Xiaomi 2023: Which smartphone to choose? Comparison of all models by price and characteristics

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2023 has become more difficult than ever: the brand offers more than 20 models in different price categories – from the budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 13 Ultra. But how not to get confused in the characteristics and not overpay for unnecessary features? In this guide, we will analyze the key selection criteria, compare the top models by price / quality ratio and reveal the hidden nuances that are silent sellers.

First, prioritize: Do you need a flagship with a better camera, a cooled gaming machine, or a budget-friendly one with long battery life? We analyzed user reviews, performance tests, and reliability data to make an honest ranking. At the end of the article, we have a 5-step checklist to help you make the right choice without spending too much.

Key criteria for choosing a Xiaomi smartphone in 2023

Before comparing models, answer 3 questions:

• 📱 Budget: up to 15,000 ₽ (public sector), 15,000-30,000 ₽ (mid-segment, 30,000+ ₽ (flagship).
• 🎮 Main use: social networks / calls, photos / videos, games, work with documents.
• 🔋 Priority features: long battery, fast charging, NFC, stereo speakers, water protection.

For example, if you often shoot videos, pay attention to the Xiaomi 13 Pro with a Leica Summicron sensor and support for 8K@24fps. And for gamers, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and the 144 Hz screen refresh rate (as in Black Shark 6 Pro) are critical.

Important! In 2023, Xiaomi is actively reducing support for older models: smartphones from 2020 to 2021 (such as the Mi 10T or Redmi Note 9 Pro) no longer receive MIUI 14 updates. This means security vulnerabilities and no new features.

TOP-3 flagship Xiaomi 2023: comparison by characteristics

Xiaomi’s flagship models in 2023 are divided into three lines: the classic Xiaomi 13/13 Pro, the “ultra” version with an improved camera and the foldable Mix Fold 3. They all work on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but differ in screens, batteries and shooting capabilities.

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is the only flagship with four 50-megapixel modules and optical zoom up to 5×. However, its weight (227 g) and dimensions make the model uncomfortable for a single use. If you want compactness, choose Xiaomi 13 - it is lighter by 30 g and thinner by 1.5 mm.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 2023 flagships do not support microSD cards. If you need more than 256 GB of storage, you will have to overpay for the version on 512 GB or 1 TB.

Best Xiaomi mid-segment smartphones (15,000-30,000) ₽)

The mid-range segment is the most competitive: here Xiaomi offers models with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 or Dimensity 9000+ processors, which are not inferior in performance to the flagships of 2021. The main advantages are 5G support, 120 Hz screens and 5000 mAh batteries.

• 📸 Xiaomi 12T Pro: Best camera in the segment (200 MP, Samsung) HP1) and fast charging 120 watts.
• 🎮 POCO F5 Pro: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and LiquidCool 2.0 cooling system for gaming.
• 🔋 Redmi Note 12 Pro+: record 200 watts of charging (full charge in 19 minutes) and OLED-screen.

The weak point of most mid-range models is the lack of official water protection (IP68), with the exception of the Xiaomi 12T Pro, but its body is still inferior to the flagships in strength.

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Before buying, check if the contactless payment NFC model is supported. The Redmi Note 12 (without the Pro console) does not have this module, although the phone looks identical to the older versions.

Budget Xiaomi smartphones up to 15 000 ₽: point out

Xiaomi’s budget segment is dominated by the Redmi and POCO lineups, with the main advantages of price, long-term update support (up to 3 years) and removable batteries (in some models).

• 🔄 Helio processors G88/G99 weaker than Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 on 20–30% play.
• 📷 Permission cameras 48–64 MPs use pixel binning (4-into-1), The actual quality of the photo is closer to 12 MPP.
• 🔋 In cheap models (Redmi) 12C) No fast charging - only 10 watts.

Best price/quality choice: Redmi Note 12 5G (about 14,000 ₽). It is equipped with Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, AMOLED-120Hz screen and NFC. The alternative — POCO M5s helio-processor G95 and a battery of 5000 mAh, but without 5G.

⚠️ Note: In budget smartphones Xiaomi often installed LPDDR4X memory instead LPDDR5. This reduces performance in the background (e.g. when switching between 10 and five).+ applications).

Xiaomi: Black Shark 6 Pro vs POCO F5

For gamers, Xiaomi offers two lines: Black Shark (specialized devices) and POCO F-series (universal smartphones with a focus on performance), the difference is in the cooling system and additional chips:

The Black Shark 6 Pro wins in FPS stability in heavy games (such as Genshin Impact at maximum settings), but loses in autonomy: its 5000 mAh battery discharges 30% faster due to active cooling. POCO F5 is a more balanced option for those who play infrequently.

Xiaomi foldable smartphones: should you overpay?

In 2023, Xiaomi released the Mix Fold 3 – the third generation of foldable smartphones with flexible AMOLED-It's an 8.03 inch screen, and it's got some key features:

• 📄 Interior screen: 2K+ resolution, 120 Hz, stylus support.
• 📷 Four cameras (50 MP) + 50 MP + 12 MPs + 10 MP) with Leica optics.
• 🔋 Dual battery (4800 mAh) with 50 W wireless charging.

The Mix Fold 3 starts at $150,000 ₽, The average life of a flexible screen is 3-4 years (versus 5-6 years for conventional smartphones).

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Xiaomi foldable smartphones do not support IP68 protection – they can not be dropped in water or used in the rain.

Which Xiaomi to choose in 2023: a step-by-step checklist

To avoid making the wrong choice, follow this algorithm:

If you’re in doubt between the two models, look at the release date: Newer smartphones (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ vs. the Note 11 Pro+) typically have better software optimizations and get updates longer.

Last tip: buy Xiaomi only from official retailers (for example, Mi Store, Svyaznoy, M. Video) There are many fakes under the POCO brand that are seemingly indistinguishable from the originals, but have weak processors and low-quality screens.

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing Xiaomi