Which Xiaomi to choose up to 20,000 rubles in 2022: a full guide

Choosing a smartphone in the segment of budget devices is always associated with a search for compromises. the market of 2022 offers an impressive variety of models from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, which are able to satisfy the needs of even demanding users. Budget of 20 thousand rubles today allows you to count on high-quality build, modern screens with a refresh rate of 90 or 120 Hz, as well as sufficiently productive processors for everyday tasks.

But it's not easy to understand the lineup, because some of the devices are focused on performance, others on camera or design, and the key to understanding what they really want to do is to understand what they really need to do. AMOLED-screen, if you don't watch video on your phone? Or better save money and take a model with a lot of memory?

In this article, we will analyze the options available in detail to help you make an informed decision, look at the technical details, compare the characteristics and highlight the models that offer the best value for money in the current market conditions, which will avoid buying a device that will disappoint in a month.

Evolution of Xiaomi budget segment

Just a few years ago, smartphones under 20,000 rubles often suffered from slow interfaces and mediocre screens. Today, the situation has changed dramatically. Xiaomi is introducing flagship technology in affordable devices, making them mass. IPS-High-resolution matrices and fast charging of 33 watts have become standard even for entry-level applications.

It is important to understand the difference between the ecosystem brands. Redmi is focused on the mass user, offering a balance of features and price. POCO focuses on performance, often sacrificing body materials for a powerful chip. Xiaomi's core division (Mi-series) tries to bring premium and better cameras to the affordable segment.

• 📱 Implementing high-hertz screens (90-120 Hz) in all price niches.
• 🔋 Switching to Type-C connectors and fast charging even in basic models.
• 📸 Improving photo processing algorithms thanks to artificial intelligence.

Users often forget that MIUI optimization is as important as hardware. In 2022, the shell became more stable, but still requires attention to detail when choosing, for example, some models get security updates faster than others.

⚠️ WARNING: When buying a smartphone in 2022, be sure to check for availability NFC-module in the selected specification, as in the budget versions it may be absent, which will deprive you of the possibility of contactless payment.

Choice Criteria: What to Look at First

With a budget of 20,000 rubles, the first thing to look at is the processor, which determines the speed of applications and the ability of a device to run modern games, and the chips from the MediaTek Helio G series and the Snapdragon 600 series are the leaders in this price range.

The second important aspect is the type of screen matrix. AMOLED-The displays provide deep black and high contrast, but cost more. IPS-It's cheaper, it's safer for the eyes at low brightness, but it's less saturated. It's often the middle ground for the budget segment. IPS well-calibrated.

RAM in 2022 should not be less than 4 GB, and preferably 6 GB. This will provide comfortable multitasking. Built-in memory such as UFS 2.2 runs much faster than the old eMMC 5.1, which directly affects the speed of loading the system and applications.

• 🚀 Processor: minimum 8 cores, frequency from 2.0 GHz.
• 📺 Screen: FullHD resolution+ (2400×1080) higher.
• 💾 Memory: configuration 6/128 GB is the optimal.

And don't ignore the autonomy, because 5,000 mAh battery capacity has become the de facto standard, but more important than the charging speed, which is that you can recover the charge in an hour, which is critical to the rhythm of modern life.

Top.-3 play-and-performance models

If your priority is mobile gaming, then the POCO brand rules the ball in the category up to 20,000 rubles. These devices are often equipped with processors that can be found in more expensive smartphones, the leader here is often POCO M4 Pro or POCO X4 NFC during the promotion period.

The POCO M4 Pro 5G is based on the Dimensity 810 chipset, which provides stable FPS in popular games. The cooling system here is better implemented than that of Redmi's competitors. This allows you to play longer without trottling (decreased performance due to heat).

Another contender is the Redmi Note 11, which comes with the Snapdragon 680 processor. Although it's weaker in clean graphics, the system optimization allows it to perform great in online shooters. The stability of Wi-Fi and mobile networks is also high here.

When choosing a gaming smartphone, it is important to look beyond benchmarks; tactile performance and vibrator quality also affect the experience. Some Xiaomi models have full-fledged Linear Motor motors, rather than conventional rotary ones, which makes the game more enjoyable.

The best camera phones in the budget class

Shooting on a budget smartphone has ceased to be a compromise. In 2022, even devices up to 20,000 rubles are equipped with modules with a resolution of 64 MP and even 108 MP. The leader in this direction is traditionally considered the Redmi Note series.

The Redmi Note 11 Pro (sometimes budgeted for sales) or the regular Note 11 offer great detail in daylight. HDR-They align the exposure, keeping the detail in shadows and lights.

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For the best photos at night, use a tripod and turn on the "Night mode", holding the phone still for 3-5 seconds.

It's important to note that there's an ultra-wide-angle module, which is often 8MP in public sector, which is quite enough for landscapes, and 2MP Macro cameras are more of a marketing ploy, and you shouldn't really count on them.

• 🌙 Night shooting: Night mode is a must.
• 🎥 Video: Support for recording in 4K It is rare, but FullHD at 60 frames is the norm.
• 🤳 Frontal: 13-16 mp is enough for video calls and selfies.

Image stabilization in this segment is usually electronic (EIS), which works well when walking, but can give a "jelly" effect when moving sharply. Optical stabilization (OIS) at a price of up to 20 thousand rubles is a rarity, but if you find a model with it, it will be a great bonus.

⚠️ Attention: Don't chase megapixels. A 64MP sensor with good optics will shoot better than a 108MP sensor with a cheap lens. Read reviews on sensor quality, not just on its resolution.

Design, screens and ergonomics

Visual perception plays a huge role: in 2022, manufacturers have learned to make plastic look like glass or metal. Glossy backs look spectacular, but quickly collect prints, while matte textures are more practical.

The screen is a device interface. The 240Hz touch sampling rate provides instant touch response, especially when scrolling through social media feeds and in games. Even if the 60Hz IPS screen, the high polling rate will make the use more enjoyable.

Ergonomics is also important.A 6.67-inch diagonal has become standard, but such phones can be uncomfortable to control with one hand. 6.43-inch models like the Redmi Note 11 are more compact and pocket-friendly.

IP53 moisture and dust protection is rare, but it's useful, it protects the device from rain splashes or accidental falls into a puddle, but you can't expect full water resistance from public sector employees.

Comparison of characteristics of popular models

To make a final decision, let’s put the data together in a single table, which will help you quickly compare the key parameters of market leaders in the category up to 20,000 rubles.

As the table shows, the Redmi Note 11 offers the best screen for its money, while the POCO wins in performance.The Redmi 10 is interesting for its design resembling flagships but loses in charging speed.

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The choice between Redmi and POCO is the choice between multimedia comfort (screen, sound) and pure performance (games, speed).

Don't forget the software. All of these models run on Android 11 or 12 with a MIUI 13 shell (or newer), which guarantees access to fresh security features and new widgets.

Frequent questions and final recommendations

To sum up, 2022 has been a great time to buy a budget smartphone.competition is forcing brands to offer more for less money.However, it's important to be clear about what exactly you're looking for.

If you want a versatile soldier with a good screen to view content, take the Redmi Note 11. Gamers should take a look at the POCO M4 Pro or find the X3 NFC. For those who appreciate design and tactile sensations, Redmi 10 is suitable.

Choose a device that fits your use case and don't overpay for features you won't use.