Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 is not an easy task. The brand offers dozens of models in different price categories: from budget devices for 10,000 rubles to flagships for 100,000+. But how not to make a mistake and buy exactly what you need? In this article, we will analyze current models, their real pros and cons, and also help you decide on the choice based on your budget and needs.
The key is to understand that price doesn’t always equal quality, for example, some Redmi smartphones are as good as more expensive POCOs, and Xiaomi 12 flagships may lose in autonomy to budget models, and we analyzed user reviews, performance tests and real prices in the market to come up with an honest rating.
We will focus on the current problems of 2022: chip shortages, rising prices and changes in MIUI update policy, which directly affect whether to buy a particular model now.
Xiaomi 2022 flagships: should you overpay?
Xiaomi flagship smartphones traditionally offer top-end characteristics, but in 2022 their cost increased by 15-20% compared to 2021. the blame for this is the global shortage of components and the weakening of the ruble. So, Xiaomi 12 Pro in the basic configuration costs 80,000-90,000 rubles, which is comparable to the price of the Samsung Galaxy S22+.
What do you get for that money?
- 🔥 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor is the most powerful at the time of release, but with problems overheating in games.
- 📸 50MP main camera with Leica optics (only in Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, which is even more expensive).
- 🔋 Battery 4600 mAh with support for 120-watt fast charging (charged in 18 minutes!).
- 🖥️ Screen. AMOLED permittingly 3200×1440 frequency 120 Hz.
First, the Xiaomi 12 Pro does not support memory cards — only internal memory, which can be a problem for those who like to store a lot of photos and videos. Second, despite the promises of the brand, MIUI updates come with delays, and some features (for example, adaptive screen refresh rate) have to be enabled manually through Settings → Screen → Additional.
⚠️ Note: If you plan to use a flagship for gaming, consider that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is prone to trottling (reset frequencies) under long loads. In the Xiaomi 12 Pro, this is partially solved due to improved cooling, but the problem remains.
Mid-segment: Best Price-Quality Balance
If you are not ready to spend 80 000+ rubles, but want a smartphone with good performance and cameras, look at models from the mid-range segment.
- 📱 Xiaomi 11T Pro is the flagship of 2021, which in 2022 is sold cheaper (about 50 000-55,000 rubles).
- 🎮 POCO F4 GT — gaming smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and retractable triggers for 45 000-50,000 rubles.
- 📸 Redmi K50 Pro – a novelty of 2022 with a Dimensity 9000 processor and a 108 MP camera (~40,000-45,000 rubles).
Xiaomi 11T The Pro is one of the most balanced options. It's equipped with a screen. AMOLED frequent 120 Hz, battery-powered 5000 mh 120-Watt charging and triple camera (108 + 8 + 5 The main disadvantage is the lack of wireless charging, which is strange for a device of this level.
The POCO F4 GT, despite its gaming focus, is also suitable for everyday use, with its feature being the Magnetic Pop-up Triggers that are pushed when games are launched, but in 2022 it loses to the Redmi K50 Pro in both autonomy and shooting quality.
| Model | Processor | Battery | Price (2022) | Better for you. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 11T Pro | Snapdragon 888 | 5000 mAh, 120 watts | 50 000–55 000 ₽ | Photos, videos, everyday tasks |
| POCO F4 GT | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | 4700 mAh, 120 Wh | 45 000–50 000 ₽ | Games, productivity |
| Redmi K50 Pro | Dimensity 9000 | 5000 mAh, 120 watts | 40 000–45 000 ₽ | Price-quality balance |
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In the mid-range, the Redmi K50 Pro offers the best price-performance ratio in 2022, but if you’re looking for a camera, take the Xiaomi 11T Pro.
Budget smartphones Xiaomi: what you can buy up to 20 000 rubles
The budget segment is Xiaomi’s most competitive niche, where the brand offers smartphones with good screens, acceptable cameras and long battery life.
- 💰 Redmi Note 11 Pro (~18,000-22,000 rubles is the best choice for most.
- 📱 POCO M4 Pro 5G (~16,000-19000 rubles - cheap 5G-smartphone.
- 🔋 Redmi 10C (~12 000-14,000 rubles – maximum autonomy.
Redmi Note 11 Pro is a bestseller of 2022. It is equipped with an AMOLED screen with a frequency of 120 Hz (rare for public sector!), a battery of 5000 mAh and a main camera of 108 MP. Of course, 108 MP is a marketing move (real shooting quality closer to 12-16 MP), but for its price, the smartphone offers a great set of features.
If you want 5G, but you have a budget, the POCO M4 Pro 5G is one of the few options. It runs on a Dimensity 810 processor that provides stable fifth-generation network reception. But the screen is IPS (not AMOLED), and the battery is only 5000 mAh without fast charging.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi's budget smartphones often save on NFH chips. If contactless payments are important to you, check for availability NFC In the characteristics of the model, for example, in the Redmi. 10C He's gone!
Is there? NFC contactless|
Does the smartphone support the desired frequencies? 4G/5G (especially in the regions)|
Is there a memory card slot (not all models support expansion)|
Which version of MIUI is preinstalled (older versions may not support new features)
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Xiaomi vs. POCO vs. Redmi: What’s the difference and what to choose
Many people confuse Xiaomi sub-brands, not realizing how they differ.
- 📱 Xiaomi – flagship and premium models (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Xiaomi 11 Lite) NE). Here are the best cameras, screens and design, but prices are higher.
- 🎮 POCO — gaming and performance smartphones (for example, POCO F4 GT, POCO X4 Pro. Often use top-end processors at a lower price, but save on cameras.
- 💰 Redmi — budget and mid-budget devices (for example, Redmi Note 11, Redmi 10.
Which brand to choose?
- 📸 If you want a camera, look at Xiaomi (for example, Xiaomi 11 Lite). NE Leica-optic).
- 🎮 If you need a gaming smartphone — POCO (for example, POCO F4 GT trigger-driven).
- 🔋 If the battery and price are important - Redmi (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro with 5000 mAh).
It's important to understand that there's a gradation inside the same sub-brand, too. For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is more expensive and more powerful than the Redmi 10A, although both are Redmi. So always compare specific models, not lines.
Why is POCO cheaper than Xiaomi with similar characteristics?
Where to buy Xiaomi in 2022: official stores vs marketplaces
In 2022, due to sanctions and logistical issues, Xiaomi prices vary greatly depending on where you buy them.
Official stores (for example, Mi Store or Xiaomi Russia website):
- ✅ 12-24 months warranty (depending on model).
- ✅ Original firmware with Russian language and Google services.
- ✅ Exchange/refund within 14 days.
Minus – prices here are often higher than on marketplaces, due to the markup for “officiality”.
Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market):
- ✅ Prices are lower by 5-15% due to shares and discounts.
- ✅ Wide range (including models that are not available in official stores).
- ❌ Risk of a “gray” import without a full guarantee.
Chinese stores (AliExpress, JD.com):
- ✅ The lowest prices (for example, Redmi Note 11 can be found at 20-30% cheaper).
- ❌ Long delivery (2-4 weeks).
- ❌ There may be problems with warranty and firmware (some models come with Chinese). MIUI Google Play without Google Play).
⚠️ Note: When buying on AliExpress, pay attention to the firmware version! Global Version models have Russian language and Google services, and China Version will require manual firmware, which may deprive you of warranty.
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Before buying, check the IMEI of your smartphone on imei.info. This will help make sure that the phone is not blacklisted (for example, it is not stolen or blocked by the operator).
MIUI Updates in 2022: Which models will get Android 13
One of Xiaomi’s biggest concerns is its volatile update policy, which in 2022 announced that the following models would receive Android 13 (MIUI 14):
- 📱 Flagships: Xiaomi 12/12 Pro/12S Ultra, Xiaomi 11T Pro.
- 🎮 Playing: POCO F4 GT, Black Shark 5 Pro.
- 💰 Mid-segment: Redmi K50 Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro+.
However, there are pitfalls:
- ⏳ Update for some models will be released only in 2023.
- 🔄 Some smartphones (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) will receive only one major upgrade (from Android 11 to 12), and then will remain without support.
- 📵 In the “gray” models from China, updates may come with a delay or not at all.
To check when your model gets the update, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If there’s a MIUI version older than 13.0.1 hanging there, then Android 13 hasn’t come out for your device yet.
How to speed up the update?
Top.-5 Errors in Buying Xiaomi in the 2022 year
Many users are disappointed in buying because of mistakes.
- 🔋 Ignore battery capacity: Smartphones with less than 4,500 mAh battery in 2022 will run out quickly, especially if they have a battery. AMOLED-screen 5G.
- 📸 The 108MP camera in the Redmi Note 11 Pro is inferior in real quality to the 48MP camera in the Xiaomi 11 Lite NE.
- 🛒 Buy the cheapest model. Saving 2-3 thousand rubles can turn into a lack of NFC, a weak processor or a bad screen.
- 🔄 Do not check the update policy. some models (e.g, POCO M3) Android 10 is still on Android, although it was released in 2021.
- 📦 Take the "Chinese" version without checking, such smartphones may not support Russian frequencies 4G Or come without Google Play.
Another common mistake is to buy a smartphone without assessing its maintainability. For example, in the Xiaomi 12 Pro, the battery is glued to the body, and it will cost 5-7 thousand rubles to replace it. In the Redmi Note 11, the rear cover is easily removed and repair is cheaper.
1. Maintaining the right frequencies 4G/5G (especially in the regions).
2. NFC and IR port (if you need them).
3. Update policy (whether the model will receive Android 13/14)
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