Mi vs Xiaomi: what are the brands different and what to choose for the buyer

Why are two names one manufacturer?

Ever wondered why you can find gadgets with the Mi and Xiaomi logos on store shelves when both brands belong to the same company? This confusion is not accidental — behind it lies the Chinese giant's thoughtful marketing strategy. Since 2010, when Xiaomi was just starting out, the Mi brand has become a symbol of affordable but quality electronics. However, over time, the company decided to differentiate its products by creating a clear hierarchy between the lines.

Xiaomi is now an umbrella brand that includes devices ranging from budget smartphones to premium robot vacuum cleaners, and Mi (or Mi Brand) has become a designation for the company’s flagship and innovative products. But it’s not that simple: in 2021, Xiaomi announced a rebranding, gradually moving away from the Mi name in favor of a single name. So why are both logos still on sale? And how do you make the right choice? Let’s get it straight.

Brand history: how Mi became part of Xiaomi

Xiaomi was founded in 2010 by Lei Jun with the mission of making high-tech gadgets accessible to a wide audience. The first smartphones were released under the Mi brand (short for Mobile Internet), which emphasized the focus on mobile devices and Internet services. The Mi logo - the inverted letter "i" in an orange square - has become a recognizable symbol among fans of the technology.

By 2015, the company’s range had expanded to include smartwatches, fitness bracelets, routers and even electric scooters, and to avoid confusion, Xiaomi began to divide products into two categories:

• 📱 Mi – flagship smartphones, laptops, premium accessories (for example, Mi Notebook or Mi Band).

But in 2021, the company announced a global rebranding: the Mi name is gradually fading into the past, and all devices are now released under the same Xiaomi brand. But in practice, the transition was not so rapid: many models (especially in Asia) are still sold with the Mi. For example, the Mi 11 Ultra (2021) and Xiaomi 12 Pro (2022) are the same family of flagships, but with different names.

Key differences: Mi vs Xiaomi in 2026

At first glance, it may seem like the only difference is the name, but in fact, these brands have different approaches to design, pricing and target audiences, and here are the basic criteria by which they can be distinguished:

An important nuance: from 2022, all new smartphones are released only under the Xiaomi brand, but on sale you can still find the remains of models with the prefix Mi (for example, Mi 11 Lite), while technically they are the same device – only the name on the box differs.

⚠️ Warning: If you see a new Mi-branded smartphone (such as the Mi 12) on sale at a suspiciously low price, it’s likely either a fake or remnants of an old stock.

Device lines: how not to get confused in the names

To clarify this, we will look at how Xiaomi products are structured today, and the company divides its equipment into several sub-brands, each of which is targeted at its audience:

• 📱 Xiaomi (main line): flagship smartphones (e.g. Xiaomi 14), tablets (Xiaomi Pad 6), laptops (Xiaomi Book Pro).

Now, where's the Mi? Today, that name is reserved for some accessories and older models.

• 🎧 Mi True Wireless Earbuds (Earbuds)
• 🔋 Mi Power Bank (external batteries)
• 🖥️ Mi Monitor (monitors)

Which is better: Mi or Xiaomi?

In fact, this question is not quite correct today, because if you choose between new devices, it doesn't matter — they are all branded Xiaomi. But if you've seen a gadget with the Mi logo, here's what you should consider:

Check the year of release (if the model is older than 2021 – these are the remains)

Contrast the name with the official Xiaomi website

Refine the warranty (it may expire on older models)

Pay attention to the price (too low is a sign of counterfeiting)-->

When to consider devices with the Mi brand:

• 💎 You are looking for a flagship of 2020-2021 at a reduced price (for example, Mi 11 instead of Xiaomi 12).
• 🔄 You need accessories (earphones, power banks), where the name Mi is still used.
• 🌍 You buy the equipment in a country where the rebranding is not completed (for example, in China or India).

When is best to avoid Mi:

• 🆕 You want the latest device (all new models are Xiaomi only).
• 🛡️ Long-term update support is important (old Mi models may soon lose relevance).
• 💳 You see a suspiciously low price (risk of running into counterfeit or “gray” imports).

💡

Before buying, check the serial number of the device on the official Xiaomi website at https://www.mi.com/global/verify.

Pitfalls: what to look for when buying

Even if you understand the differences in brands, when buying equipment Xiaomi/Mi There are a few nuances that you should know about:

⚠️ Note: Many sellers in Russia and the CIS order devices from China through gray channels, such gadgets may not support Russian in the firmware or have problems with the warranty.

1. Regional firmware versions. Devices for China (China ROM) often do not have Google Play and only support Chinese/English. Russia needs a Global ROM or EEA ROM (Europe). You can check the version in the settings along the Settings path → About Phone → MIUI version.

2. Warranty and service centers: The official warranty of Xiaomi in Russia applies only to devices purchased from authorized sellers (for example, Svyaznoy, M. Video, Wildberries marked "Official Store"). When buying from AliExpress or from resellers, the warranty may not apply.

3. Russian-network compatibility: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13T Pro) do not support all 4G/5G bands of Russian operators.

4G: Band 7 (2600 MHz), Band 20 (800 MHz)

- 5G: n78 (3500 MHz – the main range for Russian operators.-->

The Future of Brands: What to Expect from Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s strategy for the coming years is clear: the company is moving completely to a single brand, abandoning the sub-brands Mi and Redmi as separate names. Already today, all new devices are announced only under the name Xiaomi, and old models are gradually being phased out.

• 🔄 Simplification of choice: no more guessing how Mi differs from Xiaomi – all devices will be in the same line.
• 📈 Quality improvement: the company promises to pay more attention to the premium segment, competing with Samsung and Apple.
• 🌐 Globalization: Xiaomi is actively entering new markets, including Europe and North America, where the Mi brand was little known.

But there are downsides to this approach: For example, fans of Redmi’s budget smartphones may find that new models are getting more expensive, and fans of the minimalist Mi design risk losing their familiar style, with all devices following the same Xiaomi aesthetic.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions