Xiaomi 2026: Comparison of models for games, photos and budget

Xiaomi remains one of the most popular smartphone brands in Russia and the world, thanks to a combination of advanced technology, stylish design and affordable prices, but the company’s range is so wide that it is not easy to understand it: Xiaomi 14 Ultra with cameras from Leica, Black Shark 6 Pro with active cooling, budget Redmi Note 13 with cameras AMOLED-15,000-screen ₽... How not to make a mistake with a choice?

In this guide, we've analyzed the current models of 2026, taking into account real-world performance tests, shooting quality and user feedback.

• 📱 TOP-3 The flagship with the best cameras and screens (and whether to overpay for Xiaomi) 14 Pro)
• 🎮 The best gaming smartphones – comparison of Black Shark and POCO F6 Pro. FPS cooling
• 💰 Budget hits up to 20,000 ₽: What to choose instead of iPhone SE Samsung A14
• 🔋 Autonomousity rating – which models hold the charge the longest (spoiler: not always flagships)

We're not going to list all 50.+ Xiaomi models — focus on the ones that are really worth looking at in 2026, and at the end of this article, you'll find an interactive survey and answers to frequent questions about the choice.

1. Xiaomi 2026 flagships: should you overpay for top models?

Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones are always the best cameras, the most powerful processors and premium materials, but they start at 70,000. ₽, And sometimes it goes up to 120,000. ₽. Let’s figure out which models justify the investment, and where you can save money.

In 2026, the line of flagships is represented by three key models:

• 📸 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – best camera on the market (co-development with Leica), screen 2K 120 Hz, ceramic case, price: from 110,000 ₽.
• ⚡ Xiaomi 14 Pro – slightly weaker on the camera, but with the same chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and support for wireless charging 50W. Price: from 85,000 ₽.
• 💎 Xiaomi 14 is a compact flagship (6.36′′) with the same brains, but without a telephoto camera. Price: from 75 000 ₽.

The big question is, do you need all these "blows"? If you're not a professional photographer and you don't play heavy games like Genshin Impact at maximum settings, then Xiaomi 14 (base model) or even Xiaomi. 13T Pros (2023 flagship) will do just as well, and the 30,000-40,000 saved. ₽ You can spend on good headphones or smart watches.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi flagships often get cheaper 3-4 months after release. For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro at launch cost 90,000 ₽, And six months later, it dropped to 65,000. ₽. If you don’t need a new model, wait for the sale.

2. gaming smartphones: Black Shark vs. POCO — What's best for gamers?

If you need a smartphone exclusively for gaming, then the choice is narrowed to two lines: Black Shark (specialized gaming devices) and POCO F (Universal flagships with a focus on performance) Let's figure out which is better in 2026.

Let's compare the two top models:

Key differences:

• 🎮 Black Shark 6 Pro is a good idea. +10–15 FPS It's a game-changing chipset and active cooling, but it's designed to scream that it's a gaming phone (RGB-lighting, aggressive lines).
• 📱 POCO F6 The Pro looks like a regular flagship, but loses in performance by 5-10%, but it has a better screen (resolution). 1440p against 1080p) camera.

If the games are your priority №1, take Black Shark. If you want a universal smartphone that also plays well, — POCO F6 Pro.

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In Black Shark settings, enable Shark Space mode (in the retractable panel on the right) and it blocks notifications, optimizes performance, and even allows you to assign physical triggers to the body buttons.

3.The best Xiaomi smartphones up to 20,000 ₽: budget hits of 2026

The budget segment is Xiaomi’s most competitive niche, where the brand offers smartphones with a high-end smartphone. AMOLED-screen, 5G And even 108-megapixel cameras for 15,000-20,000. ₽. The key is not to run into outdated models. We've selected the top three options for 2026.

TOP-3 budget smartphone Xiaomi:

• 🌟 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G — Best balance of price and opportunity. AMOLED 120 Hz, 200 MP camera (albeit with software processing), charging 120W. Price: ~19 000 ₽.
• 🔋 POCO M6 Pro 5G — Autonomousity record holder in budget (5,000 mAh battery) + Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor that barely warms up: ~16 000 ₽.
• 📸 Redmi 13C 5G — cheapest 5G-Xiaomi smartphone with a good main camera 50 MP. Suitable for calls, social networks and easy games: ~12 000 ₽.

What to look for when buying:

• 🔍 Avoid models with screens IPS (Like Redmi. 12C) — In 2026, even for 15,000. ₽ find AMOLED.
• 📶 If you need it. 5G, check for range support n78 (3.5 GHz is the most common in Russia.
• 🔄 Budget smartphones often save on memory. 8/256 GB if you plan to install games.

⚠️ Note: In low-end Xiaomi, there is often a microphone problem during calls (especially in Redmi models). 10A/12A). Before buying, check the reviews for a specific revision (e.g., Redmi Note). 13 Pro+ MZB0E4IN).

4. Xiaomi for Photography: Which Models Shoot Better than the iPhone?

Cameras are one of Xiaomi's weak points compared to the iPhone or Google Pixel, but in recent flagships (especially the Xiaomi 14 line), the gap has narrowed. If you care about photo and video content, look at these models:

Rating of cameras in Xiaomi smartphones (in descending quality):

1. Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best camera among all Xiaomi thanks to the Leica optics and sensor 1-inch. Especially good in portraiture and video. 8K.
2. Xiaomi 13 Ultra (2023) — almost equal to the new flagship, but cheaper by 20-30%. If you find it on sale, take it.
3. Xiaomi 14 Pro is a great main camera, but a weak zoom (only 3,2x against 5x Ultra).
4. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G — Best camera on the budget (200 MP sensor, but the final photo is 12.5 MP with pixel binning).

Xiaomi's main disadvantage is the recycling of the cameras, which are often too bright, saturated and blurred in the shadows.

• 📷 Use Pro mode (manually set up) ISO, shutter speed, white balance).
• 🎞️ For video, turn off. HDR in camera settings – this will reduce artifacts when moving.
• 🔧 Install GCam (Google Camera Mod) – it handles dynamic range better.

Compared to the iPhone 15, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra wins in detail and zoom, but loses in color reproduction and video stabilization.

5. Autonomy: Which Xiaomi holds the charge the longest?

One of the biggest fears when buying a smartphone is, “Is there enough batteries for a day?”. Xiaomi has models that can easily live 1.5-2 days on a single charge, but there are also “voracious” flagships that sit in 6-8 hours.

TOP-5 Xiaomi by work time (with mixed load):

What affects autonomy:

• 🔋 Screen resolution: FHD+ (1080p) Eats the battery more slowly than QHD+ (1440p).
• 📡 Network: 5G It consumes 20 to 30 percent more energy than 4G. You can limit the settings. 5G (Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Type of network).
• 🔄 Updates: After major updates MIUI Automation can drop by 10 to 15 percent.

⚠️ Attention: In smartphones Xiaomi with fast charging (>60W) If you plan to use your phone for longer than 2 years, charge it up to 80% and avoid overheating.

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The longest autonomy is the POCO M6 Pro 5G Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Because of energy-efficient processors and big batteries, flagships are losing out because of high-powered chipsets and high-frequency screens.

Xiaomi for the elderly: simple and reliable models

If you want a smartphone for your parents or grandparents, Xiaomi offers a few options, the main criteria here: a simple interface, large icons, a good speaker and long work without recharging.

The best models for the elderly:

• 📞 Redmi A2+ — The cheapest and easiest (from 7000) ₽). Screen 6.52″ HD+, Big buttons, support for two SIM. Cons: a weak processor for modern applications.
• 🔊 Redmi 10A — It's a little more powerful, with a good speaker and a 3.5mm jack for wired headphones: ~10 000 ₽.
• 👓 POCO C55 — If you want large fonts and high contrast screens (suitable for the visually impaired: ~12 000 ₽.

What to set up after purchase:

1. Enable the mode for the elderly (Settings) → Special facilities → Simplified regime).
2. Enlarge the font (Settings) → Screen. → Text size) and include bold text.
3. Disable unnecessary apps (especially games and social networks) to avoid confusion.
4. Set up an emergency call (Settings) → A memorial. → Emergency. SOS).

Avoid models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Redmi Note 13) – they have dimmer backlights in the sun, which is uncomfortable for older people.

7. Xiaomi vs. Other brands: Which is the best choice in 2026?

Compare Xiaomi with its main competitors in terms of key parameters:

Comparative table:

Who's the Xiaomi fit:

• 💰 Those who want the most opportunities for the least amount of money (especially in the segment up to 30,000). ₽).
• 🎮 Gamers – thanks to powerful chipsets and active cooling in Black Shark.
• 🛠️ Fans of "dig" settings — MIUI one of the most customized shells.

Who better to choose a different brand:

• 📸 Those for whom the camera is above all else – iPhone or Google Pixel shoot better.
• 🔄 For those who want long-term updates, Samsung and Apple support smartphones longer.
• 💼 Business users – because of encryption problems in China (Xiaomi does not have full disk encryption, like the iPhone).

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi