's the presence of a matrix for many users. AMOLED becomes a decisive factor in providing deep black color and high contrast of the image.
At the heart of the device is the Snapdragon 678 processor. It's not the most powerful chip on the market, but it's perfectly optimized for everyday tasks. Energy efficiency is at the forefront here, allowing the smartphone to stay confident for more than a day of active use. In 2021, this is a rare and valuable quality, given the growing power consumption of mobile applications.
⚠️ Attention: The basic version of the Redmi Note 10 often comes with 4 GB of RAM. For comfortable work in 2021, we strongly advise you to look for a modification with 6 GB, even if you have to pay a little extra or look for shares.
The design and ergonomics deserve special attention, and it's lightweight and pleasant to the touch, with IP53 spray protection, and the 48MP camera shoots well in good light, but at night it's way below the more expensive models, but for its price segment, it's one of the most balanced options.
Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G: Flagship camera and design
If you prioritize the quality of photography and premium materials, then you should pay attention to the Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G. This smartphone can often be found at discounts in the region of 20,000 rubles, and this is perhaps the best entrance ticket to the world of sub-flagships. The main feature here is support for 5G networks, which makes the device relevant for several years to come.
The camera here is equipped with optical stabilization (OIS), which is rare for this budget, allowing you to take clear pictures and videos even when shaking hands or in low light. The Snapdragon 765G processor, although not a top-end gaming solution, provides stable system operation and decent graphics in popular games at mid-sets.
The device is designed in the style of the flagship line: a glass rear panel, thin bezels around the screen and a hole for the front camera of minimal size. The kit often comes with a transparent protective case, which eliminates the need to immediately search for accessories. Stereo sound here is also implemented qualitatively, with a separate speaker at the top of the case.
Should I pay more for a 5G version in 2021?
POCO M3 Pro 5G: Maximum performance
For those looking for maximum performance on a limited budget, the POCO sub-brand offers the M3 Pro 5G. This device is built on the MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, which in synthetic tests beats many of the Qualcomm camp competitors in this price segment.
A 90Hz refresh rate screen makes navigation very smooth. AMOLED-The other guys, they're used here. IPS-It's a matrix, which is a plus for some users (no PWM, natural color reproduction), and a minus for others. But the brightness of 460 nits is quite enough for use in the sun.
- 🚀 Speed: One of the fastest interfaces in the class up to 20 thousand rubles.
- 🔋 Autonomy: 5000 mAh battery coupled with an economical processor gives excellent result.
- 🎨 Design: Aggressive style with diagonal stripes on the back highlights smartphone from the crowd.
Importantly, the package includes fast charging with 18 watts, although the smartphone itself supports up to 33 watts. The 33 watt power supply will have to be purchased separately if you want to unlock the full charging potential.
⚠️ Attention: Shell MIUI for POCO It has its own features and can contain more built-in advertising in system applications than in conventional Xiaomi.
Comparative Characteristics Table
To make a final decision, let’s summarize the key parameters of the models in a single table, which will help you to clearly see the differences and understand which smartphone is best suited to your specific requirements.
| Model | Screen. | Processor | Memory (RAM/ROM) | Camera (main) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10 | 6.43" AMOLED, 60 Hz | Snapdragon 678 | 4/64 or 6/128 GB | 48 MP |
| Redmi Note 10 Pro | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz | Snapdragon 732G | 6/128 GB | 108 MP |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite | 6.57" AMOLED, 60 Hz | Snapdragon 765G | 6/128 GB | 48 MP (OIS) |
| POCO M3 Pro | 6.5" IPS, 90 Hz | Dimensity 700 | 4/64 or 6/128 GB | 48 MP |
As the table shows, the Redmi Note 10 Pro (which sometimes hits a budget of up to 20k at sales) offers the best camera and smoothest screen. Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite wins by optical stabilization and 5G. POCO M3 Pro is the best choice for thrifty gamers.
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When buying, pay attention to the Global Version, which is the Chinese version (CN Version may not support certain frequencies LTE (For example, Band 20, which will make it harder to receive signals in rural areas, and not have Google Play preinstalled.
What to look for when buying in 2021
Buying a smartphone in 2021 requires attention to details that used to seem secondary. For example, the type of fingerprint scanner. In the budget segment up to 20,000 rubles, scanners built into the on button are still common. They work quickly and reliably. In-screen scanners in this budget tend to be optical and can work slower and less accurately.
Also worth checking is the presence of an infrared port (IR Blaster), which allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control for your TV, air conditioning and other equipment. Xiaomi has a traditional feature that is implemented at a very high level, but in some models for other markets, this module can be cut out.
Don’t forget about the package. In 2021, many manufacturers, following the “ecological trend”, stopped putting chargers in the box. Xiaomi is still good and completes its devices with power supplies, but check the availability of charging and Type-C cable in the box before payment (especially in offline stores) will not be superfluous.
☑️ Pre-purchase check
Summary and recommendations
Choosing a smartphone up to 20,000 rubles in 2021 is a compromise, but thanks to Xiaomi’s efforts, these tradeoffs are becoming less noticeable. If you want a versatile soldier with a beautiful screen, take the Redmi Note 10. If the camera and materials are important, look for the Mi 10 Lite. If the budget is limited, but you need speed, the POCO M3 Pro.
You don't have to chase records in benchmarks unless you're a mobile gamer. For social networks, messengers, navigation and video viewing, an average processor is quite enough, but it's more important to have a good memory reserve and a high-quality display. It's the screen that you will use 100% of the time while the smartphone is turned on.
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The best buying strategy in 2021 is to catch discounts on the previous year’s models (for example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro/Pro Max), which are often better than new budget models, but are cheaper due to the release of successors.
Remember that Xiaomi requires initial setup: update all applications, screen calibration and disabling unnecessary advertising. By spending 15 minutes on these actions immediately after unpacking, you will get a device that will delight you with stable operation throughout the life of the device.