Choosing a smartphone in 2023 is not an easy task, especially when it comes to the Xiaomi brand, which offers dozens of models in different price categories. On the one hand, the flagships of the Xiaomi 13 and Redmi K60 series promise top-end performance and innovative cameras, on the other hand, the budget Poco and Redmi Note dominate in price-quality ratio. But how not to get lost in this variety and choose the device that is ideal for your tasks?
In this guide, we will analyze the best Xiaomi smartphones of 2023, analyzing them by key criteria: performance, camera, autonomy, design and unique chips. We will not just list the specifications — instead, we will show which model will suit gamers, which will be for video shooting, and which will be the perfect “workhorse” for years to come, also reveal the hidden shortcomings of popular models, which are silent on sellers, and give clear recommendations for choosing depending on budget.
Spoiler: if you need a smartphone “for all occasions” with a power reserve for 3-4 years, look at the Xiaomi 13 Ultra – but only if you are willing to pay more than 100,000 rubles. But for 80% of users, the best choice will be models from the Redmi Note 12 or Poco F5 series, which offer 90% of the capabilities of flagships for half the price.
TOP-5 best smartphones Xiaomi 2023: ranking by category
To keep up with the dozen models, we’ve ranked the best Xiaomi smartphones of 2023, splitting them by key use cases. There’s no “absolute winner” – each model is good for its own tasks.
- 🏆 Best flagship: Xiaomi 13 Ultra - top camera, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and ceramic case. Perfect for professional shooting and multitasking.
- 🎮 Best for games: Redmi K60 Pro – 144 Hz screen, liquid cooling and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Holds 60. FPS Genshin Impact on maximum settings.
- 📸 Best camera in the middle class: Xiaomi 13 Lite – 50 MP main camera with a camera OIS And a great selfie frontal.
- 💰 Best Price-Quality Rate: Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G — 200-MP camera, 120 Hz AMOLED and fast charging for 30 000 rubles.
- 🔋 Best Autonomousity: Poco M5s — 5000 mh battery + Power-efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. Runs 2 days without recharging.
It’s important to understand that even the best models have trade-offs.For example, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra warms up when shooting long shots. 8K-Video by Redmi Note 12 Pro+ To avoid disappointment, read our section on the hidden flaws of popular smartphones.
Comparison of flagships: Xiaomi 13 vs Redmi K60 Pro vs Poco F5 Pro
If the budget allows you to consider flagship models, the choice usually comes down to three lines: classic Xiaomi 13, gaming Redmi K60 Pro and “stripped flagships” Poco F5 Pro. Let’s analyze their key differences in the format of a comparative table.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi 13 | Redmi K60 Pro | Poco F5 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Screen. | 6.36” AMOLED, 120 Hz, HDR10+ | 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision | 6.67” AMOLED, 120 Hz, HDR10+ |
| Main camera. | 50 MP (Sony IMX890) + 10 MP (Telephoto) + 12 MP (Ultra-shield) | 54 MP (Sony IMX800) + 8 MP (ultra-shield) + 2 MP (macro) | 64 MP (OmniVision OV64B) + 8 MP (ultrashir) + 2 MP (macro) |
| Battery/charging | 4500 mAh / 67 W | 5000 mAh/20Wh | 5160 mAh / 67 Wh |
| Price (at the time of release) | ~75 000 ₽ | ~55 000 ₽ | ~45 000 ₽ |
Key conclusions from the comparison:
- Xiaomi 13 wins in camera and compactness, but loses in autonomy.
- The Redmi K60 Pro is the best choice for gamers thanks to its 120-watt charging and liquid cooling.
- The Poco F5 Pro offers 90% of the K60 Pro’s capabilities for significantly less money, but without the Dolby Vision on screen.
💡
If you want a flagship with the best camera, take the Xiaomi 13. for gaming and multimedia, the Redmi K60 Pro is optimal, and for saving without losing performance, the Poco F5 Pro is optimal.
Note: all three models support 5G, but the Redmi K60 Pro and Poco F5 Pro don’t have official IP68 protection (only IP53 for the K60 Pro).If you’re interested in water resistance, you’ll have to pay extra for the Xiaomi 13 or consider the Xiaomi 13 Pro with IP68.
Budget smartphones Xiaomi 2023: what to choose up to 20 000 rubles
The segment of budget smartphones is the main struggle between the series Redmi Note and Poco M. In 2023, there were serious changes: Xiaomi began to actively implement the new model. AMOLED-screens even in the model for 15 000 rubles, and also raised the standards of autonomy:
- Redmi Note 12 5G (18,000 ₽) — first-in-a-series AMOLED-A 120 Hz display, a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor and a 48 MP camera, the main drawback is a 5,000 mAh battery, but with slow 33-watt charging.
⚠️ Note: In budget models Xiaomi often save on the NFC-chip (it may not be) and stereo speakers (usually mono). If you want contactless payments or sound, check if these features are available before buying.
Screen (AMOLED or IPS)
Availability of NFC for payments
Type of connector (USB-C or microUSB)
5G support (if needed)
The presence of stereo speakers-->
Should you pay more for the Redmi Note 12 5G instead of the Poco M5s?
If you need a bright screen to watch videos and social networks, take the Note 12.
If you are not playing heavy games, the Poco M5s will save you 3000 rubles with similar performance.
Middle class: Redmi Note 12 Pro+ vs Poco X5 Pro vs Xiaomi 12T
The mid-range (RUB 25,000-45,000) is the most competitive in Xiaomi’s lineup, offering near-flagship specs for reasonable money.
- 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G — Redmi with 200 MP camera (Samsung) HPX), 120 Hz AMOLED The main drawback is the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor, which loses to Snapdragon in games.
- 🎯 Poco X5 Pro 5G — Snapdragon 778G, 120 Hz AMOLED The best choice for those who want a balanced smartphone without overpaying for “marketing chips».
- 🔥 Xiaomi 12T — Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (like flagships!) and 120 Hz AMOLED, But the camera is weaker here (108 MP without it). OIS). Suitable for gamers who do not need top-end shooting.
To understand which model is right for you, answer two questions:
- Do you need super-fast charging (120 watts for the Note 12 Pro+)?
- Is performance important in games (then Xiaomi 12T or Poco X5 Pro)?
Why the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Not always better than Poco X5 Pro?
⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi models 12T POCO X5 Pros are sold in Russia with global firmware, which can cause problems with Google Pay and some banking applications. → About phone → MIUI version).
Hidden shortcomings of popular Xiaomi 2023 models
Even the best Xiaomi smartphones have flaws that the manufacturer prefers to keep quiet about, and we’ve compiled the most critical ones so you can make an informed decision.
| Model | A hidden flaw | How it manifests itself |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 Ultra | Overheating while shooting 8K | After 10-15 minutes of continuous recording, the body temperature exceeds 45 ° C, the camera begins to "trouble". |
| Redmi K60 Pro | Weak vibrating output | Tactile response is worse than the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S23, which spoils the experience of games. |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Mismanagement of MIUI Optimization | Dimensity 1080 periodically has lags when multitasking (for example, when switching between camera and gallery). |
| Poco F5 | No stabilization at 4K@60fps | Video in this mode is "twitchy", although in 1080p@60fps stabilization works normally. |
In addition, almost all Xiaomi smartphones of 2023 suffer from issues with updates:
Global versions of Poco and Redmi receive MIUI updates with a delay of 1-2 months compared to the Chinese ones.
Some models (such as the Redmi 12C) do not support Android 14 at all.
💡
Before buying, check the list of supported updates for a particular model on the MIUI Updates Tracker website. If the model was released more than a year ago and is still on Android 12, there is a high risk that it will not get Android 14.
What Xiaomi to choose in 2023: a step-by-step guide
To avoid confusion, follow this algorithm:
- Determine the budget: Up to 15,000 ₽ → Redmi 12C POCO M5s. 15 000 — 25 000 ₽ → Redmi Note 12 5G POCO X5. 25 000 — 40 000 ₽ → Redmi Note 12 Pro+ POCO X5 Pro. 40 000 — 60 000 ₽ → Xiaomi 13 Lite or Redmi K60. More than 60,000. ₽ → Xiaomi 13 or Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
- Choose a priority: 📸 Camera: Xiaomi 13 Ultra → Xiaomi 13 Lite → Redmi Note 12 Pro+. 🎮 Games: Redmi K60 Pro → Poco F5 Pro → Xiaomi 12T. 🔋 Autonomy: Poco M5s → Redmi Note 12 Pro+ → Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
- Check out the critical trivia: Do you need NFC for payments? Is a 3.5mm headphone jack important? Do you need IP68 (only Xiaomi 13 Pro)?
⚠️ Note: If you buy a smartphone to work with banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.), avoid models with MediaTek Dimensity (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro).+). Some banks are blocking access to applications on these processors due to security concerns.