Choosing a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone in 2026 is a tough task, with dozens of models, each focused on a variety of tasks, from budget phone and social media devices to flagship killers with top-end cameras and processors. Eyes are running out, and marketing slogans like “fastest in its class” or “flagship camera” are confusing. How can you not overpay for unnecessary functions and not lose on performance?
In this guide, we will analyze the current Redmi models of 2023-2026, compare them on key parameters: processor, screen, camera, battery life and price. We'll look at which devices are right for gamers, photographers, travelers, or those looking for the highest value for money, and we'll also talk about which pitfalls to look out for when buying, such as why the Redmi Note 13 Pro is a good choice.+ It can be frustrating for owners with active use. 5G, Why Redmi 12 should not be used for shooting videos 4K.
Spoiler: There is no universal “best” Redmi, it all depends on your priorities, but after reading this article, you will definitely be able to answer the question: “Which Xiaomi Redmi should I choose?”
1. Key selection criteria: what to look at first
Before comparing specific models, decide on priorities. Here are 5 parameters that are really important when choosing Redmi:
- 🔥 Processor: Speed, game support and multitasking depend on it. Snapdragon 7 chips are relevant in 2026+ Gen 2 (for flagship killers), Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (middle segment) and Helio G99 (budget).
- 📸 Camera: If photography is important, pay attention not only to megapixels, but also to the presence of optical stabilization (OIS), Sensor size (e.g. 200 MP in Note 13 Pro)+ 50 MP in Redmi 12) and support for shooting in RAW.
- 🔋 Battery and charging: Minimum battery capacity for comfortable operation - 5000 mAh. Fast charging (from 33W) It will help if you are traveling frequently.
- 🖥️ Screen: AMOLED-Matrixes (in Note 12 Pro)+, Note 13 Pro+) They give a lush color and a deep black, but IPS (Redmi 12) is cheaper and does not flicker at low brightness.
- 📶 Network and communication: 5G Not all models support it (e.g. Redmi 12 doesn’t support it) If you download large files or stream high-resolution frequently, it’s critical.
Important nuance: in 2026 Xiaomi is actively reducing support for micro-SD If you want to expand your memory, check for a slot in the Note. 13 Pro+ He's not, but Redmi. 12 he is.
Now that you know what to look for, let's move on to comparing specific models, and let's start with the budget segment, which is devices up to 15,000 rubles.
2. Budget Redmi models (up to 15,000) ₽): What you can buy in 2026
In this segment, Xiaomi offers smartphones for basic tasks: calls, instant messengers, social networks, light games. Don't wait for top-end cameras or processors here, but you can save money.
Redmi 12 (2023)
Price: from 12,000 ₽
- ✅ Pluses: 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + 18W charging (sufficient for 1.5-2 days of moderate use). 📱 6.79-inch IPS-screen with a frequency of 90 Hz (smoother than competitors). 💾 Slot for micro-SD (up to 1 TB).
- ❌ Cons: 🐢 Helio processor G88 — It is weak for modern games (for example, Genshin Impact will lag even at low settings). 📸 50MP camera without OIS — Low light photos are noisy. 📶 No. 5G.
Redmi 12C (2023)
Price: from 9,000 ₽
- ✅ Pluses: 💰 The cheapest Redmi with NFC (phone-payable). 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + 10W charging (long charge, but also discharge slowly).
- ❌ Cons: 🖥️ 60 Hz screen (picture "twitches" when scrolling). 🐌 Helio processor G85 — It's even weaker than Redmi 12. 📸 50 MP camera without autofocus in wide-angle module.
Redmi 12 is the best choice in a budget up to 15,000 ₽, if you need a memory card slot and a smooth screen.Redmi 12C It is worth taking only as a "spare" phone or for elderly relatives.
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In the budget segment, Redmi 12 is the best balance of price and features, but it is not suitable for games or video shooting.
3. Mid-segment (15 000-25,000) ₽): Best Price/Quality Rating
And here you start to have really interesting models: fresher processors, better cameras, and you get a new look. 5G. If your budget allows, you should take a closer look at this segment.
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (2023)
Price: from 22,000 ₽
- ✅ Pluses: 📸 Main camera 200 MP s OIS — One of the best in its class (but don’t expect miracles in the night mode). 🔥 Dimensity 1080 processor pulls most games on mid-range settings. 🖥️ AMOLED-120Hz screen with Dolby Vision support. 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + 120W charging (charged in 19 minutes!).
- ❌ Cons: 📱 No micro-SD slot. 🔊 There are no stereo speakers (sound is worse than that of the POCO X5 Pro). 📶 5G Not all operators (problems with Tele2).
POCO X5 Pro 5G (2023)
Price: from 19,000 ₽
Yeah, it's not Redmi, but POCO — sub-brand Xiaomi, and by characteristics X5 Pro often outperforms "native" models.
- ✅ Pluses: 🔥 Snapdragon processor 778G — More powerful than the Note 12 Pro+. 🖥️ AMOLED-120Hz screen with support HDR10+. 🔊 Stereo speakers (sound better than most Redmis). 💾 There's a microSD slot.
- ❌ Cons: 📸 108 MP camera is inferior to 200 MP in Note 12 Pro+ (But in practice, the difference is not critical). 🔋 Charging. 67W (slower 120W Note 12 Pro+).
Who will do: If you want maximum productivity for reasonable money, take it POCO X5 Pro. If the camera and ultrafast charging are more important - Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
| Model | Processor | Screen. | Camera. | Battery/charge | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G | Dimensity 1080 | AMOLED, 120Hz | 200 MP (OIS) | 5,000 mAh / 120W | ~22 000 ₽ |
| POCO X5 Pro 5G | Snapdragon 778G | AMOLED, 120Hz | 108 MP | 5,000 mAh/67W | ~19 000 ₽ |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | AMOLED, 120Hz | 200 MP (OIS) | 5100 mAh/67W | ~25 000 ₽ |
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If you play Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile a lot, look out for the performance tests of a particular model on YouTube. 778G into POCO X5 Pro handles these games in mid-settings, and Dimensity 1080 can slow down.
4 Flagship Killers (25,000-35,000) ₽): near-top for less money
In this segment, Xiaomi offers devices that are not inferior in characteristics to flagships Samsung or Apple, but cost 1.5-2 times cheaper. Here you can already talk about premium chips: ultrafast processors, professional cameras and adaptive screens.
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G (2026)
Price: from 28,000 ₽
- ✅ Pluses: 📸 200 MP camera with OIS + Samsung HP3 (It is better in the dark than its predecessors). 🔥 Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor optimized for gaming and multitasking. 🖥️ AMOLED-120Hz screen with Dolby Vision support and peak brightness of 1800 nits. 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + 120W charging. 🛡️ Protection against dust and water according to the standard IP68 (rareness).
- ❌ Cons: 📱 No micro-SD slot. 🔊 Mono sound (no stereo speakers). 💰 Price is close to the flagships, but the brand is still budget (may affect the durability).
Redmi K60E (2023)
Price: from 25,000 ₽
- ✅ Pluses: 🔥 Dimensity 8200 is one of the most powerful processors in the Redmi lineup (suitable for heavy gaming). 🖥️ AMOLED-120Hz screen with support HDR10+. 📸 48 MP camera with OIS (worse on paper, but in practice shoots no worse than 108 MP in other models). 🔊 Stereodynamics (rare for Redmi).
- ❌ Cons: 🔋 Charging. 67W (slower 120W Note 13 Pro+). 📱 No official sale in Russia (you will have to order from China).
The Redmi Note 13 Pro is a good choice.+ — The best choice for those who want premium chips (camera, screen, protection) at a price below the flagship. K60E It is worth taking only gamers who are ready to put up with the lack of official support.
Why the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ More expensive than the Note 12 Pro+?
5. Redmi Flagships: Should You Overpay?
In 2026, Xiaomi released Redmi. K70 Pro – a device that is not inferior to the flagships Xiaomi 14 or Samsung Galaxy S23, But it's 10,000 to 15,000 cheaper.
Redmi K70 Pro (2026)
Price: from 35,000 ₽
- ✅ Pluses: 🔥 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor – the top chip of 2026 (suitable for any games and tasks). 🖥️ AMOLED-screen 2K 120Hz and peak brightness of 4,000 nits (better than the iPhone 15). 📸 50 MP camera with OIS + Sony IMX890 (flagman). 🔋 Battery 5,000 mAh + 120W charging. 🛡️ Protection IP68.
- ❌ Cons: 💰 The price is close to the flagship Xiaomi 14 or POCO F6 Pro, but the Redmi brand is associated with the budget segment (may affect the resale). 📱 No micro-SD slot. 🔊 Mono Sound (Xiaomi 14 has stereo speakers).
Should you take it? Only if you want maximum performance for years to come, and you're willing to put up with the lack of stereo sound. POCO F6 Pro (similar specs but cheaper) or Xiaomi 14 (more premium design and sound).
Do you need top-end performance for games/installation?|Is premium build and brand important?|Are you ready to accept the lack of micro-SD?|Have you compared the prices with POCO F6 Pro and Xiaomi 14?-->
6. Frequent mistakes when choosing Redmi: what not to be led
Xiaomi marketing often plays on emotions like 200 megapixels, 15-minute charging, artificial intelligence in the camera. In practice, many of these chips are either useless or not working as expected. Let's take a look at some of the most common pitfalls.
❌ Myth 1: “The more megapixels, the better the camera»
For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ It has a 200 MP camera, and POCO X5 Pro – 108 MP. on paper the difference is huge, but in practice:
- 200 MP is only a benefit when cropping photos, and otherwise, the difference is minimal.
- Much more important is sensor size and optical stabilization (OIS). For example, 50 MPs with OIS redmi K70 Pro shoots better than 200 MP without OIS budgetary.
❌ Myth 2: “Fast charging” = battery life»
Charging. 120W Redmi Note 13 Pro+ sounds impressive, but:
- Fast charging speeds up battery wear, and in 1-2 years, the capacity can drop by 20 to 30 percent.
- To extend the life of the battery, it is better to charge the phone by 80% and avoid full discharge.
❌ Myth 3: «AMOLED always better IPS»
AMOLED-screens (like the Note 13 Pro)+) They really do give a more juicy color and a deep black, but:
- IPS-screens (as in Redmi 12) do not flicker at low brightness, which is important for sensitive eyes.
- AMOLED It can burn out over time (shadows from static interface elements appear).
❌ Myth 4: «5G needy»
If you live in a big city and use mobile internet, 5G It might be useful:
- In most regions of Russia 5G Not yet deployed (as of 2026).
- 5G Faster battery planting (15-20% compared to the 4G).
- If you don’t download large files on the go, the difference between 4G and 5G won't feel.
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Before buying, check the support 5G In your region, on the operator's website, for example, MTS has a coverage card: https://moscow.mts.ru/mobile/internet/5g.
7.Where and how to buy: official stores vs marketplaces
The price of the same Redmi can vary by 3-5 thousand depending on the place of purchase.
🏬 Official shops and websites
Pros:
- 🔄 12-24 months warranty (depending on model).
- 📦 Original firmware (without pre-installed software from marketplaces).
- 💳 Possibility of installment or trade-in (rentition of old phone).
Cons:
- 💰 The price is usually higher than on marketplaces (the difference can reach 2-3 thousand).
- 📅 Stocks are rare.
Where to buy: mi.com, sbermegamarket.rf, communication salons (Svyaznoy, MTS).
🛒 Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, Aliexpress)
Pros:
- 💰 Prices are often lower (especially during sales).
- 🎁 Frequent stocks and cashback.
- ⚡ Quick delivery (same day or next day).
Cons:
- ⚠️ Risk of running into gray imports (without official guarantee).
- 🗑️ Pre-installed software (for example, games or applications from the marketplace).
- 🔄 The warranty may be less (6-12 months).
Advice: If you are buying on the marketplace, check:
- The official guarantee of Xiaomi Russia (should be a sticker on the box).
- Reviews of the seller (rating above 4.8 and at least 100 reviews).
- The country of production (Chinese assembly is often better than Indian).