TECHWEEK
Xiaomi boasts a wide range of smartphones that cover all segments from entry-level to premium models. Moreover, Xiaomi releases these smartphones not only under its own brand, but also under several sub-brands.
Thus, the POCO sub-brand is known to users for its excellent value for money, Redmi focuses on budget smartphones and mid-range models, the Black Shark brand is focused on gaming devices, and under the Xiaomi brand, mainly flagship and premium models are produced. As a result, Xiaomi has something to offer even the most demanding customer, making the Chinese tech giant one of the leading smartphone manufacturers in the global market. Which Xiaomi smartphones in each price category should be chosen, we will tell in this selection.
Xiaomi 12S / 12S Pro
In July this year, the updated flagship Xiaomi 12S series debuted in China, which included two models – the base 12S and the top 12S Pro. Both smartphones are based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and boast Leica branded cameras.
The standard model of Xiaomi 12S is equipped with a 6.28-inch display, while the Pro version is equipped with a large 6.73-inch screen. In both cases, this is an AMOLED panel with Full HD + resolution and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. As mentioned at the beginning, both smartphones are equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which is accompanied by up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of internal memory.
But their main feature, of course, are the cameras. For example, Xiaomi 12S is equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera, combined with a 13-megapixel module with an ultra wide-angle lens and a 5-megapixel macro camera with a telephoto lens, while the Pro model is equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera with a Sony IMX707 module, 50-megapixel camera with an ultra wide-angle lens and another 50-megapixel camera with a telephoto lens for 2x optical zoom.
Both smartphones are powered by a 4500mAh rechargeable battery, but only the Pro version supports 120W charging. Both models have 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.
Xiaomi 11T Pro
One of the features of Xiaomi 11T Pro is an unusual design of the back panel, inspired by vintage film cameras. The smartphone offers a 6.67-inch flat AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 by 1080 pixels, an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and a touch layer sampling rate of 480 Hz. Inside, it hides the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, combined with up to 12 GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256 GB UFS 3.1 built-in storage.
In terms of cameras, Xiaomi 11T Pro has a 108-megapixel main camera on the back, which is accompanied by an 8-megapixel sensor with an ultra wide-angle lens (120-degree field of view) and a 5-megapixel sensor with autofocus telemacro lens.
The device also boasts a 5000 mAh rechargeable battery with a 67- or 120-watt charger (depending on the version), dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support and a linear vibration motor along the X-axis.
Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge
This Xiaomi smartphone is equipped with a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display and a triple main camera with a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP macro camera, and a 16MP front camera for selfies and video communications.
It is based on the Dimensity 920 chipset from MediaTek with 6 or 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a built-in 128 or 256 GB UFS 3.1 drive.
One of the features of Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge is a battery with support for 120-watt charging. It also has a side fingerprint scanner. And the smartphone works on Android 12 with the MIUI 13 shell.
Black Shark 5 Pro
If you need a dedicated gaming smartphone, then check out the Black Shark 5 Pro. This gaming model features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ Samsung E4 AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate, 1300nits peak brightness, 720Hz sampling rate, and HDR10+ support. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which is paired with 6 or 8 GB of RAM. For data storage, a built-in UFS 3.1 drive up to 512 GB is provided.
The Black Shark 5 Pro offers a 108-megapixel Samsung S5KHM2 main camera, along with a 13-megapixel OmniVision OV13B10 ultra-wide camera and a 5-megapixel Samsung S5K5E9 telephoto camera.
The Xiaomi gaming smartphone is powered by a 4650mAh battery with support for 120W ultra-fast wired charging.
POCO F4 GT
Xiaomi has another powerful and more affordable gaming smartphone, the POCO F4 GT, equipped with a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
It is based on the fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Special mention deserves a liquid cooling system for efficient heat dissipation under high loads.
Inside the smartphone is a 4700 mAh dual-cell battery with support for 120-watt charging, which allows you to charge the device in just 17 minutes.
Xiaomi 12 Lite
Xiaomi 12 Lite is an excellent choice if you are looking for a compact and lightweight mid-range smartphone. It features a 6.55-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support, and an in-screen fingerprint scanner.
On the back of the smartphone, there is a triple main camera with a 108-megapixel Samsung HM2 main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle module and a 2-megapixel macro camera.
Since this is a mid-range smartphone, it has a corresponding chipset – Snapdragon 778G from Qualcomm, which is complemented by up to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. It is powered by a battery, the capacity of which is only 4300 mAh, which, however, is compensated by the support of 67-watt charging.
POCO X4 Pro
If you want a cheaper Xiaomi smartphone, then POCO X4 Pro is a great choice. It is equipped with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 by 1080 pixels, a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and a peak brightness of 1200 nits.
Inside it hides the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, combined with 6 or 8 GB of RAM and 64, 128 or 256 GB of internal memory.
As for the main camera, it consists of three sensors: the main 64-megapixel, 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle and 2-megapixel macro lens. Like many other smartphones from our new selection, POCO X4 Pro supports 67-watt wired charging. Its battery capacity is 5000 mAh.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+
Another candidate for Xiaomi’s low-cost mid-ranger is the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, which is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and has up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 128GB of UFS 2.2 onboard storage.
It also offers a triple main camera consisting of a 108MP main module, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2MP macro sensor. The front of the smartphone has a 6.67-inch Full HD+ OLED display panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is powered by a 5000 mAh battery with support for 67-watt fast charging. And, of course, it is impossible not to mention that this inexpensive Xiaomi smartphone supports 5G cellular networks.
POCO M4 Pro
If you are looking for an even more affordable smartphone and the presence of 5G support is not important for you, then you should pay attention to POCO M4 Pro, which is based on MediaTek Helio G96 with 6 or 8 GB of RAM. Built-in storage capacity, depending on the selected configuration varies from 64 to 256 GB.
The smartphone is equipped with a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with Full HD + resolution, an image refresh rate of up to 90 Hz, a sampling rate of 180 Hz and a peak brightness of 1000 nits. And it runs on MIUI 13 based on Android 11.
The POCO M4 Pro has a 64-megapixel main camera on the back, which is accompanied by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle module and a 2-megapixel macro camera. As for the battery, its capacity is 5000 mAh, and fast charging power is limited at around 33 watts.
