Xiaomi Redmi S2: how much it costs in 2026 and where to buy at the best price

Why is the Redmi S2 still relevant in 2026?

Xiaomi Redmi S2, launched in May 2018, is still in demand in the secondary market. Despite the age of the mobile industry, the model attracts customers on a budget due to balanced performance and proven reliability. In an era when flagship devices are like a used car, the Redmi S2 offers basic functionality for a symbolic price - ideal for elderly relatives, a backup phone or the first gadget for a teenager.

However, the price of this model can vary depending on the condition, configuration and place of purchase. In 2026, the range of cost reaches 30-50% - from 3,000 to 7,000 rubles per used device depending on the region and the seller. In this article, we will analyze all factors affecting the price, compare offers in different stores and give recommendations on how to buy the Redmi S2 as profitable as possible, avoiding fraud.

Xiaomi Redmi S2: What you get for the money

Before we talk about price, let’s take a look at the technical options offered by the model. The Redmi S2 was marketed as a budget smartphone with a focus on photos — a rare combination for its segment in 2018.

• 📱 Screen: 5.99" HD+ (1440×720), ratio 18:9, Gorilla Glass protection (unspecified version).
• 🤖 Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (8 cores, 2.0 GHz) – one of the most energy-efficient chipsets of its time.
• 📸 Cameras: The main double: 12 MPP (f/2.2) + 5 MP (depth of field), phase autofocus, LED-Frontal flash: 16 MP with soft flash and support for background blur.
• 🔋 Battery: 3080 mAh with support for fast charging (5V/2A).
• 💾 Memory: Running: 3GB or 4GB (depending on version) Built-in: 32GB or 64GB + microSD slot up to 256 GB.
• 📶 Connection: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS/GLONASS, plug. 3.5 mm for headphones.

At the time of the Redmi release S2 It cost about 10,000-12,000 rubles in Russia, and today it's 2-3 times cheaper, but with inflation and component wear, the real savings are not as great as they seem. For example, a battery after 5-6 years of use loses up to 40% of capacity, and a display with a resolution. HD+ It looks archaic against the background of modern Full HD+ screen.

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Before buying a used Redmi S2, be sure to check the battery status through the AccuBattery application or enter the code ##4636## → “Battery Information” in the engineering menu. A capacity below 2000 mAh is an excuse to bargain or refuse the deal.

How much is Xiaomi Redmi S2 in 2026: price comparison

Pricing in the secondary market depends on three key factors: condition of the device, configuration and place of sale. Below is the current table of average prices as of June 2026 (in rubles):

It is important to note that prices on platforms like Avito or Yula are often overpriced. 10–20% — The real value can be determined by the history of sales (for example, in telegram channels such as the "bad" segment). @avito_sdelki) And the region also has an impact: in Moscow and St. Petersburg, phones are cheaper than in the world. 15–25%, more than in small towns.

Where to buy Xiaomi Redmi S2 cheaper: TOP-5 proven places

The choice of a site for purchase directly affects the final cost and risks, and we analyzed the main options and identified their pros and cons:

1. Avito/Yula ✅ Wide choice, possibility of bargaining, reviews about sellers. ❌ High risk of fraud (check out) IMEI via imei.info!).
2. Telegram chats and channels (e.g, @b_u_phones) ✅ Prices below market for 10–30%, often sell "wholesales". ❌ No guarantees, it is difficult to return money when cheating.
3. Specialized used stores (e.g. Refurbed, Back Market) ✅ 12-24 months warranty, checked condition. ❌ Prices are 20-40% higher than those of private".
4. Social networks (Vkontakte, Facebook Marketplace) ✅ You can see the profile of the seller, assess his activity. ❌ Many dealers who overprice.
5. Familiar or local forums ✅ Minimum risks, the ability to check the phone before payment. ❌ Limited choice, long waiting for the right option.

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The safest option is to buy from specialty used stores with a guarantee, the cheapest is Telegram channels, but only for experienced users who are ready for risks.

If you choose Avito or Yula, be sure to follow this checklist:

Hidden expenses: what else will you have to spend after buying

The price of the phone is just the tip of the iceberg: When you buy a Xiaomi Redmi S2 in 2026, be prepared for the extra cost:

• 🔧 Repair or replacement of the battery: 1,500-2,500 rubles (the original battery will cost more than a fake, but will last longer).
• 🛡️ Case and protective glass: 300-1000 rubles (for the model of 2018 to choose accessories more difficult than for new smartphones).
• 🔄 Update firmware: free, but it may be necessary to unlock the bootloader (risk of "bricking" the device).
• 📶 Replacement SIM-Nano-SIM cards: if you still have an old micro-SIM, trimming or replacing will cost 100-300 rubles.
• 💾 MicroSD card: 500-1 500 rubles for 64-128 GB (if the internal memory is not enough).

The latest official version of MIUI for Redmi S2 is MIUI 12.5 based on Android 9. This means that many modern applications (such as banking) may not update or work with bugs. The alternative is custom firmware like LineageOS, but installing them requires skill and voids the warranty (if it is still valid).

Another hidden expense is platform fees, such as 2-4 percent of the amount charged on Avito when paying with a card via Secure Deal, and Telegram channels often require prepayment on Qiwi or YuMoney, where the fee is 5-7 percent.

Redmi S2 vs. modern state employees: should you overpay?

In 2026, for the same 5,000-7,000 rubles that are asked for the Redmi S2, you can buy a new smartphone with more relevant characteristics.

So why are Redmi S2s still being bought? Here's the argument for it:

• ✅ Dual camera with phase autofocus – a rarity in the budget up to 5 000 rubles.
• ✅ Snapdragon 625 is one of the most stable and durable chipsets of its time.
• ✅ 3.5 mm connector and IR port (DU remote) – useful chips that disappeared in the new models.
• ✅ Easy to repair: spare parts are cheap and common.

But there are also critical shortcomings:

⚠️ Attention: Redmi S2 does not support modern security standards (for example, Google Play Protect may block the installation of certain applications). L1, What is the low quality of the streaming in Netflix/YouTube (maximum 480p).

How not to run into scammers: 5 signs of deception

The used smartphone market is teeming with unscrupulous sellers, and here are the typical cheating schemes for buying Xiaomi Redmi S2 and how to avoid them:

1. "Phone as new but without a box" Often under this pretext sell devices with replaced components (for example, a battery from Redmi Note 5, which looks similar, but has a different capacity). How to check: Ask for a photo of the internal sticker under the battery (it shows the model and serial number).
2. "IMEI is clean, but the phone is locked" The seller can hide that the device is blacklisted by the operator (stolen or unpaid). How to check: Enter IMEI on the site sndeep.info or imei.info.
3. "Custom firmware, works faster" Often this means pirated firmware with viruses or spyware. How to check: Check the hash of the firmware through Fastboot or request a screenshot from Settings → About the phone.
4. "Battery holds well." Without instrumental testing, this statement costs nothing. The battery could have been replaced with a cheap one. How do you check: Use AccuBattery or CPU-Z applications?
5. "European Phone" Can sell a device with unofficial firmware (e.g., Chinese) that does not work Google services. How to check: In settings, look for the firmware region (Settings → Additional → Region).

⚠️ Note: If the seller refuses to show the phone in the enabled state or asks for an advance payment, this is 100% a fraud. Also beware if the ad indicates that the phone is “root-rights” or “unlocked bootloader” – this could mean that the device was in repair or was used to mine cryptocurrency.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the purchase of Xiaomi Redmi S2