Why Xiaomi Mi 10T should be bought in 2026: technical arguments and real-world experience

The Xiaomi Mi 10T, launched in 2020, still attracts interest from customers — and for good reason. In an era when flagship smartphones stand like a used car, this model offers a balance of performance, screen quality and price that is difficult to find in new mid-range devices. But why the Mi 10T rather than the more recent models? The answer lies in its “eternal” specs: the Snapdragon 865 processor, which still pulls modern games, an adaptive 144Hz display, and a camera with a 64MP main module.

Of course, 3 years have seen smartphones with better cameras or more energy-efficient chips. But the Mi 10T remains one of those rare devices that doesn’t get obsolete because of its pumped hardware and custom firmware support. In this article, we’ll look at 7 key reasons why buying a Xiaomi Mi 10T in 2026 might be smarter than spending money on a new average — given current prices, upgrade capabilities, and real-world tests.

Snapdragon 865 processor: why it is still relevant

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset in the Mi 10T is the case when "old" does not mean "weak." Yes, it consumes more power than modern Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but in raw performance still beats most mid-budget chips from 2023-2026. For example, in the AnTuTu 10 Mi 10T test scores about 600-650 thousand points — this is the level of new smartphones for 30-40,000 rubles.

Gamers will appreciate Qualcomm’s support for Elite Gaming, which reduces latency and optimizes performance in games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile. And thanks to a vibrant community of developers, custom cores (such as Kiriskernel) are available for the Snapdragon 865, which allow you to overclock the processor or, conversely, reduce power consumption.

• 🎮 Games at maximum settings: PUBG Mobile (Ultra HD + 60 FPS), Genshin Impact (60 FPS mid-set).
• ⚡ Support for Android 14 through custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 🔧 Overclocking and Tweaks: Possibility of Installing Alternative Cores to Improve Performance.

⚠️ Note: When buying a used Mi 10T Check the battery status with #4636## →"Battery information. If capacity is below 80%, replacement budget (cost) ~2-3,000 rubles).

2.144Hz screen: why it matters even in 2026

The Mi 10T display is one of its top cards: it’s a 6.67-inch IPS LCD with Full HD+ resolution and support for adaptive refresh rates up to 144Hz. In 2020, such screens were rare even among flagships, and today many budget smartphones still offer only 90Hz.

What makes 144 Hz better than 90 Hz in practice? The difference is not only in gaming, but also in everyday use: scrolling on social media is smoother, animations are more responsive. In addition, the Mi 10T has AdaptiveSync technology, which automatically adjusts the frequency to the content (for example, reduces to 60 Hz when watching videos), saving battery power.

Minus: IPS lose AMOLED It's black contrast, but it's not the burn-in problem that you often have. AMOLED-screens after 2-3 years of use.

3.Camera 64 MP: real possibilities in 2026

The core module of the Mi 10T is the 64 MP Sony IMX682 sensor with an aperture of f/1.89. On paper, it sounds impressive, but how does it perform today? Compared to the flagships of 2026 (for example, Xiaomi 14 with Leica optics), the Mi 10T camera loses in detail and processing, but bypasses many budget innovations.

Strengths:

• 📸 Daytime shooting: Good detail with sufficient lighting, natural colors (if turned off) AI-improvement).
• 🌃 Night mode: Works better than many smartphones for 20-25,000 rubles.
• 🎥 Video 8K: Support for recording in permission 7680×4320 (without stabilization).

Weaknesses:

• 🔍 Ultrashirik: module 13 MP with distortions at the edges.
• 🤳 Frontal: 20 MP sensor is weak for selfies in poor lighting.
• 📏 Processing: MIUI Sometimes overdosing with noise reduction.

Bottom Line: If you want a social media camera and video, the Mi 10T will do it. For professional photography, it's better to go towards the Xiaomi 12T Pro or Redmi K60 Ultra.

5,000 mAh battery: is it enough for a day in 2026?

A 5,000mAh battery paired with the Snapdragon 865 is a compromise: on the one hand, the capacity is enough for a full day of active use (8-10 hours of screen), but only if you do not race games on maximum speeds. On the other hand, a fast 33 watt charge allows you to recover 100% in 60-70 minutes.

Real tests (at MIUI 14):

• 📱 Social media/messaging: Expenses ~5-7%/hour.
• 🎮 Games (Genshin Impact): ~12-15%/hour.

⚠️ Note: If you are planning to use the Mi 10T For more than a year, replace the thermopaste on the processor immediately. Over time, it dries up, leading to trottling and increased battery consumption: ~1,000 rubles.

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To extend the life of the battery, turn off the adaptive refresh rate (set up a fixed 90 Hz) and limit the background activity of applications through Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode.

5. 5G Support and the Future of Smartphone

Xiaomi Mi 10T is one of the first mass smartphones with 5G support in Russia. In 2026, this is no longer a unique feature, but still relevant: the fifth generation networks continue to develop, and the device will not become obsolete in terms of communication for the next 2-3 years. Qualcomm X55 module supports all current 5G bands in Russia:

• 📶 n1 (2100 MHz)
• 📶 n3 (1800 MHz)
• 📶 n7 (2600 MHz)
• 📶 n78 (3500 MHz)

Important: Mi 10T supportive 5G SA (standalone only NSA (In practice, this means that speed will be limited by the ability to do so. 4G-However, for most users, the difference is not noticeable: in Moscow and St. Petersburg. 5G on Mi 10T Issues 200-400 Mbit / s (against 600)+ Mbit / s on the flagships of 2026).

Check it out. IMEI at imei.info|Make sure that SIM-card 5G (operator)|Turn it on. 5G in settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Type of network → 5G|Reboot your smartphone after activation-->

6.Price and Alternatives: Should You Buy in 2026?

In the secondary market Xiaomi Mi 10T in 2026 is:

• 💰 15-18 thousand rubles - the state "as new" (without scratches, battery) >90%).
• 💰 12-15 thousand rubles - good condition (minor rubbing).
• 💰 8-12 thousand rubles - used with traces of use (it is possible to replace the battery).

For comparison, new smartphones with similar characteristics will cost in:

• 📱 Redmi K70E (Snapdragon 782G, 120 Hz) — ~25 thousand rubles.
• 📱 POCO F6 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 120 Hz AMOLED) — ~35 thousand rubles.
• 📱 Realme GT Neo 5 (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 144 Hz) — ~30 thousand rubles.

When buying the Mi 10T is justified:

• 🎮 You need a smartphone to play high. FPS.
• 💻 You are planning to use custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 🔄 You are not interested in the over-detailing of the camera.
• 💰 Budget limited to 15-20 thousand rubles.

When is the best alternative:

• 📸 You need a camera level iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S22.
• ⚡ You want a more energy-efficient processor (like the Snapdragon 8)+ Gen 1).
• 🔋 You need it. AMOLED-Screenshot from Always-On Display.

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The Xiaomi Mi 10T in 2026 is the best choice for those looking for maximum performance for minimal money.There are no alternatives to the Snapdragon 865 and 144Hz screen in this price segment.

7. Custom firmware and the future of updates

Official MIUI support for the Mi 10T ended in 2023 (the latest version is MIUI 14 based on Android 13).However, thanks to an active community of developers, the smartphone can be upgraded to Android 14 through custom firmware:

• 📱 LineageOS 21 (Pure Android).
• 📱 Pixel Experience 14 (like the Google Pixel interface).
• 📱 crDroid (optimized performance).
• 📱 Evolution X (Multiple Customizations).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ⚡ Productivity: Removing Xiaomi’s redundant services speeds up work.
• 🔒 Privacy: No Chinese spy apps.
• 🆕 Updates: Support for Android 14/15 still 2–3 year-end.

How to install custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Mi 10T (version 3.7.0 or later).
3. Swipe through ADB Sideload or from a memory card.
4. Install GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the device! it can also lead to loss of warranty (if it is still valid) and problems with Widevine L1 (The quality of streaming in Netflix/Disney+ before 480p).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi 10T