Which Xiaomi smartphone to choose in 2022: ranking of the best models by price, camera and performance

Choosing a smartphone in 2022 is not an easy task, especially when it comes to the Xiaomi brand, which offers dozens of models in different price categories. On the one hand, the company is pleased with innovations: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 120 Hz screens, 200 MP cameras and ultra-fast charging. On the other hand, it is easy to get confused in the lines of Redmi, POCO, Mi and Black Shark, each of which is focused on their tasks.

In this guide, we analyzed all the current Xiaomi models in 2022, taking into account user reviews, test results and real prices in the market. You will learn which smartphone is suitable for gaming, which is for photography and which will be the ideal budget option. Importantly, in 2022 Xiaomi radically changed the strategy of naming - now the flagships are called Xiaomi 12 (not Mi 11), and the budget models of the Redmi Note 11 replaced the Note 10.

1. TOP-3 Xiaomi's flagship 2022 Years: What to overpay for?

Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones in 2022 are represented by the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro lineups, as well as the Black Shark 5 game series. Their key advantages are the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, premium AMOLED 2K screens and wireless charging support. But do you need them?

Let’s look at the three most interesting models:

• 📱 Xiaomi 12 Pro – the best flagship for photography (main camera 50 MP) + 50 MP + 50 MP with Leica optics, screen 6.73" LTPO AMOLED adaptive frequency up to 120 Hz).
• 🎮 Black Shark 5 Pro – monster for gamers (built-in physical triggers, liquid cooling, battery 4650 mAh with 120 watts charging).
• 💎 Xiaomi 12 – compact flagship (weight only 179 g, screen 6.28” with support for Dolby Vision, but without a telephoto in the camera).

⚠️ Note: flagships Xiaomi 2022 warmed stronger than its predecessors because of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. in games, the temperature can reach 45-50°If you are not a gamer, consider Xiaomi. 11T Pro on Snapdragon 888 – Cheaper and cooler.

2.The best Xiaomi 2022 smartphones for photography: camera comparison

If you’re looking at quality, Xiaomi has two clear leaders in 2022: the Xiaomi 12 Pro with Leica optics and the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (released in July 2022) with Sony’s 1” sensor.

Here's what the market is offering:

• 📸 Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the best camera on the market (sensor) 50.3 Sony MP IMX989, diaphragm f/1.9, zoom 5x).
• 🎥 Xiaomi 12 Pro – wagon (three modules of 50 MP), support 8K-Video, laptop mode for shooting).
• 💰 Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — Budget version with a 108 MP camera (but without optical zoom and with weak night shooting).

The main secret is Xiaomi 12S Ultra uses the same sensor as Huawei P50 Pro, but with better firmware (~100 000 ₽) It's a niche solution, and for most users, the Xiaomi 12 Pro has the capacity.

3. budget smartphones Xiaomi 2022: what to buy up to 20,000 ₽

In the segment up to 20,000 ₽ Xiaomi traditionally leads thanks to the Redmi line. in 2022, the best offers were the Redmi Note 11 and the Redmi Note. POCO M4 Pro. Their key pros — AMOLED-screens (rare for budget), 5G and 5,000 mAh batteries.

Comparison of tops-3 model:

The POCO M4 Pro 5G is the best choice for those who want AMOLED and 5G at a low price, but the Redmi 10 2022 is only suitable for calls and social networks: its Helio G88 processor is weak for modern games.

Compare prices in the official store and on marketplaces|Check availability NFC (Redmi Note 11 doesn’t have it in the base version)|Clarify the firmware version (Chinese models may not support Google Services)|Pay attention to the type of screen (IPS vs AMOLED)-->

4. Xiaomi for gamers: Which models will withstand the heavy games in 2022?

If you need a smartphone for Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG New State, Xiaomi has three options in 2022:

1. Black Shark 5 Pro is the absolute champion (built-in triggers, liquid cooling, 144 Hz screen).
2. POCO F4 GT — Alternative with magnetic triggers (cheaper by 10,000) ₽, but without physical buttons).
3. Xiaomi 12 Pro – wagon (powerful processor, but no active cooling).

The main nuance: Black Shark 5 Pro and POCO F4 GT use Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which is warm. In each session (more than 1 hour) FPS can sag by 10-15%. The solution is to play with a connected cooler or limit the frequency of the processor in the settings.

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To reduce the heat in games, activate the Game Turbo mode in the settings and turn off background processes through Settings → Applications → Auto Run.

5. Xiaomi with the best battery: Autonomous rating

In 2022, Xiaomi continues to delight with capacious batteries and ultra-fast charging, with the following leading autonomous companies:

• 🔋 Xiaomi 11T Pro - 5000 mAh + 120 W charging (full charge in 17 minutes!).
• 📱 Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — 5,000 mAh + 120 watts, but with less optimized software.
• 💡 POCO M4 Pro 5G — 5,000 mAh + AMOLED-screen (more economical) IPS 15-20%).

Important: Fast charging reduces battery life. If you want the battery to last longer, use 30-60 watts charging and avoid overheating.

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120W smartphones (Xiaomi 11T Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) require an original power supply, and other brands may not deliver full power or damage the battery.

Xiaomi vs POCO vs Redmi: What’s the difference and what to choose?

Many people confuse Xiaomi sub-brands, but each has its own specialization:

• 📌 Xiaomi – flagships and premium devices (series Xiaomi 12, Mix).
• 🔥 POCO — Smartphones for gamers and enthusiasts (series F and X, for example, POCO F4 GT).
• 💰 Redmi - budget and mid-budget models (Series Note, Redmi 10).

Example: POCO X4 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G are technically almost identical, but POCO is often cheaper due to simplified packaging and the lack of pre-installed applications.

⚠️ Note: In 2022, Xiaomi began to merge brands, POCO F4 GT It's sold as a Redmi. K50 Gaming in China. check the model by code before buying (for example, 22021211RG For the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G).

7.Where to buy Xiaomi in 2022: Official Stores vs Marketplaces

Xiaomi prices can vary by 10-20% depending on where you buy.

• 🛒 Official Mi Store - 24-month warranty, but prices are 5-10 higher%.
• 🌍 Wildberries/Ozon — It is often cheaper, but the warranty can be reduced to 12 months.
• 🇨🇳 AliExpress – the risk of getting a “gray” version without Russian firmware.

Proven life hack: Wildberries often host sales of Xiaomi smartphones with a discount of up to 30%.+ 5G buy-in ~19 000 ₽ instead of 25,000 ₽.

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Before buying, check the IMEI of the smartphone on the website imei.info. If the production date is older than 6 months, there is a high risk that the battery has already degraded.

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi in 2022