What Xiaomi smartphone to buy in 2026: comparison of models by task and budget

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 is not an easy task. The brand offers dozens of models, from budget Redmi to premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and it is difficult to understand their differences without expert help. Some users are looking for a powerful processor for games, others are looking for a DSLR camera, and thirdly, autonomy for a week is important. At the same time, even in one price segment you can find 3-4 competing models with different “chips”.

In this guide, we will analyze the current Xiaomi model range, break it down by tasks (games, photography, long work without an outlet) and budgets (up to 15 000). ₽, 20 000–40 000 ₽, You will learn which Qualcomm and MediaTek chips are really worth their price in 2026, why Xiaomi is the best choice for the future. 13T It can be more profitable than the flagship Xiaomi 14 for most users, and what pitfalls are fraught with budget POCO. And also, honest tests of autonomy, screen comparisons (AMOLED vs IPS) Tips on how not to overpay for unnecessary functions.

1. Key criteria for choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026

Before you compare specific models, you need to prioritize them.

• 🔋 Autonomy: For most users, a 5,000 mAh battery + fast-charging (67W+) — The exception is ultra-compact models like Xiaomi 13 Mini (4500 mAh).
• 🎮 Performance: Snapdragon is needed for games and heavy tasks 8 Gen 2/3 or Dimensity 9200+. For social networks and video enough Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2.
• 📸 Camera: Flagship modules (e.g., Leica optics in Xiaomi 13 Ultra) are only justified for professional shooting. In everyday life, the difference between the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ And Xiaomi 14 is minimal.
• 💰 Budget: Optimal price/quality ratio in the range of 25,000-35,000 ₽. Budget up to 15,000 ₽ narrows down POCO M6 Pro and Redmi 12.

Note the software support: Xiaomi promises 4 years of updates for flagships (Xiaomi 13/14) and 2-3 years for the mid-range. Budget models (Redmi 12C) often remain without updates after a year.

⚠️ Attention: B 2026 Xiaomi is cutting back on the package, and the box with most models (except flagships) no longer has a charger. 67W/120W it's worth it 3 000 ₽.

2 Budget up to 15,000 ₽: What Xiaomi smartphones should be considered

The segment is dominated by sub-brands Redmi and POCO, with the plastic case, HD+/FHD+ screen (but not AMOLED) and entry-level processors being the main trade-off, but even here there are decent options:

Best pick in the segment — POCO M6 Pro. Despite its plastic body, it offers a 120Hz display, fast charging and a modern Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip that can even handle light games (like Genshin Impact at low settings). 4G stand out AMOLED-screen, but loses in performance.

⚠️ Note: In budget smartphones Xiaomi often save on NFC. If you need contactless payments, check the chip in the model specifications.

3. Mid-segment (20,000-40,000) ₽): Optimal Price/Quality Relationship

Here are the most balanced models: AMOLED-screens, powerful chips and cameras, not inferior to the flagships 2-It's a summer ago.-3 variant:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13T: Dimensity 8200-Ultra, Leica camera (200 MP), screen 6.67" AMOLED (144 Hz Price: ~35 000 ₽.
• 🎯 Redmi K60: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 5,500 mAh, 120W The best choice for gamers. The price: ~32 000 ₽.
• 💎 POCO F5 Pro: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 6.67" AMOLED (120 Hz), 67W. Redmi analogue K60, but cheaper by 3 to 5 thousand. ₽.

The Xiaomi 13T is the only model in this segment with Leica branded optics, making it the best choice for photography.The Redmi K60 and POCO F5 Pro are identical in hardware, but the second is often cheaper due to the lesser fame of the POCO brand.

Comparison of cameras (based on DxOMark test results):

• Xiaomi 13T: 125 points (best in the segment)
• Redmi K60: 108 points.
• POCO F5 Pro: 108 points (identical to K60)

4. Xiaomi flagships (from 60,000) ₽): overpay?

The flagship models Xiaomi 14, 14 Pro and 14 Ultra offer top performance, but their purchase is justified by far not everyone.

Who needs a flagship?

• 🎥 Professional photographers (especially Xiaomi 14 Ultra with 4 cameras and optical zoom) 3.2x).
• 🎮 Gamers playing Genshin Impact/Call of Duty Mobile on maximum settings.
• 💼 Those who want maximum productivity 3-4 years ahead.

For the rest of Xiaomi 13T or Redmi K60 They are more reasonable – they are cheaper by 30 to 50 thousand. ₽, In everyday tasks, the difference is not noticeable.

5. Xiaomi vs POCO Comparison: What’s the Difference and What to Choose

POCO, a sub-brand of Xiaomi originally marketed as a “flagship killer” (cheap smartphones with top-end hardware), is now blurred, but key differences remain:

• 💰 Price: Models POCO usually 10–15% cheaper Redmi/Xiaomi same-iron".
• 🔄 Updates: POCO Gets updates less often and later, POCO F5 Updated to Android 14 3 months later than Redmi K60.
• 🛠️ Service: Warranty service POCO Not available in all cities of Russia (unlike the Xiaomi/Redmi).

Examples of identical models under different brands:

• POCO F5 Pro = Redmi K60 (same smartphone, different names)
• POCO X5 Pro = Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (excellence only in firmware).

Conclusion: If you want to save money and you’re willing to put up with less stable updates, go for POCO. For long-term use, you’d better choose Redmi or Xiaomi.

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POCO is better when buying, but it loses in support, and the best option is to take POCO for yourself and Xiaomi/Redmi as a gift.

6 How not to make a mistake with the choice: checklist before buying

Before you click on "Buy", check:

1. Compatible with your carrier (some models do not support VoLTE for Tele2/Iota).
2. NFC (in budget models it is often absent).
3. Screen Type: AMOLED is preferred over IPS for comfortable reading.
4. The warranty period (in official Xiaomi stores – 12 months, unofficial sellers may be less).

Note regional firmware: Smartphones for China (marked CN) do not have Google Play and do not support all 4G/5G bands in Russia, the best option is the global version (Global) or Euroweight (EEA).

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Before buying, check the IMEI smartphone on the site imei.info – this will help to avoid fakes and “gray” devices with unofficial firmware.

7. Frequent mistakes when choosing a Xiaomi smartphone

Even experienced users sometimes fall for marketing tricks, and this is what is most often the cause of frustration:

• 📉 Chasing Megapixels: Xiaomi Camera 13T (200 MP) in real conditions is not much different from the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (200 MP) More important is matrix size and software processing.
• ⚡ Belief in a "perpetual" battery: Even 5500 mAh will last 1.5-2 days only with moderate use. Intense games / video will discharge any smartphone in 6-8 hours.
• 🔄 Ignoring updates: Budget models (Redmi) 10A) Android 11 is often used, although Android 14 is already relevant at the time of purchase.

Another common mistake is to buy a smartphone in stock, like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra for YouTube, which is like driving a Ferrari to buy bread.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions