Xiaomi Redmi: which smartphone is better to choose in 2026 according to the reviews of owners?

Choosing a smartphone from the line Xiaomi Redmi is not an easy task even for experienced users. The brand offers dozens of models with different processors, cameras and screens, while prices often differ only by 2-3 thousand rubles. How not to overpay for unnecessary functions and not lose on performance? In this article, we analyzed real reviews of owners from forums, marketplaces and social networks, compared key models of Redmi by 7 criteria and compiled a checklist for the perfect choice.

The Redmi range is price-to-feature, and there are no flagship chips or premium body materials, but there are optimal solutions for gaming, photography or long-duration autonomy.+ It bypasses many smartphones for 50 000₽ The Redmi 12 is the best budget for older relatives, and the main thing is to understand what tasks the gadget is bought for.

We won’t list all the models in a row (there are more than 20 in the current series only); instead, we’ll focus on the 5 most popular smartphones that are most bought in 2026 and analyze their pros/cons based on feedback. At the end of the article, we’ll have an interactive survey and FAQ with answers to thorny questions (for example, why Redmi are discharged so quickly and how to avoid it).

Top.-5 Xiaomi Redmi in the 2026 year: rating by reviews

This ranking is based on an analysis of more than 15,000 reviews from Yandex Market, Wildberries, 4PDA and Mi Community, and we took into account not only the average score, but also the frequency of mentioning specific problems (for example, overheating or poor communication).

1. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G – the best in camera and screen
2. Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G - optimal for price / quality;
3. Redmi 12 is the most affordable with NFC
4. Redmi A2+ for Grandmas and Children
5. POCO X5 Pro 5G is an alternative for gamers.

Fun fact: POCO X5 Pro is formally a different sub-brand, but it's built on the same platform as Redmi, so we put it on the list, but the Redmi 10A and older models (until 2022) didn't make the top list due to outdated processors and lack of MIUI updates.

Comparison of key characteristics: table

To avoid reading hundreds of reviews, we have summarized the main parameters in one table. Pay attention to the columns "Cons on reviews" - it shows the most frequent complaints of users (for example, a weak vibrator or long charging).

Important: The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO X5 Pro both have the same battery (5000 mAh), but the former charges in 19 minutes thanks to 120W and the latter in 46 minutes (67W).

Owner reviews: honest pros and cons

We analyzed the reviews on the Redmi model and identified the 5 most controversial points that are rarely mentioned in reviews, but often discussed by users:

• 🔋 Autonomy: Redmi Note 12 Pro in real tests holds the charge on 15-20% worse than Redmi 12, And the reason for that is that it's the same battery capacity, and it's the energy-intensive Dimensity processor. 1080.
• 📷 Camera: 200 MP in Note 13 Pro+ They're impressive on paper. At dusk, the pictures are noisy, and the video is noisy. 4K heats up to 45°C.
• 🎮 Games: POCO X5 Pro with Snapdragon 778G gives out 60 FPS Genshin Impact is on medium settings, but after 30 minutes it is uncomfortable to play – the phone heats up to 50°C.
• 📡 Communication: Redmi A2+ Losing network in subways and on the outskirts of cities due to weak module 4G Helio G36.
• 🔊 All models except the Note 13 Pro+, The Redmi 12 only solves the problem after the update. MIUI 14.0.5.

9 out of 10 owners praise Redmi Note 12 Pro for bright OLED-The screen and fast charging. A2+, Despite the brakes, it is called "unkillable" - it experiences a fall from 1.5 meters and does not break in children.

⚠️ Note: If you want a stable job GPS, Avoid models with a Helio processor G88 (Redmi 12). In navigators (Yandex Maps, Google Maps) coordinates "jump" on the 10-15 Meters, which is critical for taxi drivers.

Which Redmi to choose for specific tasks?

The answer to the question "which Redmi is better" depends on your priorities.

Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact) → POCO X5 Pro 5G Or the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+

Photography (social media, travel) → Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G

Long autonomy (2 days without an outlet) → Redmi 12 or Redmi Note 12 Pro

Budget up to 10,000₽ (gift, spare phone) → Redmi A2+

NFC for contactless payments → Any model other than the Redmi A2 (there is a A2+ NFC)

-->

For older people, the best option is the Redmi A2+ with a simple MIUI Lite shell and an SOS button on the sidebar, while students and freelancers will be able to use the Redmi Note 12 Pro with 5G support and a good microphone for calls.

If you travel frequently, pay attention to the Redmi Note. 13 Pro+ — He has the best camera for shooting landscapes (mode) 200MP It allows you to frame photos without loss of quality, but be prepared for the fact that in the backpack it will take up a lot of space due to the size of the car. 161.4 × 74.2 × 8.9 mm.

💡

Before buying, check 5G support in your region! Not all carriers (e.g. Tele2) provide 5G on frequencies that Redmi Note 12/13 supports. A list of compatible bands can be found on the MTS or MegaFon website.

Redmi's Frequent Problems and How to Avoid Them

Even the best Redmi models are not without their shortcomings, and here are 3 of the most common problems and solutions:

1. Fast battery drain Reason: MIUI background activity and power optimization are disabled by default. Solution: Go to Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode and enable Super-Economic Mode. Also turn off Auto Brightness and set the value manually to 60-70%.
2. Overheating while charging Reason: Fast charging (67W/120W) heats up the battery, especially if you use the phone while connecting to the network. Solution: Charge your smartphone in airplane mode or with the screen off. Avoid cheap cables - use the original USB-C from the kit.
3. Poor communication (call interruptions, slow internet) Cause: Weak antennas in budget models (Redmi) A2+, Redmi 10C). Solution: Include Settings in the settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Better coverage. If it doesn't work, try switching operators to MTS or Beeline (they have better coverage in the regions).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI phone began to spontaneously restart, perform a reset to factory settings through Settings → The phone. → Reset settings. Pre-save the data — after the reset, it will be deleted!

Redmi vs. POCO vs. Xiaomi: What’s the difference?

Many people confuse Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi’s core lineup, but they are actually three different brands under the same company, each with its own characteristics:

• 📱 Xiaomi (main line): Flagship smartphones with premium materials (glass, ceramics) and top-end processors (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2). Examples: Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 13T Pro.
• 💰 Redmi: Budget and mid-budget models with a focus on price/quality. There's no wireless charging or stereo speakers, but there's everything you need. Examples: Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Redmi 12.
• 🎮 POCO: Smartphones for gamers and enthusiasts with aggressive design and powerful chips at a low price: POCO F5, POCO X5 Pro.

The main difference between POCO and Redmi is firmware: POCO uses a clean MIUI without unnecessary applications, and Redmi often pre-installed games and services (for example, Mi Video or Mi Browser).

If you want a smartphone to play games, take the POCO X5 Pro, which is cheaper than the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ at similar performance, and if design and camera are important, Redmi benefits from a more stylish body and better optimisation of the PV module.

Where to buy Redmi: official and unofficial channels

The price of the same model may vary 3 000-5 000₽ We compared it to the seller. 4 popular ways of buying and highlighted their pros/cons:

The most reliable option is to buy on the official Xiaomi website or from authorized retailers (for example, M. Video marked "Official Warranty"). If you see a price 30% below the market, it is 100% "gray" imports with Chinese firmware that is not updated.

⚠️ Note: When buying on AliExpress, check whether the model supports Russian language in the Internet. MIUI and Russian frequencies 4G/5G. For example, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ China does not use MegaFon on frequency B20 (800 MHz).

💡

Before buying, check the IMEI phone on IMEI.info. If the production date is older than 6 months, there is a high risk that this is an "exhibition" instance with a worn-out battery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Redmi