“She’s like Xiaomi on the shelf of the tenth iPhone”: how the Chinese brand has ceased to be a budget

The comparison between Xiaomi and Apple has long ceased to be an anecdote about the “cheap alternative”. 2026 year flagship models of the brand from China confidently take places on the shelves next to the iPhone 13/14/15, And their prices are sometimes different. 10–15 But what's changed? Why are smartphones that are still there? 5 Long ago, perceived as a “Chinese consumer goods” now compete with Apple’s ecosystem in design, performance and even status?

Today we will examine how Xiaomi has transformed from a manufacturer of “cheap copies” to a brand that in some segments overtakes Apple in innovation (for example, in charging speed or camera flexibility).

Spoiler: The choice is not as obvious as it used to be.

From “copypast” to flagships: how Xiaomi grew from the budget segment

V 2010-Xiaomi was strongly associated with cheap smartphones that copied the design of the iPhone (remember the legendary Mi). 4 with aluminum body, “inspired” iPhone 5s). The brand was betting on value for money, not premium. 2018 The strategy changed: the company began to produce flagships of the Mi series (later Xiaomi). 11/12/13/14), which are not inferior to the characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S or iPhone.

Key milestones in evolution:

• 📅 2016 – Mi 5 with Snapdragon 820 processor (same as Samsung Galaxy) S7), but 2 times cheaper.
• 📅 2019 – the debut of the Mi 9 with a triple camera and wireless charging, which was then a rarity even at Apple.
• 📅 2021 – Xiaomi 11 Ultra overtook the iPhone 12 Pro Max in terms of the size of the main camera sensor (50 MP vs 12 MP).
• 📅 2023 – Xiaomi 13 Pro received Leica certification for cameras, which was previously the prerogative of Huawei and Apple.

Today, Xiaomi does not just copy Apple, but dictates trends: for example, the iPhone 15 Profinally received a new version of the smartphone. USB-C It was only in 2023, whereas Xiaomi has used this connector since 2018, and in 2026, the brand first released a smartphone with a 200-watt charge (Redmi Note 12 Turbo), leaving the iPhone far behind with their 20-30 watts.

But why is Xiaomi still perceived as a "second grade"? It's about branding and the ecosystem -- two weak spots where Apple is still the undisputed leader.

Why Xiaomi 14 Pro is 30% cheaper than iPhone 15 Pro, but sells worse

Let’s compare prices for flagships of 2026 (data for Russia, March 2026):

On paper, Xiaomi 14 Pro looks more profitable: a larger screen with resolution 3200×1440 (iPhone — 2556×1179), more advanced camera system and in 6 It's faster than charging. But why is the iPhone selling better? 3 key causes:

• 💎 The brand is a status symbol. iPhone is not just a smartphone, it is a “closed club ticket”; Apple owners are automatically associated with success (albeit mistakenly).
• 🔄 AirDrop, iCloud, seamless synchronization with Mac and iPad – this is what Xiaomi does not have.
• 📱 Long-term support: Apple updates iPhone 5-6 years, and Xiaomi — a maximum of 3-4 years (and then not all models).

But there's a flip side: Xiaomi offers premium features for the price of the average iPhone. for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra (149,990) ₽) It has a perscopic camera with a 5x optical zoom, the same as the Samsung Galaxy. S24 Ultra (169 990 ₽), but cheaper by 20,000. ₽.

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If you want a smartphone with the best camera for a reasonable amount of money, look at Xiaomi. 13T Pro (59 990 ₽) — It bypasses the iPhone 14 (89,990) ₽) nighttime shooting and charging speed.

Where Xiaomi is overtaking Apple: 5 technological advantages

Despite the image gap Apple, Xiaomi has objective advantages that make its smartphones more attractive to advanced users.-5 feature, where the Chinese brand is ahead of the “Apple” Corporation.

1. Charging speed

Xiaomi has long been the leader in the race for the fastest charging. If the iPhone 15 Pro charges from 0 to 100% in 1 hour 20 minutes, then the Xiaomi 14 Pro copes in 18 minutes (120 watts). And the Redmi Note 12 Turbo model supports 210 watts at all - full charge in 9 minutes!

Flexibility of the cells

While Apple is stubbornly holding on to 12 MP (even in the iPhone 15 Pro, the main sensor is 48 MP, but by default shoots at 12 MP), Xiaomi is experimenting with:

• 📸 200-MP sensors (Xiaomi 13 Ultra)
• 🔍 Perscopic lenses with 10x zoom
• 🎥 8K-Stabilization video (available even in the mid-range segment)

3. High refresh rate displays

All Xiaomi flagships (starting with Xiaomi 11) are equipped with screens with 120 Hz, while Apple implemented ProMotion only in the iPhone 13 Pro (2021). LTPO 3.0, which allows dynamically changing the frequency from 1 Hz to 120 Hz to save battery life.

4. Design innovation

In 2023, Xiaomi introduced the Mix Fold 3, a foldable smartphone with a bezel-less internal screen and a folded thickness of 5.26 mm (thinner than the iPhone 15). and the Xiaomi 13 Lite model received a front camera under the screen, while Apple still uses a “flash”.

5.Accessories price

Charging Apple for 6,000 ₽ vs 1 500 ₽ For the same from Xiaomi.AirPods Pro 2 wireless headphones cost 24,990 ₽, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro with active noise cancellation – 12,990 ₽.

Where Apple will win: 3 weak points Xiaomi

Despite the progress, Xiaomi still has critical flaws that make the iPhone a more appealing choice for many users.

1. Programme support

Apple Upgrades iPhone to 6 Years (iPhone, for example) 6s 2015 received iOS 15 in 2021, and Xiaomi is usually limited to 2-3 major updates MIUI, After that, the smartphone remains without security and new features.

⚠️ Note: If you buy Xiaomi for long-term support, choose models from the Xiaomi series 12/13/14 — They get updates longer than Redmi or POCO.

Software optimization

Even with the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphones Xiaomi sometimes “slow down” due to firmware MIUI. For example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra in Geekbench tests shows results 10-15% lower than the iPhone 15 Pro, despite the similar performance of hardware.

Ecosystem and compatibility

Apple has something that Xiaomi doesn’t have.

• 🖥️ Seamless work with Mac (file copying, Universal Control, Continuity Camera).
• 🎧 AirPods integration (automatic switching between devices, spatial sound).
• 🔒 Data protection (iOS is closed system, while iOS is closed system) MIUI collects more telemetry).

If you already have a MacBook, iPad or Apple Watch, switching to Xiaomi will mean losing all of those “chips.”

Make sure you don’t need long-term support (more than 3 years)

Check compatibility with your accessories (earphones, smartwatches)

How important is the Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, Watch) to you?

Compare the prices for accessories (charges, covers, glass)

Read the reviews about the firmware MIUI model-wise-->

Who will suit Xiaomi instead of iPhone: checklist for the buyer

Not everyone should switch from iPhone to Xiaomi, but here are the categories of users that the Chinese brand will suit better:

• 📸 Photographers and videographers: if you are interested in manual camera settings, RAW-Shooting and zoom, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or 13T Pro will give more features than the iPhone.
• 🔋 If you are used to charging your phone in 15-20 minutes, Apple will not suit you.
• 💰 Economy buyers: for the same money you will get a smartphone with the best screen, camera and performance.
• 🎮 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in Xiaomi 14 is better optimized for gaming than Apple A17 Pro (more) FPS Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
• 🛠️ Customization lovers: MIUI It allows you to change themes, icons, animations – in iOS there is no such thing.

Here’s who should not consider Xiaomi:

• 🍎 Owners of other Apple devices (Mac, iPad, Watch).
• 📱 Those who want a smartphone for 5+ years” (updates) MIUI quick-end).
• 🔒 Paranoid about privacy (MIUI It collects more data than iOS).

If you fall into the first group, you can safely take Xiaomi 14 or 13T Pro. If the second one is to stay on the iPhone or consider the Samsung Galaxy S24 compromise.

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Xiaomi beats Apple on hardware and price, but it loses on the ecosystem and long-term support, and it depends on your priorities: if you want status and stability, iPhone, if you want innovation and price/quality ratio, Xiaomi.

Comparison of flagships of 2026: Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max

To show the difference, compare the two top smartphones of the current year:

As you can see from the table, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra wins on most technical parameters, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains a more balanced choice due to the optimization of the software and ecosystem.

Next Post:Will Xiaomi overtake Apple in status?

In 2026, Xiaomi took a major step towards premium: flagships Xiaomi 14 sold in branded boutiques (like the Apple Store), and the brand actively cooperates with Leica and Harman Kardon to improve the image.

1. Improve programme support

Bye. MIUI The main weakness is laggy animations, unnecessary services, short updates. If Xiaomi switches to a clean Android (like the Google Pixel) or even extends the support life to 5 years, it will be a breakthrough.

2. Develop an ecosystem

Apple has Macs, iPads, Watches, AirPods — all devices are perfectly synchronized. Xiaomi has laptops, headphones, smartwatches, too, but their integration is far from perfect. For example, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro does not automatically unlock a smartphone like the Apple Watch.

3. Enhance brand status

While Xiaomi is associated with Chinese consumer goods and Apple with premiums, to change that, the company needs to:

• 🏬 Open more stores (like the Apple Store).
• 🎬 Xiaomi now spends 10 times less on advertising than Apple).
• 💎 Collaborate with luxury brands (like Huawei with Porsche Design).

If Xiaomi can cope with these tasks, in 5 years we may well see a situation where the Xiaomi 20 Ultra will stand on the shelf not just next to the iPhone, but higher in status.

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Xiaomi is no longer a “cheap alternative” but a competitor to Apple, but to outperform Apple, the brand needs to redesign its software, ecosystem, and image. So far, the choice between Xiaomi and iPhone depends on its priorities: tech vs status.

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing between Xiaomi and iPhone