Which Xiaomi smartphone to choose in 2020: a full analysis of all the lines

Choosing a smartphone even a few years after its release remains a challenge — especially for the 2020 Xiaomi, which still holds a high position in the secondary market, offering excellent value for money compared to new models. How not to get confused in the abundance of Mi, Redmi series, POCO In this guide, we will take a look at all the key models Released will be in 2020, and help you decide on the choice based on your needs - whether it is a gaming smartphone, a camera phone or a budget phone for calls.

It’s important to understand that in 2020, Xiaomi has finally separated the brands: Redmi became a standalone line for the budget and mid-range segment, and Mi for premium devices, which influenced positioning and pricing. For example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Mi 10 are fundamentally different devices by target audience, although both released in the same year, we will analyze each series, highlight their strengths and weaknesses, and give recommendations for current prices in the secondary market (as of 2026).

If you are looking for a smartphone for specific tasks – photography, gaming, long-term autonomy or working with documents – at the end of the article there is a list of options. FAQ And for those of you who have already decided on a budget, we've compiled a benchmark table on key parameters.

1. Flagships of 2020: Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro and Mi 10 Ultra

Mi 10 lineup was Xiaomi’s answer to the flagships of Samsung Galaxy S20 Huawei P40 All three models are based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, the top-end chipset of the time that still pulls modern games at mid-range settings.

Mi 10 Ultra is the most advanced version of the 120x Zoom, 120W fast charging and ceramic body. However, in the secondary market, its price is often overpriced due to its status as a collector device. Mi 10 Pro is more balanced: it lacks superzoom, but retains an excellent main camera at 108 MP and 50 W charging. The base model Mi 10 is the most budget flagship in the lineup, but with reduced to 30 watts of charging and without a telephoto lens.

• ✅ Pros: Top-end productivity, AMOLED-screen 90/120 Hz, support. 5G (It is important for the future, excellent cameras Pro and Ultra.
• ❌ Cons: no memory card slot, Mi 10 Ultra overheats at long loads, MIUI Android 10 is already outdated.
• 💰 Current price (2026): Mi 10 - 15,000-20 000 ₽, Mi 10 Pro — 20 000–28 000 ₽, Mi 10 Ultra — 30 000–45 000 ₽.

⚠️ Note: The Mi 10 Ultra is often a battery problem, with ultra-fast charging causing battery capacity to degrade faster than other models. Check battery status via ##4636## before buying").

2.The best mid-segment smartphones: Redmi K30 Pro and POCO F2 Pro

If the Mi 10 was too expensive, the Redmi was too expensive. K30 Pro and his twin POCO F2 The Pro offered 90 percent of the features for 60 percent of the price, and both models are built on the same Snapdragon 865, but with trimmed cameras and no official support. 5G But it's got 64 MP main sensors, compared to 108 MP for flagships, which actually performs just as well in the daytime.

The main difference POCO F2 Pro from Redmi. K30 Pro - firmware: the first went with "clean" MIUI for POCO (less bloatware, and the second with a classic MIUI. Also. POCO It had a little more aggressive pricing at the start. 6,67" AMOLED-screen 60 Hz (at flagships — 90/120 Hz, but supported 33 Watt fast charging.

• 🎮 Snapdragon 865 still pulls Genshin Impact by 30-40 FPS medium settings, but can overheat after 40-50 minutes of play.
• 📸 For photographers: The 64MP main camera gives good detail, but night shooting loses to flagships.
• 🔋 Autonomy: The 4700 mAh battery holds 1.5-2 days with moderate use.

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If you choose between Redmi K30 Pro and POCO F2 Pro, take the one that's cheaper -- they're identical to the hardware. POCO Maybe it's more relevant.

3. Budget champions: Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9S

Redmi Note lineup 9 It became the best-selling in 2020 It's a combination of price, autonomy and performance, and there's no flagship chipsets, but Snapdragon. 720G (note 9 Pro/9S) It's still doing everyday things like social media, YouTube, light games, and the main advantage of these models is that they're very useful — 5020 The battery that holds the battery 2–3 daytime with moderate use.

Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9S They are almost identical, but there are nuances:

- Note 9 Pro has 64 MP main camera (Sony) IMX686) and supports 30 watts of charging.

- Note 9S It comes with a 48 MP sensor (Samsung). GM1) 18 W charging, but often cheaper by 2-3 thousand rubles.

Both models are equipped with 6.67" IPS-60Hz screen and stereo speakers are rare for the budget segment.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 9 Pro and 9S There's a problem with the charging connector, because it's used too much, and check before you buy if the cable hangs when you connect.

• 💰 Who is suitable for: Students, pensioners, those who are looking for a reliable device for calls and instant messengers.
• ⚡ Performance: Snapdragon 720G pull-out PUBG Mobile in low settings (30) FPS), But he can't handle the hard games.
• 📷 Cameras: Daytime photos are good, but night shooting is weak - it is better to use the "Night" mode from a tripod.

The state of the charger (does not hang out)

Battery capacity (should be) > 4500 mAh)

All cameras (especially macro and wide-angle)

Absence of "yellow spots" on the screen (defect) IPS-panels)

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4. gaming smartphones: Black Shark 3 and Black Shark 3 Pro

If you want a smartphone that's purely for gaming, the Black Shark 3 is one of the best options of 2020. This model is designed specifically for gamers: it has a 270 Hz screen quiz sensor (for precise control), physical triggers on the body and active cooling. The chipset is the same Snapdragon 865, but with an improved heat sink system.

Black Shark 3 Pro features a larger screen to 7.1" (versus 6.67" in the normal version) and a battery of 5000 mAh (versus 4720 mAh). However, in practice, the difference in autonomy is minimal - both smartphones discharge in 4-5 hours in games.

• 🎮 Performance: Call of Duty Mobile holds 60 FPS At maximum settings, in Genshin Impact – 30 FPS middle-aged.
• 🔥 Cooling: The kit is a clip-cooler, but without it the phone heats up to 45-50°C for long sessions.
• 💰 Price (2026): Black Shark 3 - 22,000-28,000 ₽, Black Shark 3 Pro — 28 000–35 000 ₽.

5. Compact and light: Mi 10 Lite and Redmi Note 9

If you want a lightweight and compact smartphone, there was little choice in 2020. The Mi 10 Lite is the only light flagship with the Snapdragon. 765G (support 5G), 6,57" AMOLED-It is ideal for those who appreciate the convenience of one hand and are not ready to put up with the dimensions of modern smartphones.

Redmi Note 9 (not to be confused with Note 9 Pro!) – even more budget-friendly version with Helio G85, 6.53" screen and weight 199 g. It loses in performance, but wins in autonomy thanks to the 5020 mAh battery. Both smartphones are equipped with 48 MP main camera that copes with daytime shots, but loses in detail to the flagships.

• ⚖️ Mi 10 Lite: The Best Choice for Those Who Want to 5G, AMOLED Low-powered battery (4160 mAh).
• 💰 Redmi Note 9: Cheaper 2 times, but with IPS-It's a screen and a weak processor, and it's good for grandma or a second phone.

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If you care about size, take the Mi 10 Lite – it’s one of Xiaomi’s latest compact smartphones. AMOLED-Newer models (such as the Mi 11 Lite) have become larger.

6. Which Xiaomi 2020 to choose for specific tasks?

To make the choice easier, we have made recommendations based on typical use cases, and note that prices are for the secondary market (2026) and may vary depending on the condition of the device.

If you do not find a suitable option, pay attention to POCO X3 NFC (Snapdragon 732G, 120Hz screen or Redmi K30 5G (Snapdragon 765G, 120Hz) These models are also launched in 2020 and offer unique features in their price categories.

7. Checklist before buying used Xiaomi 2020

Buying a used smartphone is always risky, especially if the seller is not the original owner, and here is what you need to check to avoid running into a "cat in a bag":

Check the IMEI for originality (imei.info)

Make sure your phone is not blacklisted (locked by the operator)

Check the status of the battery using ##4636## (Battery Information menu)

All cameras (especially zoom and macro)

Call all speakers and microphones

Check the sensor for "dead zones" (drawing test in Settings) → Screen. → Sensor test)

Make sure the Type-C connector is not shattered

Ask for a check or box (for warranty service)

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Pay special attention to the state of the battery: in the 2020 devices, the battery capacity could fall by 20 to 30 percent in 4 years.

- Mi 10 / Redmi K30 Pro: ≥ 4000 mAh (originally 4,780).

- Redmi Note 9 Pro: ≥ 4500 mAh (originally 5020).

- Black Shark 3 Pro: ≥ 4200 mAh (originally 5000 mAh).

If the seller refuses to provide the phone for a full check, this is a reason to be wary, and avoid devices with an unlocked bootloader, which may indicate attempts to bypass the activation or reset the battery meter.

8. Topical alternatives: Should Xiaomi 2020 be taken by 2026?

2020 smartphones may still be a good choice, but only in certain cases.

✅ Profitable: If you need a second phone, a phone for parents or a child, or you are limited in budget (up to 15 000). ₽).

✅ Some models (such as the Mi 10 Ultra or Black Shark 3 Pro) have become collectible and can grow in price.

❌ Not profitable:

If you need long-term update support (most 2020 models don’t get security updates anymore).

If you plan to play modern games at maximum settings (Snapdragon 865 no longer pulls Genshin Impact to the ultra).

- If it matters NFWith contactless payments – in some models (for example, Redmi Note 9) it works only with Russian banks.

Alternatives from the new models (2023–2026):

- Instead of the Redmi Note 9 Pro → Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, 200 MP camera).

- Instead of Mi 10 Pro → Xiaomi 13 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Leica optics).

- Instead of Black Shark 3 Pro → POCO F5 (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, 120Hz screen).

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If your budget is up to 20,000 ₽, It is better to consider the new models of the Redmi Note 12 or POCO M6 Pro – they offer more modern “iron” and long-term support for updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi 2020