Xiaomi has gone from being a niche Chinese brand to a global smartphone giant that caters to every taste and wallet in the last 10 years, but this diversity has created confusion: what do the names Redmi, POCO, Mi and Black Shark mean? Why do some models cost 10,000 rubles and others 100,000? And most importantly, how do you choose what you want?
In this article, we will analyze all the current Xiaomi lines according to three key criteria: price segment, target audience and technical features. You will learn how the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ differs from the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, why the POCO F6 is cheaper than the POCO X6 Pro, and whether to overpay for the Black Shark 5 Pro.
1. Xiaomi brand hierarchy: who obeys whom
The first thing that is confusing is the embedding of brands, and in fact, Xiaomi products are divided into four main areas, each of which is targeted at its audience:
- 📱 Xiaomi (Mi) is a flagship lineup with premium specs and design. Here you will find the best cameras, screens. 2K+ Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors.
- 💰 Redmi is a budget and mid-range, the most extensive lineup, where everything is: from smartphones for 8 000 rubles to devices with a high-end product. AMOLED-screens and 108 MP cameras.
- 🎮 POCO — A brand for enthusiasts who want maximum performance for minimal money. Often uses "obsolete" flagship chips (for example, Snapdragon 8).+ Gen 1 inches POCO F5 Pro).
- 🕹️ Black Shark – gaming smartphones with active cooling, physical triggers and a 144 Hz screen+.
It’s important to understand that POCO and Black Shark are sub-brands, albeit owned by Xiaomi, with their own development teams, marketing strategies, and even individual sites, while Redmi is Xiaomi’s internal division that focuses on affordable devices.
⚠️ Note: Since 2023, Xiaomi has been simplifying names by removing the Mi from flagship names. Now, instead of the Xiaomi Mi 13, it's just the Xiaomi 13.
2. Xiaomi (Mi) lineup: flagships for photographers and geeks
If you’re looking for the best Xiaomi has to offer, welcome to the world of Xiaomi’s flagship (formerly Mi) smartphones, which compete with the Samsung Galaxy S and iPhone, offering:
- 📸 Cameras with Leica optics (since 2022), support 8K-Video and sensors up to 200 MP (as in Xiaomi 14 Ultra).
- 🖥️ Screens. 2K AMOLED Dolby Vision with 120 Hz support.
- ⚡ The latest generation of processors: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Dimensity 9300.
- 🔋 Fast charging to 120W (Full charge in 18 minutes in Xiaomi 14 Pro).
Price range: from 60,000 to 150,000 rubles depending on the model and region, the main disadvantage is the high price, which often approaches Apple or Samsung, but without the same ecosystem.
| Model | Processor | Main camera. | Screen. | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 50 MP (Leica, 1) + 50 MP (periscope) | 6.73" 2K AMOLED, 120 Hz | ~130 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 14 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 50 MP (Leica) + 50 MP (ultra-wide) | 6.73" 2K AMOLED, 120 Hz | ~100 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 14 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 50 MP (Leica) + 50 MP (Telephoto) | 6.36" FHD+ AMOLED, 120 Hz | ~80 000 ₽ |
Xiaomi flagships often get MIUI updates longer than other lines — up to 4 years of major updates and 5 years of security (starting with the Xiaomi 13 series).
3.Redmi lineup: Budget vs Half Price Premium
Redmi is the largest segment in Xiaomi’s portfolio, which is divided into several sublinear segments:
- 📱 Redmi (without consoles) – the cheapest smartphones (for example, Redmi) 13C for 10,000 ₽). Here you will get the basic Helio. G85, screen HD+ 50 MP camera without stabilization.
- 📝 Redmi Note is the middle ground, the most popular series with a price-performance balance, like the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+ It offers a 200 MP camera and 120W 35,000 charge ₽.
- 💎 Redmi K (or Redmi Pro) — "flagship killers" used top-end chips of the past (for example, Snapdragon 8).+ Gen 1 in Redmi K70 Pro) at a price 2 times lower than the Xiaomi 14.
Redmi's main advantage is its price/quality ratio, but there are pitfalls.
⚠️ Note: Budget Redmi (up to 15,000) ₽) frequent LCD-Low resolution screens, weak processors (Helio G or Snapdragon) 4xx) And a plastic case, if you care. AMOLED or performance – look towards the Redmi Note or POCO.
| Sublinek | Example of model | Price (2026) | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi (basic) | Redmi 13C | ~10 000 ₽ | Retirees, second phone, gifts |
| Redmi Note | Redmi Note 13 Pro | ~25 000 ₽ | Students, office workers |
| Redmi K/Pro | Redmi K70 Pro | ~45 000 ₽ | Gamers, photography enthusiasts |
Learn the sublinear (Note, K, basic)
Compare the processors (Snapdragon vs Helio)
Check the screen type (AMOLED vs LCD)
Pay attention to 5G support
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4.POCO: Performance without overpayment
POCO was born in 2018 as a response to users who wanted maximum performance for minimal money. Today it is a separate brand, but closely related to Xiaomi.
- ⚡ "Outdated flagship chips, POCO F5 Pro gets Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (2022), which is not inferior in power to many new processors.
- 🔋 Large batteries (5000–6,000 mAh) with fast charging 67W–120W.
- 🖥️ High frequency screens (120–144 Hz) even in budget models.
- 💰 Prices are 20-30% lower than those of Samsung or OnePlus.
But POCO has its weaknesses:
- 📸 The middle cameras, even the POCO X6 Pro main module - 64 MP, which loses to the flagships.
- 🛠️ Minimalist design, plastic case, no premium materials.
- 🔄 Rare software updates. POCO It gets updates later than Xiaomi or Redmi.
Who's good for? POCO? For gamers who want 144Hz for 30,000 ₽, Or for those who need Snapdragon performance 8xx, But there's no money for the flagship.
Why is POCO cheaper than Xiaomi?
5.Black Shark: Playing monsters with active cooling
If you're serious about mobile games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, Honor of Kings), Black Shark is your choice. These are smartphones designed specifically for gamers and offer:
- 🎮 Physical triggers (similar to gamepad buttons) with customizable sensitivity.
- ❄️ Active cooling.The Black Shark 5 Pro uses liquid cooling with a fan (!), which reduces the temperature by 18.°C.
- 🖥️ Screens with a frequency of 144 Hz and a response time of 1 ms.
- 🔋 Dual batteries (2500 mAh each in Black Shark 4 Pro) for fast charging without overheating.
But there's a downside.
⚠️ Attention: Black Shark is a niche device, bulky (up to 10 mm thick), heavy (220-240 g) and aggressively designed for everyday use, inconvenient, and weaker than even the cameras. POCO.
Price range: from 40 000 to 70 000 rubles. the main competitors are ASUS ROG Phone and Nubia Red Magic.
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If you like games but don’t want to overpay for Black Shark, look for the Redmi K70 Pro or POCO F6 Pro – they also support 144Hz and have powerful chips, but without specialized gamer chips.
6. Line comparison: what to choose in 2026
To make it easier, we've compiled a benchmarking table on key parameters.
| Criteria | Xiaomi (Mi) | Redmi | POCO | Black Shark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price. | 60 000–150 000 ₽ | 8 000–50 000 ₽ | 20 000–50 000 ₽ | 40 000–70 000 ₽ |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 4/6/7xx, Helio G | Snapdragon 7/8xx (Generations Back) | Snapdragon 8xx (with cooling) |
| Screen. | 2K AMOLED, 120Hz | FHD+ AMOLED/LCD, 60–120 Hz | FHD+ AMOLED, 120–144 Hz | FHD+ AMOLED, 144 Hz |
| Camera. | 50–200 MP (Leica) | 13-200 MP (without stabilization in the budget) | 48–64 MP (medium level) | 48-64 MP (not a priority) |
| For whom? | Photographers, lovers of premium devices | Budget buyers, students | Gamers, Performance Enthusiasts | Professional mobile gamers |
Summary recommendations:
- 📷 Want the best photos? Take Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+.
- 🎯 You need productivity for reasonable money? POCO F6 Pro or Redmi K70 Pro.
- 💰 A limited budget? 13C or POCO M6 Pro.
- 🎮 Playing on a smartphone? Only Black Shark 5 Pro.
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If you are in doubt between POCO and Redmi K, take POCO for global firmware and more aggressive cooling, or Redmi K for better MIUI optimization.
7. Frequent mistakes when choosing a Xiaomi smartphone
Many buyers face frustration after buying because they didn't take into account key nuances.Here's the top-5 Mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Buying at a price, not a need. Don't take the Xiaomi 14 Pro if you only want calls and social media, overpay for unnecessary features. Conversely, don't skimp on the Redmi 13C if you like mobile games.
- Ignoring regional firmware: Some models (e.g. POCO for India) have stripped down firmware without 5G or with limited 4G frequencies.
- Untested seller. There are many gray Xiaomis with Chinese firmware that don't update. Buy only from official partners.
- Neglect of updates. Budget Redmi get updates for only 2 years, and flagships - 4. If a long soft-sapport is important, take Xiaomi 13/14.
- Unaccounted for chips. For example, Black Shark doesn't have a microSD slot, and some POCOs don't have a 3.5mm connector.
How do you avoid mistakes? Always check:
- 🔍 Xiaomi official website for your region (specifications may vary!).
- 📋 YouTube reviews with performance tests and cameras.
- 💬 Forum feedback (4PDA, Mi Community on a particular model.