Why Xiaomi is worth more than an iPhone?
5 years ago, the phrase โdear Xiaomiโ sounded like an oxymoron. the Brand was associated with budget smartphones, where for 15-20 thousand rubles you could get the performance of the flagship for 50+ But today, things have changed dramatically: Xiaomiโs top-end models compete with, and sometimes surpass, Apple and Samsung, and in 2026, the brandโs most expensive smartphone will cost as much as a used car.
So what does the company offer for that kind of money? It's not just a fancy Android, it's an engineering solution that was previously only available in concepts: foldable screens with ultrasonic sensors, variable aperture cameras, diamond-cut ceramic cases. But is that worth the price? Let's look at how much Xiaomi's most expensive phone costs today, what models claim to be the title, and where you can buy them without overpaying.
Spoiler: If you expect to see a price tag of 30,000-40,000 rubles, you'll have to disappoint. Xiaomi's current flagships have long since crossed the psychological barrier of 100,000, and some limited versions are even more expensive.
Top-5 most expensive Xiaomi smartphones in 2026
In this section, we have collected the current models that today occupy the top lines of the rating by price. It is important to understand that the cost can vary depending on the region, configuration and exchange rate. All prices are shown in rubles as of June 2026 for the Russian market (official distributors and trusted retailers).
- ๐ฑ Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 โ foldable flagship with external and internal screens AMOLED 2K Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
- ๐ธ Xiaomi 14 Ultra โ photo monster with a Leica camera, variable aperture and ceramic body.
- ๐ Xiaomi 14 Pro โ โlightโ version of Ultra, but with the same chipset and screen 2K 120 Hz.
- ๐ Xiaomi MIX Flip - the first foldable smartphone of the brand in the format of "shell" (analogue of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip).
- ๐ฎ Black Shark 6 Pro (Limited Edition) โ a gaming smartphone with physical triggers and active cooling.
Now, let's take each model in a little more detail, including their actual prices, key chips, and target audience, and start with the absolute value leader.
Xiaomi MIX Fold 3: folding giant for 180,000+ ruble
For June. 2026 Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 โ The most expensive smartphone brand, the official price of which starts from 179 990 ruble for the basic version 16/256 GB, to the version with 1 TB of memory and 24 GB RAM will have to give already 210 000+ At the same time, we are talking about the price in official stores - in the "gray" market (for example, through dealers from China), the cost may be lower on the "grey" market. 10โ15%, but with the risk of loss of warranty.
What makes this price worthwhile? First, it's Xiaomi's first foldable smartphone with a bezel-less internal screen, and unlike previous generations, it's almost completely free of the groove at the fold, and it's protected by an ultrasonic sensor that detects the taps even through a glove, and second, it's equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor that's 20 percent more efficient than its predecessor, and a cooling system with a steam chamber.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 | For comparison: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 |
|---|---|---|
| External screen | 6.56" AMOLED, 2520ร1080, 120 Hz | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED, 2316ร904, 120 Hz |
| Interior screen | 8.03" AMOLED, 2480ร2200, 120 Hz | 7.6" Dynamic AMOLED, 2176ร1812, 120 Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) |
| RAM/Memory | up to 24GB/1TB | up to 12GB/1TB |
| Price (RF, June 2026) | 179,990 โฝ | 199,990 โฝ |
Interesting fact: despite the fact that MIX Fold 3 is cheaper than Galaxy Z Fold 5, in some tests it shows better performance thanks to a more modern chipset.However, Samsung has an advantage in the ecosystem (for example, support for DeX to connect to the monitor), which Xiaomi does not yet have.
โ ๏ธ Note: When buying foldable smartphones, pay attention to the warranty screen service. Xiaomi it is only 1 year, while Samsung โ 2 years. the cost of replacing the internal display can reach 50-70,000 rubles.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra: camera in the phone for 150 000 rubles
If MIX Fold 3 โ This is an innovation in the format, Xiaomi 14 Ultra is an innovation in photography, positioned as a direct competitor to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and its price in Russia starts from 149 990 roubles 16/512 GB. For the top-end modification with 1 TB memory is being asked. 170 000+ ruble.
The main โchipโ of the model is a camera with a variable aperture (from f/1.6 before f/4.0), It's developed in collaboration with Leica, and it allows you to adapt to different conditions, from blurred portraits to landscapes with maximum depth of field. 1-Sony inch sensor IMX989 (as in the professional chambers, which are 76% More than most competitors.
- ๐ท Main camera: 50 MPP, f/1.6โ4.0, optical stabilization.
- ๐ Telephoto: 50 MP s 3.2x optical zoom 5x periscope.
- ๐ Ultra-wide: 50 MPP, f/1.8, field 122ยฐ.
- ๐ฅ Video: 8K@24fps, Dolby Vision HDR.
But there are downsides, like the weight of the device is 224 grams (ceramic body) versus 221 grams on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the lack of a memory card slot, which is odd for a device that is focused on photographers.
Why is Xiaomi 14 Ultra more expensive than 14 Pro?
Where to buy expensive Xiaomi cheaper: official and alternative ways
The price of top-end Xiaomi smartphones can vary greatly depending on where you buy, and consider the main options where you can save (or, conversely, overpay).
1. Official stores (Mi Store, Wildberries, M. Video, SberMegaMarket)
Here you will get a full warranty (1-2 years), original firmware and support for Russian. However, prices are usually 5-10% higher than those of โgrayโ sellers. โฝ, a on AliExpress from 135,000 โฝ (but with the risk of customs problems).
2. Chinese marketplaces (AliExpress, Taobao, JD.com)
The cheapest option, but with pitfalls:
There is no Russian firmware (you will have to install it yourself).
- Risk of getting on customs duty (up to 30% of the cost).
The guarantee is only valid in China.
โ ๏ธ Note: When buying on AliExpress, check the seller's reviews for regional blocking, MIX Fold 3 may not support Russian LTE-ranges.
Retailers and telegram channels
Prices are usually 5-15% lower than official prices, but there are risks:
It is possible to fake (especially for Black Shark).
- No check and no guarantee.
- Can be installed custom firmware with viruses.
If you decide on this option, be sure to ask:
- Photo of the box with the serial number.
- Videos of inclusion and verification IMEI.
- Warranty card (if requested).
Check it out. IMEI at imei.info|
Verify the serial number on the box and in settings (Settings) โ The phone)|
Check the operation of all cameras and sensors|
Make sure the firmware is official (in Settings) โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI It must be a Russian or global version)-->
Should you overpay for the most expensive Xiaomi? Comparison with competitors
Letโs honestly answer the question: is the price of 150-200 thousand rubles for a Xiaomi smartphone justified? For this, we compare it with the main competitors โ Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
| Criteria | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (RF, June 2026) | 149 990 โฝ | 169 990 โฝ | 179 990 โฝ |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Apple A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Screen. | 6.73" 2K AMOLED, 120 Hz | 6.7" Super Retina XDR, 120 Hz | 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED, 120 Hz |
| Camera (main) | 50 MPP, f/1.6โ4.0, 1-inch-sensor | 48 MP, f/1.78, sensor 1/1.28โ | 200 MPP, f/1.7, sensor 1/1.3" |
| Autonomy | 5300 mAh, 90 watt charging | 4422 mAh, 20 watts of charging | 5000 mAh, 45 watts of charging |
| Ecosystem | Limited (no equivalent to AirDrop or DeX) | Best (Integration with Mac, iPad, Watch) | Good (DeX support, Samsung Pay) |
Conclusions:
In terms of performance, Xiaomi 14 Ultra is not inferior to competitors, and in some tests (for example, AnTuTu) even ahead of the iPhone due to the higher frequency of the processor.
Xiaomi is leading in night shooting and flexibility of settings (due to variable aperture), but loses to Samsung in video processing.
If you already have an Apple or Samsung device, switching to Xiaomi can be inconvenient (for example, there is no AirDrop for fast file transfer).
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra is more profitable than the iPhone 15 Pro Max in terms of price/opportunity ratio, but loses in the ecosystem and long-term support for updates (Apple gives 5-6 years of updates, Xiaomi โ 3-4 years).
Hidden costs: what else will you have to buy for the expensive Xiaomi?
Buying a top-end smartphone is just the tip of the iceberg, and to unlock its potential at 100 percent, you'll probably have to spend on accessories.
- ๐ Fast charging: Complete with Xiaomi 14 Ultra comes a 90W power supply, but for MIX Fold 3 (which supports 120 watts) will have to be purchased separately (~5 000 โฝ).
- ๐ธ Additional lenses: For serious shooting, you may need external optics (for example, Xiaomi Surge Macro Lens for 8000). โฝ).
- ๐ก๏ธ Protection: Foldable smartphones require special cases (from 3 000) โฝ) and protective films (from 2 000) โฝ). For 14 Ultra with a ceramic case, a bumper is also desirable (from 1,500). โฝ).
- ๐ง Wireless headphones: To assess the sound quality, it is better to take models with support LDAC (Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro for 12 000 โฝ).
- โ๏ธ Cloud storage: 1 TB of memory fills up quickly if you shoot video in the cloud 8K. Subscription to Mi Cloud (2TB) is worth it ~3 000 โฝ/year.
Totally, the cost of the smartphone can safely add another 15-30 thousand rubles for accessories. MIX Fold 3 (charging) + case + film + headphones will cost ~25 000 โฝ.
โ ๏ธ Warning: When buying foldable smartphone security accessories, avoid cheap counterparts! Low quality film can damage the screen loop when opened/closed. Xiaomi's original accessories are tested for 200,000 folds.
What Xiaomi offers 90% of the opportunities for half the price?
If you are afraid of price tags of 150-200 thousand, but want to get almost the same experience, there are several reasonable alternatives:
1. Xiaomi 14 Pro (from 99,990) โฝ)
Compared to 14 Ultra, here:
The same processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3)
- Screen. 2K 120 Hz with similar brightness.
The camera is worse (sensor is smaller, no variable aperture), but for most users the difference will be invisible.
Savings: 50,000 โฝ with almost identical performance.
2. Xiaomi 13T Pro (from 69,990) โฝ)
Model 2023, but with the current chipset Dimensity 9200+ And a Leica camera, though without a variable aperture, is for those who don't chase the latest in the game.
3. POCO F6 Pro (from 49,990) โฝ)
In fact, the same Redmi. K70 Pro, but with global firmware. It's the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as the 2023 flagships, but at half the price.
If your goal is maximum performance, then 14 Pro or even 13T Pro will give you 95% of the capabilities of the flagship for significantly less money.Overpaying for Ultra or Fold 3 is only justified if you are critically important:
- Folding screen (for multi-tasking).
Professional shooting (variable aperture, 1-inch sensor).
Exclusive design (ceramics, diamond cut).
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Before buying, check whether the selected model supports Russian products. 4G/5G-For example, some versions of Xiaomi 14 China does not work with the networks โBeelineโ and โTeleโ2ยป. The list of supported frequencies can be found on the FrequencyCheck website.