7 Reasons Why Xiaomi’s Smartphone May Be Disappointing

Xiaomi smartphones have long been popular for their combination of affordable prices and impressive specs. However, behind the bright numbers in specs and aggressive marketing hides shortcomings that the manufacturer prefers to keep silent. This article is not about the brand’s “hat”, but about objective analysis of why Xiaomi devices may not be the best choice for long-term use.

We looked at user reviews from 2023 to 2026, service center data, and independent test results to highlight key challenges that owners face, from MIUI’s intrusive advertising to the hidden performance deterioration of updates, and explore why even the flagship Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ models can disappoint after a year of operation.

If you're considering buying a Xiaomi smartphone, this material will help you avoid the typical mistakes, and if you already own one, you'll learn how to minimize the negative consequences, starting with the most obvious but often overlooked flaw.

1. MIUI: Advertising, Blaatware and the lack of a pure Android

The MIUI shell is Xiaomi’s main feature, but for many users it is the main cause of frustration. Even in expensive models like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, you will find pre-installed games (Garena Free Fire, PUBG Mobile), services (Mi Browser, Mi Video) and banner ads in the system menus.

According to a study by Android Authority (2023), MIUI contains on average 40% more background processes than pure Android or Samsung One UI/Oppo ColorOS shells.

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (up to 15% in 8 hours on standby vs. 5–7% in competitors).
• 🐢 Slow down after 6-12 months due to the accumulation of cache of unnecessary applications.
• 📢 Intrusive advertising in the Security menu, Themes, and even in the notification panels.

Of course, some applications can be disabled or deleted through Settings → Applications, but some services (such as Mi Push or Analytics) remain active and continue to collect data. Moreover, after updates, MIUI often returns remote applications without the user’s knowledge.

⚠️ Warning: Global ROM models have less advertising than the Chinese versions, but they still have it, and the only way to get rid of it completely is to install custom firmware, which is not warranty.

2. Update issues: from delays to hidden trottling

Xiaomi regularly boasts of a long lifespan of support for its smartphones — up to 4 years of security updates.

• ⏳ Update delays of 3-6 months for non-flagship models (e.g., the Redmi Note 12 didn’t get Android 14 until March 2026, when the Pixel 7 updated in October 2023).
• 🔄 Forced trottling is an artificial performance restriction after 1-2 years of use (confirmed by Geekbench tests for Xiaomi 12T and POCO F5).
• 💥 Devices shrivel after failed updates (especially for budget Redmi and POCO).

The most scandalous case occurred in the 2023 year, when the MIUI 14.0.4 update for Xiaomi 11T Pro disabled support for 5G on some SIM- cards. The manufacturer recognized the problem only through the 3 month, and the fix came out even later.

If you’re looking for software stability, look for alternatives: Samsung (4 years of updates + 1 year of security), Google Pixel (5 years of updates) or Nothing Phone (3 years + pure Android).

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Even flagship Xiaomi models often receive major Android updates 3–6 months later than competitors, and budget devices may never get the latest version.

3.Build quality: plastic, glue and water protection issues

Xiaomi saves on everything, including body materials, and even the premium (Xiaomi 14) models use:

• 🧲 Aluminum frames with plastic inserts (as opposed to all-metal frames for iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S).
• 🛠️ Adhesive screen mounting, which complicates and makes repairs more expensive (glass replacement costs 30-50% of the cost of a smartphone).
• 💧 Fake water protection – many models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro) have rubber pads but are not certified to IP68 (only IP53, which only protects against splashes).

According to the service center iFixit, the maintainability of Xiaomi smartphones is estimated at 4 out of 10 points – worse than the Fairphone (10/10) or Samsung Galaxy S23 (7/10). For example, replacing the battery in Xiaomi 13 Lite requires a complete disassembly of the device, while the iPhone 15 battery is mounted on two screws.

If you drop your phone frequently or plan to use it for longer than 2 years, look for models with official IP68 certification (such as the Samsung Galaxy A54 or Google Pixel 7a) and modular design (such as the Fairphone 4).

⚠️ Warning: Even if the specifications are IP53, this does not guarantee protection against water ingress. The manufacturer is not responsible for damage caused by the liquid, this is prescribed in the warranty conditions.

4. Cameras: Marketing vs. Reality

Xiaomi likes to boast about megapixels and cooperation with Leica, but in practice, even the flagship models’ cameras lose to competitors. For example, in DXOMARK tests (2023), Xiaomi 13 Ultra (1st in the ranking) is inferior to the iPhone 15 Pro Max in:

• 🌃 Night shooting (more noise and blur on the edges).
• 🎥 Video stabilization (movement tremors, especially in 4K/60fps).
• 🔍 Details when zoomed (despite 200MP, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra performs better at 100x zoom).

Budget models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5) are also suffering from image processing – MIUI algorithms aggressively smooth out textures, add saturation and remove natural shadows, resulting in photos that look “plastic” and the skin in the portraits resembles a “wax mask”.

If the camera is a priority for you, consider:

• 📱 Google Pixel 7a is the best processing HDR and night mode.

5. Battery: Fast charging vs. durability

Xiaomi boasts record charging speeds (up to 210W in the Redmi Note 12 Turbo), but there are three critical drawbacks:

1. Battery degradation – when using ultra-fast charging (>67W), battery capacity decreases by 20-30% in 1.5-2 years (Battery University test data).
2. Overheating – the temperature of the case when charging can reach 45-50 ° C, which is harmful to the chipset and screen.
3. The lack of wireless charging in most models (except for the flagship Xiaomi 13/14).

For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S23 with 25W charging loses only 10-15% of capacity in 2 years, and the iPhone 15 with 20W – less than 10%. Moreover, Xiaomi often underestimates the real battery capacity. For example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ claimed 4500 mAh, and in fact – 4300-4400 mAh (confirmed by disassemblies from JerryRigEverything).

If you are interested in battery life:

• 🔌 Use a charge of no more than 33W.
• 🔋 Turn off Fast Charging in Settings → Battery.
• 🌡️ Avoid charging at temperatures above 30°C (for example, in the sun or during games).

6.Service and warranty: why repairs are expensive

Official service centers Xiaomi is not in every city, and the cost of repairs is often comparable to the price of a new smartphone.

• 💰 Replacement of the Xiaomi 13 screen – 25,000-30,000 ₽ (30-40% of the cost of the device).
• 🔧 Replacement of the Redmi Note 12 battery is 8,000–12,000 ₽ (at a phone price of 20,000 ₽).
• 🚫 Denial of warranty when disassembling or using non-original accessories.

For comparison, the iPhone 13 screen replacement costs 18,000-22,000 ₽ in official service, and the battery costs 6,000-8000 ₽. Apple provides an international warranty, and Xiaomi only a regional one (for example, a phone bought in Europe will not be serviced in Russia).

If you plan to use your smartphone longer than the warranty period, pay attention to:

• 📱 Samsung has a wide range of service centers and available spare parts.

⚠️ Warning: When you buy Xiaomi on AliExpress or in unofficial stores, you lose the warranty – the manufacturer only serves devices with serial numbers tied to the region of sale.

7. Xiaomi Alternatives: What to Choose Instead

If after reading this article you decide to give up Xiaomi, consider the following options depending on your budget:

If you want the most balanced option without obvious drawbacks, look for the Samsung Galaxy A54 or Google Pixel 7a.

• 🔄 Long-term support for updates (4-5 years)
• 📸 High-quality cameras without aggressive processing.
• 🛡️ Reliable assembly and water protection IP67/IP68.
• 🔧 Affordable repair and extensive network of service centers.

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Before buying, check the model on the GSMArena website – it lists all the technical details, including the real battery capacity and support for 5G networks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi smartphones