Xiaomi: What are these phones and why are they so popular?

If you’ve ever been interested in buying a smartphone, you’ve probably come across the name Xiaomi, a Chinese brand that has grown from a niche manufacturer to a global leader in the past 10 years, overtaking giants like Apple and Samsung in some regions. But what are Xiaomi phones really about? Why are they so cheap at impressive specs? And what are the differences between Redmis, POCO mi?

In this article, we will look at what Xiaomi phones are from a technical and consumer perspective: from the history of the brand to current models in 2026. MIUI It's different from pure Android, and why some people call Xiaomi the "Chinese Apple," and we'll also uncover the myth of "cheap compromise phones" and show where the company really saves and where it offers real value.

Who makes Xiaomi phones: the history of the brand

Xiaomi was founded in 2010 in Beijing by a group of engineers, among whom was Lei Jun. CEO And he's one of China's most famous entrepreneurs, and the brand originally specialized in building firmware for Android smartphones (MIUI), But in 2011, released his first phone – Xiaomi Mi 1. Its feature was a combination of flagship characteristics (dual-core processor 1.5 GHz, 1 GB of RAM) and prices are twice lower than those of competitors.

The secret to Xiaomi’s success was a few factors:

• 🏭 Direct sales via the Internet without intermediaries (the model of the “Internet company”), which reduced the markup.
• 📦 Minimalistic marketing: instead of expensive advertising, the brand relied on word of mouth and the fan community (Mi Fans).
• 🔄 Frequent firmware updates MIUI, They add new features to the old models.

K 2014 Xiaomi is the most expensive startup in China ($45 (b) billion dollars, and 2021 top-of-the-line-3 Today, under the brand Xiaomi produces not only phones, but also smart equipment (from robot vacuum cleaners to electric vehicles), but smartphones remain the main source of income.

Xiaomi smartphone lines: what is different Redmi, POCO mi

One of the most common questions for beginners is: What do the names of Redmi mean, POCO And Mi? And these are not just marketing moves, but a clear division between target audience and price segments.

Redmi: budget and mid-budget smartphones

The Redmi line (formerly a separate sub-brand, now part of Xiaomi) is geared towards maximum availability. Here you will find phones from 10,000. ₽ with basic characteristics up to 30,000 ₽ with almost flagship capabilities:

• 💰 Price: The cheapest segment (e.g. Redmi) 12C worth ~12 000 ₽).
• 🔋 Battery: usually 5000–6,000 mAh with fast charging support of 18–33 W.
• 📸 Cameras: 48-108 MP core module, but often without optical stabilization.
• 🛡️ Protection: plastic case, sometimes with glass back panel (but without certification) IP68).

POCO: Phones for gamers and enthusiasts

POCO Originally created as an independent brand for "advanced" users, but now it's a sub-series of Xiaomi, its main feature is maximum performance for minimal money, POCO F5 Pro offers Snapdragon 8 chipset+ Gen 1 (like the flagships for 80 000) ₽) 40,000 ₽. Characteristics:

• 🎮 Performance: top-end processors (Snapdragon 8 series, Dimensity 9000).
• 🔥 Cooling system: liquid or graphite cooling to prevent trottling.
• 🔄 Screen: AMOLED 120Hz and support HDR10+.
• ⚡ Charging: up to 120 W (full charge in 15-20 minutes).

Mi (now Xiaomi): flagship models

The Mi line (renamed Xiaomi from 2021) is a premium smartphone with advanced technology.

• 📱 Design: glass/ceramics, certification IP68 (dust-and-water-protection).
• 📷 Cameras: collaboration with Leica (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra), optical zoom lenses.
• 🔋 Wireless charging: up to 50 watts (while competitors usually have 15–30 watts).
• 🎧 Sound: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.

Example of the flagship of 2026 — Xiaomi 14 Ultra with chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, screen 2K AMOLED and a camera with variable aperture (like professional cameras).

Firmware MIUI: Pros and cons of the shell Xiaomi

All Xiaomi smartphones are based on the MIUI — It's a proprietary shell on top of Android, and it's known for its colorful design, its richness of features, and its -- it's a controversial reputation among users. MIUI And should I be afraid.

The benefits of MIUI:

• ✨ Design and animation: smooth transitions, themes of design (including imitation of iOS).
• 🔧 Additional features: Game Turbo - mode for gamers with blocking notifications. Second Space - creating a second desktop (useful for separating work and personal). Quick Ball - floating button for quick access to functions.
• 🔒 Security: built-in antivirus, blocking calls from scammers, hidden folders.
• 🌍 Localization: support for the Russian language, adaptation to local services (for example, Yandex).

MIUI's downsides:

• 🗑️ Advertising: built-in banners in system applications (you can turn off in settings).
• 📴 Bloatware: pre-installed apps (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Video) that can’t always be removed.
• 🔄 Updates: Not all models get long-term support (e.g. budget Redmis are updated for 2-3 years).
• 📡 Data collection: Xiaomi collects anonymous telemetry (you can disable Settings) → The phone. → Advanced settings → Anonymous diagnosis).

Since 2023, Xiaomi has started to produce smartphones with “clean” Android (without the help of the company). MIUI) for the European market called Xiaomi A-series (e.g. Xiaomi) A2). This is a response to criticism for shell congestion.

💡

To speed up MIUI, Turn off animations: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to turn on Developer Mode, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, install Windows animation = Off, Transitions. = Off and Duration of the Animator = Off.

Technical features of Xiaomi phones: chipsets, screens, cameras

Xiaomi is known for using different processors depending on the line and region of sales. For example, the same Redmi Note 12 can be sold with the Snapdragon 685 in Europe and with the Dimensity 1080 in Asia.

Processors (chipsets)

Xiaomi has partnered with Qualcomm, MediaTek and even developed its own chips (Surge, but they are not yet used in mass models).

Screens.

Xiaomi offers different types of displays depending on the price:

• 📺 IPS LCD: In the budget Redmi (for example, Redmi) 12C). Pros: low power consumption, cons: weak contrast.
• 🌈 AMOLED: modelling from 20,000 ₽ (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+). Pros: deep black, high brightness (1200 nits).
• 💎 2K AMOLED: in flagships (Xiaomi) 14). Permission 3200×1440, Support for Dolby Vision.

An important nuance: even in budget models, Xiaomi often installs screens with a high refresh rate (90-120 Hz), which makes the interface smoother than competitors (for example, the Samsung Galaxy). A14 — 60 Hz).

Cameras

Xiaomi cameras are traditionally considered a weak point, but in recent flagships, this has changed. Cooperation with Leica (starting with the Xiaomi 13 Pro) has allowed for improved color processing and detailing.

• 📷 Budget (Redmi): 48-64 MP core module (e.g. Samsung) GM2), Macrocamera 2 MP, depth meter 2 MP. Weak night shooting.
• 🎥 Mid-segment (POCO): basic 108–200 MP (e.g. Samsung) HP3), ultraswipe 8 MP, macro 2 MP Video before 4K@30fps.
• 🎞️ Flagships (Xiaomi): the main 50 MPP (1-Sony inch sensor IMX989), telephoto 50 MP 3.2× zoom, ultra-wire 50 MP Video 8K@24fps.

The main disadvantage of Xiaomi cameras (except flagships) is photo recycling: algorithms aggressively smooth out textures and overload saturation. This can be corrected by installing Google Camera (GCam) through Magisk (requires unlocking the bootloader).

Take test pictures in different conditions:

☑ Daylight (check the details)

☑ Cloudy weather (noise assessment)

☑ Night shooting (turn on night mode)

☑ Portrait mode (quality of background blur)

☑ Video 4K (check for stabilization)

-->

Comparison of Xiaomi with competitors: Samsung, Apple, Realme

To understand whether to buy a Xiaomi phone, compare it with the main competitors in key parameters.

Who's Xiaomi for?

• 💸 Those who want the most features for the least amount of money (for example, for example, for the most part, POCO F5 Pro instead of Samsung Galaxy S23).
• 🎮 Gamers who care about performance and cooling.
• 🔧 Enthusiasts who like to customize firmware (MIUI flexible but needs to be improved).

Who doesn't fit Xiaomi?

• 📱 For those who appreciate premium design and build (better look at the Samsung Galaxy S or iPhone).
• 🔄 Those who care about long-term updates (Samsung and Apple support longer).
• 📸 Professional photographers (Xiaomi cameras are inferior to iPhone and Google Pixel in processing).

💡

Xiaomi beats the competition in price/performance ratio, but loses in long-term support and premium. If you want a phone for 2-3 years with maximum return for money, Xiaomi is the best choice. If you plan to use more than 4 years, consider Samsung or Apple.

How to choose a Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone depends on your budget and tasks. Here is a checklist to help you decide:

1. Define the budget: 10 000–20 000 ₽ → Redmi 12/13 series POCO M6 Pro. 20 000–35 000 ₽ → Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO F5. 35 000–60 000 ₽ → POCO F5 Pro or Xiaomi 13T. 60 000 ₽+ → Xiaomi 14 Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
2. Select Priority Functions: 🎮 Games → seek POCO with Snapdragon 8 series and 120 Hz screen. 📸 Photo Photo → Xiaomi flagships with Leica cameras. 🔋 Autonomy → Model with a battery 5000+ mAh and 67+ Watts of charging. 💼 Work. → smartphone MIUI function of Second Space.

Check out the support in your area:

Some models (e.g. Redmi K-series) are not officially sold in Russia, but can be ordered from China.

⚠️ China phones may not support Russian frequencies LTE Band 20 (800 MHz), which will make coverage worse in rural areas.

Decide if you need an official guarantee:

If you buy a "gray" phone (brought unofficially), the warranty is valid only in the country of purchase. In Russia, the official guarantee is given only models from the local range (sold in Svyaznoy, M. Video, Wildberries marked "Russian version").

Example of selection:

• 👨💻 Student (budget 15,000) ₽, Priority – autonomy and camera) → Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G (5000 mAh, 108 MP camera).
• 🎮 Gamer (budget 40,000) ₽) → POCO F5 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 120 Hz AMOLED).
• 📸 Photographer (budget 80,000) ₽) → Xiaomi 13 Ultra (Leica cameras, 1-inch sensor).

Where to buy Xiaomi: official and unofficial channels

In Russia, Xiaomi phones are sold through several channels, each of which has its pros and cons.

Official sellers (with guarantee)

• 🏬 Mi Store (branded Xiaomi stores) – full warranty, original accessories, but limited assortment.
• 🛒 Wildberries, Ozon, M.Video, Svyaznoy - official deliveries, 12-month warranty, often discounts.
• 🌍 Official website mi.com/ru — Sometimes there are exclusive models (e.g. Xiaomi). 14), But prices are higher than retailers.

Unofficial sellers (without warranty or with restrictions)

• 🇨🇳 AliExpress, JD.com, Taobao – prices are 20-30% lower: ⚠️ Phones from China may not support Russian LTE-Band 20, have Chinese firmware (without Google services) and do not pass the certification of Roskomnadzor.
• 🛒 Retailers (Avito, Yula) - risk of running into a fake or a phone with a faulty battery: IMEI via *#06# (must match the box) Battery status in Settings → Battery status: Original firmware (in Settings) → The phone should be MIUI Global).

If you are interested in the guarantee and the absence of network problems, buy only the Russian version (the model name should be prefixed). RU, For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G RU).

1. Does the phone support LTE Band 20 (800 MHz)?

2. Whether a global firmware has been installed (MIUI Global)?

3. Does the power adapter come with it (many sellers don't put the charger in)?

If the seller does not respond or refuses to answer, it is better to refuse the purchase.-->

Frequent Xiaomi Phone Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite the benefits, Xiaomi phones have typical “diseases” that you should know about in advance.

1.Overheating

Many users complain that POCO Redmis are warmed up when playing or charging:

• 🔥 Weak cooling system (in budget models there is no liquid cooling).
• 🔋 Fast charging (33-120 watts) heats up the battery.
• 🎮 Trottling (decreased performance) due to overheating of the processor.

Decisions:

• Use a heat sink case (such as Black Shark Cooling Backplate).
• Turn off background processes in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
• Reduce the screen resolution to FHD+ and frequency up to 60 Hz in games.

2. Fast battery discharge

Batteries 50