Which Xiaomi smartphone is better to buy in 2026: a detailed guide to the models

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 is not an easy task. The brand offers dozens of models, from budget Redmi to premium Xiaomi 14, from gaming Black Shark to compact Poco. Each line is focused on different needs: someone needs a powerful processor for games, someone needs a long battery, and someone needs the best camera for reasonable money. In this article, we will analyze the key models of 2023-2026, their pros and cons, and also help determine which one is right for you.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi is actively updating the lines: for example, the Redmi Note 13 has already replaced the Note 12, and the flagship Xiaomi 14 has replaced the 13th series. While old models often get cheaper, but lose support for updates. We will take this into account in the recommendations, and also compare the prices of new and used devices. If you are looking for the optimal value for money, read on โ€” there is no advertising, only honest analysis.

1. How to choose a Xiaomi smartphone: what to look for

Before comparing specific models, determine your priorities. Here are 5 key parameters that influence your choices:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery and charging: from 4000 mAh for public sector employees to 5500 mAh for flagships. Fast charging (33-120 watts) saves time.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera: public sector employees (up to 20 thousand rubles) usually have 48-64 MP, flagships - 200 MP with optical zoom.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for games, Dimensity 9000+ Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 for office tasks.
  • ๐Ÿ“ Display: AMOLED 120Hz frequency is preferred IPS Size: 6.1โ€“6.8 inches.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Price: budget to 15 thousand rubles. - Redmi, 15โ€“30 thousand. โ€” Poco/Xiaomi, from 50 thousand rubles. - flagships.

Xiaomi promises 3-4 years of updates for flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14) and 2 years for budget lines (for example, Redmi). 12C). If you are interested in a long service life, pay attention to MIUI brand version and policy.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Models with the Pro or Ultra suffix often have the best cameras and screens, but don't always justify the price difference. - Redmi Note 13 Pro, for example+ It costs 10 thousand rubles more expensive than the basic version, but differs only in zoom and body material.

๐Ÿ“Š What is the most important parameter for you when choosing a smartphone?
Camera.
Productivity
Battery
Display.
Price.

2.The best budget smartphones Xiaomi (up to 15 000) โ‚ฝ)

The budget segment is Redmi and some Poco models, and you don't expect top-end performance, but you can find devices with a good battery and an acceptable camera, and let's look at two of the best models in 2026.

Redmi 13C โ€” best pick up to 10,000 โ‚ฝ

Model Redmi 13C (Released at the end of 2023, it was a logical continuation 12C, But with an improved Helio processor. G85 And a 90Hz display. The main pluses:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ 5000 mAh battery with support for 18 W charging (complete 10 W unit).
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Main camera 50 MP (vs 13 MP competitors in this price segment).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Display 6.74" with resolution HD+ (Full HD, But the price is fine).
  • ๐Ÿ’พ Memory: options 4/128 GB 6/128 GB, slot for microSD.

Of the minuses - plastic case and absence NFC In the basic version, if you need it. NFC For contactless payments, look for a Redmi modification. 13C NFC (It is more expensive by 1-1.5 thousand rubles.).

Poco M6 Pro - budgetary with AMOLED-screen

Poco M6 Pro (2026) โ€“ a rare case when in the budget segment appears AMOLED-This makes it the best choice for those who value the quality of the picture and are not willing to overpay for flagships:

  • ๐ŸŽจ Screen 6.67" AMOLED 120Hz and Dolby Vision support.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ 5000 mAh battery with quick charging of 67 W (full charge in 45 minutes).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor is one of the best in the budget segment.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Dual camera: 64 MP (main camera) + 2 MP (macro).

The main disadvantage is the absence 5G (only 4G). If you need a budget support for fifth networks, pay attention to the Redmi Note 12 5G (But he's got a screen. IPS).

๐Ÿ’ก

If you need a budget smartphone with a good screen, take Poco M6 Pro. If priority โ€” 5G and NFC, Choose the Redmi Note 12 5G.

3. Mid-segment (15 000 โ€“ 35 000) โ‚ฝ): best-selling

In this range, Xiaomi offers the most balanced devices: powerful processors, good cameras and long support for updates. 5G, NFC And premium chips like that. IP53 (dust-proofing).

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G โ€” Best pick for $25,000 โ‚ฝ

Redmi Note 13 Pro Model+ (2026 is the optimal balance between price and opportunity:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Triple chamber: 200 MP (main camera) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 2 MP (macro) This is the best camera in the segment up to 30 thousand rubles.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ 5000 mAh battery with 120 watts of charging (full charge in 19 minutes!).
  • ๐ŸŽจ Screen 6.67" AMOLED 120Hz and Dolby Vision support.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Protection IP68 โ€” rarity.

The Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor provides smooth gaming experience in medium settings. Of the cons, there is no wireless charging and a glass back panel (fragile without a case).

Xiaomi 13T โ€” mid-range

Xiaomi model 13T (2023) is a lightweight version of the flagship, which retains its best features: a camera from Leica and a powerful Dimensity 8200 Ultra processor:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Triple Leica camera: 50 MP (main, 1/1.28" sensor) + 50 MP (telephoto, 2x zoom) + 12 MP (ultra-wide).
  • ๐ŸŽจ Screen. 6.67" AMOLED permittingly 1220ร—2712 frequency 144 Hz.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery 5000 mAh with a charge of 67 W.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Protection IP53 and a glass case with a metal frame.

The main disadvantage is that there is no micro support.SD (If you want more than 256 GB, you have to choose another model. 13T Released in 2023, so in 2026 it can already be found at a discount (~30 thousand rubles instead of 40 thousand rubles at the start of sales).

๐Ÿ’ก

If you often take pictures in poor lighting, Xiaomi 13T Leica camera is one of the best options in its segment.

4. flagship Xiaomi smartphones (from 50 000) โ‚ฝ)

Xiaomi's flagships are the Xiaomi 14, 14 Pro and 14 Ultra. They get the best processors (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3), premium materials (ceramics, titanium) and the most advanced optics. But should we overpay? Let's figure it out.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best camera on the market

Xiaomi 14 Ultra (2026) is a photo monster with four Leica modules:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Main camera: 50 MPP (1" sensor, f/1.6โ€“f/4.0 diaphragm).
  • ๐Ÿ” Telephoto: 50 MP s 3.2x optical zoom and 50 MP with 5x zoom.
  • ๐ŸŒ„ Ultra-wide: 50 MP with autofocus.
  • ๐ŸŽฅ Video: filming 8K@24fps Dolby Vision and.

Besides the camera, here:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor is the most powerful.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery 5300 mAh with 90 W wired and 80 W wireless charging.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Screen 6.73" 2K AMOLED 120 Hz and 3000 nits of brightness.

Cons: Price from 100,000 โ‚ฝ, heavy weight (224g) and no microSD slot.This is a smartphone for photography enthusiasts, not for the mass buyer.

Xiaomi 14 โ€“ balanced flagship

If 14 Ultra is too expensive, 13T โ€” Not powerful enough, Xiaomi 14 (2026) is the middle ground:

  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Triple Leica Camera: 50 MP (main camera) + 50 MP (telephoto, 3.2x zoom) + 50 MP (ultra-wide).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (like Ultra but without overheating).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery 4610 mAh with 90 W charging (less than Ultra, but enough for a day).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Screen. 6.36" AMOLED permittingly 1200ร—2670 frequency 120 Hz.

The main advantage over 14 Ultra is compactness (weight 188 g) and price (~70 000 โ‚ฝ). Of the minuses, no. 5x If you donโ€™t need extreme capabilities, Xiaomi 14 is the best choice among flagships.

What is the difference between Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro?
Xiaomi 14 The Pro has a larger screen (6.73" against 6.36"), battery 4880 mAh (vs. vs. mAh) 4610 mAh), support 8K@30fps (bal 14 only 24fps) But in everyday use, the difference is minimal, and the overpayment is ~20 000 โ‚ฝ.

5. Xiaomi gaming smartphones: Black Shark and Poco F6

If you need a smartphone for gaming, Xiaomi offers two lines: Black Shark (specialized gaming devices) and Poco F (powerful devices at an affordable price).

Black Shark 6 Pro for Hardcore Gamers

Black Shark 6 Pro (2023) is a specialty gaming smartphone with:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (in 2026, not the newest, but still powerful).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery 5000 mAh with 120 W charging.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Screen 6.67" AMOLED 144 Hz and pressure sensors (Maglev triggers for games).
  • ๐ŸŽง 3.5mm headphone jack (rare in 2026).

The main plus is active cooling (fan inside the case) and physical buttons for games. Cons: the camera is weaker than the flagships (64 MP), and the design is not for everyone (aggressive "game" style: ~50 000 โ‚ฝ.

Poco F6 โ€” powerful but no frills

Poco F6 (2026) is an alternative to gaming smartphones for those who want a powerful processor but are not willing to put up with the bulky design of Black Shark:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Snapdragon processor 8s Gen 3 is almost like flagships, but cheaper.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Screen 6.67" AMOLED 120Hz and Dolby Vision support.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery 5000 mAh with 90 W charging.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Dual camera: 50 MP (main camera) + 8 MP (ultra-wide).

The main advantage is the price (~35 000 โ‚ฝ) Cons: no 3.5mm and medium camera (but not critical for gaming).

๐Ÿ”น Support for your favorite games at maximum settings

๐Ÿ”น Active cooling (for long sessions)

๐Ÿ”น Battery capacity (minimum 4500 mAh)

๐Ÿ”น 3.5mm or high-quality Bluetooth for headphones-->

6. Comparative table of the best models Xiaomi 2026

ModelPrice (โ‚ฝ)ProcessorCamera.BatteryScreen.For whom?
Redmi 13C9 000โ€“11 000Helio G8550 MP5000 mAh, 18 watts6.74" HD+, 90 HzBudget option for calls and social networks
Poco M6 Pro15 000โ€“17 000Snapdragon 4 Gen 264 MPs5000 mAh, 67 Wh6.67" AMOLED, 120 HzBest screen on budget
Redmi Note 13 Pro+25 000โ€“28 000Dimensity 7200 Ultra200 MP5000 mAh, 120 watts6.67" AMOLED, 120 HzBest camera in the middle segment
Xiaomi 13T30 000โ€“35 000Dimensity 8200 Ultra50+50+12 MP (Leica)5000 mAh, 67 Wh6.67" AMOLED, 144 HzFor photography and performance
Xiaomi 1470 000โ€“75 000Snapdragon 8 Gen 350+50+50 MP (Leica)4610 mAh, 90 Wh6.36" AMOLED, 120 HzCompact flagship with top camera

7 Which Xiaomi Model Should Not Be Buyed in 2026

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are worth considering, but here are some models that should not be considered due to outdated specs or overpriced features:

  • โŒ Redmi 12C โ€” weak processor (Helio) G85) and a 60Hz screen for the same price as the 13C.
  • โŒ Poco X5 Pro - overpriced (price) ~25 000 โ‚ฝ with a weak camera and Snapdragon 778G).
  • โŒ Xiaomi 12T โ€” Outdated (released in 2022, no support) MIUI 15).
  • โŒ Black Shark 5 is weaker than Poco F6 And more expensive because of the "gamer" brand.

โš ๏ธ Avoid buying used flagships older than 2 years (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T They don't get security updates anymore, and their batteries are worn out.+ for the same price.

8. FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing a Xiaomi smartphone

๐Ÿ”น Which Xiaomi is better for photography?
If the budget is up to 30,000 โ‚ฝ โ€” Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (200 MP) If more โ€“ Xiaomi 14 Ultra (Leica camera with variable aperture). for selfies better Xiaomi 14 (32 MP frontal).
๐Ÿ”น Which Xiaomi holds the charge for the longest time?
The battery is leading: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (5,000 mAh + 120W, Poco M6 Pro (5000 mAhh) + 67W and Black Shark 6 Pro (5000 mAh) + Flagships (Xiaomi 14) lose capacity, but win in optimization.
๐Ÿ”น Should you take Xiaomi with a MediaTek processor?
Yes, modern MediaTek chips (e.g. Dimensity 9000)+ or 7200 Ultra) are not inferior to Snapdragon in performance and even superior in energy efficiency. 12C), weaker.
๐Ÿ”น What Xiaomi is the most compact?
Xiaomi 14 (6.36) and Xiaomi 13 mini (6.28) are the smallest flagships. 13C (Note that compact models usually have a smaller battery.
๐Ÿ”น Where to buy Xiaomi: official website, Market or AliExpress?
The official website is a guarantee of 2 years, but the price is higher. Yandex Market - often discounts and cashback, a 1-year warranty. AliExpress - cheaper, but the risk of running into "gray" imports without a guarantee. Don't take if official support is important.