Introduction: Why Xiaomi in 2023?
In 2023, Xiaomi continues to hold the lead among brands offering smartphones with the optimal value for money. But the company’s range has become so wide that it is almost impossible to understand it without preparation. The flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ coexist with the budget Poco X5 and experimental Mix Fold 3 – how not to get lost in this variety?
This article will help you decide on your choices based on your priorities: whether it’s a professional camera, a week’s autonomy, or maximum performance for games. We analyzed current models, tested them in real-world conditions, compiled checklists for different categories of users, and also revealed the hidden pitfalls of Qualcomm’s new processors, which are silent reviews.
Xiaomi’s Key Trends in 2023: What to Look for
2023 brought several important changes to the line of Xiaomi smartphones:
- 🔥 New processors: all flagships switched to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, A middle segment on Dimensity 9000+ Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. This means increasing productivity on 20-30% compared 2022 year-round.
- 📸 Leica cameras: collaboration with legendary brand continues – now optimized color profiles are available even in the Redmi series.
- 🔋 Fast charging: the de facto standard — 120W for flagships and 67W But here's the caveat: not all models support wireless charging.
- 📱 Folding screens: Mix Fold 3 became the first mass folding smartphone Xiaomi with stylus support – a breakthrough for fans of multi-task.
But things aren’t so rosy, for example, the rejection of the card slot on most models above the Redmi Note could be a problem for those who store a lot of media, and MIUI updates are still delayed for budget devices.
Top.-3 Xiaomi's flagship 2023: pay up?
Xiaomi’s flagship models in 2023 fall into three categories: classic “numbered” series (Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra), experimental (Mix Fold 3) and gaming (Black Shark 6 Pro).
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Camera (main) | Charging. | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 6.73" AMOLED, 1440p, 120Hz | 50 MP (Sony IMX989) + 50 MP (ultrashir) + 50 MP (telephoto 3.2x) + 50 MP (periscope 5x) | 90W wired, 50W wireless | 99 990 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 6.73" AMOLED, 1440p, 120Hz | 50 MP (IMX989) + 50 MP (ultrashiro) + 50 MP (telephoto 3.2x) | 120W wired, 50W wireless | 79 990 ₽ |
| Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 8.03" (ext.) + 6.56" (external) AMOLED, 2K+, 120 Hz | 50 MP (IMX766) + 10 MP (telephoto 3x) + 8 MP (ultrashire) | 67W wired, 50W wireless | 129 990 ₽ |
Xiaomi 13 Ultra is the best choice for photographers thanks to four 50-megapixel modules with Leica optics and the ability to shoot in RAW format with a dynamic range of up to 14 EV. However, its weight (227 g) and dimensions make the model uncomfortable for everyday use.
The Mix Fold 3 is Xiaomi's first foldable smartphone that can really be recommended for everyday use. Its internal screen with support for the Xiaomi Smart Pen stylus turns the device into a full-fledged tablet for notes and drawing. ₽ It remains the main barrier.
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If you need a flagship, but the budget is limited to 60,000 ₽, Pay attention to Xiaomi 12T Pro – It’s Still Up to date in 2023 thanks to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and the screen on 120W charging.
Mid-segment: Best Price-Quality Relationship
The middle segment is the middle ground, where Xiaomi has traditionally been strong, and in 2023, there was a noticeable shift: processors like the Snapdragon 7.+ Gen 2 now cost less than 40,000 ₽, The cameras are close in quality to the flagships two years ago.
- 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G: Best choice for most: 200-megapixel camera (Samsung) HPX), Dimensity 1080, 120Hz screen OLED charging 120W — All for 35,000. ₽.
- 🎮 Poco F5 Pro: Game monster with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, cooling system with steam camera and 120 Hz screen, ideal for Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile.
- 🔋 Xiaomi 12 Lite: the lightest (173 g) and thinnest (7.29 mm) smartphone in the segment, suitable for those who appreciate compactness and stylish design.
The main pitfall of the mid-range is the lack of official wireless charging support (except for the Xiaomi 12 Lite), and if that’s critical, you’ll have to pay extra for the flagship or consider alternatives like the Realme GT Neo 5.
Support 5G In your region (not all models work with Russian frequencies)|Presence NFC (Redmi Note 12 does not have the base version)|Version MIUI (Chinese firmware may not support Google Services)|Warranty (official dealers give 24 months, "gray" - 12 months)-->
Budget smartphones: what are ready to go for the sake of saving
Budget segment (15 000–25 000 ₽) into 2023 Xiaomi almost completely abandoned the processors Helio G in favor of Snapdragon 4 Gen 1/2, This has increased productivity on 40%. But it had to pay for reducing the capacity of the batteries (now the standard — 5000 mAh instead of the old ones 6000 mAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh).
Best options:
- 💰 Redmi 12C: The cheapest new smartphone Xiaomi (12,990) ₽) helio G85 It's a 5,000 mAh battery, and it's good for calls and social media, but not for games.
- 📷 Redmi Note 12 5G: 48MP Night Mode Camera, Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 and 90Hz Screen.
- 🔋 Poco M5s: The only one in the Helio segment G95 and a 5,000 mAh battery + 33W Perfect for people who forget to charge their phones.
Warning: Xiaomi budget models often feature a stripped-down version of NFC (payment only, no card emulation option).If you need support for transport cards or contactless keys, check the specifications before buying.
Why is Xiaomi not using stereo speakers?
Camera comparison: what Xiaomi smartphones can do in 2023
Cameras are one of Xiaomi's key strengths in 2023.The company continues to partner with Leica, and has also implemented new processing algorithms. AI-But not all models are equally good.
Let’s see what tasks each line solves:
- 📸 Flagships (Xiaomi) 13 Ultra/Pro): support 8K@24fps, zoom 3.2x and 5x, manual settings in format RAW. Perfect for professionals.
An important nuance: in 2023, Xiaomi began to programmatically limit the capabilities of cameras in budget models. 12C physically capable of shooting video in 4K, But this feature is locked at the firmware level, and you can only unlock it through customized devices. ROM.
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If you want to prioritize the camera, you should choose Pro+ or flagship models, only those that support RAW and have optical stabilization.
Autonomy and charging: how long will your Xiaomi live
In 2023, Xiaomi made a bet on ultrafast charging, but not all innovations were useful. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra supports 90W wired charging, but its battery (5000 mAh) discharges in 6-7 hours when used actively due to the energy-intensive screen and processor.
Compare the actual autonomy of popular models:
| Model | Battery capacity | Charging. | Opening time (screen) | Full charge time. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | 5,000 mAh | 120W | 8-9 hours | 19 minutes. |
| Poco F5 Pro | 5160 mAh | 67W | 7-8 hours | 45 minutes. |
| Xiaomi 13 Lite | 4500 mAh | 67W | 5-6 hours | 40 minutes. |
Attention: ⚠️ Fast charging. 120W And it speeds up battery wear, according to our tests, after 500 Charging cycles capacity Redmi Note 12 Pro+ fall 15-20% (against 10% model 33W). If you plan to use your phone longer 2 Years - give preference to models with 67W lower.
MIUI 14: New chips and old problems
In 2023, all new Xiaomi smartphones will be launched with MIUI 14 based on Android 13.
- 🧹 Memory optimization: background processes now take up 20% less RAM.
- 🔒 Improved privacy: Incognito mode for apps (hiding notifications and activity).
- 🎨 New widgets: support for dynamic wallpaper with paralax effect.
However, problems remained:
- ❌ Advertising in system applications (e.g. Browser and Music) is still present in global firmware.
- ❌ Delayed updates: budget models (Redmi) 12C) Security patches are received late on 2-3 month.
- ❌ Restrictions for Russia: from 2023 in new devices disabled services Google Pay and Widevine L1 (no HD Netflix).
How to get around it:
- Install ADB and execute the command to disable the advert: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution
- Widevine L1 requires manual editing of the build.prop file (instructions are available on 4PDA).