Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 is not an easy task. Even though the brand has long ceased to be a “Chinese outsider” and firmly established itself in the top of the world’s manufacturers, the variety of lines still puts customers at a dead end. The flagship Mi 12 and Mix 4 compete with the Samsung Galaxy S22, the budget Redmi Note 11 presses Realme and POCO, and the gaming Black Shark remain out of competition for gamers. But how not to make a mistake, if even in one price category Xiaomi offers 3-4 worthy models?
In this guide, we will analyze the top 7 Xiaomi smartphones of 2022, break them down into categories (budget, mid-segment, flagships, gaming), compare key characteristics – from processors to battery life – and give clear recommendations on which model to choose depending on your tasks, and also analyze the hidden pitfalls of some devices that are silent sellers (for example, why Xiaomi 12 Pro warms up stronger than competitors or why the POCO F4 GT is not suitable for shooting video in 4K).
Spoiler: If you want a universal smartphone, look at the Xiaomi 12. If autonomy and reliability are the priority, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G will be the best choice for the money. And for gamers, the Black Shark 5 Pro (with reservations) remains out of competition.
1.The best budget smartphones Xiaomi 2022 (up to 20,000) ₽)
The budget segment is Xiaomi’s calling card. This is where the brand traditionally offers the maximum “stuffing” for minimal money. In 2022, the Redmi Note 11 lineup became a real bestseller, but not all models are equally good.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — The best budgetary for those who are looking for long-term autonomy and quality AMOLED-It has a Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6nm) processor, which paired with a 4500mAh battery and 120W fast charging provides up to 2 days of operation with moderate use. The 108MP camera (main module) shoots better than the competition in this price range, but night shooting remains a weak spot.
POCO M4 Pro 5G is an alternative for those who care about performance and display with a frequency of 90 Hz. Processor Dimensity 810 will cope with most games on average settings (for example, Genshin Impact comes at 30 FPS), and the battery on 5000 mAh with 33 W charging will last a day and a half.
- 🔋 Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G: 120W charging, 108MP camera, AMOLED 120 Hz
- 🎮 POCO M4 Pro 5G: Dimensity 810, 90 Hz screen, 5000 mAh battery
- 💰 Redmi 10 2022: the cheapest option (from 12 000) ₽), but with reduced characteristics
⚠️ Note: In budget models Xiaomi often save on the NFC-If you need contactless payments, check for the module before you buy it - Redmi Note 11 (without the Pro console) does not have it!
2. Mid-segment (20,000 to 40,000) ₽): Gold balance price/quality
The mid-range is where Xiaomi offers the most returns for money, and you can count on the flagship processors of the past generation, quality screens and cameras that are not ashamed to compare with the iPhone or Samsung.
Xiaomi 11T Pro — “outgoing flagship” with the Snapdragon 888 processor, which in 2022 moved to the mid-range. the Main advantages: 120 watts ultrafast charging (the battery charges in 17 minutes!), 120 Hz AMOLED-Display and excellent 108MP main camera. Cons: no wireless charging and glass case slippery.
The POCO F4 GT is the best gaming smartphone in this price range, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (the flagship chip of 2022) and unique magnetic triggers for gameplay (the analogue of shoulder buttons on gamepads). The screen supports 120 Hz, and a 4,700 mAh battery with 120 W charging will not sit at the most critical moment.
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE — The thinnest and lightest smartphone in the lineup (just 158 grams and 6.8 mm thick) is suitable for those who appreciate compactness and stylish design. 778G It takes most tasks, and 90 Hz. AMOLED-The minus is a small battery (4250 mAh) that lasts only a day.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Battery/charge | Price (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 11T Pro | Snapdragon 888 | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 5000 mAh/20Wh | ~35 000 ₽ |
| POCO F4 GT | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | 6.67" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 4700 mAh/ 120 Wh | ~38 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Snapdragon 778G | 6.55" AMOLED, 90 Hz | 4250 mAh/33 Wh | ~28 000 ₽ |
⚠️ Attention: Models with prefix 5G NE (for example, 11 Lite 5G NE) often confused with ordinary 5G-Check the exact name before buying - the difference in characteristics can be significant!
3. flagship smartphones Xiaomi 2022: is it worth overpaying?
Xiaomi's flagships in 2022 are the Mi 12 and Mix 4, which are for those willing to pay for the most performance, premium materials and innovative chips, but not all models are worth the price.
Xiaomi 12 Pro – top smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 120 Hz processor LTPO-Display (adaptive refresh rate) and triple camera from Leica (main module 50 MP with optical stabilization). Pros: excellent performance, premium design, fast 120 watts charging. The main disadvantage is strong heating under load (up to 45).°C in games) which results in trottling (decreased performance).
Xiaomi Mix 4 is an experimental model with a subscreen front camera (CUP technology). Here is the same Snapdragon 888+, but the screen with a resolution of 2400×1080 and a frequency of 120 Hz looks amazing. The camera at 108 MP shoots better than the 12 Pro, but the battery is only 4500 mAh is not enough for the flagship.
- 🔥 Xiaomi 12 Pro: the best flagship for games and photography, but warms up
- 📸 Xiaomi Mix 4: unique design and camera, but weak autonomy
- 💸 Xiaomi 12: “younger flagship” with the same chips, but cheaper by 10 000 ₽
Why is Xiaomi 12 Pro hotter than its competitors?
4. Xiaomi gaming smartphones: POCO vs Black Shark
If you’re looking for a smartphone exclusively for gaming, Xiaomi has two options: the POCO F4 GT (Universal Gaming Device) and the Black Shark 5 Pro (Special Esports Solution).
Black Shark 5 Pro is pure gaming without compromise. There are two physical triggers (buttons on the sides), active cooling with liquid system, 144 Hz screen and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Battery at 4650 mAh with 120 W charging allows you to play for 5-6 hours without recharging. Cons: the camera is weak (even for 2022), and the design for the amateur (aggressive “game” style).
The POCO F4 GT, as mentioned, is a hybrid of gaming and casual smartphone. It is cheaper than the Black Shark, but it is equipped with the same magnetic triggers and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The screen is 120 Hz (versus 144 Hz from a competitor), but the battery is larger – 4700 mAh. The main advantage is a more balanced camera and less “screaming” design.
Make sure you have triggers (physical or magnetic)
Check 120/144Hz support for your favorite games
Evaluate autonomy (game smartphones discharge faster)
Compare prices on AliExpress and in local stores (the difference can be up to 10 000). ₽)-->
5. Xiaomi for Photography: Which Models Shoot Better?
If the camera is your priority №1, then in 2022 Xiaomi has three models worth noting.It's important to understand that even the brand's flagship smartphones are losing out to the iPhone 13 Pro or Samsung Galaxy. S22 Ultra in photo processing, but for their money they offer a great ratio.
Xiaomi 12 Pro is the best option for professional shooting. Here is a triple camera from Leica:
50 MP (Sony IMX707) with optical stabilization
- Ultra-wide: 50 MP (115°)
- Telephoto: 50 MP (2).× zoom)
Pros: great color reproduction, good detail, support for 8K video. Cons: night shooting is worse than the Google Pixel 6.
Xiaomi 11T Pro is an alternative for those who want a 108 MP camera at a lower price. The main module here is the same as in the Mi 11 Ultra, but without the proprietary processing of Leica. During the daytime, the photo quality is excellent, but at dusk you get noises. The video shoots at 8K@24fps, but without stabilization.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — Best budget camera for photography. His 108 MP camera (Samsung) HM2) Daytime is not inferior to many flagships of 2021, night shooting and video are weak points, but for the most part, the main reason is that the world is not a big city. ~25 000 ₽ that's forgivable.
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To improve the quality of photos on Xiaomi, turn off the mode"AI-The AI algorithms often overdo the processing, making the pictures unnatural.
6. Which Xiaomi to buy for long-term autonomy?
If you want a smartphone that lasts 2 days without recharging, Xiaomi has a few decent options in 2022, the main thing is to pay attention not only to battery capacity, but also to software optimization and processor (for example, Mediatek chips are often more economical than Snapdragon).
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G — The leader in autonomy in the budget segment. 4500 mAh paired with a Dimensity processor 920 (6 nm provides up to 1,5-2 days of operation with mixed use. 120 The watt allows for recovery 100% post 15 minute.
Xiaomi 11T Pro is the best choice in the mid-range segment. Here is a battery of 5000 mAh and the same 120 watts of charging. With moderate use (social networks, messengers, games) lasts for a day and a half. In active use (games, video) for 1 day.
The POCO M4 Pro 5G is a budget version with a battery of 5000 mAh. The Dimensity 810 processor is not the most productive, but it is very energy efficient. At a base load (calls, Internet) can last up to 2 days.
| Model | Battery capacity | Processor | Autonomy (roughly) | Fast charging. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | 4500 mAh | Dimensity 920 | 1,5-2 day-day | 120 W. |
| Xiaomi 11T Pro | 5,000 mAh | Snapdragon 888 | 1-1.5 days | 120 W. |
| POCO M4 Pro 5G | 5,000 mAh | Dimensity 810 | 1,5-2 day-day | 33 Watts |
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The fastest charging doesn’t always mean better battery life. For example, the Xiaomi 11T Pro charges in 17 minutes, but because of the powerful processor, it discharges faster than the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ with a smaller battery.
7. Xiaomi 2022: Which models are not worth buying?
Not all Xiaomi smartphones are worth your attention. Some models suffer from poor optimization, outdated specs or overpriced. Here are three devices that you can avoid:
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite (without 5G NE) is an outdated model of 2021 with a Snapdragon 732G processor that no longer pulls modern games.
The POCO X4 Pro 5G is a good option, but it’s actually a weak processor (Snapdragon 695) and a bad screen (IPS instead of AMOLED). For the same money, you can take the Redmi Note 11 Pro and get a much more balanced device.
Xiaomi Civi is a stylish smartphone for selfies, but with a small battery (4500 mAh) and mediocre performance (Snapdragon) 778G). Same price (~30 000 ₽) It is better to take the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful with buying Xiaomi on AliExpress or in unofficial stores! many models (e.g. Redmi) K50) They are sold with global firmware, but without Russian support. LTE-Before buying, check compatibility with operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) on the website 4PDA.