Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the challenge of evaluating the actual performance of their device. Synthetic testing is not just numbers for the sake of numbers, but an important diagnostic tool to identify hidden problems in the processor, memory or cooling system, especially when buying a used gadget or after updating the firmware, when autonomy and speed may change.
The test procedure on the Chinese brand devices has its own nuances associated with the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS. Standard methods can be blocked by the energy saving system, which leads to understated results. In this article, we will discuss how to properly prepare the phone, which version of the benchmark to use and how to interpret the data obtained to get an objective picture.
Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to download an app and click the Start button. However, without proper preparation, background processes and aggressive battery optimization can distort results by up to 30%.
Preparing a smartphone for performance testing
Before any benchmark is launched, it is critical to ensure that the device is operating optimally. Android based on MIUI is prone to background memory cleaning and limiting the processor frequency to save power. If you ignore this step, you will get a result that does not reflect the actual capabilities of the hardware.
First of all, you need to free up RAM. Close all running applications through the menu of recent tasks. It is also recommended to reboot your smartphone immediately before the test to reset the cache of system services that may have “hanged” or consumed resources.
⚠️ Note: Do not test if the temperature of the smartphone body is above 35 degrees. Overheating will lead to trottling (reduced processor frequency), and you will receive understated scores that do not reflect the real power of the device.
Be sure to turn off the power saving mode. In Xiaomi shells, it can be activated by default or activated automatically at a certain charge level. Go to the battery settings and select Performance or Balanced mode, but by no means “Energy Saving”.
☑️ Test preparation checklist
Selecting and installing the right version of AnTuTu Benchmark
To date, there are several versions of the popular test, and for modern smartphones Xiaomi is relevant only one – AnTuTu Benchmark v10. Older versions, such as v8 or v9, use other calculation algorithms and can not correctly assess the power of modern neuroprocessors and graphics accelerators.
The app should be downloaded exclusively from official sources. Google Play often uploads stripped down or modified versions, as well as many fakes. The most reliable way is to use the official developer website or the built-in app store GetApps, which is preinstalled on all smartphones of the brand.
When installed, the system can issue a warning about a potentially dangerous application, which is the standard response of Android security mechanisms to programs that require deep access to the system for testing. If you downloaded a file from an official resource, confirm the installation.
Why do v9 and v10 have different results?
After installation, take your time to run the test. Go to the settings of the AnTuTu app itself. You can find the option "3D Quality" or graphics quality. To get the maximum result consistent with the screen and GPU capabilities, make sure that you choose high quality, if the device allows.
Step-by-step instructions for running the test on MIUI and HyperOS
Running testing on Xiaomi devices requires a certain sequence of actions to bypass system limitations. MIUI and HyperOS shells are known for their aggressive memory management, so simply opening an app is not enough.
First, turn on Do Not Disturb mode. This will prevent incoming calls or messenger notifications from interrupting the process, which can instantly reduce the load on the processor. Then make sure the screen is set to maximum brightness, as the decrease in brightness during the test can affect the rating of the display.
Launch the AnTuTu Benchmark app and press the big button TEST Or, "Start the test." The system will ask permission to access the storage and other components -- you'll agree. Then it'll start to boot automatically. 3D-scenes and scripts, after which the animation itself will start.
Don't touch the screen or turn the device over during the test, it takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the processor's power, and if the phone starts to heat up, the test can be interrupted by the security system, in which case the result will not count.
Decoding of results: CPU, GPU, MEM and UX
Once you've finished, you'll get a score and a detailed score on four major categories, and understanding what each parameter is for will help you identify the weak spots on your smartphone, and the score is the sum of all the metrics, but you need to look at the details.
The CPU parameter reflects the processing power of the processor. It is important for application opening speed, browser operation and multitasking. GPU is responsible for graphical performance, which is critical for games and interfaces with high refresh rates. MEM shows the speed of RAM and storage, and UX evaluates user experience, including load time and interface smoothness.
Below is a table of indicative results for different segments of Xiaomi devices in the v10 version of the benchmark. Figures can vary depending on the firmware version and ambient temperature.
| Class of device | Example of model | Expected score (v10) | Main emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budgetary | Redmi 13C / Poco C65 | 200 000 - 250 000 | Basic UX |
| Medium. | Redmi Note 13 Pro | 500 000 - 600 000 | CPU/GPU balance |
| Subflagship | Poco F5 / F6 | 800 000 - 1 100 000 | High GPU |
| Flagship | Xiaomi 14 / 14 Pro | 1 600 000+ | Maximum productivity |
If your score is significantly different (more than 15-20%) from the tabular values for your model, it is a reason to think about the condition of the device. Too low numbers can indicate battery wear, problems with thermopasta or the presence of viruses-miners.
💡
The difference of 5-10% of the reference values is a normal error, depending on background processes and temperature.
Comparison with reference values and analysis of anomalies
Where do you find reference values? The largest database is contained within the AnTuTu app itself. Once you get the result, go to the Rating or My Device tab, where the system will compare your phone to thousands of other devices of the same model.
Pay attention not only to the average score, but also to the scatter. If 90% of Xiaomi 13T users have a score of 950,000 and you have 600,000, then the problem is local. Often the cause is a crowded drive. Free space on the internal drive critically affects the speed of data exchange.
New versions of Android and HyperOS shells may temporarily reduce performance in the first days after the update due to background file indexing and database optimization. Give the device 1-2 days to “sweep”.
⚠️ Warning: If after resetting to factory settings and clean application installation, the result remains low, the battery may have degraded or the power controller failed, preventing the processor from operating at full frequencies.
For a deeper analysis, you can use the in-app comparison feature, which will show you a graph of the distribution of results and highlight your phone in a general diagram, which is a convenient way to quickly assess how well your device is fit.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
One of the most common mistakes is to test the device immediately after the screen is turned on or unlocked, and the background services have not yet gone to sleep, so let the phone lie on the desktop for 2-3 minutes before the benchmark is launched.
The second mistake is the use of third-party accelerators and cleaners, applications like Clean Master or boosters often consume resources themselves and conflict with MIUI system mechanisms, leading to instability during the test.
The third problem is using a non-original charger or running from the network during the test. Although some users charge the phone during the test, surges in voltage or poor-quality current can interfere with the power controllers, which will affect the stability of the frequencies.
💡
For the cleanest possible result, turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and remove it. SIM-map to exclude background network activity.
If you notice that during the test the screen flashes or the image freezes, check the developer settings. USB or overlaying the interface with other applications may block correct rendering 3D-scene.