What inexpensive smartphone Xiaomi to buy in 2026: 7 best options up to 20 000 rubles

Xiaomi budget: how not to make a mistake with the choice

Choosing a low-cost but high-quality Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 is a tough task, with models with similar specs but radically different user experiences flooding the market, some devices warming up like irons, others slowing down after a month of use, and still others not getting upgrades at all. How in the midst of this chaos can you find a smartphone that lasts more than a year and doesn't disappoint?

In this article, we analyzed the top 7 budget Xiaomi smartphones (including sub-brands Redmi and POCO) costing up to 20,000 rubles, taking into account not only “paper” characteristics, but also real tests of performance, screen quality and autonomy. Particular attention was paid to the current problems of budget Xiaomi: slow eMMC storage, lack of support for 5G in basic models and “gray” firmware. Spoiler: even in this segment there are devices with UFS 2.2 and 120 Hz screens – the main thing is to know where to look.

Before you go into specific models, answer three key questions:

• 🔋 Autonomy over performance? If so, 5,000-battery models should be a priority.+ Mac and Helio G series processors.
• 📸 Budget Xiaomi rarely shines with cameras, but some models (like the Redmi Note 12) 5G) have a tolerable main module for 48 MP.
• 🎮 For light games (Brawl Stars, Call of Duty Mobile) will be enough Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, but for Genshin Impact will have to fork out for the first time. POCO X5.

TOP-7 budget smartphones Xiaomi in 2026: a comparative table

To avoid reading long descriptions, first look at the pivot table, which contains key parameters that directly affect the user experience: memory type, screen frequency, 5G support and updates relevance. Note the "Main minus" column, which are the disadvantages that appear after 1-2 months of use.

Critical point: if the table indicates eMMC 5.1, this means that the smartphone will slow down when installing applications and updates. UFS 2.2.

1. POCO X5 5G – the best balance of price and performance

If your budget is approaching 19 000 ruble, POCO X5 5G — It's the only smartphone in this segment that has the AMOLED-screen-screen 120 Hz, Snapdragon processor 695 and quick memory UFS 2.2. In games, he shows stable 40-50 FPS Call of Duty Mobile is medium-sized, and does not slow down in everyday tasks even after a year of use.

The downsides are the mid-facing camera (only 8 MP) and the lack of stereo speakers (only sound coming from the bottom speaker). NFC for contactless payments and IR-A 5,000mAh battery holds a charge for 1.5 days in moderate use, and a 33-watt charge fills it in 60 minutes.

Make sure the model supports 5G in your area (check the frequencies on the operator's website)|

Check the processor series in settings (Settings → About phone → Processor model) - should be SDM695|

Pay attention to the firmware version (current - MIUI 14 based on Android 13)|

View reviews about a particular seller (sometimes you come across "gray" devices without Russian language)-->

2. Redmi Note 12 5G — AMOLED 120 Hz for 16,000. ₽

Redmi Note 12 5G — This is a rare case where Xiaomi offers a AMOLED-120Hz screen in the budget segment. POCO X5, It has a more modern design (glass back) and a better main camera (48 MP with Samsung optics:

1. Overheating when charging. Due to the compact body and powerful processor Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 phone heats up to 45 ° C when fast charging.
2. Weak vibrator, tactile recoil is so weak that you can skip notifications.

If these flaws aren’t critical, the Redmi Note 12 5G will be a great choice for those who appreciate a quality screen and modern design, and by the way, this model is one of the few on the budget that receives MIUI updates longer than 2 years.

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To reduce the Redmi Note 12 5G heating when charging, turn off the Fast Charging feature in the battery settings. Charging will take longer, but the temperature will remain within 35-40 °C.

3. Redmi 12 is the cheapest smartphone with a large screen

With a price tag of 13 990 rubles, Redmi 12 is one of the most affordable Xiaomi smartphones with a 90-hertz screen and a battery of 5000 mAh. It has a Helio G88 processor that copes with everyday tasks, but noticeably loses to Snapdragon models in performance.

The main problem with Redmi 12 is the slow memory of eMMC 5.1, which means that:

• 🐢 Applications are opened with a delay in 1-2 seconds.
• 📥 System updates are installed up to 10 minutes.
• 🎮 Games like this PUBG Mobile loads textures with lags.

If you need a smartphone for calls, social networks and YouTube – Redmi 12 For everything else, you'd better pay extra. 2-3 And take a model with thousands. UFS.

4. POCO M6 Pro – Note 12 alternative with better processor

The POCO M6 Pro is often compared to the Redmi Note 12, but it has two key advantages:

1. The Helio G99 processor is more powerful than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 in gaming and multitasking.

But for these advantages, they had to sacrifice. AMOLED-screen (here) IPS It's mediocre color reproduction and design (all plastic body), if you're more concerned with performance than appearance — POCO M6 Pro wins over Redmi Note 12.

Note that in some stores, the POCO M6 Pro is sold under the name Redmi Note 12R (for the Chinese market). This is the same model, but with a different firmware.

5. Xiaomi Redmi A2+ — For those who need a 10,000-dollar phone call ₽

If your budget is strictly limited to 10,000 rubles, the Redmi A2+ is one of the few options with acceptable build quality, with a weak Helio G36 processor, a 60-hertz screen and only 3 GB of RAM, but:

• 🔋 5000 mAh battery holds 2 days in call/messaging mode.
• 📶 There is a jack for 3.5 mm headphones (rare in 2026).
• 💳 Supports NFC card-pay.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi A2+ It runs on an outdated version of Android 12 and is unlikely to receive an update to Android 14. If you are interested in the relevance of the software, consider used models from older lines.

What to Buy: 3 Disappointing Models

Not all Xiaomi budgets are worth seeing, but here are three models that are best avoided despite the price tag:

1. Redmi 10A (2022 – obsolete Helio G25, 720p-The screen and eMMC memory make it unsuitable for basic tasks.

If you are offered one of these models for the promotion, remember: saving 1-2 thousand rubles will turn into a disappointment in a month, it is better to pay a little extra and take something from our TOP-7.

Where to buy: official shops vs marketplaces

The price of the same smartphone can vary by 10-15% depending on where you buy it.

⚠️ Note: When buying on marketplaces, always check: 📄 Russian firmware (the description should indicate "Global Version"). 🔧 Availability of a warranty card (without it, the service center will refuse repairs). 📦 Package (some sellers save on charging or cable).

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Never buy Xiaomi marked “For China” or “China ROM” because these devices do not support Google Services, have Cyrillic instead of Russian, and are not updated through official channels.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi budget smartphones