Why Xiaomi is the best choice in terms of price/quality ratio in 2021?
V 2021 Xiaomi brand continued to hold the leadership in the market of budget and mid-budget smartphones, offering devices with flagship characteristics 2-3-summer-old 20 000 The main advantage of the company is an aggressive pricing policy without damage to the "iron": even in the segment to the market. 20can be found in models with AMOLED-screens, processors of the level of Snapdragon 732G and cameras on 64–108 MPP.
However, the choice is complicated by the variety of lines: Redmi Note, Poco, Mi – each is focused on different tasks. For example, Redmi Note 10 Pro is suitable for photography lovers thanks to the 108-megapixel camera, and Poco X3 Pro – gamers due to the Snapdragon 860 chip. In this guide, we will analyze the 7 best models of Xiaomi 2021 to 20,000 rubles, compare them by key parameters and help determine the choice based on your needs.
It is important to consider that in 2021 there were changes in the price policy: due to the shortage of chips and the growth of the dollar, some models have risen in price by 10-15% compared to the beginning of the year. Therefore, in the review we indicate current prices for the end of 2021, and also advise where it is more profitable to buy - in official stores or from trusted retailers such as Svyaznoy or M.Video.
Criteria for choosing a Xiaomi smartphone up to 20,000 rubles in 2021
Before you go to specific models, you should set priorities. In a budget of up to 20k, you can claim:
- 📱 Screen: AMOLED refreshable 90–120 Hz or IPS AdaptiveSync (60–90 Permission - minimum FHD+ (2400×1080).
- 🔋 Battery: from 4500 mAh with support for fast charging 18-33 W. Pay attention to the presence of a charger in the kit (in 2021, Xiaomi began to save on this).
- 📸 Camera: the main module 48-108 MP with optics from Samsung or Sony. Secondary cameras (width, macro, depth) are often “soap” – do not overpay for their number.
- 🎮 Performance: Snapdragon chipsets 732G/750G Or MediaTek Helio. G95 for games, Snapdragon 678 day-to-day.
In 2021, Xiaomi announced that it would extend support for a number of models to 3 years (previously 2 years), but this only applies to devices on MIUI 12.5 and later.
⚠️ Note: In 2021, Xiaomi began actively blocking the download of firmware through Fastboot on some models (for example, Redmi Note 10).If you plan to customize, choose devices with an unlockable bootloader (the list is available on the forum). 4PDA).
TOP-7 Xiaomi smartphones up to 20 000 rubles in 2021: a comparative table
Below are the best models available in Russian stores at the end of 2021, prices are indicated according to Yandex.Market and may vary slightly depending on the region and shares.
| Model | Chipset | Screen. | Camera (main) | Battery | Price, ₽ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10 Pro | Snapdragon 732G | AMOLED, 120 Hz, 6.67” | 108 MP (Samsung HM2) | 5020 mAh, 33 Wh | 19 990 |
| Poco X3 Pro | Snapdragon 860 | IPS, 120 Hz, 6.67” | 48 MP (Sony IMX582) | 5160 mAh, 33 Wh | 18 990 |
| Redmi Note 10S | Helio G95 | AMOLED, 60 Hz, 6.43" | 64 MP (Samsung GW3) | 5000 mAh, 33 Wh | 17 990 |
| Mi 10 Lite | Snapdragon 765G | AMOLED, 60 Hz, 6.57” | 48 MP (Sony IMX586) | 4160 mAh, 20 Wh | 19 500 |
| Poco M3 Pro 5G | Dimensity 700 | IPS, 90 Hz, 6.5” | 48 MP (OmniVision OV48B) | 5000 mAh, 18 watts | 16 990 |
Note that the Mi 10 Lite, although it is on budget, was released in 2020, and should be considered only if you are critical to support 5G (in 2021, the fifth generation network in Russia is just beginning to deploy, so overpaying for it makes no sense).
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The best choice for most users is the Redmi Note 10 Pro (camera + screen) or Poco X3 Pro (performance).
A detailed review of the best models: pros and cons
Redmi Note 10 Pro – flagship killer with 108-megapixel camera
This model became a hit in 2021 thanks to the 108-megapixel main camera with a Samsung HM2 sensor and an f/1.9 aperture lens. During daytime, the images are detailed, and the night mode performs better than competitors in this price segment.
- 🌈 AMOLED-screen support for 120 Hz and HDR10+ — one-of-a-class.
- 🔋 Battery at 5020 mAh with fast charging of 33 W (charging included!).
- 🎵 Stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos – a rarity for public sector workers.
Of the disadvantages: the Snapdragon 732G processor warms up during long gaming sessions (for example, in Genshin Impact at high settings). There is also no 5G, but in 2021 this is not critical for Russia.
Poco X3 Pro is the best choice for gamers
The main advantage of this model is the Snapdragon 860 chipset (remarked Snapdragon 855+), which bypasses all competitors in the budget up to 20k. In benchmarks, the Poco X3 Pro shows results at the level of the iPhone 11 2019.
- 🎮 120 Hz IPS-Adaptive refresh rate screen (switches between the two) 30/60/120 Hz for battery saving).
- 🔋 The most capacious battery in the review is 5160 mAh with fast charging of 33 W.
- 🧊 A liquid cooling system that prevents trottling in games.
Weaknesses: the 48MP camera is inferior to the Redmi Note 10 Pro in detail, and the plastic case looks cheaper than the glass one from the competition. Also, there is no NFC - this is critical if you use contactless payments.
⚠️ In 2021, there were fake Poco X3 Pro with Helio chipset G90T instead of Snapdragon 860. Check the processor model in the settings (Settings) → The phone. → Full specification) or through an annex CPU-Z.
Redmi Note 10S – Balance of price and quality
If you don’t need a 120Hz camera, but you do. AMOLED-screen and good autonomy, Redmi Note 10S — It's the best option. AMOLED, The same as the Note 10 Pro, but with a frequency of 60 Hz, which reduces the price by 2,000 rubles:
- 📸 64MP camera with good color reproduction (better than Poco) X3 Pro).
- 🔋 5000 mAh battery with back-charging support (you can charge other devices).
- 💧 Splash protection as standard IP53 — rarity for budget smartphones.
Cons: the processor MediaTek Helio G95 is weaker than the Snapdragon 732G, and the body is slippery (we recommend buying a case right away).
How to distinguish the original Redmi Note 10S from a fake?
Camera comparison: which Xiaomi smartphone up to 20k shoots better?
In 2021, Xiaomi bet on improving the photographic capabilities of budget smartphones. However, not all megapixels are equally useful. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro with 108 MP in real conditions often loses the Mi 10 Lite with 48 MP due to a weaker image processing processor.
We tested all models from the review in the same conditions (daylight, night mode, portrait shooting) and made a rating:
- 1st place: Redmi Note 10 Pro – the best detail and dynamic range thanks to 108 MP.
- 2nd place: Mi 10 Lite - more natural color reproduction, but worse night mode.
- 3rd place: Redmi Note 10S is a good balance, but loses to the leaders in detail.
- 4th place: Poco X3 Pro – poor noise processing, especially indoors.
If photography is your priority, choose between the Redmi Note 10 Pro and Mi 10 Lite. The rest of the models are suitable for random shots on the social network.
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To improve photo quality on any Xiaomi, turn off the AI enhancement feature in the camera settings. It often blurs out details in an attempt to smooth out the image.
Where to buy a Xiaomi smartphone up to 20,000 rubles in 2021: checked stores
In 2021, due to the pandemic and logistics issues, Xiaomi prices in offline stores can be overpriced by 10-15%.
- 🛒 Xiaomi Russia official website – 2 year warranty, but delivery delays are often common.
- 🛒 Svyaznoy and M. Video – often hold promotions (for example, a 10% discount on the store card).
- 🛒 Yandex.Market - convenient to compare prices from different sellers. Pay attention to the rating of the store (should be at least 4.7).
- 🛒 AliExpress – only if you buy from official sellers (Mi Global Store or Xiaomi Official Store!
Avoid hand-held purchases (on Avito or Yula) without an IMEI check. In 2021, cases of selling stolen or "gray" smartphones that can be blocked by the operator have become more frequent.
⚠️ Note: When buying from AliExpress, check the firmware version. Some vendors supply Chinese-language devices MIUI, You can reflash this smartphone, but it voids the warranty.
Make sure that:
- IMEI on the box matches IMEI in settings (Settings → About phone → General information)
The screen has no broken pixels (check against a monotonous background)
All cameras are working (take a picture of each one)
Charging is underway (connect to the network for 5 minutes)
No trace of opening or repair (check the screws on the back cover)
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Frequent mistakes when choosing a Xiaomi smartphone up to 20 000 rubles
Many buyers in 2021 make the same mistakes, overpaying for unnecessary features or choosing models with outdated features.
- Pull for 5G. In Russia, fifth-generation networks are just beginning to roll out (at the end of 2021, coverage is available only in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan). M3 Pro 5G POCO X3 Pro makes no sense - the difference in performance is huge.
- Believe marketing megapixels. The 108MP in the Redmi Note 10 Pro sounds impressive, but the real quality depends on the software and optics.For example, the 48MP Mi 10 Lite often shoots better in poor lighting.
- In 2021, Xiaomi began to divide models into “priority” and “secondary” models for support, specify how many years the device will receive MIUI updates and security patches.
- Buy without NFC verification. If you use Google Pay or SberPay, make sure the model supports contactless payments. For example, the Poco X3 Pro does not have NFC.
Another common mistake is the choice of design: in 2021, Xiaomi uses almost the same body for all models of the Redmi Note line.