Why the choice between Huawei and Xiaomi has become more difficult
5 years ago, the answer to the question “Huawei or Xiaomi?” was obvious: the first brand offered flagship cameras and premium design, and the second – affordable “flagship killers” with top-end stuffing for half the price. But in 2026, the boundaries blurred: Xiaomi released Xiaomi 14 Ultra with cameras from Leica, rivaling the Huawei P60 Pro, and Huawei after sanctions switched to its own Kirin processors and actively develops the HarmonyOS ecosystem.
Today, both manufacturers offer smartphones in all price segments - from the budget Redmi Note 13 and Huawei Nova 12 SE to ultra-premium Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 and Huawei Mate 60 RS. At the same time, each brand has unique "chips": Huawei has advanced photography and durable batteries, Xiaomi has flexible firmware HyperOS and support for global Google services. How not to make a mistake with the choice? Let's take it one by one point.
1.Performance: Kirin vs Snapdragon vs Dimensity
The main difference between Huawei and competitors is its own Kirin processors, which the brand is forced to use due to American sanctions. In 2026, the flagship models (Mate 60 Pro, P70 Pro) are equipped with the Kirin 9000S - a chip with a 7-nm process technology, which according to AnTuTu tests is inferior to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 by 15-20%, but bypasses it in energy efficiency. An important nuance: Kirin 9000S does not support 5G in global versions of smartphones - only in Chinese.
Xiaomi, by contrast, uses proven solutions from Qualcomm and MediaTek:
- 🔥 Flagships: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Xiaomi 14 Pro) – the leader in performance in 2026, supports all networks 5G Ray Tracing Technology.
- 💰 Midsize segment: Dimensity 9200+ (Redmi K70 Pro – optimized for games, cheaper than Snapdragon.
- 📉 Budget: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (Redmi Note 13) is weaker than the Kirin 830 in Huawei Nova 12i, but with support 5G.
⚠️ Note: If you are critical 5G, Check network support for specific Huawei models, such as Huawei. P70 The European version of Pro works only with 4G, The Chinese version of the article supports 5G.
| Model | Processor | AnTuTu (glasses) | 5G | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei Mate 60 Pro | Kirin 9000S | ~1 100 000 | ❌ (global) | Better autonomy, but weaker in games |
| Xiaomi 14 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | ~1 930 000 | ✅ | Productivity leader, basking under load |
| Huawei Nova 12 | Kirin 830 | ~520 000 | ❌ | Enough for social media, but weak for gaming |
| Redmi K70 Pro | Dimensity 9200+ | ~1 450 000 | ✅ | Optimal for gamers |
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For games and 5G, choose Xiaomi on Snapdragon/Dimensity. for autonomy and photography, Huawei on Kirin (but without 5G in global versions).
2.Cameras: Leica vs Xiaomi Imaging Engine
Huawei has traditionally been seen as a leader in mobile photography thanks to its collaboration with Leica, and in 2026, the partnership continues: the P70 Pro and Mate 60 RS feature variable aperture Summilux lenses (up to f/1.4–f/4.0), allowing for DSLR depth of field control. The unique feature is XMAGE mode, which improves low-light detail through AI.
Xiaomi is not far behind: Xiaomi 14 Ultra uses Leica optics (yes, now they do!) with four 50-megapixel modules, including telephoto with 3.2× optical zoom. But the main advantage of Xiaomi is the software processing: Xiaomi Imaging Engine technology is better at dealing with noise in night shots than Huawei, especially in low-end models.
- 📸 For professionals: Huawei P70 Pro (best color reproduction, optical zoom 10)×).
- 🌃 For night shooting: Xiaomi 14 Pro (less noisy photos thanks to AI).
- 💵 Budget pick: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (200MP camera with good detail during the day).
How to check the camera before buying?
⚠️ Note: In Huawei models without Google services (for example, the Mate 60 for China), Google Photos with unlimited backup may not work.
3. Software: HarmonyOS vs HyperOS
The difference is fundamental. Huawei completely abandoned Android in the new models, switching to its own OS HarmonyOS 4.0.
- ⚡ Speed: runs smoother than Android on weaker smartphones (like Huawei Nova) Y72).
- 🔄 Ecosystem: unimpeded synchronization with Huawei laptops, smart watches GT 4 and Sound X speakers.
Cons:
- 🚫 No Google Play or services (Gmail, YouTube, Maps) will have to be installed through APK Or use alternatives (Petal Search, Huawei AppGallery).
- 🔧 Limited Customization: You can not change the launcher or disable system applications.
Xiaomi uses HyperOS (based on Android 14), which combines the advantages of MIUI and new products Google:
- 🎯 Flexibility: you can install any launcher (Nova Launcher), disable advertising in system applications.
- 🔗 Google Support: All Services Work Out of the Box».
- 📱 Multiconference: better implemented than HarmonyOS (for example, you can open 3 apps at once on Xiaomi) MIX Fold 3).
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If you choose Huawei without Google, check the compatibility of the apps you need before buying through Huawei AppGallery. For example, WhatsApp and Telegram work, and Netflix in the Internet. HD-quality, no.
| Criteria | Huawei (HarmonyOS) | Xiaomi (HyperOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | ✅ Faster on weak smartphones | ⚠️ Brakes on budget models |
| Google services | ❌ No (must be manually installed) | ✅ Full support |
| Customization | ❌ Limited. | ✅ Total freedom |
| Ecosystem | ✅ Best synchronization with Huawei equipment | ⚠️ It only works with Xiaomi devices. |
Autonomy and charging: who lives longer?
Huawei traditionally leads in terms of operating time: even the flagship Mate 60 Pro with a battery of 5000 mAh lasts 1.5-2 days with moderate use thanks to the optimization of HarmonyOS. Budget models (Huawei Nova Y72) are equipped with batteries of 6000 mAh – a rarity in its segment.
Xiaomi compensates for the lower battery capacity (4800-5000 mAh in flagships) ultrafast charging:
- ⚡ Xiaomi 14 Pro: 120W wired + 50W wireless (charged in 18 minutes).
- ⚡ Redmi Note 13 Pro+: 120W (0 to 100% in 19 minutes).
Huawei has a maximum power of 88W (Mate 60 Pro), but it supports reverse wireless charging (you can charge Huawei FreeBuds from a smartphone).
Use the original power supply unit
Turn off background activity of unnecessary applications
Don't discharge below 10%
Avoid overheating (do not play while charging)
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⚠️ Note: Fast charging Xiaomi reduces battery life by 15-20% in 2 years (according to tests DXOMark).If you plan to use a smartphone for a long time, choose models with support 10W wireless charging (e.g. Huawei) P70).
5. Price and availability: where is the best?
In 2026, Xiaomi remains the leader in terms of price/quality ratio:
- 💰 Budget up to 20,000 ₽: Redmi Note 13, from 15,990 ₽) vs Huawei Nova Y72 (18,990 ₽) — Performance gains for Xiaomi.
- 💵 Middle segment (30 000-50,000) ₽): Xiaomi 13T (45 000 ₽) Leica cameras are cheaper than Huawei P60 (55 000 ₽) similarly.
- 💎 Flagships (80,000)+ ₽): Xiaomi 14 Ultra (120 000 ₽) vs Huawei Mate 60 RS (150 000 ₽) — 30,000 difference ₽ With better performance at Xiaomi.
Huawei loses in price, but wins in long-term support: flagships receive updates HarmonyOS 4-5 years (versus 3 years for Xiaomi).In addition, Huawei smartphones are less likely to fall in price after release – they are easier to sell in the secondary market.
Where to buy cheaper?
| Model | Price (2026) | Best offer. | Guarantee in the Russian Federation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | 24 990 ₽ | Official website ( 10% discount on promotional code) | ✅ 1 year |
| Huawei Nova 12 | 32 990 ₽ | Huawei Store (Gift Headphones) | ✅ 2 years |
| Xiaomi 14 | 79 990 ₽ | Eldorado (instalments 0-0-12) | ✅ 1 year |
| Huawei P70 Pro | 99 990 ₽ | Megamarket (cashback 5%) | ✅ 2 years |
Ecosystem and additional devices
If you already have a brand, the choice is obvious:
- 🖥️ Huawei: Better sync with laptops (MateBook), tablets (MatePad), smartwatches (Watch Ultimate) and speakers (Sound Joy) for example, you can answer calls from a smartphone on a laptop or use your phone as a webcam for Zoom.
- 🏠 Xiaomi: wider line of smart home (Mi Home): robot vacuum cleaners (Xiaomi Robot Vacuum) X10+), Lights (Yeelight), sensors (Aqara) Plus compatibility with Google Home.
⚠️ Note: Huawei smart home devices (such as Huawei Smart Cameras) only work within the brand ecosystem and do not integrate with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant.
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Before buying smart devices, check their compatibility with your smartphone.For example, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 fitness bracelet does not sync with Huawei Health, and the Huawei Watch GT 4 does not show notifications from Xiaomi smartphones.
7. Design and Assembly: Premium vs. Practicality
Huawei is betting on premium design:
- 💎 Materials: Kunlun Glass (10 percent stronger than Gorilla Glass) and ceramic cases (Mate 60) RS).
- 🎨 Colors: Unique shades (Emerald Green) P70 Pro with pearl shimmer).
- 🔧 Assembling: protection against dust and water according to standard IP68 Even in the middle segment (Nova 12).
Xiaomi offers more practical solutions:
- 🛡️ Strength: Plastic frames in the Redmi Note 13 (do not break when falling, unlike glass Huawei).
- 🔄 Modularity: removable rear panels in Xiaomi 13 Ultra (you can change the color).
- ⚖️ Weight: Xiaomi flagships are lighter by 10-15 g due to aluminum frames (Xiaomi 14 - 188 g vs Huawei) P70 Pro - 209g).