Which Xiaomi smartphone to choose in 2018: a review of the best models in terms of price / quality

2018 was a watershed for Xiaomi - the company not only strengthened its position in the market of budget smartphones, but also released several models that can compete with the flagships of Samsung and Apple. If you are looking for a reliable device with a good camera, productive filling or long battery life, the range of the brand will offer at least 5-6 worthy options.

In this guide, we will analyze the current models of Xiaomi for 2018, break them down by price categories and tell you what to look for when buying.

• 📱 TOP-3 flagship with the best screens and cameras
• 💰 Budget models up to 15 000 rubles with decent performance
• 🔋 Smartphones with the longest autonomy (up to 2 days of operation)
• 🎮 Gaming machines for demanding users

Also at the end of this article is a comparison table of all the devices you've reviewed and answers to frequent customer questions, and if you've already decided on a budget, you can skip to the relevant section right away.

1. flagships Xiaomi 2018: Mi 8, Mi MIX 2S and Black Shark

If you want a top-end smartphone, Xiaomi has three key models in 2018: the Mi 8, the Mi MIX 2S, and the Black Shark, all built on a Snapdragon 845 processor, Qualcomm's most powerful chipset at the time, but each has its own characteristics.

Xiaomi Mi 8 — It's a classic flagship with AMOLED-screen 6,21 inch, dual main camera (12 + 12 MP) and wireless charging support, its key advantage is the under-screen fingerprint scanner, which is the most powerful of the devices. 2018 It was a rarity in the year, even among premium devices, and there's an infrared port for control and stereo speakers.

The Mi MIX 2S features a frameless design (screen-to-body ratio of 82.6%) and a ceramic body. The camera here is the same as the Mi 8, but there's one important difference: it supports artificial intelligence to improve your photos. For example, the device automatically recognizes 206 scenes and adjusts the settings of the shooting. Minus - no headphone jack 3.5 mm.

Well, Black Shark is a gaming monster with active cooling, physical gamepads and a screen with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. It is not suitable for everyday use (too bulky and “aggressive” design), but for gamers it is one of the best options on the market.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi flagships of 2018 are not officially supported 5G — If you need this feature, you will have to look towards 2019-2020 models or alternative brands.

2.The best smartphones Xiaomi 2018 in the middle price segment (15 000-25,000) ₽)

If you can’t afford flagships, but you want something more powerful than budget models, pay attention to the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE, Mi A2 and Redmi Note 5 Pro. These devices offer a balance between performance, camera and price, without sacrificing critical features.

Xiaomi Mi 8 SE — This is a “lightweight” version of the flagship with a Snapdragon chipset 710 (instead 845). Same here. AMOLED-screen, but smaller (5,88 inch), and a double chamber (12 + 5 The main advantage is compactness and premium design for relatively little money. 3120 mAh, which is enough for a day of active use.

Mi A2 — It's part of the Android One program, so it's pure Android without a shell. MIUI. The same processor (Snapdragon) 660), The camera is better: the main module 12 MP (pixelated) 1,25 μm) and frontal on 20 MP: Great choice for those who don't like branded add-ons from manufacturers, but there's no memory card connector, just built-in ones. 32/64 GB.

Redmi Note 5 The Pro is the most balanced option in this category. It has a big one. IPS-screen 5,99 inch, Snapdragon processor 636, double-camera (12 + 5 MP) and battery per battery 4000 This is the best choice for those who shoot a lot and want long-term autonomy, the disadvantages are plastic housing and no quick charging.

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If you’re choosing between the Mi A2 and Redmi Note 5 Pro, pay attention to priorities: the former is better for photo and “clean” Android, the latter is better for autonomy and a large screen.

3. budget smartphones Xiaomi 2018: Redmi 6, Redmi 6A and Redmi S2

If your budget is limited to 10-12 thousand rubles, then in the line of Xiaomi 2018 there are three worthy candidates: Redmi 6, Redmi 6A and Redmi S2. They all work on the processors MediaTek Helio or Snapdragon 400-series, but at the same time cope with everyday tasks (social networks, instant messengers, YouTube).

Redmi 6 — budgetary 5,45 Inch, by the MediaTek Helio processor P22 double-camera (12 + 5 The main advantage of this is the support of two SIM-cards and memory cards at the same time (hybrid slot). 3000 mAh is enough for a day with moderate use.

Redmi 6A is a simplified version without a dual camera (one module for 13 MP) and with a processor Helio A22. But here the lowest price tag (about 6-7 thousand rubles) and a compact case, suitable for the elderly or as a spare phone.

Redmi S2 (He's a Redmi. Y2 in some regions) is focused on selfies: the front camera here at 16 MP LED-It also has a large 5.99-inch screen and a 3,080 mAh battery, and minus is the Snapdragon 625 processor, which was considered obsolete in 2018.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi's 2018 budget models were often sold with trimmed trim levels (e.g., no headphones or case).Clarify the box contents with the seller before buying.

Correction of all buttons and connectors

No scratches on the screen and body

Operating the camera in different lighting conditions

The presence of original firmware (without custom assemblies)

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4. Xiaomi with longest autonomy in 2018

If you need a smartphone that will last 1.5-2 days without recharging, then in 2018 Xiaomi had two leaders: Mi Max 3 and Redmi Note 5. Both devices are equipped with batteries with a capacity of 5000+ mAh and optimized power consumption.

Mi Max 3 — It's a monster with a screen. 6,9 inch and battery on 5500 This is the Snapdragon processor. 636, double-camera (12 + 5 MP) and support for fast charging Quick Charge 3.0. The main disadvantage is the dimensions: the smartphone is inconvenient to carry in your pocket and use one hand.

The Redmi Note 5 (not to be confused with the Note 5 Pro!) is a more compact version with a 5.99-inch screen and a 4,000 mAh battery. The processor is weaker here (Snapdragon 625), but the case is metal, not plastic. In everyday use, it holds a charge 10-15% longer than the Note 5 Pro.

Both devices support Ultra Battery Saver technology, which disables background processes and leaves only basic functions (calls, SMS, watches) in this mode, they can last up to 3-4 days.

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If you're in a critical position, go for the Mi Max 3, which has 30 percent more battery than its competitors, but be prepared for the fact that it's going to take up a lot of space.

5. Xiaomi gaming smartphones: Black Shark vs POCO F1

2018 was the year of the introduction of specialized gaming smartphones, and Xiaomi had two: Black Shark (from a subsidiary brand) and POCO F1 (from a sub-brand of Pocophone).

Black Shark is a clean, liquid-cooled, physical gamepad buttons and 90Hz refresh rate gamer. Here's the top-end Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB of RAM and a special Shark Space mode that blocks notifications during play. bulky design, weak front camera (8 MP) and high price (~35 000 ₽).

POCO F1 — It's a budget flagship with the same Snapdragon 845, but no gaming bells and whistles, but it has liquid cooling, a large battery (4000 mAh) and the price is almost half as low (Black Shark — ~20 000 ₽). The screen is standard (60 Hz), but with good color reproduction, the main disadvantage is the plastic case and the lack of protection from water.

If you want maximum FPS and special gaming chips, you can use Black Shark. If you want to save money and get a powerful machine for games and everyday tasks, the POCO F1.

6. Which Xiaomi to buy in 2018: the final guide to choosing

To facilitate the choice, we have compiled a short cheat sheet for the main categories:

• 📸 Best camera: Mi 8 or Mi MIX 2S (double-camera AI, optical stabilization).
• 🎮 For games: Black Shark (premium) or POCO F1 (budget).
• 🔋 Maximum autonomy: Mi Max 3 (5500 mAh) or Redmi Note 5 (4000 mAh).
• 💰 Best Price/Quality Rate: Redmi Note 5 Pro or Mi A2.
• 👵 For older or spare phone: Redmi 6A (simplicity and low cost).

If you are still undecided, answer three questions:

1. What's your budget?
2. What are the priorities (games, photos, autonomy)?
3. Do you need a 3.5mm headphone jack?

For example, if you need a smartphone up to 15 000 ₽ With a good camera and long work time, the best choice is the Redmi Note 5 Pro. If the budget is not limited and the premium design is important, then you should take a look at the Mi. MIX 2S.

7. FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's 2018 purchase