The flagship Xiaomi 12 smartphone is still a popular model among fans of the brand, despite the release of newer lines. However, official deliveries of this series to Russia were suspended due to geopolitical circumstances, which caused a lot of questions among potential buyers. This article will examine whether there is a chance of resuming sales of Xiaomi 12 in 2026, where it can be bought right now (including gray schemes), and also comparable with current alternatives from Xiaomi 13 to POCO F6 Pro.
It is important to understand that the situation with the supply of Xiaomi equipment to Russia remains dynamic. Since the company left the official market in 2022, many models (including Xiaomi 12/12 Pro/12X) disappeared from sale, but periodically appear in limited quantities through distributors or parallel imports. We analyzed customs data, retailers’ reviews and expert forecasts to give the most accurate answer to the question: whether it is worth waiting for Xiaomi 12 in Russia or it is time to consider other options.
Xiaomi 12 Official Status in Russia: What the Company Says
According to the latest statements of Xiaomi Russia (October 2023), the company does not plan to resume official deliveries of smartphones series 12 in the Russian market.
- 📉 Sanctions on the import of electronics from China.
- 🔄 Changing priorities – the brand focused on promoting new lines (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 13).
- 💰 Unprofitable logistics for the aging model (release of Xiaomi 12 began in December 2021).
However, rumors of “hidden” batches that could be sold through partners have been circulating online, such as in early 2026, when several major retailers (like Svyaznoy and M. Video) briefly offered the Xiaomi 12 Pro in limited quantities — but at a price comparable to the Xiaomi 13 — suggesting that the model is still available, but the overpayment will be significant.
Where to buy Xiaomi 12 in Russia right now (2026)
If you are not prepared to wait for uncertainty about official deliveries, consider the following purchase options:
| Purchase method | Pluses | Cons | Approximate price (Xiaomi 12 8/256 GB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parallel imports (M.Video, Svyaznoy, Eldorado) | ✅ Official guarantee (1 year)✅ Possibility of payment in installments | ❌ Prices 20-30% higher than market❌ Limited choice of modifications | 55 000 – 65 000 ₽ |
| Chinese marketplaces (AliExpress, Taobao, JD.com) | ✅ Price close to original✅ Wide selection of complete sets | ❌ There is no guarantee in Russia❌ Risk of customs delays | 35 000 – 45 000 ₽ |
| B/U market (Avito, Yula, Telegram channels) | ✅ Lowest price ever.✅ Possibility of bargaining | ❌ Risk of buying a “grey” or faulty device❌ No guarantee. | 25 000 – 35 000 ₽ |
| European retailers (Amazon DE/ES, eBay) | ✅ Guarantee EU (2 years)✅ Quick delivery (DHL, 5-7 days) | ❌ High price. + VAT 20%❌ Possible problems with Russification | 50 000 – 70 000 ₽ |
Important: When buying on AliExpress, check with the seller the firmware version. Many devices come with Global ROM, but some may have China ROM without Google services. To check, request a screenshot of the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version.
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If you buy Xiaomi 12 handheld, be sure to check IMEI through the service IMEI.info. the device should not be blacklisted (status "Clean" or "Normal").
Xiaomi 12 compared to the current models of 2026: is it worth overpaying?
Even if you can find the Xiaomi 12 at an adequate price, should you buy it in 2026?
- 📱 Xiaomi 12 (2021) vs Xiaomi 13 (2022): 🔋 Battery: 4500 mAh vs 4820 mAh (+7% capacity). 📸 Main camera: 50 MP (Sony) IMX766) vs. 50 MP (IMX890) Leica-optic. ⚡ Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (+30% productivity in the benchmark).
- 💰 Xiaomi 12 vs POCO F6 Pro (2026): 🎮 Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (Best Balance of Performance and Energy Efficiency). 🔄 Updates: MIUI 14 (last for 12th series) vs guaranteed upgrade to MIUI 16. 💵 Price: ~40 000 ₽ (b/y) vs ~35 000 ₽ (new).
The Xiaomi 12 in 2026 makes sense to buy only in two cases:
- You found it at a price below 30,000. ₽ perfect.
- You are critically important compact size (152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm) - new flagships have become larger.
In all other cases, it is better to consider the POCO F6 Pro or Redmi Note 13 Pro+.
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Xiaomi 12 loses to modern models in battery, cameras and support for updates, but remains relevant for fans of compact smartphones.
What to do if Xiaomi 12 will appear in Russia: checklist of the buyer
If official shipments resume (for example, through a new distributor), here’s what to check before buying:
Make sure the model supports the Russian 4G-frequencies (Band 3, 7, 20)|Check the firmware version (must be Global or EEA)|Evaluate the state of the battery (charge cycles) < 300)|Require a check to activate the guarantee-->
Some versions of the Xiaomi 12 (e.g., China’s 2203129C) do not work with Russian operators in the 800 MHz (Band 20) band, which is critical for coverage in rural areas.
- 📋 IMEI Checking through IMEI.info.
- 📡 Screenshot of the Settings menu → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network type (should be displayed) LTE Band 3/7/20).
- 🔋 Battery status report (can be obtained via code ##4636## → "Battery information").
How to distinguish the original Xiaomi 12 from a fake?
Xiaomi 12 Alternatives in 2026: What to Buy Instead
If Xiaomi 12 never goes on sale, here are 5 best alternatives with similar features but the latest stuffing:
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Battery | Price (new) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POCO F6 Pro | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 5000 mAh, 120W | ~35 000 ₽ |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 5000 mAh, 120W | ~30 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 13 Lite | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | 6.55" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 4500mAh, 67W | ~40 000 ₽ |
| Realme GT Neo 5 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | 6.74" AMOLED, 144 Hz | 5000 mAh, 150W | ~38 000 ₽ |
| OnePlus Nord 3 | Mediatek Dimensity 9000 | 6.74" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 5000 mAh, 80W | ~42 000 ₽ |
🔍 Tip: If you are interested in the camera, pay attention to the Xiaomi 13 Lite with a Sony sensor IMX766 (It's the same as the Xiaomi 12, but with improved processing. POCO F6 Pro or Realme GT Neo 5 will be more optimal.
Previous articleExperts: will Xiaomi 12 return to Russia?
We interviewed several experts in the mobile electronics market to see if there is a chance of Xiaomi 12 returning to official sale.
⚠️ Attention: According to the company’s analysis MTS Retail, the probability of resuming deliveries of Xiaomi 12 in 2026 is estimated at less than 10%. "The company focuses on new models, and logistics for outdated devices is economically impractical," — said the representative of the network.
However, there are nuances:
- 📦 Grey supplies: Some distributors may bring in leftover warehouses from Europe or Asia, but prices will be inflated by 30-50%.
- 🔄 Exchange programs: In rare cases, Xiaomi 12 appears in the trade-in from operators (for example, Tele2 or MTS).
- 🛒 Local promotions: Watch out for sales in DNS Or Citilink - sometimes there pop up "runs" of old models.
📊 Forecast 2026 The year: With high probability Xiaomi 12 It will disappear completely from sale, giving way to Xiaomi. 14 budgetary Redmi/POCO. If you really want this model, it is better to buy it now, later the choice will be even more limited.