Choosing between Xiaomi and Samsung has long been a matter of brand loyalty — it’s a battle of philosophies. The Korean giant offers a proven ecosystem and premium design, but it costs 30-50% more. The Chinese manufacturer demonstrates how to combine flagship features, innovative chips and affordable price in one device. In this article, we will discuss 7 objective reasons why Xiaomi bypasses Samsung in most use cases, from budget smartphones to top models.
We analyzed the technical specifications of the flagships of 2023-2026 (Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra), compared prices for similar models in segments from 20 to 100 thousand rubles, studied user reviews about the firmware MIUI and One UI, and tested real performance in games and everyday tasks.
Spoiler: Xiaomi not only wins in price/quality ratios; in some aspects (like fast charging or hardware optimization), the Chinese brand is years ahead of its Korean rival; but there are also nuances that are important to know before buying.
1. Price/Quality Rate: Xiaomi gives more for the same money
Xiaomi’s main advantage is its price democracy, with no hardware sacrifices, and its 2026 flagships are the ones that are the same as the ones that came in the first two years.
- 📱 Xiaomi 14 Ultra (16/512 GB) — ~95 000 ₽ (start-up)
- 📱 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (12/256 GB) — ~130 000 ₽ (start-up)
At the same time, Xiaomi offers: More RAM (16 GB vs 12 GB), twice as much permanent memory in the basic configuration (512 GB vs 256 GB), as well as a more advanced cooling system with a steam camera Loop LiquidCool. Even in the segment of budget smartphones, the gap is obvious: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ $30,000 ₽ It is equipped with a 200-megapixel camera and 120-hertz AMOLED-The screen is like the Samsung Galaxy. A54 For the same money, offers 48 MP and 90 Hz.
But it's not just hardware, because Xiaomi saves on marketing and retail margins, transferring the benefit to the buyer. For example, the Samsung box always includes a charger (which raises the price), while Xiaomi has long switched to the policy of “green packaging” – charging can be purchased separately for $ 1,000. ₽ or use the old.
2.Performance: Why Xiaomi is faster than Samsung in gaming and Benchmark
When it comes to pure performance, Xiaomi often bypasses Samsung by more aggressive firmware optimization and using unmodified Qualcomm chips, such as the AnTuTu 10 test:
| Model | Processor | AnTuTu (Grade Average) | 3DMark Wild Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 2 130 000 | 15 800 |
| Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (for Galaxy) | 1 980 000 | 14 200 |
| Xiaomi Black Shark 6 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 1 850 000 | 13 900 |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (for Galaxy) | 1 720 000 | 12 500 |
The difference is particularly noticeable in long-term loads. Thanks to the Loop LiquidCool cooling system (used in Xiaomi 13T Pro and later), Xiaomi smartphones keep their maximum performance longer without trottling. In games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, this means a stable 60 FPS at maximum settings, while Samsung starts to reduce frame rates after 20-30 minutes.
A critical nuance: Samsung artificially limits the performance of its chips in non-gaming applications to extend the battery life. Xiaomi does not have such a limit - the user chooses between performance and autonomy in the MIUI settings.
⚠️ Note: If you are buying a smartphone for professional video shooting (for example, in the 8K@30fps), Samsung may be preferred because of better codec optimization, but for gaming, multitasking and everyday tasks, Xiaomi is objectively faster.
3.Fast charging: Xiaomi leaves Samsung far behind
One of the most notable gaps between brands is fast charging technology. While Samsung is still limited to 45W in flagships (and then only in top models), Xiaomi has long surpassed the 120W mark and even 200W in some devices.
- ⚡ Xiaomi 14 Pro: 120W (full charge 18 minutes)
- ⚡ Redmi Note 12 Turbo: 67W (full charge 41 minutes)
- ⚡ Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 45W (full charge 65 minutes)
- ⚡ Samsung Galaxy A54: 25W (full charge 100+ minute)
What’s more, Xiaomi offers 50W wireless charging (in Xiaomi 14 Ultra), whereas Samsung’s top is 15W (even in the Galaxy S24 Ultra).This means Xiaomi’s wireless charging is 3x faster!
But there's a downside: these high charging power speed up battery wear, so Xiaomi has implemented Battery Health Algorithm, which automatically reduces charging speeds after 80% if the smartphone is connected overnight.
💡
To extend the life of the battery in Xiaomi, turn on Settings → Battery → Optimized charging and set a limit of 80-85%. This will reduce the rate of battery degradation by 30-40%.
4.Cameras: Myths and Reality
Samsung is traditionally thought to be the leader in photography, but in 2026 Xiaomi was almost equal in quality, and in some ways even surpassed the Korean competitor.
| Parameter | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera. | 50 MP, 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor | 200 MP, 1/1.3 Samsung ISOCELL HP2 sensor |
| Ultrashire | 50 MP, 122° | 12 MP, 120° |
| Telephoto (zoom) | 50 MP, 3.2x optical + 5x periscope | 50 MP, 5x periscope + 10 MP, 3x |
| Night photography | Leica Summicron (optics with manual aperture setting) | Nightography Algorithms |
| DxOMark Ranking (2026) | 152 (1st) | 149 (3rd place) |
Key advantages of Xiaomi 14 Ultra: A larger physical sensor size (1 inch vs 1/1.3) means better light absorption and less noise in dark scenes. Leica optics with the ability to manually adjust the aperture (from f/1.6 to f/4.0) gives professionals more control over depth of field. More flexible zoom: the combination of 3.2x optical and 5x periscope allows you to achieve clear frames at distances, where Samsung begins to use digital zoom.
But Samsung has one undeniable advantage: video stability: With its improved gyroscope and stabilization algorithms, the Galaxy S24 Ultra shoots 8K@30fps video with less jerks than the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If the video is critical to you, that's a big point.
Why Xiaomi has overtaken Samsung in the DxOMark rankings?
5.Software: MIUI vs One UI
The comparison is ambiguous here. Samsung’s One UI is considered to be a more stable and smooth firmware, but MIUI offers much more customization and additional features.
- 🔧 Flexibility MIUI: Change system fonts and animations Third-party design themes Advanced gestures (e.g. Double touch to lock) Built-in Game Turbo for games with setup FPS
- 🛡️ The Benefits of One UI: 4 years of Android updates (Xiaomi has 3 years) Smooth interface animations Better integration with the Samsung ecosystem (watches, headphones, PCs)
The main disadvantage of MIUI is advertising in system applications (in Chinese firmware). However, in global versions it can be turned off in settings (Settings → Memory → Disable recommendations). Xiaomi is often accused of collecting telemetry, but this is solved by disabling the corresponding options in Settings → Privacy.
Samsung, in turn, sins delays updates for budget models. For example, the Galaxy A52 received Android 13 only 9 months after the release, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro updated to MIUI 14 (based on Android 13) after 3 months.
⚠️ Note: If you use your smartphone to work with sensitive data, pay attention to the firmware Xiaomi.eu is a modified version. MIUI without Chinese services and advertising, but with full support for Google Services.
6. Ecosystem and accessories: where Xiaomi is bypassing Samsung
Many believe that Samsung has the most developed ecosystem, but Xiaomi is actively catching up — especially in the segment of smart home and wearable electronics.
- 🏠 Smart home: Xiaomi offers more 200 Compatible devices (from light bulbs to robot vacuum cleaners) running Mi Home. 2-3 It is less than Samsung SmartThings. Matter support (standard for unification of smart devices) 2023 year-end.
- 🎧 Audio: Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro with LDAC and ANC stand ~10 000 ₽ vs Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro. ~18 000 ₽. Support for Hi-Res Audio even in low-end models (e.g. Redmi Buds 4 Active).
- ⌚ Wearable electronics: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with Wear OS Sapphire Glass is cheaper than the Galaxy Watch 6 on 30-40%. Fitness trackers Mi Band (from Mi Band) 2 500 ₽) offer 90% Galaxy Fit features for a third of the price.
The main disadvantage of Xiaomi ecosystem is fragmentation of applications, for example, for smart home you need to use Mi Home, for wearable electronics – Zepp Life, and for audio – Mi Audio. Samsung is centralized in SmartThings and Galaxy Wearable.
☑️ What to check before buying devices for the Xiaomi ecosystem
7.Design and Innovation: Where Xiaomi Risks and Samsung Plays Security
Samsung has long followed a conservative design approach: a metal frame, a glass back, minimal generational change, and Xiaomi is experimenting with materials and shapes:
- 📱 Xiaomi 13 Ultra – the back panel of ceramics with anti-reflective coating.
- 📱 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 – foldable smartphone with a frameless internal screen (unlike the noticeable frame of the Galaxy Z Fold 5).
- 📱 Xiaomi Civi 3 – the thinnest smartphone (6.98 mm) with a subscreen selfie camera.
- 📱 Xiaomi 14 – Using vegan leather in design (green material).
Xiaomi was also the first among the mass brands to introduce: Underscreen front camera (Xiaomi Mix 4, 2021). 200W charging (Xiaomi 12T Pro, 2022). 1-inch camera sensor (Xiaomi 12S Ultra, 2022).
But innovation has the downside: some of Xiaomi’s experiments have failed, such as the flexibility issues of the foldable screens in the early Mix Fold, or the overheating of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra due to the powerful camera. Samsung, by contrast, produces more polished devices, but often without revolutionary new products.
💡
Xiaomi is leading the way in innovation, but Samsung offers more mature and tested solutions. If you want stability, choose a Korean brand. If you want to be on the cutting edge of technology, choose a Chinese one.