What Xiaomi to choose in 2019: a full analysis of the series

Choosing a smartphone this year has become a tricky puzzle due to the sheer number of models the Chinese giant has launched.If you’re wondering which Xiaomi to choose 2019, you’ll have to sort through the confusing nomenclature that includes the Redmi, Mi, Poco and Black Shark brands. The company has radically updated its lineups to separate the budget and flagship segments, giving the buyer more freedom but requiring a deep dive into specs.

This year, the vendor has bet on Qualcomm Snapdragon in almost all price categories, abandoning MediaTek's controversial decisions in top models. 2019 was a turning point when 48-megapixel cameras and screens with cutouts became the standard even for the middle class. You don't need to be a technical expert to find the perfect device, clearly define priorities enough: gaming, photography or autonomy.

We have prepared a detailed guide to help weed out the excess and focus on the really worthwhile devices, and below we will look at the key series, technical nuances and hidden features that are often silent in electronics stores.

Evolution of the budget segment: Redmi Note and Redmi

Redmi brand in 2019 finally separated from the parent company, having received full independence and the right to produce devices with aggressive pricing. If your budget is limited, but you want to get the maximum functionality, the Redmi Note series becomes the uncontested market leader. This year, the Redmi Note 7 model was released, which set a new bar for the quality of the build and resolution of the matrix in the lower price segment.

However, it is worth considering that the savings are achieved by using IPS-matrixes instead of AMOLED in most models and plastic case. Processors here are usually mid-budget solutions such as the Snapdragon 660 or Helio P60, which are great for everyday tasks, but may not pull heavy games at maximum settings. For the average user who needs social networks, navigator and messengers, this is more than enough.

⚠️ Note: When buying budget models of the Redmi series, pay attention to the version NFC. In 2019, the module NFC It was often absent from global versions or only available in Chinese versions, which is critical for phone payments.

It’s also worth mentioning the base line of simply Redmi (like Redmi 7 or 8), which is even cheaper, and the trade-offs are more serious: lower screen resolution, less RAM, and slower charging, a choice for those looking for a “calling device” or as a gift to older relatives.

• 📱 Redmi Note 7/7 Pro - the best price balance, 48 MP cameras and design.
• 💰 Redmi 7/8 — ultra-budget entry ticket to the ecosystem MIUI.
• 🔋 Redmi Note 8 Pro – the world’s first smartphone with 64 MP camera and NFC (came up late in the year).
• 🎮 Redmi K20 (Mi 9T) — formally Redmi, but with the flagship "iron" without a cutout in the screen.

The flagship line Mi: power and technology

Xiaomi Mi series in 2019 is presented models Mi 9 and Mi 9 SE, which are positioned as direct competitors of the Samsung Galaxy and iPhone. the main emphasis is on performance and quality of photography. The top model is based on the Snapdragon 855 processor, which at the time of release guaranteed a power reserve for 2-3 years ahead.

The focus has been on optical stabilization and wide-angle lenses, and if you’re planning to shoot videos for social media or like mobile photography, the Mi 9’s flagship lineup will offer tools that aren’t available in the budget segment, and it also offers fast wireless charging, which is rare for Android devices of the period.

It is important to note the difference between the global version and the Chinese. The global version of Xiaomi Mi 9 often has less memory in the basic configuration, but is fully adapted to work with Google services and local LTE frequencies. Chinese versions may be cheaper, but require checking the frequency ranges (Band 7 and Band 20), which are important for stable 4G in Europe and the CIS.

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When buying a 2019 Xiaomi flagship, be sure to check Band 20 (800 MHz) support if you are out of town frequently, and this range is often absent in Chinese versions, making it less likely to receive signals in rural areas.

The Mi 9 SE is a unique hybrid offering a compact 5.97-inch screen and a flagship processor in a smaller body. Finding a small but powerful smartphone in 2019 was almost impossible, and Xiaomi was one of the few manufacturers to solve this problem.

Comparative table of characteristics of popular models

To make it easier to choose, we have brought the key parameters of popular 2019 models into a single table, showing how performance and equipment differ depending on the price segment. Pay attention to the type of matrix and the presence of NFC, as these parameters often become decisive.

Analyzing the table, you can see that even in the mid-range segment (Redmi Note 8 Pro), the company is introducing gaming processors and quad cameras. At the same time, the flagship Mi 9 offers significantly better body materials (glass and metal) and better optical stabilization.

Gaming Solutions and Poco Sub-Brand

You can’t talk about choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2019 without mentioning the Poco F1 phenomenon. Although the model was released at the end of 2018, it was in 2019 that it became a hit thanks to aggressive price reductions. This device is designed for gamers who care about maximum performance in games, and the quality of cameras and body materials fades into the background.

The Snapdragon 845, coupled with liquid-cooled processor, allowed PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile to run at high graphics settings without trottling. For many users, it was the only way to get flagship power at a mid-range price. But the trade-offs are plastic, mediocre autonomy, and no NFC.

⚠️ Warning: Gaming smartphones or models with a focus on gaming (like Poco) F1 or Redmi K20 Gaming Editions often have weaker power optimizations in standby mode. If the phone is primarily for work and rare games, it is better to choose a balanced model.

In late 2019, rumors and first leaks about the second generation of Poco also began to appear, but it was the “first pancake” that dominated the store shelves, which turned out to be a real hit.

Camera and Multimedia: What to Watch

Megapixels peaked in 2019. Whereas 12-16MP was the norm before, Xiaomi has introduced 48MP (Sony IMX586) and even 64MP (Samsung GW1) sensors into the mass segment. However, pixel count is not the only parameter. It is important to note the presence of optical stabilization (OIS), which is usually only available in the flagships of the Mi series.

For video enthusiasts, the presence of a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens with zoom becomes critical. The flagship Xiaomi Mi 9 offers 3-fold optical zoom, which allows you to take high-quality portraits and shoot remote objects without losing detail. In public sector zoom, usually a digital or macro module, which has more marketing value.

The sound component has also improved: support for high-resolution codecs and the presence of a 3.5 mm connector (even in flagships, unlike competitors) make Xiaomi a great choice for music fans.

Software and updates

The MIUI shell in 2019 was based on Android 9 Pie, with a gradual shift to Android 10. It is one of the most functional but also the heaviest shells, and offers the finest interface tweaks, built-in tools for cloning apps, hiding apps and managing gestures.

However, when choosing Xiaomi, you need to be ready to advertise in system applications (in the budget segment). It can be disabled, but it will require several actions in the settings. The company’s update system works well: flagships receive security and Android versions for 2 years, budget employees – about 1 year.

The global version (Global) is more stable and lacks Chinese software, but updates come later than the Chinese version (China), the Chinese version is richer in features, but requires manual installation of Google services and may have trouble with notifications due to aggressive energy savings.

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The best choice for most users in 2019 is the Redmi Note 7/8 Pro (budget) or Mi 9 (flagship), as they offer the best balance of price, relevance of hardware and developer support.

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