What is the difference between Xiaomi devices: a detailed guide to the model lines of 2026

Xiaomi has grown from a niche Chinese brand to a global giant that produces not only smartphones but also smart appliances, from robot vacuum cleaners to electric scooters, but the main confusion among buyers arises with smartphones: What do the names of Redmi mean, POCO, Mi or Black Shark: Why are models worth 10,000? ₽, And the others are 100,000. ₽ similarity?

In this article, we will explore Xiaomi’s unique device segmentation strategy, which is radically different from Samsung’s or Apple’s, how to name a model to determine its class, which chipsets are used in different lines, and why even the budget Redmi Note 13 can overtake the flagship iPhone 11 in performance, and also reveal the secrets of Xiaomi’s marketing, which many overpay for unnecessary features.

1. Xiaomi's Major Brands: Who's Who in 2026

Xiaomi operates multiple sub-brands, each targeted at a different audience, and it’s not just a marketing ploy, but each name is backed by specific technical solutions, price frames, and even a geographic sales geography.

For example, Redmi was originally marketed as a budget lineup, but today it's a mid-range brand with top-end processors, and POCO, which was once part of Redmi, now exists separately and specializes in killer specs for minimal money. Let's get a little bit more into it.

• 📱 Xiaomi (Mi) – flagship and premium smartphones with advanced technologies (folding screens, ceramic cases, cooperation with Leica). Examples: Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi MIX Fold 3.
• 💰 Redmi is a mass segment from budget to mid-budget devices, and it has the widest range: Redmi Note (the best-selling), Redmi A (ultrabudget), Redmi K (production).
• 🎮 POCO — Devices for gamers and enthusiasts with a focus on performance and price: POCO F6 Pro, POCO X6 Neo.
• 🕹️ Black Shark – Specialized gaming smartphones with physical triggers, active cooling and exclusive chipsets. Example: Black Shark 6 Pro.

⚠️ Note: Since 2023, Xiaomi has started to eliminate the “Mi” in the names of flagships. now they are simply called Xiaomi 14, not Xiaomi Mi 14!

2.CPUs: Why Redmi might have a better chip than Xiaomi

One of the most confusing topics is the chipsets in Xiaomi devices, because the brand is actively using the strategy of “reuse” of processors between the lines, for example, the flagship chip Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 can be found in the Xiaomi 13 Pro for 100 000. ₽, ot POCO F5 Pro for $40,000. ₽. The difference will be in cooling, optimization and additional chips.

Here’s how processors are distributed across the lineups in 2026:

• 🔥 Flagship chipsets (Snapdragon) 8 Gen 3, Dimensity 9300): Xiaomi only 14 and Black Shark. POCO appear late in 6-12 months.
• ⚡ Subflagships (Snapdragon 7)+ Gen 3, Dimensity 9200+): Redmi K70, POCO F6 Pro, sometimes Xiaomi Civi.
• ⚖️ Mid-segment (Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Dimensity 7200): Redmi Note 13 Pro, POCO X6.
• 💰 Budget (Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, Helio) G99): Redmi 13C, POCO M6.

An important nuance: Xiaomi often artificially limits performance in budget models through firmware. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro with Dimensity 1080 in benchmarks shows results 15-20% lower than the same chip in the POCO X5 Pro, due to different optimizations.

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Before buying, check the results of tests on a particular model on GSMArena or Nanoreview – the difference in performance between the “same” chipsets can be up to 30%!

3. Screens: AMOLED vs IPS, 60Hz vs 144Hz - which one to choose?

Xiaomi was one of the first to start mass implementation AMOLED-Today, almost all models from the Redmi Note 11 and above are equipped with such displays, but there are important nuances:

• 🌈 AMOLED (or OLED): It's a deep black color, high contrast, but the risk of pixel burnout, used in all flagships and most mid-budget models.
• 💡 IPS LCD: It's more natural color reproduction, no burnout, but worse contrast. POCO M.
• 🔄 Update frequency: 60 Hz - budget (Redmi) 13C) 90 Hz Lower Middle Class (Redmi Note 13) 120 Hz Middle Class and Upper (POCO X6, Redmi K70E) 144 Hz and higher – flagships and gaming (Black Shark 6 Pro has 165 Hz)

A key feature that many people don't pay attention to is screen brightness. For example, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, whereas the Redmi Note 13 Pro has a peak brightness of just 1,200 nits. This is critical for use in the sun.

4 Cameras: Why Megapixels Aren't the Most Important Thing

Xiaomi is actively cooperating with legendary optics brands - Leica and Hasselblad, but only in flagship models. In other lines of cameras often use standard modules Samsung ISOCELL or Sony IMX, and here it is important to understand the real differences:

• 📸 Flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra): Core module: Sony IMX989 (1 inch, 50 MP) with Leica Summicron optics: 3.2x and 5x Optical zoom Processing Algorithms from Leica (profiles "Authentic" and "Vibrant")

The big secret is that even Xiaomi’s budget smartphones can take good photos with enough light thanks to aggressive software processing, but once the light is reduced, the difference between the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and the Redmi Note 13 becomes enormous.

⚠️ Attention: In models POCO Redmi is often a problem with soap video because of a weak image processing processor. If you want to shoot video, choose models with Snapdragon 7 chipsets.+ Gen 2 and higher.

5.Software: MIUI vs HyperOS - What's Changed

In 2026, Xiaomi began a massive transition from MIUI to the new HyperOS shell. This is not just a rebranding – the new system is built on the basis of Android 14 and has a number of key differences:

• ⚡ Performance: HyperOS uses Xiaomi Vela technology to optimize the background of processes, which gives +15% by the time of autonomous operation.
• 🔒 Security: Built-in Xiaomi Security Center with phishing protection and application rights monitoring.
• 🎨 Design: Minimalist interface with support for dynamic wallpaper and widgets in the style of iOS 17.
• 🔄 Updates: HyperOS promises 4 the year of major updates and 5 years of safety (against) 2-3 years MIUI).

There are pitfalls, however: some MIUI features (like Second Space) in HyperOS work differently or are not, and the new shell is more hardware-intensive – on weak smartphones (Redmi 9A), it can slow down.

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HyperOS is only available for Android 13/14 devices. If your smartphone is older than the Redmi Note 11, it will likely stay on MIUI.

6. Batteries and charging: why 100W isn't always better than 33W

Xiaomi is known for its record charging speeds — for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ supports 120W and the Xiaomi 14 Pro supports 120W wireless. But high power does not always equal convenience.

• ⚡ Fast charging (67W-120W): Pluses: 100% post 15-25 Minutes Cons: strong heating, rapid wear of the battery (loss of the battery) ~20% capacity 1.5-2 year-end)
• 🔋 Medium-grade charging (33W-67W): Pros: balance between speed and durability Cons: full charging for 40-60 minute
• 🐢 Slow charging (18W-27W): Pros: Maximum battery life Cons: 2+ half-hour

Critical point: Xiaomi often does not complete chargers with fast smartphones, POCO F5 Pro supports 67W, But there's only a cable in the box. 67W You have to buy separately (~2 500 ₽).

7.Pricing: Why Xiaomi is Cheaper Than the Competitors (and Where the Ghost Is)

Xiaomi's main competitive advantage is price-performance, but how does the brand manage to offer flagship smartphones for half the price of Samsung or Apple?

• 🏭 Cost savings: Use of unified enclosures (e.g. Redmi Note 12 and POCO M6 Pro is almost identical in appearance) Rejection of licensed technologies (for example, there is no support for Wireless PowerShare as Samsung does)
• 📦 Packaging and trim: No headphones and chargers in the box (savings) ~1 000 ₽ on the device) Use of cheap packaging materials
• 💰 Marketing: Minimum advertising budgets (main channel of promotion is word of mouth) Sales through own channels (Mi Store, AliExpress) without intermediaries
• 🔄 Updates and Support: Short Updates (2-3 year-on-year 4-5 bal Google/Samsung) Less investment in long-term software optimization

The catch is the extra costs, for example, to fully use the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, you will need:

• Buy a branded charger for 90W (~3 000 ₽)
• Buy a case with support for wireless charging (~2 500 ₽)
• Pay for the extended guarantee (~5 000 ₽), as screen repairs are worth ~30 000 ₽

As a result, the “cheap” flagship is not much cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S24+.

8 How to Choose Xiaomi in 2026: Checklist by Target

To avoid overpaying or being disappointed in the purchase, use this algorithm:

1. Set budget and goals: Up to 15,000 ₽: Redmi 13C or POCO M6 (basic tasks) 15,000 to 30,000 ₽: Redmi Note 13 Pro (balanced version) 30,000 – 50,000 ₽: POCO F6 Pro or Xiaomi Civi 4 (performance) + chamber) 50,000 ₽+: Xiaomi 14 or MIX Fold 3 (premium)
2. Check compatibility with your needs: ☑️ Critical parameters when choosing Support 5G (If you need fast Internet access, have a memory card slot (if you need more) 256 GB) Screen type (AMOLED multimedia, IPS Long-term battery life (minimum battery capacity) 5000 mAh for active use) Completed: 0 / 4
3. Study reviews about a specific model: On 4PDA - real tests and bugs On GSMArena - objective benchmarks On YouTube - reviews with camera and autonomy tests

Decide where to buy:

• Official stores (Mi Store, Messenger) - 2 year warranty, but the price is higher
• AliExpress is 10-20% cheaper, but only 1 year warranty and customs issues are possible
• Avito/Yula – only if the seller provides a check and a box (the risk of “gray” imports)

⚠️ Attention: B 2026 Xiaomi has started blocking the ability to unlock the bootloader on new models (Xiaomi) 14, Redmi K70). This means you can't install custom firmware or get root rights. If it's critical, choose a model. 2022-2023 year-end.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's differences