The past 2022 was a turning point for the Chinese tech giant: Xiaomi not only updated its model range, but also finally consolidated the strategy of brand separation, offering the market devices under the brands Redmi and POCO with a clear specialization. In this review, we will analyze in detail what new products appeared on store shelves, and help you decide on your choice if you are looking for a reliable device with current characteristics.
The main trend of the year was the mass introduction of support 5G budgetary segment and the transition to AMOLED-If previously the lot of premium, in 2022 they became the de facto standard, users could enjoy smooth images and rich color reproduction without overpaying for top-end specs.
Engineers have focused on optimizing MIUI and improving photo processing algorithms, and many models have received optical stabilization (OIS), which has become rare in the mid-range in past generations. Let's dive into the details and see what exactly the developers have in store for us in this busy year.
Xiaomi 12 and 13 Series: The Top of Evolution
The opening of the year came with the launch of the Xiaomi 12 series, which set the tone for the entire market. For the first time, the company bet on the compact dimensions of the flagship device, offering a diagonal of 6.28 inches against the standard 6.7. This solution was liked by many users tired of shovels, but still retained the most powerful filling.
The heart of the device was the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a 4nm processor. Despite the controversy surrounding its heat transfer, in conjunction with the new Mi Ice Loop cooling system, smartphones performed well in benchmarks. The camera also underwent changes: the main module of Sony IMX766 received support for night shooting of the new generation.
Later, in early 2023 (but announced late 2022), the world saw the Xiaomi 13 series. It became the first line to run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. It was a huge leap in energy efficiency and graphics performance. Leica optics, integrated into the software, allowed you to take pictures with a unique color profile.
- 📱 Compact: Xiaomi 12 and 12S They are one of the most comfortable flagships of the year.
- 🚀 Power: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Gen 2 deliver performance margins for years to come.
- 📸 Photograph: Partnership with Leica takes mobile photography to the next level.
⚠️ Warning: Early versions of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor may be prone to overheating when video is recorded for long periods of time. 4K. It is recommended to use lightweight covers for better heat sink.
The 12S Pro series featured 120W HyperCharge fast charging technology, which allowed a 4,600mAh battery to be charged in just 19 minutes, a charge rate made possible by the new battery architecture and 6A-labeled charging cables.
Redmi Note 11 series: folk hit and quality standards
In terms of mass, the Redmi Note 11 series is unmatched, and has become the benchmark for what a modern mid-range smartphone should be, and in 2022, the lineup expanded to unprecedented proportions to include the Lite, Standard, Pro and Pro+ versions.
The key feature was the appearance AMOLED-And even in the basic models, the 90Hz screens were used in this segment. IPS-Now, the scrolling tape is smooth and the black color is really deep, and that's really improved the user experience. MIUI.
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ featured 120W charging, making it the most affordable phone at this speed, and the 4,500mAh battery was powered by lightning, a crucial factor for many users.
The design of the devices has also changed, with flat body faces and a square camera module making the line recognizable, and IP53 spray and dust protection has been a nice bonus, increasing the reliability of the device in everyday life.
POCO: Productivity above all else
The POCO brand continued its flagship killer strategy in 2022 with the POCO F4 and F4 GT series.
The POCO F4 GT received mechanical retractable L/R triggers that transformed the smartphone into a portable console. This allowed you to play shooters and race with full immersion without buying additional accessories. The screen with a frequency of 120 Hz provided maximum smoothness in dynamic scenes.
In a more affordable segment came the POCO X4 and M4 series
- 🎮 Gaming: Mechanical triggers and Game Turbo mode for maximum performance.
- ⚡ Charging: Support for 67W and 120W depending on model.
- 💾 Memory: Generous volumes of built-in storage UFS 3.1.
⚠️ Note: Mechanical triggers in POCO F4 GT They can get clogged with dust, periodically check their condition and gently clean them with compressed air.
Software optimization is a special focus, with new widgets and customization features in the POCO Launcher to customize the device to suit your needs, and aggressive power management in the background helped to keep the battery alive during long gaming sessions.
Budget segment: Redmi 10, 11 and 12
In the category “up to 15 thousand rubles” in 2022 reigned Redmi, models 10, 11 and released at the end of the year Redmi 12 (in some regions) offered a basic but necessary set of features. IPS-Low resolution screens have been replaced by HD+ and FHD+ matrix.
The focus was on autonomy. 5000 mAh batteries became the standard. When combined with the energy-efficient MediaTek Helio or Snapdragon 4xx series processors, these phones could last 2-3 days without recharging, ideal for children, the elderly or as a second working phone.
Cameras in this segment have also improved, with the 50MP core module allowing for detailed images in good light, and of course, no night shots or optical zoom, but there's enough quality for social media.
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When buying a budget smartphone, pay attention to the memory version. the 4/64 GB version in 2022 is already considered minimally comfortable, it is better to choose 4/128 GB or 6/128 GB for stock.
The case materials remained predominantly plastic, but the build quality has increased. The textured back cover prevents fingerprints and improves grip. The 3.5mm headphone jack and IR port have been preserved, which is important for the budget segment.
Foldable smartphones: Mix Fold and global expansion
2022 was the time Xiaomi decided to actively promote its foldable devices in the global market.Mi Mix Fold 2
Using the Micro-droplet hinge, it was almost completely free of the crease on the screen, and it was a technological breakthrough, and the internal screen had a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which made working with documents and multimedia incredibly comfortable.
But it's worth noting that these are niche devices, and they're expensive, and they're questionable, but for those of you who want to be at the forefront of progress, this was the best choice in the Android ecosystem.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Camera (MP) | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 12 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | 6.73" AMOLED 120Hz | 50 + 50 + 50 | 4600mAh |
| Redmi Note 11 Pro+ | Dimensity 920 | 6.67" AMOLED 120Hz | 108 + 8 + 2 | 4500mAh |
| POCO F4 GT | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | 6.67" AMOLED 120Hz | 64 + 8 + 2 | 4700mAh |
| Redmi 10 | Helio G88 | 6.5" IPS 90Hz | 50 + 8 + 2 + 2 | 5,000 mAh |
Why are foldable phones so expensive?
The results of the year: what to choose in 2026?
Looking back at the 2022 model range, it's safe to say that it was the middle-segment maturity year.Buying a phone from that year's release today is a sensible savings without a significant loss in quality.Devices have received long-term security updates and are often upgraded to newer versions of Android.
If you’re looking for a flagship, the Xiaomi 12/13 series is still relevant thanks to its powerful processors. POCO F4 or Redmi Note 11 Pro+ are perfect for everyday tasks and games.
Redmi 11/12
The main thing when buying used or residual warehouses is to check the status of the battery and the presence of original charging in the kit, since in some regions (for example, in Europe) they stopped being put in the box earlier than in others.
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Smartphones 2022 release have a margin of performance, which will last for 2-3 years of active operation, making them a profitable purchase in 2026.