Xiaomi: which model to choose in 2026 – a comparison of flagships, middle class and public sector

Xiaomi’s smartphone choice in 2026 is more complicated than ever: the brand’s range includes dozens of models, from the ultra-budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Eyes are running out, and marketing slogans (‘flagship chipset,’ ‘professional camera,’ ‘super-fast charging’) are only confusing. In fact, the key differences lie in the details: which processor will pull up modern games, which matrix doesn’t tire your eyes when reading, and whether to overpay for wireless charging if you’ve never used it.

In this guide, we will analyze all the current Xiaomi lineups (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), compare them according to 5 key criteria: performance, camera, screen, battery and unique chips. And also answer the main question: which Xiaomi model to choose for you – a student, gamer, photographer or just a person who needs a reliable phone for everything.

Xiaomi Lines: Who's Who in 2026

Xiaomi today is not just a smartphone with its own name, but also several sub-brands, each of which is focused on its own audience, which are easier to understand than it seems:

• 📱 Xiaomi (core line) – flagships and premium devices with top-end chipsets, best cameras and design. Examples: Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
• 💰 Redmi - budget and mid-budget smartphones with a good price/quality ratio. Examples: Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Redmi 12.
• 🎮 POCO — Devices for gamers and enthusiasts, often with aggressive design and powerful hardware at a low price: POCO F6 Pro, POCO X6.
• 🕹️ Black Shark – specialized gaming smartphones with physical triggers and active cooling. Example: Black Shark 6 Pro.

It's important to understand that even within a lineup, models can be radically different, such as the Redmi Note 13 and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ are not just "older and younger models," but actually different phones: the first has a plastic body and a 60 Hz screen, the second has glass, 120 Hz and a Leica camera.

Expert advice: If you see a "T" in the model name (e.g. Redmi Note) 12T Pro, which means that the phone is optimized to work with 5G It often has a more powerful processor than the base version"SE" (for example, POCO X5 Pro SE) He usually talks about the "simplified" version of the flagship of the previous year.

2 Which Xiaomi to Choose for Games in 2026

If you want a smartphone for gaming, look at three things: processor, cooling system and screen refresh rate. In 2026, the best options from Xiaomi are:

The Black Shark 6 Pro is the only smartphone in Xiaomi’s lineup with physical triggers (similar to a gamepad), which gives an advantage in shooters like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty. However, its battery (5,000 mAh) discharges faster than the POCO F6 Pro (5500 mAh), due to more aggressive cooling.

For most gamers, the best choice is POCO F6 Pro:

• 🔥 Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1 (not inferior to flagships in games, but cheaper).
• 🔋 5500mAh battery with 120W charge (full charge in 19 minutes).
• 🎮 Screen. AMOLED Dolby Vision with 120 Hz support.

⚠️ Warning: If you play Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, avoid models with a MediaTek Dimensity processor (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro) 5G). These games are optimized for Snapdragon and can slow down on alternative chipsets.

3.The Best Xiaomi for Photography: Camera Comparisons

Xiaomi's 2026 smartphone photo capabilities range from "just a social media snapshot" to "almost a DSLR," the main difference being not megapixels, but optics and software processing.

• 📸 Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best camera in the lineup (co-development with Leica, 1-inch sensor, variable aperture f/1.6–f/4.0).
• 🌃 Xiaomi 14 Pro – second in quality (sensor) 1/1.31", Night shooting is better than Ultra in automatic mode).
• 💎 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Best budget photo (200 MP main camera, but poor video processing).

If you want detailed photos during the day, take Xiaomi 14 Ultra. For night shooting, the Xiaomi 14 Pro is better suited (it has a more aggressive night mode). But the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, although boasting 200 MP, in practice loses to flagships in dynamic range and colors.

For video, the best choice is Xiaomi 14 or Xiaomi 14 Pro. They support recording in 8K@24fps and have HyperOIS stabilization, which removes hand tremors even when shooting on the go. Budget Redmi and POCO are limited to 4K@30fps and often suffer from overheating when recording long-term.

4.Budget Xiaomi up to 20,000 ₽: What to choose in 2026

In the segment up to 20,000 ₽ Xiaomi offers three main models: Redmi 12, Redmi Note 12 and Redmi POCO M6 Pro. Their key differences:

Recommended: If you care about the screen, take the Redmi Note 12. AMOLED-120Hz is unparalleled in this price segment. If you want fast charging, choose POCO M6 Pro (67W vs. 18-33W at competitors), but Redmi 12 should be bought only if the budget is tight - its Helio processor. G88 It is outdated and slows down in modern games.

⚠️ Note: In budget Xiaomi often save on the NFC and 5G. If you need contactless payments or support for fifth-generation networks, check if these features are available before buying – even within a single line they may not be available (for example, Redmi 12 does not have any). 5G, A Redmi Note 12 5G — has).

5. Xiaomi flagships: should you overpay?

Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones in 2026 are the Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Their main advantages over mid-budget models are:

• 🚀 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (most powerful on the market in 2026).
• 📷 Leica cameras (best color reproduction and night shooting).
• 🔋 Wireless charging (up to 50 watts at 14 Pro and 14 Ultra).
• 🛡️ Body made of ceramics or aluminum (against plastic in public sector workers).

However, overpaying for a flagship makes sense only in three cases:

1. You are professionally engaged in photography or video shooting (Xiaomi 14 Ultra cameras have no analogues among Android smartphones).
2. You need a maximum performance margin of 3-4 years (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset will remain relevant until 2027).
3. You appreciate premium design and materials (ceramics, metal, IP68 protection).

In all other cases, it is more rational on Xiaomi. 13T (Last year’s flagship, but with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and a Leica camera for $50,000 ₽) or Redmi K70 Pro (the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, but without wireless charging and with a plastic case for 42 000) ₽).

💡

Xiaomi flagships are profitable to buy only at sales (for example, during Black Friday or 11.11), on ordinary days their price is overpriced by 15-20% compared to the real cost of components.

Xiaomi for the elderly: simple and reliable models

If you need a smartphone for your parents or grandparents, pay attention to:

• 📞 Large screen (from 6.5 inches) with high brightness.
• 🔋 Long operating time (battery from 5000 mAh).
• 🛡️ Simple interface (Lite Mode mode in the MIUI).
• 📡 Good speaker (for loud conversations).

The best options from the Xiaomi lineup in 2026:

The best choice is the Redmi Note 12, and despite the higher price, it is a very good choice. AMOLED-1200 nits screen is ideal for older people (seen in the sun) and support NFC You can tie a bank card for contactless payments. If your budget is tight, take Redmi. 10A — He has a physical button. SOS (call for emergency services with one click).

💡

Enable Lite Mode in the MIUI settings (Settings → Special Opportunities → Lite Mode) It simplifies the interface, enlarges icons and removes unnecessary features.

7 How not to make a mistake with the choice: checklist before buying

Before you buy a Xiaomi smartphone, go through this checklist:

Identify the main use (games/photos/social networks/work)

Check 5G and NFC support if needed

Compare prices in the official store and at resellers (the difference can be up to 10%)

Clarify the firmware version (Chinese CN or Global)

Check out the Autonomousity Tests (some models discharge in 4-5 hours in games)

-->

Also, pay attention to the regional firmware:

• 🌍 Global - official firmware for Russia and Europe (supported by Google Play, Russian language).
• 🇨🇳 CN — Chinese version (no Google, there may be problems with services).
• 🇪🇺 EEA — European firmware (similar to Global, but without pre-installed Russian services).

⚠️ WARNING: If you buy Xiaomi from hand or in unofficial stores, check out IMEI Some sellers sell phones with a blocked Mi Account (the account of the previous owner), which will make the device useless after a reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi