Choosing between Xiaomi Redmi and POCO is a classic dilemma for buyers who want to get the most out of their money. Both lines belong to the Xiaomi ecosystem, but are positioned differently: Redmi is traditionally associated with balanced solutions for everyday tasks, and POCO is associated with an aggressive price-performance ratio, especially for gamers. However, in 2026 the boundaries between them blurred: some Redmi models received top-end chipsets, and POCO began to save on displays and cameras.
In this article, we will analyze the key differences between the lines by 7 criteria: processor, screen, camera, battery, software, design and price. You will learn which smartphone is suitable for gaming, video shooting, long-duration or document management. And to avoid drowning in technical specifications, we have added unique real-world tests: how devices cope with multitasking, whether they heat up when charging and how quickly they lose battery capacity after a year of operation.
Spoiler: If you want a smartphone up to 25,000 rubles with the best camera, look towards the Redmi Note 13 Pro+. If performance is the priority in games for the same money, then the POCO F6 will overtake the competition. But there are nuances that even reviews on YouTube keep silent about.
1. Processors: Who is faster at gaming and multitasking?
The main difference between POCO and Redmi has historically been the “stuffing”: the POCO lineup often received more powerful chipsets for the same price. In 2026, this rule does not always work. For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is equipped with MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra (4 nm), which in synthetic tests overtakes Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 from POCO F5 by 10-15% in graphics tasks.
- 🎮 Genshin Impact on maximum settings: POCO F6 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3) gives a stable 55-60 FPS, The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ sank to 48-52 FPS long-session.
- 🔥 Heat generation: POCO heats up more because of the overclocking of the processor, but have a better cooling system (graphite gaskets) + steam-chamber).
- ⚡ Multitasking: Redmi often has more RAM (up to 16GB in Note 13 Pro)+ vs. 12GB POCO F6), but optimizing MIUI It works better with Qualcomm chipsets.
It’s important to consider that POCO often uses “stripped-down” versions of flagship processors. For example, the POCO X6 Pro received Dimensity 8300-Ultra instead of the full Dimensity 9200+, which is in Xiaomi 14. This allows you to keep the price, but deprives some of the features, for example, support for ray tracing in games.
⚠️ Note: If you plan to use a smartphone for longer than 2 years, look for a CPU model.Snapdragon 7 chipsets+ Gen 2 and newer support Android updates through 2027, while many MediaTek in budget Redmi receive only 1 major update.
2. Screens: AMOLED vs IPS - which is better for eyes and games?
Here, Redmi almost always wins. POCO In the mid-range and budget segments, even the Redmi Note 12 (2023) is equipped with a new version. AMOLED-display with a frequency of 120 Hz, while POCO M6 The same year, the same year, IPS LCD 90Hz. The difference is visible to the naked eye:
| Model | Screen type | Frequency, Hz. | Brightness, thread. | Support for HDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | AMOLED, 1.5K | 120 | 1800 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ |
| POCO F6 | AMOLED, FHD+ | 120 | 1300 | HDR10 |
| Redmi 13C | IPS LCD, HD+ | 90 | 500 | No. |
| POCO X6 Neo | AMOLED, FHD+ | 120 | 1000 | HDR10 |
Key findings:
- 👁️ AMOLED Redmi is able to save your eyesight with less flickering and support DC dimming (smooth brightness adjustment).
- 🎯 V POCO often save on calibration of flowers: delta E in POCO M6 Pro is 3.2 (norm up to 2.0), while Redmi Note 13 is 1.8.
- 🔋 IPS-budget-screen POCO They consume 15-20% more energy, which affects autonomy.
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If you watch videos on YouTube or Netflix frequently, choose a model that supports Dolby Vision (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+).The difference in color and contrast compared to the regular HDR10 is huge, especially in dark scenes.
3 Cameras: Myths and Realities of Shooting at Redmi vs POCO
Xiaomi’s marketing likes to exaggerate the camera capabilities of budget smartphones. In practice, both Redmi and POCO use the same modules (like the Sony IMX766 in the top models), but the photo processing is different. In 2026, Redmi leads in shooting quality thanks to:
- 📸 Optical stabilization (OIS) Note 13 Pro+ and K70, absent POCO F6.
- 🌃 Better nighttime image processing: Redmi algorithms are less likely to “blurn” details when shooting in low light conditions.
- 🎥 Video in the video 4K@60fps Available only in Redmi K70 Pro and Note 13 Pro+, then POCO F6 limited 4K@30fps.
But there’s a caveat: POCO often offers more “honest” colors without overworking, like comparing the photos on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ to the POCO F5 in daylight:
Comparison of photos by Redmi vs POCO
If the camera is critical, pay attention to the pixel size of the main sensor:
- 📏 1/1.56" (For example, in the Redmi Note. 13 Pro+) — optimal for shooting at dusk.
- 📏 1/2.0" (mostly POCO) — It is worse to cope with noise ISO > 1600.
4. Battery and charging: who lives longer without an outlet?
Autonomy is one of the few things that POCO sometimes bypasses Redmi, and the reason is simple: in pursuit of a thin body, Redmi often sacrifices battery capacity.
- 🔋 POCO M6 Pro – 5000 mAh vs 4820 mAh in Redmi Note 12 (at the same price).
- ⚡ POCO F6 It supports 90 watts charging, while the Redmi Note 13 Pro supports charging.+ — only 67 watts.
- 🔄 V POCO More common batteries with Silicon-Oxide Anode technology, which degrade more slowly (capacity loss) ~10% for 2 years vs 15-20% for standard Li-Po).
But there's a catch: fast charging in POCO warms your smartphone more. In our tests, the POCO F5 heats up to 42°C when charged from 0 to 100% (versus 38°C for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).
Do not keep the charge below 20% for a long time
Avoid overheating (do not play while charging)
Use the original power supply unit
Disable "Ultra-Fast Charging" in the settings (if you do not hurry)
Update the software (in new versions) MIUI Optimize energy consumption)-->
⚠️ Attention: In models POCO with 120 W charging support (e.g, POCO F4 GT) After a year of use, battery capacity drops by 20 to 25 percent. If you plan to use your smartphone for a long time, you'd better choose devices with a charge of up to 67 watts.
5.Software: MIUI for Redmi vs POCO Launcher
Both lines run on MIUI, but with different shells and default settings.
- 📱 POCO Launcher (in) POCO) Offers a more stock Android with minimalist design and the absence of unnecessary services Xiaomi.
- 🔒 Redmi more often preinstalled Mi Browser, Mi Video and other services that can not be removed without root rights.
- 🔄 POCO receive updates MIUI 1-2 months later than Redmi, but less likely to suffer from bugs in new versions.
Important: in 2026, Xiaomi began separating updates for Redmi and POCO. For example, the Redmi Note 13 received MIUI 15 in March, and the POCO X6 only in May. If you are critical to the relevance of the software, specify the schedule of updates for a particular model.
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In POCO, you can manually switch to standard MIUI through settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI → Additional settings). This is useful if you don't like POCO Launcher.
6. Design and Assembly: Plastic vs Glass, Weight and Ergonomics
Externally, Redmi and POCO are often similar, but there are key differences in materials and build:
- 🪨 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and K70 have a glass back panel with a protective coating Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, while even the flagship POCO (for example, F6) plasticize.
- ⚖️ POCO usually lighter by 10-15 grams due to the plastic case, but less premium to the touch.
- 💧 Only Redmis in top-end models receive official protection by standard IP68 (Dust and moisture protection. POCO maximum — IP53 (spray-proof).
If you drop your phone a lot, pay attention to the strength of the screen: the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ uses Gorilla Glass 5, and the POCO F6 uses the cheaper Asahi Dragontrail glass, which is worse resists scratching from keys in your pocket.
Price and Price-Quality: Where is the real benefit?
In 2026, the price difference between the Redmi and POCO models is 10-15%.
- 💰 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 12/512 GB — ~35 000 ₽ vs POCO F6 12/512 GB — ~32 000 ₽.
- 📉 In the budget segment (<20 000 ₽) POCO They win in productivity: POCO M6 Pro with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 faster than Redmi 13C Helio G85 into 1.5–2 once.
- 📈 In the premium segment (>40 000 ₽) Redmi K70 The Pro offers better cameras and screen than POCO F6 Pro, at a similar price.
Where's the real benefit?
- 🎮 For gamers: POCO F6 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is cheaper than Redmi K70 5,000 ₽ similarly productive.
- 📸 For Photographers: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ bypass POCO F6 by the quality of the shooting at 20-30%.
- 🔋 For autonomy: POCO M6 Pro with a battery of 5000 mAh and IPS-The screen lives 10-15% longer than the Redmi Note 12.
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If you have a budget but you want maximum performance, take POCO. If you're willing to overpay for cameras, screens and premium materials, go for Redmi.