Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2022 is not an easy task. The brand offers dozens of models, from budget Redmi to premium Mi and Black Shark for gamers. Each line has its own characteristics, and the range is updated monthly. How not to get confused in specs and not overpay for unnecessary features?
In this guide, we will analyze the current models of 2022, released or introduced before December, examine their strengths and weaknesses, compare prices and help determine which Xiaomi is right for you – for games, photography, long-term autonomy or work, and pay special attention to the value / quality ratio, because this is the main trump card of the brand.
Spoiler: If you want a smartphone "just for calls and social media," overpaying for the Xiaomi 12 Pro doesn't make sense. But for mobile photography enthusiasts or streamers, the choice is much broader. Let's figure it out!
Xiaomi’s Key Smartphone Lines in 2022: How Are They Different?
Before comparing specific models, it is important to understand how the brand’s main series differ, which will help narrow the search and avoid errors.
1. Xiaomi Series 12 (flagships) – top smartphones with the best cameras, displays 2K+ and Snapdragon processors 8 Gen 1/2. Suitable for photographers, gamers and those who want maximum performance. 50 000 before 90 000 ruble.
2.The Redmi Note series (mid-segment) is the gold standard in price/quality. Here you will find balanced models with good screens, 108 MP cameras and Snapdragon processors. 6xx Or Dimensity. Perfect for most users. Price: 15,000 - 35,000 rubles.
3. Series POCO (performance for reasonable money) – smartphones with an emphasis on “iron”: powerful processors, high-performance FPS in games, but often with stripped-down cameras or plastic case, for gamers on a budget, Price: 20,000 - 40,000 rubles.
4. series Black Shark (gaming smartphones) - specialized devices with physical triggers, active cooling and a screen of 144 Hz. Only for avid gamers. Price: from 45 000 rubles.
5. The Redmi series (budget models) are simple smartphones for basic tasks: calls, messengers, light games. Often with Helio G processors and cameras for 13-50 MP. Price: up to 15,000 rubles.
- 🔝 Flagships: Xiaomi 12 Pro, 12S Ultra – for those who are willing to pay for premium.
- 💰 Best Price/Quality Rate: Redmi Note 11 Pro+, POCO F4 GT.
- 🎮 For the games: Black Shark 5 Pro, POCO F4 GT — cooled.
- 📸 For photo: Xiaomi 12S Ultra (with Leica), Redmi Note 11 Pro+.
- 💳 Budget up to 15,000 ₽: Redmi 10, POCO M4 Pro.
TOP-5 smartphones Xiaomi 2022: rating by category
We selected the best models in key categories, taking into account user reviews, tests and current prices at the end of 2022.
| Category | Model | Key chips | Price (₽) | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best flagship | Xiaomi 12S Ultra | Leica camera (50+48+48 MP), screen 2K LTPO, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | 85 000–95 000 | Photographers, lovers of premium devices |
| Best Mid-Segment | Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Screen. AMOLED 120Hz, 108MP camera, charging 120W | 28 000–33 000 | Most of the users |
| Best game | Black Shark 5 Pro | 144Hz screen, physical triggers, active cooling | 45 000–50 000 | Gamers, streamers. |
| Best budgetary | Redmi 10 2022 | 90 Hz screen, 5000 mAh battery, NFC | 12 000–14 000 | Older relatives, second phone |
| Best for autonomy | POCO M4 Pro 5G | 5000 mAh battery, Dimensity 810 processor, fast charging | 18 000–22 000 | Those who travel frequently |
Important: Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the only smartphone in the 2022 lineup with official support for Leica cameras, which guarantees better color reproduction and detail compared to other models of the brand.
If you need a smartphone “all about everything”, pay attention to the Redmi Note 11 Pro+. He's offering. AMOLED-120Hz screen, 108MP camera and ultrafast charging 120W — all this ~30,000 rubles. Alternative — POCO F4 GT, which wins in performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor), but loses in autonomy.
⚠️ Note: Supported models 5G (For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) In Russia, they work only with networks of operators using bands. n78 (3500 MHz) and n1 (2100 MHz. Please specify the coverage before buying 5G in your region!
Which Xiaomi to choose for photography in 2022?
If the camera is your top priority, then in 2022 Xiaomi has two obvious leaders: Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Redmi Note 11 Pro+. But their capabilities are very different.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a joint development with Leica, which means:
- 📷 Main camera: Sony sensor IMX989 on 50 MP with optical stabilization and diaphragm f/1.9.
- 🔍 Telephoto: two lenses (48 MP) with 2x and 5x zoom.
- 🌌 Night photography: Leica Authentic Look algorithms for natural colors.
- 🎥 Video: Recording 8K@24fps and 4K@60fps s HDR10+.
Cons: high price (~90 000 ₽) and a huge camera module, which makes the smartphone “lame” on the table.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ — Budget alternative with 108 MP camera (Samsung sensor) HM2). Its pluses:
- 💰 The price is 3 times lower than the 12S Ultra (from 28,000) ₽).
- 📸 Good detail in daylight.
- 🔋 Fast charging. 120W (15 minutes to 100%).
Cons: weak night shooting, lack of optical zoom and intermediate video (maximum) 4K@30fps).
Comparison of Xiaomi photo 12S Ultra and Redmi Note 11 Pro+
If your budget is limited but the camera is important, consider it too. POCO F4 GT (main camera 64 MP s OIS) Xiaomi 11T Pro (108 MP, but without Leica branding).
Xiaomi 2022 gaming smartphones: Black Shark vs. POCO
For gamers in 2022, Xiaomi offers two fundamentally different lines: Black Shark (specialized devices) and POCO (We're going to have to look at the best performance-focused smartphones.
Black Shark 5 Pro is the best gaming smartphone of the year
- ⚡ Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 with acceleration up to 3.2 GHz.
Cons: Weak cameras (13+5+2 MP), no wireless charging, design "on the amateur".
POCO F4 GT — Alternative for those who want a gaming smartphone for every day":
- 🖥️ Screen. AMOLED 120Hz (worse than Black Shark, but brighter).
- 🎯 Magnetic triggers (moved out of the housing, but not as comfortable as the physical ones).
- 📸 64 MP camera with OIS (Better than Black Shark).
- 💰 Price of 10,000-15,000 ₽ below.
Cons: no active cooling (heats during long sessions), no cover with a fan in the kit.
Does the model play your games at maximum settings (check on YouTube)
Do you have support for your favorite trigger games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile and others.)
How loud the speakers are (important for streams)
How many hours of autonomy in games (Black Shark 5 Pro) ~4-5 hours in Genshin Impact)
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If you stream or play 6-hours+ For hours a day, take Black Shark 5 Pro. POCO F4 GT would be a reasonable compromise.
Budget smartphones Xiaomi 2022: what to buy up to 15 000 rubles?
In the budget segment, Xiaomi dominates with Redmi models and POCO M. The main criteria for selection here: autonomy, availability NFC And the refresh rate of the screen. Let's look at the best options.
1. Redmi 10 2022 is the best budget for most:
- 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + fast-charging 18W.
- 📱 90Hz screen (rare in this segment).
- 💳 NFC contactless.
- 📸 50 MP camera (acceptable for social networks).
Price: ~12 000–14 000 ₽.
2. POCO M4 Pro - alternative to c AMOLED-screen:
- 🖥️ Screen. AMOLED 90 Hz (better than the IPS Redmi 10).
- ⚡ Dimensity 810 processor (slightly more powerful than competitors).
- 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + charging 33W.
Price: ~15 000–17 000 ₽ (A little over budget, but worth it).
3. Redmi 9A — cheapest:
- 💰 Price from 8,000 ₽.
- 🔋 Battery 5000 mAh (holds a charge for a long time).
- ⚠️ Cons: 60Hz screen, 13MP camera, no NFC.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi’s budget smartphones often trim camera features (for example, there is no night mode for selfies or videos in the video game). 4K). If the photo is important, it is better to pay to the Redmi Note 11 (from 18 000). ₽).
For elderly relatives or a second phone, Redmi 10 2022 is optimal. AMOLED And a more powerful processor, take it. POCO M4 Pro.
What to look for when buying Xiaomi in 2022?
Even after choosing a model, it is easy to run into pitfalls, here are the key points to check before buying:
1. Firmware version and regional binding:
- 🌍 Buy only the global version (Global) ROM) Russian (RU ROM). Chinese versions (CN ROM) They do not have Google services and Russian language!
- 📦 Check the box: the label should indicate Global Version or EEA (Europe).
2. Support for networks 5G and 4G:
- 📶 In Russia. 5G It only works in test mode (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan). 5G, save, choose 4G-The Redmi Note 11 Pro instead of the Pro+ 5G).
- 🔍 Clarify frequency support 4G: Russia is critical B1 (2100), B3 (1800), B7 (2600), B20 (800).
3. Presence NFC and infrared:
- 💳 NFC It's used for contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay). 9A) he's often cut.
- 📺 The infrared port allows you to control equipment (air conditioners, TVs). POCO F4 GT).
4. Guarantee and service centers:
- 🛠️ Check if there is an official Xiaomi service center in your city.In smaller cities, repairs can take weeks.
- 📄 The battery is usually 6 months guaranteed, the device itself is 12!
💡
Check before buying. IMEI If the date of activation of the device before the date of its official release - before you "gray" device or fake.
If you buy a smartphone on credit or installments, check whether the warranty applies to a device with root rights or custom firmware (usually not).
Where to buy Xiaomi in 2022: official and unofficial channels
Not only does the price depend on the place of purchase, but the warranty, the availability of original firmware and even the equipment, and let's analyze the pros and cons of each option.
| Purchase channel | Pluses | Cons | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Xiaomi website (mi.com/ru) | 100% original, full warranty, promotions (e.g. Redmi Note discounts) | Prices are often higher than retailers; limited shares | ✅ Best for flagships (Xiaomi 12 Pro) |
| Major retailers (Svyaznoy, M. Video, Citilink) | You can touch before buying, there are often discounts, credit / installment | 5-10% markup compared to online; limited range | ✅ Convenient for the mid-segment (Redmi Note 11) |
| Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market) | Prices are lower by 10-15%, fast delivery, customer reviews | Risk of a “grey” import; check the seller! | ⚠️ Only verified sellers with a rating of 4.9+ |
| Chinese shops (AliExpress, Gearbest) | Prices are 20-30% lower, rare models are available | No guarantee in Russia; risk of getting CN ROM; long-delivery | ❌ Not recommended if you don’t know about the scalp. |
Buying tips:
- 🛒 Compare prices on Yandex Market – there are often the lowest prices, taking into account cashback.
- 📅 Catch sales: Xiaomi often arranges discounts on the Redmi Note and POCO November (Black Friday) and March (Spring Sales).
- 🔄 Check the return policy: in official stores you can return the smartphone within 14 days, on marketplaces - depends on the seller.
⚠️ Note: When buying on AliExpress, check with the seller the firmware version! even if the description indicates Global. ROM, It might actually come CN ROM (No Google services. Ask for a photo of the box with the sticker!