Xiaomi Sub-Brands: A Complete Guide to Ecosystem Brands (2026)

Xiaomi, a Chinese giant, has long since ceased to be just a smartphone maker, and today it's an ecosystem of devices ranging from smart light bulbs to electric vehicles, combined under the umbrella brand Mi. But even within that ecosystem, there are sub-brands, self-branded brands that are owned by Xiaomi, but are positioned differently. Why did the company take this step? It's simple: to reach the maximum audience without cannibalizing its own sales.

If you’ve ever been confused about the differences between the Redmi Note 12 and Poco X5, Or you might wonder why Black Shark is sold separately from Xiaomi's core lineup -- this article is for you:

• 🔹 What are sub-brands and why do they need Xiaomi?
• 🔹 Complete list of sub-brands with their specialization
• 🔹 Key differences between Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco and others
• 🔹 Which subbrand to choose for your tasks and budget

Spoiler: Some Xiaomi sub-brands have actually ceased to exist (for example, Mi Max or Mi A), while others, on the contrary, are actively developing.

1.What are sub-brands and why are they Xiaomi?

A sub-brand is a subsidiary brand owned by the parent company, but has its own identity, target audience and promotion strategy.

• 📱 Segment the market: offer devices for different budgets and needs (budget smartphones, gaming devices, premium gadgets).
• 🛡️ Minimize risks: if one sub-brand fails, it will not hurt the reputation of the main Mi brand.
• 🔄 Testing Innovation: Black Shark was originally an experiment in the gaming smartphone niche.
• 🌍 Entering new markets: some sub-brands (like Poco) were originally designed for an international audience.

In 2019, Xiaomi decided to divide the smartphone lineup into three areas:

• Mi - flagship and premium models (series Mi 11, Mi 12).
• Redmi - budget and mid-budget smartphones (Series Note, Redmi A).
• Poco – devices with a focus on performance and price (Poco F series, Poco X).

⚠️ Note: After the 2021 rebranding, the main Mi brand was renamed simply to Xiaomi (e.g. Mi 11 became Xiaomi 12).This often causes confusion among users, especially when searching for firmware or accessories.

2.The complete list of Xiaomi sub-brands in 2026

At its peak, Xiaomi had more than 10 sub-brands, but today some of them are closed or integrated into other lines.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the brands of smart equipment, which are also owned by Xiaomi, but are not sub-brands in the classical sense:

• 💡 Yeelight - Smart Lighting.
• 🔊 Mi Sound – audio equipment (headphones, speakers).
• 🏠 Mi Home – the smart home ecosystem (now part of Xiaomi Smart Home).

3.Redmi: Budget king with ambition

Redmi is Xiaomi’s most famous and successful sub-brand, originally designed as a budget alternative to the Mi lineup, but has grown to become a full-fledged brand with its own flagships (like Redmi). K60 Pro).

Key features of Redmi:

• 💰 Price policy: devices cheaper than Xiaomi analogues by 20-30% with similar characteristics.
• 🔋 Battery: almost all models are equipped with batteries for 5000-6000 mAh.
• 📸 Cameras: Use sensors from Sony or Samsung, but with software optimization on budget.
• 🛠️ Repairability: It is easier to find parts and service centers than for Poco or Black Shark.

The most popular Redmi series:

• Redmi Note – Best Price/Quality Rate (for example, Note 12 Pro)+ 200MP camera).
• Redmi A – over budget smartphones (price from 7000) ₽).
• Redmi K – “Flagship Killers, K50 Gaming with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor).

⚠️ Note: Redmi smartphones are often sold under a different name in different regions. 5G It's called Poco in India. X4 Pro 5G — It's the same device with different branding!

Check the box for holograms with the Xiaomi logo|

Compare. IMEI on the box and on the phone (*#06#)|

Make sure the firmware MIUI original (in Settings) → The phone)|

Buying in the official store Xiaomi device must have a warranty of 12+ months-->

4.Poco: Performance without overpayment

Poco is a sub-brand that was originally created for the international market as a response to criticism against Xiaomi for “bloated” software. MIUI. The first model is Poco. F1 (2018 – became a legend thanks to the Snapdragon 845 processor for 20,000 ₽.

Today, Poco is positioned as a brand for enthusiasts and gamers who want maximum performance for minimal money.

• ⚡ More powerful processors: for example, Poco F5 Getting Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, while Redmi Note 12 Pro+ — MediaTek Dimensity 1080.
• 🎮 Optimization for games: there is a Game Turbo mode in the firmware, and the screen supports frequency 120/144 Hz.
• 🔄 Cleaner firmware: Poco has fewer pre-installed apps than Redmi.
• 🔥 Design: often used aggressive colors (yellow, orange) and RGB-lighting.

However, Poco has its downsides:

• 📉 Weak camera compared to Redmi or Xiaomi’s core lineup.
• 🔋 Lower battery capacity (often 4500-5000 mAh vs. 5000-6000 for Redmi).
• 🛠️ Harder to repair: Poco parts sometimes have to be ordered from abroad.

💡

If you need a smartphone for gaming, but do not want to overpay for Black Shark, pay attention to Poco F5 or Redmi K60 — They support triggers (virtual buttons on the screen) and have a cooling system with heat tubes.

5.Black Shark: A Gamer Experiment That Failed

Black Shark is the only Xiaomi sub-brand that specializes exclusively in gaming smartphones, the first model (Black Shark 1) was released in 2018 and offered:

• 🎮 Physical triggers (analog buttons on the body).
• 🔥 Liquid cooling to prevent trottling.
• 🖥️ A screen with a frequency of 120 Hz (at that time, it was rare even for flagships).
• 🔋 Accessories: Black Shark FunCooler and GamePad 3.0 controller.

However, the project was unprofitable for several reasons:

• 💸 High price: Black Shark 5 Pro was worth it ~60 000 ₽, Which is comparable to flagships ASUS ROG Phone or Nubia Red Magic.
• 📉 Low demand: gaming smartphones have not become mainstream.
• 🔄 Competition within the ecosystem: Poco and Redmi K offer similar opportunities for cheaper use.

The last model was the Black Shark 5. RS (In 2023, Xiaomi officially closed the project, but support for existing devices continues (updates) MIUI still out).

💡

If you need a gaming smartphone from Xiaomi, today the best choice is Redmi. K60 Pro or Poco F5 They do not have physical triggers, but the performance is not inferior to Black Shark, and cost 1.5-2 times cheaper.

6. Which Xiaomi sub-brand to choose in 2026?

The choice of sub-brand depends on your budget, tasks and preferences.

If you are in doubt between Redmi and Poco, answer two questions:

1. Do you need a good camera? → Choose Redmi.
2. Is maximum performance important in games? → Take Poco.

⚠️ Note: Pay attention to regional firmware when buying Poco and Redmi smartphones for India (marking) IN) They often don’t support the Russians. 4G-Band 7, Band 20, check compatibility on Kimovil.

7. The future of Xiaomi sub-brands: what to expect?

In 2026, Xiaomi will continue to simplify its structure.

• 🔄 Redmi and Poco will remain the main sub-brands, but their lineups will be even more divided by target audience.
• 🚗 New sub-brand for electric vehicles: Xiaomi announced the release of Xiaomi SU7 (2026), but it is not yet clear whether it will become a separate brand.
• 💻 Mi Notebook: after a pause, Xiaomi may revive the line of laptops under a new name.
• 📺 Smart appliances: Yeelight and Mi Home brands are gradually integrated under the single name Xiaomi Smart Home.

Most important trend: Xiaomi is actively reducing the number of sub-brands to avoid confusion among customers. CC, Black Shark has effectively ceased to exist, and Poco may also be taken over by Redmi or Xiaomi’s main brand in the future.

What does this mean for buyers?

• ✅ Less confusion when choosing a device.
• ❌ Fewer unique features: sub-brands lose their identity.
• 🔄 More unification: firmware, accessories and service will be interchangeable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi sub-brands