Choosing between Xiaomi and Redmi is one of the most popular dilemmas among buyers: Both brands belong to the same company, but offer different approaches to the ratio of price and quality. Some people think that Redmi is the “budget version” of Xiaomi, but in fact the difference is much deeper: from processors and screens to software and positioning.
In this article, we will not only compare specifications, but also determine which brand is right for you, depending on your budget, tasks (games, photos, work), and expectations for your smartphone. We analyzed current models from 2023-2026, examined user reviews and performance tests to give clear recommendations, and prepared a unique table comparing flagship and budget lines, which you will not find in standard reviews.
Spoiler: If you want a smartphone "just for calls and social networks," overpaying for Xiaomi doesn't make sense. But if you're taking pictures on a smartphone, playing Genshin Impact or appreciating premium design, you should look at the flagships of Xiaomi 14 or Xiaomi 13T. Now let's get into the details.
1.Who makes Xiaomi and Redmi - and why do they compete?
Redmi is a sub-brand of Xiaomi, created in 2013 to capture the budget segment.Redmi was originally marketed as a “younger brother” with a focus on accessibility, but over time the boundaries between the brands have blurred. Xiaomi today focuses on premium and innovative devices, and Redmi is in the mass market with a focus on performance for reasonable money.
Fun fact: In 2019, Redmi became an independent brand within the Xiaomi ecosystem, but still uses the same factories, components and even an operating system (MIUI).
- 🔧 Both brands get updates MIUI Android and Android at the same time (but not always the same version).
- 📱 Externally, smartphones may look similar, but Xiaomi is experimenting with design more often (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra with a ceramic body).
- 💰 Redmi saves on marketing and packaging, which reduces the final price.
But there are pitfalls, too: Redmi often uses cheaper screens (with less refresh rates) or simplified cameras, even if the processor is the same as Xiaomi, and in the Redmi lineup, you can find NFC models that are not found in Xiaomi’s similarly priced ones, and vice versa.
⚠️ Note: If you see that the Redmi smartphone is cheaper than Xiaomi by 30-40% with similar characteristics, check whether it has not reduced functionality. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro has a 120 Hz screen, and the Xiaomi 12 Lite is only 90 Hz, although it costs more.
2. Flagship comparison: Xiaomi 14 vs Redmi K70 Pro
Let's take the top models of 2026 and see how they differ in practice. To be fair, we took the Xiaomi 14 (flagship) and the Redmi K70 Pro (flagship hitman). Both smartphones are equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, but the difference starts further.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi 14 | Redmi K70 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen. | 6.36" AMOLED, 120 Hz, 3000 nits, Dolby Vision | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz, 4,000 nits, no Dolby |
| Camera (main) | 50 MP (Sony IMX890) + 50 MP (ultra-shield) + 50 MP (telephoto 3.2x) | 50 MP (Sony IMX890) + 8 MP (ultra-shield) + 2 MP (macro) |
| Charging. | 90 W (full charge in 31 minutes), wireless 50 W | 120 watts (full charge in 19 minutes), no wireless |
| Corps | Glass/ceramics, IP68 protection | Glass/plastic, IP53 protection |
| Price (at start of sales) | ~70 000 ₽ | ~45 000 ₽ |
On paper, the Redmi K70 Pro looks better: the same processor, a brighter screen, fast charging and a price 35% lower.
- 📸 Xiaomi 14 has better processing algorithms (especially in night mode) and telephoto lens for zoom.
- 🎮 Both cope with Genshin Impact at maximum settings, but Xiaomi is less warmed thanks to better cooling system.
- 🔋 Autonomy: Redmi K70 Pro has a battery of 5000 mAh against 4610 mAh Xiaomi 14, but due to less optimized software the difference in operating time is minimal.
The bottom line: if you want a smartphone for a photo or a status gadget, take a Xiaomi 14. If performance is a priority for reasonable money, the Redmi K70 Pro will give 90% of the flagship’s capabilities for 65% of the price.
3.Budget Segment: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ vs Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro
In the segment up to 30,000 ₽ The choice is even more difficult, because here Xiaomi is represented by a sub-brand. POCO (Another Redmi brother, let's take the Redmi Note 13 Pro for comparison.+ and POCO X6 Pro – both Released in 2026.
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is positioned as a “budget flagship” with a screen 1.5K (2712×1220) and processor Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra. and POCO X6 Pro offers the same chipset, but with a screen Full HD+ (2400×1080) and a higher refresh rate (120 Hz vs 90 Hz Redmi).
Why is POCO often cheaper than Redmi with similar characteristics?
Key differences:
- 🔋 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a battery of 5000 mAh with a charge of 120 watts, and POCO X6 Pro - 5000 mAh from 67 W.
- 📷 Redmi has a 200 MP main camera (Samsung) ISOCELL HP3), But the real quality of the photos is inferior. POCO because of poor software optimization.
- 🎁 Complete with Redmi Note 13 Pro+ There's a cover and a protective film, POCO X6 Pro is sold naked".
Who's gonna do what?
- 💼 For work and multimedia: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (Best screen and battery).
- 🎮 For games: POCO X6 Pro (a smoother 120Hz screen).
- 📸 For photos: none of them is better to look at Xiaomi 13 Lite or Redmi K60.
💡
In the budget segment, POCO often beats Redmi in price-performance ratio, but loses in screen and configuration.
4.Software: MIUI on Xiaomi and Redmi - is there a difference?
Both brands are running MIUI (Android-based shell), but the versions and settings may differ.
- 📱 Xiaomi gets updates MIUI 1-2 months earlier than Redmi.
- 🔒 Redmi is more likely to see ads in system applications (for example, in the Browser or Weather).
- 🎨 Xiaomi has more themes and animations (for example, dynamic wallpaper in Xiaomi 14).
Importantly, starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi offers the “Ultra Battery Saver” feature, which extends battery life to 24 hours at 5% charge. Redmi does not have this feature – instead, it has a standard energy saving mode.
How to remove ads in MIUI?
Disable "Recommendations" in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Browser
Remove GetApps, Mi Video, Mi Music apps via Settings →
Disable "Personalized Recommendations" in Settings → Privacy
Install a third-party launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher)
-->
If you are annoyed by advertising, look at the global versions of firmware (MIUI Global), where it is less, or custom firmware like Xiaomi.eu (but this requires unlocking the bootloader).
5. Autonomy and charging: who holds the longer?
One of the key parameters when choosing a smartphone is battery life, where Redmi has traditionally led the way with more capacious batteries and less voracious screens.
- 🔋 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (5,000 mAh in the PCMark test lasts 14 hours, and Xiaomi 12T (4800 mAh - only 11.
- ⚡ Redmi K60 Ultra supports 120W charging, while Xiaomi 13 – 67W.
- 🔄 Xiaomi has more wireless charging (for example, Xiaomi 14 – 50 watts), and Redmi has it only in premium models (Redmi). K70 Pro is deprived of it).
But there is a caveat: Xiaomi is better optimizes energy consumption due to the processor and software. For example, Xiaomi 13 Lite with a battery of 4500 mAh in real use lasts longer than the Redmi Note 12 Pro with 5000 mAh, thanks to the more energy-efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip.
💡
To extend the life of the battery, avoid using fast charging all the time. Once a month, discharge the smartphone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption - this calibrates the charge controller.
If autonomy is critical for you, look for models with Mediatek Dimensity processors (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+) – they consume less power than the Snapdragon, with comparable performance.
6. Design and Assembly: Plastic vs Glass vs Ceramics
Here, the difference between the brands is visible to the naked eye. Xiaomi invests in premium materials:
- 💎 Xiaomi 13 Ultra – ceramic case with titanium frame.
- 🖼️ Xiaomi 14 — 3D-Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- 🌈 Exclusive colors (e.g., “Green Forest” by Xiaomi) 12S Ultra).
Redmi, on the other hand, is betting on practicality:
- 🧱 Redmi Note 12 - plastic back panel (does not beat when falling).
- 🔄 Removable case included (Xiaomi often does not have it).
- 🎨 A matte coating that does not collect fingerprints.
But there are common problems:
⚠️ Attention: Both brands have a weak point in their dynamics, up to 30,000 models. ₽ They are often asymmetrically positioned (one at the bottom, the other at the top end), which spoils the stereo effect. 13T redmi K60 Pro with symmetrical speakers.
If you care about design but have a limited budget, consider the POCO F5, which is a copy of the Xiaomi 13 design, but costs 40% less.
7.Prices and current models for 2026
To make the choice easier, we have collected the latest models (June 2026) with prices and key features:
| Model | Price (₽) | Chipset | Screen. | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | ~120 000 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 6.73" AMOLED, 120 Hz, 3,000 nits | Professional photographers, enthusiasts |
| Redmi K70 Pro | ~45 000 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz, 4,000 nits | Gamers, lovers of powerful smartphones at a low price |
| Xiaomi 13 Lite | ~35 000 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | 6.55" AMOLED, 90 Hz, 1,000 nits | Social networks, photos, compactness |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | ~28 000 | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz, 1800 nits | Budget flagship for everyday tasks |
| POCO X6 Pro | ~25 000 | Mediatek Dimensity 8300 Ultra | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz, 1800 nits | Games, multimedia, maximum performance for minimal money |
Trend 2026: Xiaomi is actively promoting foldable smartphones (Xiaomi MIX Fold 3), and Redmi focuses on devices with super-fast charging (up to 200 watts in experimental models).