What inexpensive smartphone Xiaomi Redmi to choose in 2026: comparison of the 5 best models to 20 000 ₽

Why Xiaomi Redmi is the best choice in the budget segment?

Choosing a low-cost, high-quality smartphone is a challenge today, with the market crowded with models with similar specs but very different in real performance and reliability. Among all budget brands, Xiaomi Redmi has been the leader in price-quality for many years. These smartphones offer flagship features (for example, a 120 Hz screen or a 108 MP camera) for half the cost of top models of other brands.

In 2026, the Redmi line includes more than 10 current models, but not all of them are worth your attention.We analyzed the technical specifications, user reviews and test results to select the 5 best Xiaomi Redmi smartphones up to 20,000 rubles. In this guide, you will find not only a comparison of “dry” figures, but also practical tips: what to pay attention to when buying, what “pitfalls” hide budget models and how not to overpay for unnecessary functions.

If you’re looking for a smartphone for gaming, photography, battery life, or just a reliable phone for calling and social media, this article provides answers. We’ll also explain why some Redmi models are cheaper than their counterparts (and not always due to degraded iron), and teach you how to distinguish a good deal from a disguised cat in a bag.

The criteria for choosing a budget Xiaomi Redmi: what to look for first?

Before comparing specific models, it’s important to understand which options really affect usability and which are just marketing tricks. ₽:

• 🔋 Battery and autonomy: minimum capacity of 5000 mAh. 4500 mAh models on a budget will quickly discharge when used actively. Pay attention to support for fast charging (from 18 W).
• 📱 Screen: Optimum — AMOLED frequent 90-120 Hz. IPS-They're cheaper, but they lose in contrast. HD+ (2400×1080) — minimum.
• 🎮 Processor: in 2026, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, Dimensity 6100 chips are relevant+ or Helio G99. Avoid the outdated Snapdragon 680 and Helio G88 — They're slowing down in modern games.
• 📸 Camera: budget is realistic to expect only the basic module 50-108 Additional cameras (macro, depth) are usually dummy cameras. More important is night shooting and video stabilization.
• 🔄 Software updates: Xiaomi promises 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security for most Redmi. check the date of the latest update before buying!

One of the most common myths is that the more megapixels, the better the camera. In practice, the Samsung ISOCELL JN1 (50 MP) sensor in the Redmi Note 12 shoots better than the 108 MP in the Redmi 10C due to better processing and optics. The same goes for processors: the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in benchmarks overtakes the Helio G99, but in games it can lose because of worse cooling.

⚠️ Note: Budget Redmis often come with banner ads in the MIUI. To disable them, go to Settings. → Folder "Special opportunities" → Advertisements and deactivate all switches. It won't remove the ads completely, it will reduce the number of ads.

Top.-5 Xiaomi Redmi budget in the 2026 Year: Comparison of characteristics

We selected 5 models that offer the best price and opportunity balance, all of which are officially sold in Russia, support Russian language and have a guarantee, prices are valid for June 2026 (may vary depending on the shares and regions).

At first glance, the Redmi Note 13 4G It looks like a better choice thanks to AMOLED-It's a 108 MP camera. POCO M6 The Pro with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in practice shows better performance in games, and the Redmi 12 wins in price-quality ratio. A3 — The most budgetary option, but HD+-The screen and the weak processor make it suitable for basic tasks only.

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If you need a smartphone for gaming, choose the POCO M6 Pro with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2. For photos, the Redmi Note 13 4G with a 108 MP camera is better suited.

Detailed analysis of each model: pros and cons

Redmi Note 13 4G: flagship chips in the budget

Pros:

• 📸 Best camera in the segment: 108 MP Samsung HM6 with good detail even in low light.
• 🔥 AMOLED-Dolby Vision-enabled screen with 120Hz frequency is rare for smartphones up to 20,000 ₽.
• 🔋 Rapid charging of 33 watts (full charge in 60 minutes).

Cons:

• ⚠️ Snapdragon processor 685 Outdated: Snapdragon loses in games 4 Gen 2 on 20-30%.
• 📦 The case of glossy plastic - quickly gets dirty and slides in the hand.
• 🔊 Stereo speakers are there, but the sound is "empty" at high frequencies.

This smartphone is for those who value the camera and the screen more than performance, and for social media, photography and video, it's one of the best options, but for gamers, it's better to look at the POCO M6 Pro.

POCO M6 Pro (Redmi Note 12R): the best for gaming

The model is renamed Redmi Note 12R for the European market, the main advantage is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor on a 4nm process, which is 15-20% more productive than the Snapdragon 685 in synthetic tests and 30% more productive in games (for example, in Genshin Impact keeps a stable 40 FPS at medium settings).

Pros:

• 🎮 Best performance in the segment: overtakes even some smartphones for 25,000 ₽.
• 🔋 Rapid charging of 33 watts and a large battery of 5000 mAh – enough for 1.5 days of active use.
• 📱 120 Hz screen with adaptive frequency (automatically reduces to 60 Hz for charge savings).

Cons:

• 📸 Weak camera: 64 MP OmniVision OV64B 108 MP worse in the Note 13 in detail.
• 🔊 Monodynamics – sound is quiet and muffled.
• 📦 The design is identical to the Redmi Note 12, but the body is thinner and less durable.

⚠️ Attention: In some parties POCO M6 Pro is a defect with overheating when charging. Before buying, check whether the upper part of the case warms up during charging (normal - up to 40).°C. If the temperature is above 45°C – Require a replacement under warranty.

Redmi 12: Gold balance of price and quality

If you want a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks without overpaying for chips, the Redmi 12 is ideal, and it is one of the best-selling models from 2023-2026 due to its balanced characteristics:

• 🔋 5000 mAh battery with back-charging support (can be used as a powerbank).
• 📱 Large 6.79-inch screen with a frequency of 90 Hz – comfortable for reading and video.
• 📸 50 MP main camera with good color reproduction (better than the one in the box) POCO M6 Pro).
• 💰 The lowest price of the model with FHD+-screen and 5,000 mAh battery.

The main drawback is the Helio G88 processor, which is already obsolete, it copes with social networks and YouTube, but in modern games (for example, Call of Duty Mobile) you will have to reduce the graphics to a minimum. There is also no 5G, but in 2026 this is not critical for most regions of Russia.

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If you buy a Redmi 12 for a photo, turn on the AI Improvement mode in the camera settings. It automatically adjusts exposure and colors to make your shots brighter. However, in some cases (like when shooting a sunset), the AI may overdo it — in which case turn it off.

Which Xiaomi Redmi to choose for specific tasks?

There is no universal "best" smartphone, it depends on your priorities, and we have made recommendations for different use cases:

• 🎮 For games: POCO M6 Pro (Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 + 120 Hz screen. Alternatively, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (If you are willing to pay up to 25 000 ₽).
• 📸 For photo: Redmi Note 13 4G (108 MP camera with good night shooting. for selfies better Redmi 12 (13 MP frontal versus 8 MP competitors).
• 🔋 Maximum autonomy: Redmi 12 or POCO M6 Pro (both with a 5000 mAh battery, but the second faster to charge).
• 💰 Minimum budget: Redmi A3 (8 990 ₽), But only for calls and instant messengers. For everything else, take Redmi 12.
• 📺 For TV and video series: Redmi Note 13 4G (AMOLED + Dolby Vision or POCO M6 Pro (120 Hz) + stereodynamics).

If you travel frequently, pay attention to support. NFC (It is available in all models except Redmi. A3) and the number of slots for SIM-For example, the Redmi Note 13. 4G and POCO M6 Pros have a hybrid slot (or 2). SIM, 1 SIM + MicroSD, while Redmi 12 supports 2 SIM + MicroSD simultaneously.

Make sure the model is officially shipped to Russia (check by the IMEI Xiaomi)|Check the complete set (in budget models there is often no charging in the box)|Look at the screen for broken pixels (turn on white background in settings)|Check all cameras and fingerprint scanners|Check the warranty terms (in some stores it is only valid when buying through their website)-->

Where to buy Xiaomi Redmi: official and reliable sites

In 2026, Xiaomi is officially introduced in Russia through several channels, but not all of them are equally reliable.

• 🏬 Official website of Xiaomi Russia (mi.com/ru): guarantee 12 months, original firmware, but prices are often higher than retailers.
• 🛒 M.Video/Eldorado: frequent discounts (you can buy Redmi 12 for 11 990) ₽ 12,990 ₽), Check the equipment – sometimes there is no charging.
• 📦 Wildberries/Ozon: lower 5-10%, But the risk of running into a "gray" import (check the seller - there should be an "Official Xiaomi store").
• 🌍 AliExpress: Only if you are willing to wait 2-3 For weeks and weeks, risk the guarantee, POCO M6 Pro) cheaper by 15-20%, But firmware can be global (without Russian in some menus).

Beware of "too profitable" offers on Avito or in small online stores, often under the guise of new smartphones sell:

• 🔄 Refurbished devices with a replaced battery.
• 📦 Devices with Chinese firmware (without Google Play and translation errors).
• 🔋 Smartphones with a bloated battery (check the box for bloating).

⚠️ Note: When buying on AliExpress, be sure to check with the seller the firmware version. ROM", And the reviews have complaints about the lack of Russian, which is a sign of Chinese firmware with re-flashed recover. OTA-Updates and may have problems with Google Pay.

Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi budget