Choosing between Xiaomi and Huawei, users face a dilemma: both brands offer powerful devices at competitive prices, but their approaches to technology are fundamentally different. Xiaomi relies on an open ecosystem with support for Google Mobile Services (GMS), flexible MIUI settings and aggressive pricing. Huawei, in turn, after US sanctions, develops its own platform HarmonyOS, invests in photography with Leica and offers premium design. But which of these is more important to you?
In this article, we’ll explore the key technical, software, and ideological differences between brands that directly impact the experience: Why Huawei flagships are more expensive than Xiaomi, what’s the case with software updates, and which brand is better suited for gaming, photography, or work; and at the end, a comparison table and answers to frequent questions that will help you make informed choices.
1.CPUs and performance: Snapdragon vs Kirin vs Dimensity
One of the main factors determining the speed of a smartphone is the chipset, where brands take a very different approach:
- 🔹 Xiaomi uses Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (flagships) and MediaTek Dimensity (mid-segment), which ensures compatibility with most apps and games, as well as stable support. 5G in all models.
- 🔹 Huawei until 2020 produced its own chips Kirin (for example, Kirin 9000 in the Mate 40 Pro), but because of sanctions switched to Snapdragon 4G (without 5G) Or a collaboration with MediaTek for budget lines. 2023-2026 flagships (such as the Mate 60 Pro) are equipped with Kirin 9000S — modified version with support 5G, But without a license for advanced technology. TSMC.
In practice, this means:
- 🎮 For gamers, Xiaomi is better suited with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (for example, in Xiaomi 14 Ultra) – it provides better performance in games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
- 📱 For everyday tasks, the difference isn’t as critical, but Huawei may lose out on multitasking due to chipset limitations.
Important! In 2026, Huawei is actively promoting the Kirin 9000S chips, but they are inferior to the flagship Snapdragon in energy efficiency.For example, the Huawei P60 Pro with the Kirin 9000 heats up more than the Xiaomi 13 Pro on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 under similar loads.
2.Software: MIUI vs HarmonyOS
If the hardware is the hardware that defines the power of the hardware, the firmware is the user-friendly thing, and the difference between the brands is as big as possible.
| Criteria | Xiaomi (MIUI) | Huawei (HarmonyOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic OS | Android with MIUI shell | Own HarmonyOS (based on Android AOSP) |
| Google Mobile Services (GMS) | ✅ Full support | ❌ No (using Huawei Mobile Services) |
| Updates | 4-5 years (flagships), 2-3 years (state employees) | 3-4 years (flagships), 1-2 years (state employees) |
| Customization | ✅ Flexible themes, widgets, settings | ⚠️ Limited (closed ecosystem) |
Xiaomi’s MIUI is one of the most customizable Android shells, and you can change icons, fonts, animations, and install third-party launchers, but many users complain about ads in system apps (in Chinese firmware) and redundant features.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS is positioned as the “OS of the future” with a focus on cross-platform (synchronization with laptops, smartwatches, brand TVs).
- 🚫 No Google Play – Apps are installed via AppGallery or third-party APK.
- 🔄 Not all popular services (e.g. YouTube, Gmail) work correctly.
- 🔒 Closed ecosystem: it’s harder to switch to another brand.
💡
If you are critical of Google services, choose Xiaomi or buy Huawei with only GMS preinstalled (e.g. models for the European market).
3. Cameras: Collaboration with Leica vs. Independent Development
Photography is a key part of the race between brands, with Huawei leading the way through its partnership with Leica, but Xiaomi is catching up:
- 📸 Huawei: Flagships (P60 Pro, Mate 50 Pro) are equipped with Leica Summilux lenses with variable aperture. XD The Fusion for night photography.
- 📸 Xiaomi: Only works with Leica in flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, 14 Ultra) and uses larger sensors (e.g. Sony's 1-inch) IMX989 Plus: even mid-budget models (Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) They are very good at shooting thanks to algorithms. AI.
The key difference is that Huawei focuses on color reproduction and artwork (like Leica), while Xiaomi focuses on detail and versatility. For example, the portraits on the Huawei P60 Pro are warmer and contrasting, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra retains more natural shades.
How to check the camera before buying?
4. Design and Assembly: Premium vs. Practicality
Huawei has traditionally been associated with premium design: glass rear panels with crystallization (P60 Art), ceramic enclosures (Mate 50 RS), minimalist chamber modules. Xiaomi, by contrast, is more likely to experiment with shapes and materials:
- 💎 Huawei: Uses aluminum frames even in the mid-range.Exclusive colors (e.g. "Rococo Pearl" in the "Rococo Pearl" segment) P60). Cons: slippery cases, require a cover.
- 🛠️ Xiaomi: In flagships – ceramics (Xiaomi 13 Ultra) or vegan leather (12S Ultra in budget lines (Redmi, POCO) — plastic with metal texture, plus: more common models with IP68 (waterproof).
🔍 If you are interested in weight, pay attention to Huawei P60 (197g) vs Xiaomi 13 (189g) And if you want strength, choose Xiaomi with certification MIL-STD-810G (for example, POCO F5).
5.Prices and Positioning: Who is More Expensive and Why?
Brand pricing policies reflect their strategies:
- 💰 Huawei: Flagships (Mate 60 Pro, P60 Art) cost like iPhone — from 100 000 to 150 000 rubles. Budget models (Nova 11) rarely cheaper than 30 000 rubles.
- 💵 Xiaomi: Flagships (Xiaomi 14) are 20 to 30 percent cheaper than Huawei. Budget lines (Redmi 12) start from 10,000 rubles.
Conclusion: Huawei pays for premium and exclusivity, Xiaomi pays for accessibility and technical equipment. For example, Xiaomi 13T Pro with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and Leica cameras costs ~ 60,000 rubles, while Huawei P60 Pro with similar characteristics - ~ 90,000 rubles.
💡
If you have a budget that's tight, but you need top-end specs, go with Xiaomi. If you're willing to overpay for design and ecosystem, go with Huawei.
Ecosystem and compatibility with other devices
Both brands are developing their own ecosystems, but the approaches are different.
- 🌐 Xiaomi: Smart devices (Mi Band, Mi Home) are compatible with the Android/iOS. There are cross-platform services (like Mi Cloud for backups) and downside: there is no deep integration with PCs (unlike Huawei).
- 🖥️ Huawei: Super Device – technology for instant synchronization with Huawei laptops (for example, file transfer without the cloud); Huawei Share allows you to control a smartphone from a PC screen.
⚠️ Note: If you already have Huawei appliances (laptop, watch, headphones), buying their smartphone will give maximum synergy.
7 Updates and Support: Who is the Longest?
The software support life is an important factor when choosing a smartphone for several years. Here Xiaomi wins:
| Model | Updates (Android/HarmonyOS) | Real time (based on user experience) |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | 4 years of Android + 5 years of security | 4-5 years (up to Android 17) |
| Huawei P60 Pro | 3 years HarmonyOS | 3 years (updates are less frequent) |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro | 2 years Android | 2–3 years (depending on the region) |
| Huawei Nova 11 | 2 years HarmonyOS | 1.5–2 years (support ends faster) |
🔄 Huawei has focused on developing HarmonyOS rather than long-term support for older devices since the sanctions, while Xiaomi, on the contrary, follows Google’s policy and even updates budget employees for longer.
View the date of the last software update in Settings → About the phone
Check the status of the battery using ##4636## (test menu)
Make sure the originality of the firmware (no custom ROM)
Compare IMEI on the box and in Settings → About the phone
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