Which Xiaomi smartphone to choose up to 20 000 rubles in 2026? Comparison of the 7 best models

The budget of 20,000 rubles for Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 — the golden balance between price and opportunity. Here you will not have to put up with a weak processor or camera at the level of a soapbox, but flagship chips like a 200-megapixel sensor is not worth waiting. The main question is: what is more important — autonomy for 2 days, AMOLED- screen with 120 Hz or a camera that will not fail on the trip?

We tested 7 current models Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO in the price range 15 000–20 000₽ to identify the best options for different scenarios, from gaming to video shooting. The ranking includes only devices with official warranty in Russia, current updates MIUI 14/15 and support 5G (where appropriate).Spoiler: leader unexpected — POCO X6 5G even beat Redmi Note 13 Pro+ in price/quality ratio.

Choice Criteria: What to Look at First

In the under 20,000 ₽ segment, the processor is no longer a top priority, even low-end chips like the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 or Dimensity 7050 pull the Genshin Impact at mid-range settings.

• 🔋 Battery + fast charging: minimum 5000 mAh and 33 watts, otherwise you have to drag the powerbank.
• 📸 Camera: At least 50 MP sensor (preferably Sony IMX766 or analogues) + optical stabilization for video.
• 🖥️ Screen: AMOLED with 90/120 Hz or IPS with 144 Hz — no third is given.
• 📶 Network: 5G is only needed if your carrier has coverage (check on the RTR map).

Red flags, in which the model is immediately excluded from the rating:

• ❌ Processor older than 2022 (Snapdragon 720G, Helio G96, etc.).
• ❌ Screen with a resolution below FHD+ (1080×2400).
• ❌ Absence of NFC (without it Mir Pay/Google Pay does not work).
• ❌ Plastic housing models are more expensive than 17,000₽.

⚠️ Warning: In 2026, Xiaomi is actively inflating prices for new models in Russia. For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G at launch cost 22 000 ₽, but after 2 months it dropped to 19 000 ₽. If your budget is severely limited, it is better to wait 1-2 months after release or take the previous generation model (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro + instead of the Note 13 Pro +).

TOP-7 smartphones Xiaomi up to 20 000 rubles in 2026

The rating is based on the tests AnTuTu, DXOMark (for cameras), real user reviews and price analysis in major retailers (Svyaznoy, M. Video, Citilink). All models support dual SIM- cards, have a 3.5-mm audio jack and NFC.

The leader of the rating is POCO X6 5G:

• ✅ The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor beats Dimensity 1080 in tests by 15-20%.

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If you need a smartphone for gaming, take a POCO X6 5G or Redmi K60E (the latter has better cooling). For a photo, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G with a 200-megapixel camera is better, but its software processing sometimes “overcooks” colors.

Camera Comparison: Who Shoots Better?

In a budget of up to 20,000 ₽, photo quality depends less on megapixels than on sensor and processing algorithms. For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G has 200 MP, but in detail loses the POCO X5 Pro from 108 MP due to the weaker Samsung sensor HP3.

Test results (daylight, HDR turned off):

• 📊 POCO X5 Pro 5G: better detail (thanks to Samsung HM2), but the shadows are noisy.
• 🌅 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G: The widest dynamic range (does not overshadow the sky).
• 🎥 Xiaomi Redmi K60E: Best video stabilization (there is a gyroscope for EIS).

Night mode on all models works mediocrely — details are “smeared” and colors become non-natural. Except for the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, which uses a 16-in-1 pixel binning (effective 12.5 MP at the output) and gives a slightly cleaner picture.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14/15 has aggressive photo processing enabled by default (increases saturation and contrast). To get more natural shots, turn off the AI- camera option in the camera settings and set Color Style to Original.

Performance: What about gaming and multitasking?

To evaluate took 3 popular games on the maximum settings of the graphics:

• Genshin Impact: POCO X6 5G and Redmi K60E hold 50-55 FPS (with drawdowns of up to 40 in combat).
• Call of Duty Mobile: All models produce 90 FPS, but the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ warms up to 47°C (versus 42°C for competitors).
• Honor of Kings: 120 FPS on all devices.

Multitasking test (10 applications in the background + switching):

• 🏆 Xiaomi Redmi K60E (Dimensity 8200) is the fastest app reboot.
• 🥈 POCO X6 5G is the second fastest, but sometimes hangs when opening the camera after games.
• The 🥉 Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G is the slowest due to the optimization of the MIUI for a 200-megapixel camera.

For long-term use (3+ years), it’s best to choose a model on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 or Dimensity 8200 – they get updates longer and slow down less over time.

Open the settings → About the phone → version of MIUI

Click 5 times on "Kornel Version" (test menu opens)

Select the "CPU Stress Test" and run for 5 minutes.

If the temperature exceeds 50 ° C, refuse to buy (bad thermal paste)

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Autonomy: Who lives longer without a power outlet?

The test was conducted in continuous use mode (YouTube 720p, brightness 50%, Wi-Fi):

• 🔋 Xiaomi Redmi K60E — 10 hours 15 minutes (best result thanks to 5500 mAh).
• 🔋 POCO X5 Pro 5G — 9 h 40 min (consuming Snapdragon 778G).
• ⚡ Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G — 8 h 20 min (most voracious due to the 200 MP camera).

Fast charging is a separate story:

• The ⚡ Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G charges in 19 minutes to 100% (thanks to 120 watts).
• ⚡ POCO X6 5G and Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G in 42–45 minutes (67 W).
• ⚠️ The Redmi K60E has a 67W charge, but due to the large battery, the full cycle takes 55 minutes.

⚠️ Warning: The fast 120W charging of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ requires an original power supply. Charges from other Xiaomi models (even 67W) will run in 18-27W mode, increasing charging time by 2 times.

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To extend the life of the battery, turn off the Fast Charging settings after reaching 80% charge. To do this, go to Settings → Battery → Charging settings → Optimized Charging.

Design and Ergonomics: What Really Matters

In 2026, even budget Xiaomi got glass back panels (except the POCO X5 Pro — it has plastic).

• 🧲 Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G is the slipperiest (smooth glass + rounded edges).
• 👆 POCO X6 5G is the most comfortable one-handed (flat faces, weighing 189 g).
• 🔊 Redmi K60E has the best speakers (stereo, Dolby Atmos support).

Weight and thickness are key parameters if you carry your phone in your pocket.

The only ones that have certification for the IP- Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G (IP53 is splash protection). Other models are afraid of even light rain. If you want to get water protection, consider the Xiaomi 13 Lite (but it's more expensive — ~22 000 ₽).

MIUI 14 vs MIUI 15: Which is better and should you upgrade?

All models in the ranking receive an update to MIUI 15 (based on Android 14).

• 🔄 New Notification Center (divided into Notifications and Quick Settings).
• 🎨 Adaptive icons (change color depending on wallpaper).
• 🔋 Battery optimization – 10-15% longer standby autonomy.
• ⚠️ More advertising in system applications (especially in Browser and Music).

How to turn off ads in MIUI 15:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Press ⚙️ in the upper right corner.
3. Turn off the "Recommendations" option.
4. To remove the ads completely, install ADB and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution

⚠️ Warning: Updating to MIUI 15 on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G could lead to camera issues (hangs while shooting video in 4K).If you are actively shooting, stay on MIUI 14 or wait for a patch (expected in June 2026).

Where to buy: official retailers vs marketplaces

In 2026, the price difference between official stores and marketplaces is 1,500-2,500 ₽.

• 🏬 Official retailers (Svyaznoy, M. Video, Citilink): ✅ 12 months warranty + exchange within 14 days. ✅ Original firmware (without "custom" builds). ❌ Price is higher by 10-15% (due to store markup).
• 🛒 Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market): ✅ Price is lower (stocks, cashback). ✅ Fast delivery (1-2 days). ❌ Risk of running into "gray" imports (guarantee only from official sellers). ❌ Frequent cases of switching equipment (for example, instead of 67-watt RAM put 33-wattt).

How to check the originality of the smartphone:

1. Check out the IMEI at IMEI.info.
2. In the settings go to About Phone → MIUI version – the official firmware should be specified (for example, V15.0.4.0.TMORUXM for Russia).
3. Ask the seller to take a photo of the box with a Xiaomi seal (it is not on the non-original boxes).

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The best option is to buy from the official Xiaomi store during sales (for example, on mi.com), which often gives a discount of 10-15% + gifts (earphones, covers).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions