Xiaomi, which came out in 2022: a complete guide to models

The mobile market in 2022 showed incredible dynamics, and Xiaomi became one of the main drivers of this technology race.It was during this period that the brand finally gained a foothold in the premium segment, with the introduction of the flagship Xiaomi 12 series, which set new standards for performance for Android devices around the world.

But it wasn’t just the top-end solutions that caught the public’s attention: The budget segment, traditionally strong for the Chinese giant, was supplemented by dozens of models under the Redmi and POCO brands, offering impressive specs for modest money, and users had to choose between hundreds of options, creating a certain confusion.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the key new products that appeared on store shelves in 2022, analyze their technical features, identify hidden shortcomings and determine which of these devices are relevant for purchase today and which are already obsolete.

Flagship revolution: Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro series

The beginning of 2022 was marked by the release of the Xiaomi 12 series, which was the company’s response to users’ request for powerful but compact smartphones. Models received the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which, despite the problems with heating in the first revisions, provided tremendous computing power.

The base model Xiaomi 12 became a hit with a screen diagonal of 6.28 inches, which is rare for modern flagships, while the Pro version received a larger matrix and improved camera system with the main sensor Sony IMX707.

Importantly, the introduction of the 120W HyperCharge fast charging technology, which allowed the battery to be fully recharged in less than 20 minutes, has become the de facto standard for the industry, forcing competitors to accelerate their solutions.

⚠️ Attention: Early batches of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor in these models may have suffered from trotting (decreased performance) during prolonged load.

The flagship cameras received support for Xiaomi Imaging Brain algorithms, which significantly improved night shooting and video stabilization. Now the smartphone could shoot video in 8K resolution at 24 frames per second, which was a breakthrough for mobile video shooting.

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The Xiaomi 12 series was a turning point when the brand finally moved to the premium segment, offering materials and functionality at the level of the Samsung Galaxy S and iPhone.

Budget King: Redmi Note 11 and its modifications

The Redmi Note 11 series, released earlier this year, was an absolute bestseller in the mid-range. AMOLED-screens with a refresh rate of 90 Hz or 120 Hz, which was previously the prerogative of more expensive models.

Inside the devices, the most common processors were the Snapdragon 680 or Helio G96, and although these weren’t the most powerful chips on the market, they were still capable of running on a daily basis, social media and undemanding gaming.

The design of the line has undergone changes: flat edges of the body and the camera module in the style of “square” made smartphones visually similar to the flagship iPhone. This played into the hands of marketers, as the device looked more expensive than its real value.

The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ version, which received a 120-watt charge bundle, is also noteworthy, and this was the first time such a charging speed appeared in the mid-range segment, making the technology available to the mass purchaser.

Users also appreciated the availability of stereo speakers and an IR port for managing household appliances, which were small but important details that often became the deciding factor in choosing between competitors.

Gamer Breakthrough: POCO F4 and X4 Pro

The POCO brand continued its flagship killer strategy in 2022 with the F4, which is based on the time-tested Snapdragon 870 chipset, which many experts consider one of the most stable and coldest processors in recent years.

Unlike its competitors, the POCO F4 received an improved cooling system and a special Game Turbo game mode that optimizes real-time resource allocation, allowing you to play heavy projects like Genshin Impact at high settings without critical FPS drops.

Model X4 The Pro, in turn, has become a more affordable alternative, getting a design almost identical to the Redmi Note 11 Pro, but with a more aggressive marketing stance "POCO Yellow became the hallmark of the lineup.

⚠️ Attention: Shell MIUI device-wise POCO It can contain embedded ads in system applications, and it is recommended to disable them in the Mi Account settings immediately after purchase.

Screens in gamers were equipped with a sensor with a polling frequency of 360 Hz (in F4 GT) or 240 Hz, which provided an instant response to touch. For eSportsmen, this gives a noticeable advantage in first-person shooters.

Mid-segment: Xiaomi 12 Lite and Xiaomi 12X series

In the summer of 2022, the company introduced lightweight versions of flagships to reach an audience that does not want to overpay for top-end hardware. Xiaomi 12X became the “golden middle”, having a great screen and a compact body, but running on the Snapdragon 870 processor.

The 12 Lite model bet on design and front-facing camera, which turned out to be very thin and light, and the dual selfie camera with a wide-angle lens became a hit among bloggers and selfie enthusiasts.

Both smartphones retained a quick 67W charge, which in 2022 was a great figure for the middle-class.The device cases are made of glossy plastic mimicking glass, which reduced weight but added slippage.

The main camera in the Lite version lost optical stabilization, which significantly affected the quality of night photos, but in good lighting, the images remained detailed and bright thanks to processing algorithms.

Comparison of Key Models 2022

To make it easier to choose, we have created a composite table that compares the main features of the most popular models released this year, and you can see the differences in performance and multimedia capabilities.

As you can see from the table, even in the mid-size segment, the company did not save on matrix types, implementing AMOLED everywhere, which provided rich black color and high contrast image on all devices.

Differences in processors dictate use cases: if games are not a priority for the Redmi Note 11 Pro, then the POCO F4 is designed for them. Xiaomi 12 Pro remains a versatile soldier for any task.

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When choosing between models, look not only at the camera’s megapixels, but also at optical stabilization (OIS), which has become a key factor in photo quality in 2022.

Software and Relevance in 2026

All smartphones released in 2022 originally ran on the shell of MIUI 13 based on Android 11 or 12, but at the moment most of them have already received an upgrade to MIUI 14 and are even starting to move to the new HyperOS system.

This means that when you purchase a device 2022 And the year of release today, you get the latest interface and the latest security patches, and the flagship models will continue to be supported at least for a while. 2-3 year-end.

But you should consider battery wear, and if you buy a used device, the battery capacity could drop by 15-20% in two years of active use, and you might need to replace the battery.

⚠️ Note: When buying used Xiaomi, be sure to check the status of the bootloader unlock and the presence of a Mi Account. The device with activation lock enabled can become a useless brick after resetting.

Optimization has improved significantly over the past two years, and while users complained about bugs in early 2022, current firmware versions are stable and fast, even on mid-range devices.

The 2022 models thus remain a great balance between price and quality, offering a modern experience without overpaying for novelty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)