What are the key differences of Xiaomi smartphones: a comparison of all lines of 2026

Xiaomi today offers more than 20 models of smartphones at a time - from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and gaming Black Shark. To understand this variety without preparation is almost impossible: externally, the devices are often similar, but the "stuffing" differ dramatically. Some are optimized for photography, others - for games, third - for maximum autonomy. At the same time, even in one line (for example, Redmi Note 13 vs Redmi Note 13 Pro+), the difference can reach 30-50% in key parameters.

In this article, we’ll systematize all the current Xiaomi series (2026), highlight their target audience and compare them by 10 criteria: from the processor to support updates. You’ll learn why the POCO F6 Pro is faster than the Redmi K70 with the same chipset than the Mi 14 Ultra is better for video, and why the Black Shark 6 is not suitable for everyday use.

1. The main lines of Xiaomi: who was created for what

Xiaomi products are divided into 4 global series, each of which solves its own problems. It is important to understand that the name of the model does not always reflect its capabilities: for example, the POCO X6 Pro is more powerful than the Redmi Note 13 Pro +, although POCO is considered a “junior” brand by positioning.

• 📱 Redmi - budget and mid-budget smartphones. Subseries: Note (best-selling), A (ultra-budget), Number (for example, Redmi) 13C). The main advantages: low price, long support for updates (up to 4 years for pro-versions.

⚠️ Attention: In 2023-2026, Xiaomi is actively remaking the lines, POCO F5 It became the Redmi name. K60 for the global market, and Mi 13T — It's a recycled Redmi. K60 Always check the model number before buying (for example, 23113RKC6C For the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G) On the official website check-up – this will help to avoid fakes.

2. Comparison by "iron": processors, memory, cooling

The main difference between Xiaomi models is the chipset, which uses processors from Qualcomm, MediaTek and its own development (for example, Surge in Mi Mix Fold 3).

The critical difference is that Dimensity smartphones (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+) often show better autonomy than Snapdragon at the same level, but lose in graphics tests (by 15-20% in 3DMark Wild Life).

Also, pay attention to the type of memory:

UFS 2.2 in budget models (Redmi 13C), read speed ~500 MB / s.

UFS 3.1 – in the middle segment (POCO X6), speeds up to 1200 MB / s.

- UFS 4.0 – only in flagships (Mi 14), speeds up to 2100 MB / s (important for the future). 4K-video).

3.Screens: Why the POCO F6 Pro is better for gaming than the Redmi K70

Displays in Xiaomi smartphones differ in 5 key parameters: matrix technology, refresh rate, resolution, brightness and support for HDR. For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro and POCO X6 Pro have the same chipset (Dimensity 8300-Ultra), but the screens they have fundamentally different:

• 📺 Redmi Note 13 Pro: AMOLED, 120 Hz, 2400×1080, brightness 1800 Dolby Vision, suitable for movies and social media.
• 🎮 POCO X6 Pro: AMOLED, 144 Hz, 2712×1220 (1.5K), brightness 2400 thread, HDR10+. Optimized for gaming (Genshin Impact on maximals gives you a good idea) +15 FPS).

⚠️ Note: In budget models (Redmi) 13C, POCO M6) frequently IPS LCD-90Hz screens are cheaper to produce, but have worse viewing angles and color rendering (sRGB instead of sRGB coating) DCIP3 into AMOLED). If you are a photographer or designer, these displays will not work.

It is worth noting the protection of the screen:

Gorilla Glass 3 - in budget models (scratches keys).

Gorilla Glass 5 - in the middle segment (withstands a drop from 1.6 m).

Gorilla Glass Victus 2 – only in flagships (Mi 14, Black Shark 6), protection from falls from 2 m.

4.Cameras: Why the Mi 14 Ultra shoots better than the iPhone 15 Pro in some scenes

Photo modules are one of the most controversial differences between Xiaomi models: budget smartphones (Redmi 13C) are equipped with cameras at 8-13 MP with a fixed aperture, while flagships (Mi 14 Ultra) get four-modular systems with Leica optics and sensors up to 200 MP.

Key differences:

• 📷 Budget (Redmi) A3, POCO M6): - Main camera: 13–50 MP, diaphragm f/1.8–2.2. - Ultrashire: 8 MP (quality as frontal) 5-The night mode works only in good lighting.
• 🎥 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note) 13 Pro+, POCO X6): - Main camera: 200 MP (Samsung) HP3) pixelated 16-into-1. - Optical zoom: 2x (digitally 20x). - Video: 4K@30fps stabilizing OIS.
• 🌌 Flagships (Mi) 14, Mi 14 Ultra: - Main camera: 50 MP (Sony) IMX989, 1 inch) with variable aperture f/1.6–4.0. - Telephoto: 3.2x optical zoom) + 5x Periscope: 8K@24fps Dolby Vision.

⚠️ Attention: In models POCO Redmi and Redmi often use the same photo module, but with different software.+ and POCO X6 Pros have a Samsung camera HP3 200 MP, but in POCO There is no ProMode mode for manual settings, this restriction is artificial and is related to marketing strategy.

Comparison of videoPossibilities:

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To check the real quality of the camera before you buy, check out samples on DXOMARK or 5. Battery and charging: why the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ charges faster than the iPhone 15 Pro Max

Autonomy is one of Xiaomi’s key strengths: even the budget models (Redmi 13C) have 5,000-5030mAh batteries, while the flagships (Mi 14 Ultra) get 5,300mAh with ultra-fast charging.

• ⚡ Budget models: - Capacity: 5000 mAh. - Charging: 18–33W (full cycle in 1.5-2 hours). - Wireless charging: no.
• ⚡ Medium segment: - Capacity: 5000-5500 mAh. - Charging: 67–120W (Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Charges in 19 minutes to 100%. - Wireless charging: 30W (only POCO F6 Pro and higher).
• ⚡ Flagships: - Capacity: 4600-5300 mAh (less due to thin body). - Charging: 90–120W wired + 50W Wireless (Mi 14 Ultra) - Reverse charging: 10W (headphones can be charged).

⚠️ Attention: Fast charging 120W+ It reduces battery life by 15-20% after 500 cycles (AnandTech test data).If you plan to use a smartphone longer than 2 years, it is better to limit your battery life to a battery life. 67W and charge to 80%.

The secret to long-term autonomy: MediaTek Dimensity (Redmi Note 13 Pro+) models use UltraSave technology, which shuts down CPU cores when downtime, which gives +2-3 hours of work compared to the same level of Snapdragon.

Use the original power supply unit|Turn off fast charging after 80%|Don't discharge below 20%|Update the software (in new versions) MIUI optimized energy consumption)|Turn off background activity of unnecessary applications-->

6.Software: MIUI vs POCO Launcher vs HyperOS

All Xiaomi smartphones are based on Android, but with different shells:

MIUI is the standard firmware for Redmi and Mi.

POCO Launcher is a lightweight version for the POCO line (less than Bloatware).

HyperOS is a new system (since 2026) that combines MIUI and POCO Launcher into a single ecosystem.

Key differences:

⚠️ Note: In 2026, Xiaomi began blocking the unlocking of the bootloader on new models (Mi 14, Redmi Note 13).This means that it will become impossible to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS (POCO F5, Redmi K60).

How to disable advertising in MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone.

2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.

3. Return to Settings → Additional → Special Features.

4. disable Receive recommendations and display ads.

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HyperOS isn’t just a rebranded MIUI; the new system uses the Xiaomi Vela kernel, which handles background tasks 20% faster (Geekbench ML tests).

7. Additional chips: what flagships know, what is not in public sector

Beyond hardware, Xiaomi’s premium models get unique features that you won’t find in budget lines.

• 🔊 Sound: - Redmi 13C: one speaker, no 3.5mm connector. - Mi 14: stereo speakers Harman Kardon, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio.
• 🔒 Security: - POCO M6: face-blocking (2D). - Mi 14 Ultra: Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner 3D (It works underwater, and it's a heart rate sensor.
• 🌡️ Sensors: - Budget: accelerometer, gyroscope, compass. - Flagships: barometer, laser rangefinder (Mi 14 Ultra), IR port (engineering control).
• 📶 Link: - Redmi Note 13: 5G (But no mm waves, Wi-Fi 5. - Mi 14: 5G mmWave, Wi-Fi 7 (5.8 Gbps), UWB (precise location for AirTags).

⚠️ Note: Black Shark models have physical triggers for games (6 sensitivity levels), but they don’t work in conventional applications (e.g., in a camera or browser.

Hidden capabilities of MIUI:

The Mi 14 has a Xiaomi AI Subtitles mode – it translates speech in text in real time (works offline for 10 languages).

In POCO F6 Pro, you can activate Performance Mode via the engineering menu (#4636###), which gives +10% FPS in games.

8.Prices and target audience: which model to choose

To avoid overpaying, focus on the intended purpose of the smartphone. Below are the recommendations for prices for May 2026 (for the Russian market):

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi prices in Russia are often overpriced 20–30% If you are willing to wait, order from AliExpress (official Mi Global Store stores) or through carriers from Europe (Amazon) DE/ES). Check the firmware region: models for India (IN) supportive NFC Contactless payments in Russia.

How to save money:

Buy POCO models instead of Redmi with a similar chipset (for example, POCO X6 is cheaper than Redmi Note 13 Pro by 3-5 thousand rubles).

- Keep an eye on the Wildberries and SberMegaMarket sales - discounts of up to 30% are available on Black Friday days.

Take versions with 128 GB of memory: the difference in price from 256 GB is often unjustified (you can buy a microSD).

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If you’re looking for a smartphone for gaming, look not only at the processor but also at the cooling system. For example, the POCO F6 Pro with a liquid metal radiator heats up 12°C less than the Redmi K70 with a graphite pad (NotebookCheck tests).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the differences in Xiaomi smartphones