Xiaomi Mi: Which smartphone to choose in the future 2026 Year – comparison of all series and expert advice

Choosing a Xiaomi Mi smartphone in 2026 is not an easy task. The brand has grown to dozens of models, from budget Redmi to premium Mi Mix and Ultra. Each series is focused on different needs — someone needs a powerful processor for games, someone needs a long battery, and someone needs a flagship camera at half the price. In this guide, we will analyze all the current Xiaomi Mi series, compare them by key parameters and help determine the choice based on your budget and objectives.

We warn you right away: the name "Mi" in recent models is often omitted (for example, Xiaomi 14 instead of Mi 14), but traditionally users continue to associate the brand's flagship smartphones with this console. We will use both options for convenience. Also note that prices and availability of models can vary greatly depending on the region - the article gives the average market values for Russia and the CIS for mid-2026.

If you already have a rough idea of which series is right for you, you can immediately go to the section you want to see. If you don't, start by comparing the series, where we briefly explained the differences between Redmi and the Redmi series, POCO, For those looking for specific recommendations, there is a separate block with ready-made tips on tasks (games, photography, long work, etc.).

Xiaomi Mi Series: What’s the Difference and Who’s What’s Right

Xiaomi divides its smartphones into several lines, each of which solves its own problems.

• 📱 Redmi is a budget and a mid-budget model, perfect for everyday tasks: social media, calls, simple games, priced from 10,000 to 30,000. ₽.
• 🎮 POCO — "They're gaming smartphones with a focus on performance, and they're often flagship-level processors, priced at mid-range, from 25,000 to 45,000. ₽.
• 📸 Mi (number series: 13, 14, etc.) are flagships with top-end cameras, screens and hardware, suitable for photography, video and resource-intensive tasks, priced from 50,000 to 100,000.+ ₽.
• 💎 Mix - Experimental or premium models with a unique design (for example, Mix Fold - folding smartphone). Price: from 80 000 ₽.
• 🔋 Mi Max/Mi Note – Large smartphones with a focus on battery or stylus (the Note series is now part of the numerical flagships).

It's important to understand that there are sub-series within each series, like Redmi.

• 🔢 Redmi A - over budget models (price up to 15 000) ₽, A weak processor, but a very long battery).
• 🔥 Redmi Note – the most popular mid-range segment (price 18,000-30,000) ₽, balance-sheet).
• ⚡ Redmi K – “improved” versions with a more powerful processor (close to the standard). POCO).

Key point: if you see the letter "T" in the title (e.g. Redmi Note) 12T Pro, which means that the model is optimized for markets outside China and may have other network frequencies or firmware, NFC or 5G single-frequency).

2. Key parameters when choosing: what to look at first

When choosing a Xiaomi Mi smartphone, it’s easy to get lost in specs. We’ve identified the 5 most important parameters that determine 90% of the user experience:

1. Processor: Performance, for games and heavy tasks, Snapdragon. 8 Gen 2/3 or Dimensity 9000+. Snapdragon is enough for social networks 680 or Helio G99.
2. Screen – refresh rate (60 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz or 144 Hz) and matrix type (AMOLED or IPS). For games and video better AMOLED 120 Hz.
3. Battery and charging – capacity (4000-5000 mAh) and charging power (33W, 67W, 120W). Capacity is important for travel, fast charging is important for the office.
4. Camera - number of megapixels (MP) It doesn't matter as much as the size of the sensor and the optical capabilities. 1" or 1/1.28" (The more the better).
5. Memory — RAM (4GB for budget up to 16GB for flagships and built-in memory (UFS 2.2 or UFS 3.1 - The last one is faster).

Equally important are the “little things” that are often overlooked:

• 📶 Support 5G — If you want future network compatibility.
• 🔄 Presence NFC — contactless payments (in some regions it is not even in flagships!).
• 🔊 Stereo speakers – critical for music and video lovers.
• 🌡️ Presence IR-Port - for control equipment (not in all models).
• 🔒 Water protection (IP53, IP68) — if you're out often.

Tip: If you’re choosing between two similar models, compare them to GSMArena or Nanoreview – there are detailed performance tests and cameras.

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Xiaomi often sells the same model under different names depending on the region, such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+ 5G in China may be called POCO X5 Pro in Europe. Always check the full model specifications on the official website.

3. budget Xiaomi smartphones (up to 25,000) ₽): What to buy in 2026

If your budget is limited to 20,000-25,000 ₽, Xiaomi has some decent options, and the main thing is not to expect them to be flagship performance, but for everyday tasks they will be enough with the head.

Best Budget Choice: Redmi Note 12 4G — thanks AMOLED-If you want maximum battery life, take the Redmi 12 (but it's worse than the screen). POCO M6 Pro is suitable for gamers on a budget - it has a more powerful processor and fast charging.

⚠️ Note: Budget models often save on NFC and 5G. For example, Redmi 12 does not have a NFC, A Redmi Note 12 4G — only 4G. If these features are critical, take a look at the Redmi Note 12. 5G (price ~23 000 ₽).

Clarify availability NFC characteristically|Check support 5G for your operator|Compare prices in the official store and at resellers|Pay attention to the firmware version (global or Chinese)-->

4. Mid-segment (25,000-50,000) ₽): Best Price/Quality Relationship

In this range, Xiaomi offers smartphones that are almost not inferior to flagships, but cost 1.5-2 times cheaper. AMOLED-120Hz screens, powerful processors and cameras with optical zoom.

Top models of the middle segment in 2026:

• 🏆 POCO F5 Pro is the best choice for games: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 120W charging, 6.67" AMOLED.
• 📷 Redmi K60 — Balanced version with camera 64 MP Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
• 🔋 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Battery record holder (5000 mAh) + 120W charging) and camera (200 MP).

Comparison of key models:

Selection recommendations:

• 🎮 For games: POCO F5 Pro is the most powerful processor in the segment.
• 📸 For the photo: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — chamber 200 MP well-managed.
• 🔋 For a long time to work: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or Redmi K60 — Both with a 5,000 mAh battery.
• 💰 Best Price/Quality Rate: Redmi K60 — flagship processor at the price of the middle segment.

⚠️ Attention: In models POCO Often there is no 3.5 mm headphone jack (for example, in the POCO F5 If it is important, check the specifications or take Redmi. K60, plug-in.

5. flagship smartphones Xiaomi Mi (from 50 000) ₽): overpay

Xiaomi Mi flagship models (now just Xiaomi with a number like the Xiaomi 14) offer the best cameras, screens and performance, but their price often approaches 80,000-100,000. ₽. Should you overpay? Depends on your tasks.

Topical flagships in 2026:

• 📱 Xiaomi 14 – compact flagship with a camera Leica and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
• 📱 Xiaomi 14 Pro – improved version with screen 2K loading 120W.
• 📱 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 – foldable smartphone with internal AMOLED-screen-8".

Flagship comparison:

Who's the flagship?

• 📸 Photographers – Leica cameras in Xiaomi 14/14 Pro gives the best color reproduction in the segment.
• 🎮 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will provide the maximum FPS years ahead.
• 💼 Mix Fold 3 will replace the tablet for working with documents.
• 🔋 For those who want to “for years” – flagships receive updates longer (up to 4 years).

⚠️ Note: flagship Xiaomi is often sold without charging bundled (especially in Europe).In Russia, there is usually a charger, but it is better to check with the seller. Also note that foldable smartphones (Mix Fold) have a limited hinge life - about 300 000 folds (enough for 3-5 years with active use).

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Xiaomi's flagships 14/14 Pro supports wireless charging power 50W, what 2 faster than most of its competitors (such as the Samsung Galaxy). S23 — only 15W).

6 Ready recommendations: which Xiaomi Mi to choose for your tasks

If you are lazy to understand the characteristics, here are ready-made tips based on popular queries:

• 📱 Smartphones “just for calls and social networks” (up to 15,000) ₽): Redmi 12 or Redmi A2+. The first has the best screen (90 Hz), the second has a record battery (5000 mAh) and price (~12 000 ₽).
• 🎮 I'm playing Genshin. Impact/PUBG at maximum settings (up to) 45 000 ₽): POCO F5 Pro or Redmi K60. Both have Snapdragon. 8+ Gen 1, but POCO It's cooling better, and Redmi's. K60 — camera.
• 📷 I want to make a video for you. TikTok/YouTube (before 50 000 ₽): Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — camera 200 MP If you have a budget, you can use Xiaomi. 13T (leftover ~48 000 ₽) — He's got a Leica camera.
• 🔋 You need a smartphone that will live 2 days without an outlet: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (5,000 mAh + 120W charging POCO M6 Pro (5000 mAhh) + 67W).
• 💼 I work with documents, I need a big screen: Xiaomi 14 Pro (if the budget allows) or POCO F5 Pro (economical option). For maximum performance - Mix Fold 3 (folding).
• 👶 Giving to a child/elderly parent: Redmi 12C (~10 000 ₽) — simple, with a large battery (5000 mAh) and 3.5 mm headphone jack.

If you haven’t found your script, leave it in the comments – we’ll complete the article!

7.Where to buy Xiaomi Mi: official stores vs marketplaces

The price of the same smartphone can vary by 10-20% depending on where you buy it.

• 🏬 Official Xiaomi Store (mi.com/ru): Pros: Guarantee 2 Original firmware, promotions (for example, discounts when exchanging an old smartphone) Cons: sometimes prices are higher than those of resellers.
• 🛒 Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market): Pros: often cheaper, quick delivery, the ability to compare prices. Cons: the risk of running into a "gray" version (without Russian firmware) or a fake. Always check the reviews of the seller!
• 🏢 Salons (Svyaznoy, MTS, Beeline): Pros: you can touch before buying, sometimes give gifts (cases, headphones). Cons: prices are often overpriced, limited range.
• 🌍 AliExpress, foreign stores: Pros: you can find rare models (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra before the official release). Cons: no Russian warranty, possible problems with firmware (Chinese version), long delivery.

Buying tips:

1. Always check the regional version of the model. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro for China may not support the model. NFC or 5G Russian-frequency.
2. If you are on the marketplace, look for sellers with a rating of 95%+ and reviews of a particular model.
3. Xiaomi's official store often has sales during Black Friday or 11.11. Sign up for the newsletter to keep your discounts in check.
4. In the latest flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14) charging can be sold separately.

⚠️ Note: If you buy a smartphone with your hands (for example, on Avito), be sure to check it with your hands. IMEI This will help you find out if the device (stolen/pawned) is blacklisted, and ask the seller to show all the features: NFC, cameras, sensors, 5G (if).

8.Typical Mistakes When Choosing Xiaomi Mi and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make the mistake of buying a Xiaomi smartphone, here are 5 common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• 🔄 Buying the Chinese version without adapting: Many take cheaper on AliExpress, but forget that the Chinese versions may not support Google Services, have a different range 5G Solution: look for models with the prefix Global or check the support of Russian frequencies on FrequencyCheck.
• 📡 Ignoring support 5G: If you plan to use a smartphone for more than 2 years, take a model with a smartphone. 5G — Even if you don't need it now. For example, the Redmi Note 12. 4G Redmi Note 12 5G differ ~3 000 ₽, But the second one will stay relevant longer.
• 🔋 Choice by the number of megapixels in the camera: 200 camera MP Redmi Note 13 Pro+ It sounds impressive, but in practice, it's more about sensor size and software. 13T camera-50 MP He is the best of many 108-200 MP rivalry.
• 🔌 Untested charging compatibility: Xiaomi uses different charging standards: Quick