Which Xiaomi smartphone is better to buy in 2022: a full guide to models

Choosing a new smartphone in the current market environment has become a complex logical task that requires analysis of dozens of characteristics. Xiaomi over the past year introduced a huge number of devices covering all price segments, from the available initial lineup to premium flagships. It is easy for a potential buyer to get confused in the abundance of acronyms, memory versions and processor platforms, which often differ only in minor details.

In 2022, the vendor put a particular emphasis on software stabilization and better photography, introducing optical stabilizers even to the middle class. We analyzed current offerings to help you determine which Xiaomi is better to buy now, when prices for many models have already adjusted after release. It is important to understand that buying a device last year is often more profitable than racing for new products.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the technical details, compare autonomy and performance, and highlight the hidden flaws of some of the popular modifications: where real savings lie and where performance is cut critically. Get ready to dive into the world of mobile electronics to make informed choices.

Flagship performance: Xiaomi 12 and 12S series

If the budget is not enough, the Xiaomi 12 series becomes the benchmark choice for those who are looking for maximum power, based on the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which provides incredible speed interface and heavy applications. However, it is worth considering that this platform is known for its high heat generation, which requires a high-quality cooling system implemented in these cases.

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra, developed in tandem with the legendary Leica, is a device designed for mobile photography enthusiasts who care about the inch sensor and variable aperture. Unlike standard models, the focus is shifted from gaming to creativity, although there are enough power reserves for any task.

When choosing between the regular and Pro version, you should focus on the presence of a telephoto lens and screen quality. Pro models traditionally get brighter displays with LTPO technology, which allows you to dynamically change the refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz. This significantly affects the final battery life, which the basic versions can be more modest due to the compact housing.

• 📸 Availability of optical stabilization (OIS) All cameras in the Ultra series.
• ⚡ Support for ultra-fast charging up to 120W complete.
• 🎮 Maximum scores in AnTuTu benchmarks among Android smartphones of the year.
• 📺 Resolution displays WQHD+ and a 10 bit depth.

The Golden mean: sub-flagships of the Xiaomi 12X and 12S series

For many users, the question of “what Xiaomi is better to buy” is solved in this segment, where the price is already below the flagship, and the performance remains at the highest level. The Xiaomi 12X and 12S series are based on the Snapdragon 870 processor and its improved version. These are time-tested chips that do not overheat in normal use scenarios and provide stable FPS in games.

The main advantage of these models is compactness and ergonomics. Unlike the huge shovels that dominate the market, the screen diagonal here is often 6.28 inches. This allows you to comfortably control the smartphone with one hand, which becomes rare in 2022.

⚠️ Attention: In the series 12X There is no wireless charging, which is present in older models. If this option is important to you, be sure to check the specification before buying.

Cameras in subflagships have also received significant upgrades. The core module is often borrowed from last year's flagships, which guarantees great shots even in under-light. HyperOxygen's image processing algorithms run faster thanks to optimized hardware, making shooting instantaneous.

Budget King: Analysis of the Redmi Note 11 and 12 series

Segment to 25 Thousands of rubles are traditionally controlled by the Redmi brand, and the Note series. 11/12 Buyers often argue about which Xiaomi is better to buy from this lineup, because the generational difference is minimal. AMOLED-screens in all models, even in basic versions, that visual experience.

The devices are based on Snapdragon 680 or Dimensity 900 series processors. They do not pull heavy games on ultra-settings, but ensure smooth operation of social networks, navigation and multimedia. It is important to note that in the budget segment often save on housing materials using plastic, but the build remains high-quality and reliable.

A special mention is made of autonomy: 5,000 mAh batteries combined with energy-efficient screens make it easy to survive a day and a half to two of active operation, and a 33 watt or 67 watt charge fully recovers energy in about an hour, which is a great indicator for this class.

• 🔋 5000 mAh battery with fast charging support included.
• 🎥 Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support for surround sound.
• 💧 Splash protection as standard IP53 (not to be confused with full immersion).
• 📡 Module NFC Contactless payment (depending on the regional version).

Game monsters: POCO F and GT series

If mobile gaming is your priority, the POCO lineup has no competition in its price range. The F series models (like the F4 GT) are designed to run Genshin Impact, PUBG and Call of Duty at maximum settings. It uses physical triggers on the body that turn the smartphone into a portable console.

These cooling devices are advanced in technology, using graphene layers, large-volume evaporation chambers, and even fans in some modifications, which allows you to keep high CPU frequencies for a long time without trottling (forced performance reduction).

Screens in game models have a high frequency of touch screen polling (up to 480 Hz or 720 Hz), which gives an instant response to touch. This is critical in shooters, where the score is on milliseconds. However, cameras here are often inferior to counterparts from the main line of Xiaomi, as the budget is primarily allocated to the processor and display.

⚠️ Warning: Gaming smartphones can have aggressive designs with RGB-It's lighting that's not for everyone to meet, and it's also reducing battery life under load.

Comparative table of characteristics of popular models

To organize the data and finally decide which Xiaomi should buy in 2022 for your needs, we offer a summary table, which shows the key parameters that affect the user experience and price of the device.

The table shows that overpaying for a flagship not only increases benchmarks, but also improves photography and materials. However, for everyday tasks, the difference between the Redmi Note 11 Pro and Xiaomi 12X may not be so obvious to the average user.

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When buying, pay attention to the firmware version (Global or China). The global version has Google services pre-installed and support for all LTE/5G frequencies relevant to your region.

What to Consider When Choosing a Memory Version

In 2022, the minimum comfortable amount of RAM becomes 6 GB, but for the future it is better to focus on 8 GB and higher. The technology of virtual memory expansion, when part of the drive is used as RAM, works, but can not completely replace the speed of this RAM.

The type of drive also plays a role. Flagships are equipped with UFS 3.1 memory, which provides instant download of games and applications. In the budget segment, there is still eMMC 5.1 or UFS 2.2, which is noticeably slower. If you often work with large files or install heavy games, this parameter is critical.

Don’t chase the maximum amount of internal memory (512 GB or 1 TB) if you don’t store thousands of photos in your home. RAW-In the format or not downloading movies 4K. Cloud storage and streaming services make massive amounts of internal memory redundant for 80% of users.

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The optimal configuration for most users in 2022 is 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB of internal memory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)