Why DNS doesn’t sell Xiaomi smartphones: official reasons and where to buy in 2026

A year ago, DNS offered a wide range of Xiaomi smartphones, from budget Redmi to flagship Mi 13 Ultra. But today, on the site and in offline stores, the brand has almost disappeared. What happened? Is this a temporary phenomenon or a strategic move? In this article, we will analyze 7 key reasons why DNS stopped selling Xiaomi, and also tell you where it is safe to buy the original equipment of the Chinese brand in 2026.

The problem is not just Xiaomi, but other Chinese brands like Realme or Oppo, and Xiaomi was one of the biggest sellers in Russia, so its disappearance from the DNS shelves caused the most outcry. Let's look at what's behind this decision and how it affects the smartphone market.

Spoiler: It’s not just about sanctions, but other factors, from changing logistics routes to internal retailer policies, mean that customers will have to find alternative ways to buy Xiaomi gadgets without the risk of forgery or grey imports.

1. Sanctions and restrictions on Chinese electronics imports

The main and most obvious reason is the sanctions pressure on Chinese companies that cooperate with Russia, and since 2022, many brands, including Xiaomi, have come under scrutiny from US and European regulators, and while the company has not officially left the Russian market, its shipments have declined significantly due to:

• 📦 Restrictions on chip exports – many components for Xiaomi smartphones are made in Taiwan (TSMC) or in the United States (Qualcomm), where strict export rules to Russia.
• 💰 Payment blocking – some banks refuse to conduct transactions with Chinese suppliers due to the risk of secondary sanctions.
• 🚢 Logistics problems – many international carriers (DHL, FedEx suspends work with Russia, making it difficult to deliver large shipments of equipment.

As a result, DNS, as one of the largest retailers, is forced to revise its range, selling smartphones with unstable supplies and the risk of shortage of spare parts is unprofitable, and since 2023, Xiaomi has officially suspended the supply of new models to Russia through traditional channels, which automatically reduces the range available to DNS.

⚠️ Attention: If you see in DNS Xiaomi smartphones are overpriced, most likely the remains of an old warehouse.New shipments are not officially delivered, and the retailer avoids "gray" imports due to legal risks.

2. Changes in Xiaomi’s strategy in the Russian market

Xiaomi never left the Russian market completely, but its strategy has changed dramatically, instead of working through large retailers like DNS or M.Video, the company has relied on:

• 🏬 Own branded stores – the Mi Store network continues to work, although with a reduced range.
• 🌍 Online affiliate sites – official sales go through Wildberries, Ozon and Yandex Market, where it is easier to control prices and avoid dealers.
• 📦 Direct shipments from China are via sites like AliExpress or Joybuy, where the buyer takes on customs risks and guarantees.

This model allows Xiaomi to maintain a presence in Russia, but minimize the risks to the core business. For DNS, this means the loss of one of the key suppliers – to sell smartphones without official support from the manufacturer (guarantee, service centers), the retailer will not.

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Before buying Xiaomi on Wildberries or Ozon, check whether the seller is an official partner. You just need to look at the reviews and ratings of the store - "gray" dealers usually have many complaints about marriage and lack of warranty.

Problems with certification and customs

Since 2022, Russia has tightened the requirements for electronics certification, and Xiaomi now requires:

1. Obtaining the EAEU certificate (previously, a declaration was enough).
2. Passing radio frequency certification (for models with 5G).
3. Payment of increased customs duties (up to 20% of the value of the consignment).

Many Chinese manufacturers, including Xiaomi, are not ready to go through this procedure for each new device, leaving DNS without a legal product, and “gray” imports are fraught with penalties for the retailer.

For example, the flagship Xiaomi 14, released at the end of 2023, and did not appear in the official sale in Russia because of problems with certification. 5G-module.

4. Competition with “gray” imports and resellers

Another reason why DNS has abandoned Xiaomi is the uncontrolled growth of the grey market, where merchants buy smartphones in China or the UAE and sell them in Russia at a margin of 30-50%, undermining legal retailers, as a result:

• 📉 DNS Loses margin – selling at the official price becomes unprofitable.
• ⚖️ Reputation risks – buyers return “gray” devices with problems, and claims are made to the retailer.
• 🔄 Unpredictable demand - due to resellers in the market, then a deficit, then an oversupply of goods are formed.

For example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ It was worth it in official stores ~35 000 ₽, And in the gray market, it sold for 45,000. ₽ And above. DNS This means that even if the product is available, it will be difficult to sell it at a competitive price.

5. Changing DNS Priorities: Focusing on Other Brands

DNS didn't just take out Xiaomi -- it's actively expanding its range of other brands. In 2026, the retailer is betting on:

• 📱 Samsung – Korean brand became the main supplier of smartphones (share in the range grew to 40%).
• 🍎 Apple – despite high prices, iPhone remains the leader in sales.
• 🤖 Realme, Tecno, Infinix – budget brands that have not yet been sanctioned.
• 🇷🇺 Domestic brands - for example, BQ or high screen (although their share is still small).

This strategy allows DNS to diversify risks and avoid dependence on one supplier, for example, in the Smartphone section of the DNS website, the Samsung Galaxy A54 now comes first, rather than the Redmi Note 13 Pro, as it used to be.

Compare the specs with Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, 200 MP camera)

Check for NFC and 5G (many budget models don't have them)

Pay attention to the support for updates (Samsung guarantees 4 years, Chinese brands - 1-2 years)

Compare prices with Wildberries – sometimes the difference is 10-15%-->

6.Problems with warranty and post-warranty service

Another key factor is the complexity of maintenance, and even if DNS sells the smartphone to Xiaomi, who will repair it?

• 🔧 Many authorized service centers have been closed, their number has decreased by 60%.
• 💸 Prices for spare parts have risen, for example, the screen for Xiaomi 13T It went from 8,000 to 15,000. ₽.
• ⏳ The repair time has increased - if earlier the repair took 3-5 days, now - 2-3 weeks (due to the shortage of parts).

For DNS, this means more claims from customers, and the retailer is responsible for the warranty, even if the problem is the fault of the manufacturer, making it too risky to sell Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: If you have purchased Xiaomi in the DNS before 2026 Many service centers refuse to accept devices purchased from unofficial dealers. mi.com/ru/service/location.

7.Prospects for Xiaomi’s return to DNS: what to expect in 2026-2026?

Will Xiaomi return to the DNS shelves? is unlikely in the next 1-2 years, but there are several scenarios:

The most realistic option is that DNS will completely curtail Xiaomi’s sales, focusing on brands with stable supply, and Xiaomi, in turn, will develop its own sales channels (online and branded stores).

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If you need a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026, don’t expect it to return to DNS. It’s better to consider official channels (Mi Store, Wildberries marked “Official Seller”) or alternative brands (Samsung Galaxy M/A-series, Realme GT).

FAQ: Frequent questions about buying Xiaomi in 2026