New smartphones Xiaomi 2022: flagships, middle peasants and public sector

2022 was a watershed moment for Xiaomi, marking the brand’s final move beyond the “affordable copies” stereotype.If previously buyers were looking exclusively for value for money, this season the vendor made a powerful leap towards the premium segment, with the introduction of the Xiaomi 12 lineup. These devices are designed to directly compete with market leaders such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 and iPhone 13, offering advanced cameras and top screens.

In parallel with the flagships, the company has updated its Redmi and Poco sub-brands, which traditionally dominate the mid- and budget-class.The world's first Redmi Note 11 Pro to introduce a 120Hz AMOLED screen in the budget segment, forcing competitors to urgently revise their specifications. For the consumer, this means that technologies previously available only to the elite are now in the hands of millions of users.

In this article, we will look at exactly which models came out in 2022, how they differ from each other and whether they are worth buying now, we will analyze the specifications, features of the MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 software, and also consider real-world use cases. You no longer have to wander around guessing between dozens of similar names.

Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro flagship lineup: a new standard

Xiaomi 12’s lineup was the company’s first attempt to gain a foothold in ultra-premium with a price tag above $1,000. The main trump card was the compactness of the base model, which is rare in the world of large screens. The devices are based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which, despite the problems with heating from competitors, was optimized by Xiaomi engineers with the new LiquidCool cooling system.

Special attention was paid to cameras. For the first time, Xiaomi smartphones have adopted Smart ISO technology, allowing dynamic changes in the sensitivity of the matrix depending on the light, which significantly reduced the level of digital noise in night shots. In addition, a telephoto lens with optical stabilization has become the standard even for the basic version, which was previously the prerogative of only Pro models.

⚠️ Warning: Flagship processors 2022 can demonstrate high power consumption in heavy games. for comfortable gaming, it is recommended to use an external cooler or reduce graphics settings.

Xiaomi 12 series screens have received DisplayMate A+ certifications, confirming their reference color reproduction. Support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ technology makes viewing content on streaming platforms incredibly realistic. The brightness at peak reaches 1500 nits, which provides excellent readability even in direct sunlight.

Redmi Note 11 Series: King of the Midsize

The Redmi Note 11 series in 2022 set a new bar for devices in the middle range category. IPS-matrices AMOLED This has enabled the production of a deep black and high contrast that was previously unavailable in this price range.

Inside the devices are hidden processors Snapdragon 680 Dimensity 920. While they are not record-breakers in benchmarks, their performance is more than enough for everyday tasks and easy games. 67 W in the set, which allows you to charge the battery with a capacity 5000 It's just a mile. 40-45 minute.

The case design has also undergone changes, with flat faces and Gorilla Glass Victus in older models, a circular design reminiscent of other brands’ flagship lines, and a focus on balancing functionality and affordable price.

It is worth noting that the software on these devices is based on Android 11/12 with a shell MIUI. The system offers many features for customization, but requires the user some time to adjust notifications.

Poco F4 and F4 GT: performance for gamers

The Poco brand in 2022 clearly divided its interests into two categories: clean performance and gaming specifications.The Poco F4 model became the rebranded Redmi K40S for the global market, receiving the top-end Snapdragon 870 chipset.This processor is considered one of the most stable and cold flagships, making the phone ideal for long gaming sessions.

The Poco F4 GT version (known as the Redmi K50 Gaming) features mechanical triggers on the side edge. These magnetic buttons pop up when the slider slides upwards, providing a tactile response comparable to console gamepads. This is a unique smartphone solution that mobile esportsmen have appreciated.

To activate the game acceleration mode:
Settings → Special features → Game Turbo → Add the game

Screens of devices are made by technology E4 AMOLED with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a high frequency of sensor survey (480 Hz or 720 Hz in) GT). This provides instant feedback on touch in shooters. 120 watt charge GT-The version restores energy from 0 to 100% in less than 20 minutes.

Comparison of Key Models 2022

To make it easier for you to navigate the variety of models, we have prepared a summary table that will help you quickly compare the key parameters of the flagships and popular middlings released this year.

And you can see from the table that even in the mid-range, manufacturers don't save on the refresh rate of the screen, but the difference in processors is still significant if you plan to use the phone for heavy duty. 3D-For ordinary users, the difference between the Snapdragon 870 and Dimensity 920 will be almost invisible.

Software: MIUI 13 and transition to HyperOS

2022 was marked by interface optimization, with MIUI 13 designed to fix bugs in previous versions and improve speed, with a focus on privacy, including data cloaking, fraud protection, and enhanced application permission settings.

The user interface became lighter, less advertising in system applications (though it didn't disappear completely), and the "Big Finger" feature, which allows you to control one hand on large screens, and widgets that can be scaled, and the system began to more smoothly animate transitions between windows.

⚠️ Note: When updating old models to MIUI 13/14 It is possible to reset the interface settings. It is recommended to back up important data before installing a new firmware version.

At the end of the year, rumors and first tests began to emerge of a new HyperOS system that would completely replace MIUI. Although mass release came later, in 2022, the foundation of this ecosystem of smartphones, tablets and smart homes was laid, promising deeper integration of Xiaomi devices into a single network.

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Use the Security app to clean the cache once a week, which helps keep the MIUI interface running at a high speed throughout the life of the device.

Innovation in cameras and photo capabilities

The collaboration with Leica, announced in 2022, was a highlight for photographers: Xiaomi 12S series models (released in the summer) received T*-enlightened lenses, which significantly reduced glare and improved contrast. Color rendering became more natural, moving away from the excessive digital saturation characteristic of previous years.

A major trend has been the adoption of computational photography algorithms: Smartphones have learned to work better with dynamic range (HDR) by keeping details in shadows and lights at the same time, and night mode has become faster, requiring less exposure time to capture a quality image.

Videography has also taken a step forward, with Dolby Vision support at 60 frames per second, video stabilization smoother, reminiscent of gimbal stabilizers, and professional-level social media footage without any additional equipment.

Should you buy Xiaomi 2022 smartphones right now?

Buying 2022 devices at the moment is a smart move to save money: flagships like the Xiaomi 12 or Xiaomi 12 Pro have fallen in price while still being highly relevant, their processors still do everything they can, and their cameras remain high.

In the Redmi and Poco segment, the situation is even more interesting: models like the Poco F4 or Redmi Note 11 Pro+ offer a user experience that is not much inferior to the new products of 2023-2026 in everyday scenarios, the difference in the speed of applications will be minimal, and the price is much lower.

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Buying a smartphone in 2022 release today is the optimal balance between price and performance, allowing you to save up to 30-40% of the cost without losing quality.

But you have to consider the warranty and battery status. When you buy a used device or stock, check the charge cycles. Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, and the 2022 phone can hold a worse charge than the new one. Otherwise, it's a great choice for the pragmatic user.

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