All Xiaomi series: a detailed comparison and how not to make a mistake with the choice

Xiaomi now offers more than a dozen different smartphone series, each geared toward a different audience, from budget Redmis to flagship Mis to gaming Black Shark, it’s hard to sort through this variety without preparation. A mistake in choosing can cost not only money, but also missed opportunities: a weak processor for games, a small battery for travel or lack of support. 5G future.

In this article, we will not just list all Xiaomi series, but show how they differ fundamentally in five key criteria: price, performance, cameras, design and target audience. POCO F5 The Redmi Note 12 Pro is cheaper+ And with similar characteristics, what's the trick of the Civi series, and whether to overpay for the Mi 14 Ultra to the average user, and at the end, a unique table comparing with current models in 2026 and a checklist for choosing the right one.

1. The main series Xiaomi: a brief overview

Xiaomi smartphones are divided into 6 main series, each with its own philosophy and positioning. It is important to understand that the names of the series do not always reflect their real place in the hierarchy, POCO It may be more powerful than some Redmis, and the Civi is more expensive than the budget Mis.

Here is the basic classification (from budget to premium):

• 📱 Redmi A – ultra-budget smartphones (up to 10,000) ₽) It's perfect for the elderly or for a second phone.
• 📱 Redmi (without a letter) - budget models (10 000-20 000) ₽) with a balance of price and opportunity. the most popular series in Russia.
• 📱 Redmi Note – the gold standard of the middle segment (15,000-30,000) ₽). Best Price/Quality Rate for Most Users.
• 📱 POCO — "Flagship killers (20 000-40,000) ₽). Maximum performance for minimal money, but often with compromises in cameras or design.
• 📱 Mi – flagships and subflagships (30,000-70,000) ₽). Premium materials, top-end cameras and long-term update support.
• 📱 Civi – stylish smartphones for young people (25,000-45,000) ₽). Emphasis on design, selfie cameras and compactness.
• 🎮 Black Shark – gaming smartphones (40,000-80,000) ₽). Fans, trigger buttons and a 144 Hz screen.

Important: Some series (POCO, Black Shark is formally owned by Xiaomi’s subsidiaries, but uses the same production capacity and often echoes the “iron” with the main lines.

Redmi vs Redmi Note: What's the difference and what to choose

Xiaomi’s two most popular series are often confused, although they are targeted at different users: Redmi (without the Note console) are basic models with a focus on accessibility, and Redmi Note are more advanced devices with improved cameras, screens and batteries.

Let’s look at the key differences in the current models of 2026:

⚠️ Note: If you want long-term autonomy, look for Redmi Note models with Dimensity processors – they are more energy efficient than Helio or Snapdragon 4/6 For example, the Redmi Note. 13 Pro+ Dimensity 7200 Ultra holds the charge on 30% longer than Redmi 12 Helio G88 battery-size.

Who's up for Redmi:

• 👵 Seniors or those who need a simple phone for calls and instant messengers.
• 💰 Those with a budget of up to 15,000 ₽ No need for games or professional photography.
• 🔄 As a second/spare phone.

Who's the Redmi Note for?

• 🎮 Mid-level gamers (e.g., Genshin Impact on medium settings).
• 📸 People who take a lot of pictures but are not willing to pay for a flagship.
• ⚡ For users who need fast charging (from 67 watts and above).

💡

The Redmi Note is not an "enhanced Redmi," but a standalone series with a different positioning. If you want an all-around smartphone for a reasonable amount of money, start with it.

3. POCO: Why is it cheaper with the same characteristics?

Smartphones POCO I often wonder: how does it happen that POCO F5 with a Snapdragon 7 processor+ Gen 2 is cheaper than the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Dimensity 1080, though performance is ahead of the second? the answer lies in brand strategy:

POCO — It's a subsidiary of Xiaomi that focuses on maximum performance for minimal money:

• 📦 Packaging and trim: often missing case or charger (even if fast charging is supported).
• 📷 Cameras: Use cheaper sensors (e.g. 64 MP instead of 200 MP in Redmi Note).
• 🔋 Battery: smaller battery capacity or slow charging (e.g. 33W instead of 120W).
• 🎨 Design: plastic case instead of glass, thicker screen frames.

Example: POCO F5 Pro (price) ~35 000 ₽) It is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1, which is comparable in performance to the flagships of 2022 (for example, Mi 12 Pro for 60 000). ₽). But at the same time, POCO:

• ❌ No optical stabilization in the main camera.
• ❌ The body is made of plastic (Mi 12 Pro – glass) + aluminum).
• ❌ No wireless charging.

⚠️ Attention: Models POCO For example, warranty repairs may take longer than for Redmi or Mi. Before buying, check the availability of service centers in your region on the website. mi.com/ru/service.

Who's right for? POCO:

• 🎮 Hardcore gamers who need maximum performance for minimal money.
• 🔧 Enthusiasts who are willing to put up with shortcomings for the sake of "iron".
• 💡 Those who buy a smartphone for 1-2 years and do not plan to use it longer.

💡

If you like it. POCO, But the camera is important -- look at the model. POCO X6 Unlike the F line, OmniVision’s 64MP OIC sensor is used here, which gives clearer photos in low light.

4.Mi series: flagships and their pitfalls

The Mi lineup is Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones, which compete with the Samsung Galaxy S and iPhone, and you’ll find the best cameras, the most powerful processors and premium materials.

First of all, the price. Mi flagships start at 50,000. ₽, Top models like the Mi 14 Ultra can reach 100,000 ₽. Secondly, not all functions work in Russia:

• 📡 There is no support for certain ranges 5G (for example, n28, operator-operated Tele2).
• 🔊 There is no certification for Dolby Atmos in some models (e.g. Mi 13 Lite).
• 📱 Some firmware blocks the ability to unlock the bootloader (important for fans of custom firmware).

Here is a comparison of the current flagships of 2026:

⚠️ Note: Mi flagships often lose in price faster than the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S. For example, a year after the release of the Mi 13 Pro you can buy 40-50% cheaper than the starting price, while the iPhone 14 Pro will fall only by 20-25%. If you are interested in a long-term investment, consider buying Xiaomi’s flagship in the secondary market.

Who's the Mi series for:

• 📷 Professional photographers (especially models with Leica watering pot).
• 💼 Business users who care about premium design and long-term update support.
• 🔋 Those willing to pay for innovation (e.g., 50W wireless charging or ultrasonic fingerprint scanner).

5. Civi: Style vs Functionality

The Civi series is Xiaomi’s attempt to reach a younger audience focused on social media and selfies.

• 🤳 Dual front camera (e.g. 32 MP) + 32 MP in Civi 3 for portraits).
• 🎨 Ultra-thin design (body thickness from 6.8 mm).
• 🌈 Bright colors (for example, "mint green" or "pink gold").

However, the style has to pay for compromises:

• 🔋 Small battery (4500 mAh vs. 5000 mAh in Redmi Note).
• 🔥 Overheating at long loads (due to thin body and weak cooling system).
• 📉 Rapid price drop (in a year Civi loses up to 60% of its value).

Comparison of the Civi 3 and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (both ~35 000 ₽):

Who's the Civi for:

• 👗 Fashionistas and bloggers who care about the appearance of the phone.
• 🤳 People who take a lot of selfies or live stream.
• 🎀 Teenagers as the first “adult” smartphone.

Who doesn't like Civi:

• 🎮 Gamers (overheats during long sessions).
• 📸 Those who take pictures of landscapes or make videos (weak primary cameras).
• 🔋 Travellers (small battery) + no superfast charging).

Are you satisfied with autonomy for 1 day?|You are ready to put up with overheating during games?|More important is design or performance?|You often take selfies?-->

6. Black Shark: gaming smartphones and their features

The Black Shark series is a specialized gaming smartphone that differs from the usual Xiaomi models by the following features:

• 🎮 Physical triggers are retractable buttons on the sides of the body that mimic the gamepad (for example, in Black Shark 6 Pro).
• 🌡️ Liquid cooling – top-end models use a system with heat pipes and a fan (for example, Magic Cooling 2.0 in Black Shark 5 Pro).
• 🖥️ Screens with a frequency of 144 Hz – against 60-120 Hz in conventional smartphones.
• 🔋 Dual batteries – for example, in the Black Shark 6 Pro two batteries of 2500 mAh, which speeds up charging to 120 watts.

However, gaming smartphones have serious disadvantages:

• 📵 Poor autonomy – despite the large battery, a powerful processor and screen eat up the charge in 4-5 hours of active games.
• 📷 Weak cameras – for example, in the Black Shark 6 Pro, the main camera is only 64 MP without optical stabilization.
• 💰 High price – top models cost 70 000-90,000 ₽, which is comparable to the flagships of the Mi or ROG Phone from Asus.

Comparison of Black Shark 6 Pro and POCO F5 Pro (both on the Snapdragon 8)+ Gen 1):

Who is Black Shark for?

• 🎮 Professional eSportsmen (for example, playing in the PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile in competition).
• 💻 Those who connect the smartphone to the monitor for streams (there is a way out) USB-C → HDMI).
• 🔥 Enthusiasts who care about maximum FPS play.

Who doesn't fit Black Shark:

• 📸 People who take a lot of pictures.
• 🔋 Those who need long-term autonomy.
• 💰 Those who are looking for a universal smartphone (for the same money you can buy the flagship Mi with the best cameras).

💡

Gaming smartphones are a niche product. If you're not a professional gamer, you probably have enough options. POCO F5 Pro or Redmi K60 half-price.

7. How to choose Xiaomi series: step-by-step algorithm

To avoid making a mistake, follow this checklist:

Determine the budget (up to) 15 000 ₽ → Redmi A/Redmi; 15 000–30 000 ₽ → Redmi Note/POCO; above 30 000 ₽ → Mi/Civi/Black Shark)|Decide which is more important: performance, cameras, design or autonomy|Check the support 5G and the range of your operator (especially for POCO and Black Shark)|Estimate the weight and size (e.g. Civi weighs) 170 d. a Black Shark — 220 s)|Look for autonomy tests (e.g. Redmi Note holds charge longer than it does) POCO)|Make sure you have an official guarantee in your area.-->

If you are in doubt between the two series, use this table:

Example 1: I need a smartphone up to 20,000 ₽ social media, phone calls and sometimes take pictures" → Redmi Note 13.

Example 2: "Genshin Impact, budget 30,000" ₽" → POCO F5.

Example 3: I want a stylish Instagram phone, budget 35,000 ₽" → Civi 3.

Frequently asked questions