Why many people don’t like Xiaomi: a review of 7 key claims to the brand

Xiaomi has grown from an outsider to a global leader in smartphones and smart electronics over the past 10 years, but as its popularity has grown, so has the criticism. Users who once admired value for money are increasingly asking why Xiaomi annoys even loyal fans, and why it is not just technical, but also a strategy that sometimes puts business interests above customer convenience.

In this article, we will analyze 7 key complaints against Xiaomi, from MIUI software “chips” that many call intrusive, to warranty issues. We will not justify or condemn the brand, but provide facts so that you can make an informed decision before buying, and pay special attention to the hidden restrictions that the manufacturer does not mention in advertising – for example, why some features work only in China or why software updates sometimes break devices.

1.MIUI: When "chips" turn into a nightmare

MIUI is Xiaomi’s business card, but it’s the main reason for the discontent. Users complain about aggressive advertising that can’t be turned off without root rights, intrusive notifications from system applications and illogical settings. For example, to turn off autobrightness, you have to dig into Settings → Display → Additional → Automatic adjustment is a path that is almost impossible to remember.

Another problem is instability, and after MIUI updates, users often experience:

• 🔄 Spontaneous reboots (especially on Redmi Note 10 models) POCO X3)
• 📱 Floating the interface when opening the camera or gallery
• 🔋 Rapid battery discharge due to background processes MIUI
• 📶 5GHz Wi-Fi connection problems (solved only by network resetting)

The company regularly promises to fix bugs, but many bugs wander from version to version. For example, the problem with missing notifications in MIUI 12 was never completely solved in MIUI 14. Xiaomi actively removes features that users loved - for example, the "Second Space" mode (dual applications) now works only on flagships.

2. Software Updates: Why Xiaomi is Dropping Old Models

Xiaomi is famous for frequent updates, but only for new devices. 2-3 They often lose support over the years, without warning. 8 Pro (2019 (a) received the last major update in the 2022 In the year after that, users were left with security vulnerabilities.For comparison, Samsung maintains its budget models to the end of the year. 4 years.

Even worse, regional restrictions: Many features (like HyperOS or Xiaomi Cloud) first appear in Chinese firmware, and global versions come in months, if at all. In 2023, Xiaomi 12T users in Europe never received the promised update to Android 14, although it was released in China in December.

Especially annoying for owners of devices with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 11 or POCO M4 Pro), for them updates are less frequent, and bugs are fixed last, Xiaomi even admitted in 2023 that the priority is given to smartphones on Qualcomm Snapdragon.

💡

If you want long-term software support, choose Xiaomi flagship models (series) 13/14) Budget devices on MediaTek risk being left without updates via Snapdragon 1,5-2 year-end.

Repair and service: Why Xiaomi owners are afraid of warranty

Xiaomi’s official service in Russia and the CIS is one of the most painful topics.

• 🕰️ Delays in repairs until 2-3 months (even under the guarantee)
• 💰 Imposing paid services when applying for a guarantee
• 🔧 Refusal to repair due to "mechanical damage" that does not exist
• 📦 Replacement of original parts with uncertified

A common situation: after the fall of the smartphone, the service center refuses to repair the broken screen, citing “violation of operating rules”, although the case is intact, while at Europa the same Redmi Note 12 will be repaired under warranty if the crack did not damage the matrix.

Another problem is the shortage of parts: for example, for the Xiaomi 13 Ultra in 2026 in Russia it is almost impossible to find an original battery or camera, service centers offer analogues that fail in 3-6 months, and the cost of repair is often comparable to the cost of a new smartphone.

4.Cameras: Why Xiaomi photos are often disappointing

On paper, Xiaomi cameras look impressive: 200-MP sensors, optical stabilizers, Night Mode 2.0 modes.

• 📸 Recycling (unnatural colors, blurred parts)
• 🌃 Poor work in the dusk (despite the night regime)
• 🎥 Artifacts when shooting videos (especially on budget models)
• 🔍 Zoom is not working (for example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+ 200MP camera gives good pictures only in daylight hours)

The problem is that Xiaomi often sacrifices real quality for marketing numbers. For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has a 108 MP sensor, but by default shoots at 12 MP with software upscale, resulting in photos that are worse than competitors with 48 MP arrays (for example, the Samsung Galaxy A53).

Even flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Pro are inferior to the iPhone 14 Pro or Google Pixel 7 in stabilizing and processing HDR. When shooting in 4K/60fps, overheating often occurs, and autofocus “breathes” when the object moves.

💡

To improve the quality of photos on Xiaomi, turn off the mode "AI-"camera" in settings and use apps like GCam (if supported by your model) that will reduce recycling and add natural colors.

5.Batteries: Why Xiaomi Batteries Are “Dying” in a Year

One of the most common complaints is that batteries are rapidly deteriorating, and many users say that they're already in the process of being degraded. 12-18 The battery capacity falls on the 20-30%. For example, POCO X3 Pro with the original 5160 A year later, the real thing is 3500-3800 mAh (data from the AccuBattery application).

The reasons for this behaviour are:

• 🔋 Use of cheap batteries in budget models (for example, in Redmi) 10A)
• ⚡ Aggressive fast charging (33W/67W/120W), wear-and-wear
• 📉 Lack of energy efficiency optimization in MIUI (background processes discharge the phone even in standby mode)
• 🌡️ Overheating when charging (especially on models with MediaTek Dimensity)

The company says the batteries are designed for 800 charging cycles, but in practice many users face problems after 300-400 cycles, and replacing the battery at the service center costs 30-50% of the cost of a new smartphone.

Do not use fast charging constantly.|Avoid detente below. 20%|Turn off the background activity of applications|Do not play games while charging.|Keep your phone at a temperature. 10-30°C-->

6.The Ecosystem and the Smart Home: Why Xiaomi is Not Friends With Other Brands

Xiaomi is actively promoting its smart home ecosystem, but it only works consistently with devices of the same brand. For example, if you buy a Xiaomi Robot Vacuum and try to integrate it with Philips Hue light bulbs through Google Home, you will encounter:

• 🔄 Delays in execution of commands (up to) 5-10 seconds)
• 📱 Permanent communication gaps between devices
• 🔧 Unworkable Automation Scenarios
• 📵 You need to use multiple apps (Mi Home, Google Home, Apple HomeKit)

Another problem is binding to Chinese servers, where many devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi Band or Aqara) require a Chinese account to work properly.

• 🌐 Cloud management from abroad
• 🔔 Some notifications (e.g. low battery charge sensors)
• 📊 Extended statistics in the annex

In 2026, Xiaomi began moving some of its servers to Europe, but the process is slow, with users in Russia and the CIS still facing lags and restrictions.

7 Marketing Tricks: How Xiaomi Misleads Customers

Xiaomi is a master at manipulating customer perceptions, and here are some examples:

1. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ specifies a 200 MP sensor, but the real resolution of the photos is 12 MP (the rest of the pixels are used to improve details by algorithms).
2. The POCO X5 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ have the same hardware, but are sold as devices of different lines (and at different prices).
3. Hidden restrictions: Xiaomi 13T ads promise support for Dolby Vision, but this feature only works in Chinese firmware.
4. The company often claims "limited batches" of flagships (such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra) to create a hype, even though thousands of devices are in stock.

Another trick is artificial obsolescence: In 2023, Xiaomi released an update for the Redmi Note 11, after which many users noticed a deterioration in performance, and the service center told them that "it should be," although the phone was stable before the update.

💡

Before buying a Xiaomi device, always check reviews on independent sites (such as 4PDA or XDA Developers).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi

If you do decide to buy a Xiaomi device, be prepared to compromise, a brand that is ideal for those who like to "dig" in settings and are willing to put up with small shortcomings for the sake of low price, but if you want stability and durability, look at the alternatives.