Although it’s been a stalwart of the smartphone scene in China for well over a decade now, it’s taken a bit longer for Xiaomi to get the recognition it deserves in the West, but with fantastic phones designed to cater to all budgets, the brand has very much broken through.
For a period of time, Xiaomi even overtook Samsung in European smartphone shipments, and the brand has only continued its dominance by putting out the type of value-busting phones that put a lot of other companies to shame. If you’re tempted to see what all the fuss is about, then our ultimate guide will pair you with the right Xiaomi phone to suit your needs.
| Check | |||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
Check | ||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
Check | ||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
Check | ||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
Check | ||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
Check | ||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
Check | ||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
Check | ||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
Check | ||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
Check | ||
|
Show Pros & Cons Pros
Cons
Hide Pros & Cons |
|||
|
|
|||
Much like with Samsung, Honor or Motorola, Xiaomi has so many different smartphones on the market, each with its own naming conventions and styles, that it can be tricky to know which phones excel in certain areas. The easiest way to break it down is by knowing that Xiaomi’s numbered phones (which don’t come with any additional branding) occupy the flagship and mid-range end of the market. Phones that come with Redmi or Poco branding, on the other hand, are best saved for buyers on a budget.
Even with that understanding, there’s so much nuance to dive into, which is exactly where the work of our tech experts comes into play. With every phone that appears on this list, a member of our team has put their SIM card into it and used it as their main handset for at least a week, so you can find out exactly what each one is like to use in the real world.
Keep on reading to see which Xiaomi phones we currently recommend, but if you’re curious to see what the brand is up against, then our guides to the best phones, best mid-range phones and the best budget phones are well worth a look.
Best Xiaomi phone reviews
1. Xiaomi 17 Ultra – Best Overall
Pros
- Excellent cameras
- Large, dazzling display
- Strong battery life & charging
- Top specs and performance
Cons
- Bulky, with large camera bump
- Mixed own-brand AI performance
- Fewer OS updates than some rivals
Price When Reviewed:
Unavailable in the US
Best Prices Today:
Although you could argue that the cheaper Xiaomi 17 is the brand’s best phone for most people, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is just so far ahead of the competition that anything other than the top spot feels undeserved. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra which, despite being a great phone, is just far too iterative for a flagship device, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra now leads the charge when it comes to smartphone cameras.
On the back, the 17 Ultra now packs (as part of its massive camera bump) a new 200Mp periscope telephoto lens, alongside a 50Mp main and ultrawide. Working in tandem with that 200Mp lens is a mechanical optical zoom system that delivers stunning results for scenes that are far off in the distance. Taking the phone around King’s Cross St Pancras station, the 17 Ultra allowed us to capture pretty much anything our eyes could spot, making it the ideal companion for any adept photographer who’s always looking for a gallery-worthy shot.
Although the native camera experience is excellent, we still recommend picking up £179 photography kit that’s available for the 17 Ultra, as it makes the process of taking pictures feel far more seamless, as the camera grip case rests beautifully in the hand and provides quick access to video capture, and moving through settings via a rotating dial. The massive 6,000mAh battery just backs up the 17 Ultra’s prowess, allowing it to be an all-day camera that doesn’t need to rely on a power bank (unless you really push it).
When it comes to lining up shots, the jaw-dropping 6.9-inch OLED display, with its 3500 nits of peak brightness, is very easy to use outdoors. Having all that space available makes the process of photo editing a breeze, not to mention the cinematic quality that then comes with watching content. It seems absurd to us that for such an expensive phone, Xiaomi still hasn’t matched Samsung and Google on the full seven years of software updates, instead settling for five, so that’s something to bear in mind further down the line.
Who should buy the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
Professional and amateur photographers who want a true camera-like experience on their phone.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Further considerations
It’s very expensive and not as future-proof as Google and Samsung’s flagships.
Read our full
Xiaomi 17 Ultra review
2. Xiaomi 17 – Best Value Flagship
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Beautiful display
- Superb battery life
- Super-fast and versatile charging
Cons
- Display could be brighter and dimmer
- Limited telephoto camera performance
- Software support shorter than rivals
Price When Reviewed:
Unavailable in the US
Best Prices Today:
If you’re in the market for a phone that costs between £799 and £999, and are maybe eyeing up the iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26, then may we suggest that you also give the Xiaomi 17 a look. This is an outstanding phone which, just like the iPhone 17 Pro, boasts a compact frame and a 6.3-inch display, except that it’s £100 cheaper than Apple’s flagship device.
At just £899, the Xiaomi 17 is the perfect go-between for anyone who misses the days of flagship compact phones, and wants to get as many features for their hard-earned cash as possible. For starters, this small phone boasts the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which runs rings around everything that came before it, making short work of video editing and intensive 3D games.
The real upgrade this time around is the battery size, which has leapt up from 5,240mAh to a whopping 6,330mAh. In standard use, this uptick means that you can really push the Xiaomi 17 over the course of a day and never worry that you’re going to drain the tank completely. Plus, when you do need to give the phone a top-up, you can lean on super-fast 100W wired charging, or 50W wireless charging in a pinch.
Although the aforementioned display is lovely, we did notice a slight downgrade in the panel-wide brightness which now sits at 1200 nits (down from 1500), but the phone still packs a peak brightness of 3500 nits overall. If you’re in the market specifically for a super bright display then the Honor 600 Pro, which costs the same amount, has the Xiaomi 17 beat with a peak of 8000 nits.
Who should buy the Xiaomi 17?
Compact phone enthusiasts who still want flagship performance.
Xiaomi 17: Further considerations
The software experience isn’t as refined as its closest rivals from Apple and Samsung.
Read our full
Xiaomi 17 review
3. Xiaomi 15T Pro – Best Mid-Range
Pros
- Stylish design
- Massive screen
- Powerful performance
- Long battery life and speedy charging
- Solid camera system
Cons
- Ultrawide camera could be better
- HyperOS is a little divisive
Best Prices Today:
Xiaomi had us absolutely floored with the Xiaomi 14T Pro, and now the company’s done it yet again with a successor that’s better in every way. Priced at £649, the Xiaomi 15T Pro is in that sweet spot of still being within the price bracket to be considered amongst the best mid-range phones, but just cheap enough to outdo handsets like the Galaxy S25 and the standard iPhone 17.
In typical Xiaomi fashion, the 15T Pro offers an array of features that feel far more in line with what you’d get at the higher end of the market. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset, for example, while it doesn’t quite match the highs of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, still operates at a very high level with excellent everyday performance and benchmarking results that aren’t that far behind.
The battery has had a major upgrade here, jumping forward to a 5500mAh offering that can last for up to two days at a time, depending on how you use it. Thankfully, when you do need to top up the phone, you now have 90W wired and 50W wireless charging at your disposal. The former can net you 80% after just a 30-minute charge.
The more powerful chipset, upgraded charging speeds, faster 144Hz refresh rate and a 5x telephoto lens are the key reasons why you would want to buy this phone over the standard Xiaomi 15T, but if you’d rather save some money, then the 15T itself is no slouch and offers quite a few similar features, including the same-sized battery and display.
Who should buy the Xiaomi 15T Pro?
Anyone after a mid-range phone that offers top-shelf level features for less.
Xiaomi 15T Pro: Further considerations
Other great mid-ranges like the Pixel 9a and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro are cheaper.
Read our full
Xiaomi 15T Pro review
4. Xiaomi 15T – Best Lower Mid-Range
Pros
- Stylish looks
- Solid performance
- Long battery life
- Decent cameras
- Large, impressive display
Cons
- No macro capabilities
- No wireless charging
Price When Reviewed:
Not available in the US
Best Prices Today:
As much as we loved the Xiaomi 15T Pro, and it’s well worth the upgrade if your budget can stretch to meet its price tag, the Xiaomi 15T offers a brilliant alternative that more closely matches the cost of the Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e, whilst offering quite a few flagship features that those phones do not have.
The big upgrades this year are an enlargement of both the display and the battery life. On the former, users now get to enjoy a gigantic 6.83-inch 120Hz OLED panel, which, as you can imagine, is great for streaming content when you’re at home or on the commute. It’s also very easy to see when you’re outdoors, so you won’t have to squint if you’re trying to order a train ticket on your way to the station.
With regards to battery life, you can expect to reach a full two days of use from the 5500mAh cell included, so even if you are a heavier user who likes to use their phone as a hotspot or even dive into a bit of gaming, then you won’t have any battery anxiety with safely reaching the end of the day.
The phone itself has a very premium aesthetic that, at first glance, makes it look nothing like a mid-range phone. The only reason why you might shop for one of its competitors is to get a better software experience, particularly as HyperOS still can’t compete with Google’s stock Android, but on the hardware front, Xiaomi is king.
Who should buy the Xiaomi 15T?
Mid-range consumers who want a large display and a long-lasting battery.
Xiaomi 15T: Further considerations
The 15T Pro packs a better display, battery and chipset for not that much more
Read our full
Xiaomi 15T review
5. Xiaomi Poco M8 Pro – Best Value
Pros
- Great value for money
- Excellent display
- Big battery and fast charging
Cons
- Outdated software
- Loaded with bloatware
- Average camera experience
Price When Reviewed:
Unavailable in the US
Best Prices Today:
If ever you needed proof that Xiaomi and its Poco subsidiary are now the true flagship killers, much like how OnePlus used to be, the new Poco M8 Pro will do the trick. This is a phone which, despite having a budget price tag of just £299, is actually able to outdo far more expensive flagship phones in some areas.
The headline feature here is that there’s a 6500mAh cell crammed into this thing, which absolutely decimates the 5,000mAh battery you’ll find in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. With such a massive battery in tow, there’s a good chance that some users could stretch it to two days, but you certainly won’t ever have to worry about dipping into the red before the end of a single day.
There’s even support for 100W wired charging, which puts the M8 Pro right up there with the Honor Magic 8 Pro has having some of the best charging speeds in the game, although you will have to buy a compatible adapter separately. Having that larger battery means that you can really enjoy the 6.83-inch AMOLED display that’s on board here.
With up to 3,200 nits of peak brightness, everything looks great on this display, making it a joy to use with both everyday apps and streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. The only area where the M8 Pro let us down is in the software, with a bit too much bloatware onboard for our liking, but when you factor in the price it’s a fair trade-off.
Who should buy the Poco M8 Pro?
Bargain hunters on the lookout for flagship specs at a lower price.
Poco M8 Pro: Further Considerations
You’ll get better performance from the Poco F7 which doesn’t cost that much more..
Read our full
Xiaomi Poco M8 Pro review
6. Xiaomi Poco F8 Pro – Best Battery Life
Pros
- Premium design touches
- Great performance
- Super-fast charging
- Decent display and speakers
Cons
- OS includes baked-in ads
- Software support could be longer
- Middling cameras
- No wireless charging
Price When Reviewed:
Not yet available in the US
Best Prices Today:
If you’re shopping in the mid-range market and are tempted by the likes of the Pixel 10a or the Galaxy A57, you might want to hold off and give the Poco F8 Pro a look instead. Poco’s Pro-level phone has long since provided tons of flagship features for a mid-range price, but now you can get even more bang for your buck in the F8 Pro.
Starting at just £549/$579, the real allure of the F8 Pro is that, in its design, there’s no sense of compromise to be found anywhere. It boasts a glass-backed chassis that feels great in the hand and is more than ready to withstand the elements with an IP68 rating. On top of that you’re getting superb performance thanks to the epic Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which just boggles the mind as it’s typically reserved for much pricier handsets.
The big change over the Poco F7 Pro is that the newer model comes with an all-new 50Mp telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom. With that third lens in tow, it’s much easier to pick up detailed shots of subjects from a distance, and as much as we love the photos you can pick up from Google’s A-series of smartphones, they do not have a telephoto lens of their own right now, so you’re getting a more versatile set-up here.
The only area where the likes of Samsung and Google really do have the upper hand is in software support. Xiaomi has promised only four years of software updates from the time of launch, alongside six years of security patches. While a lot better than previous years, it’s far from ideal for folks who want to put off upgrading again for quite some time.
Who should buy the Poco F8 Pro?
Mid-range bargain hunters who value performance above all else.
Poco F8 Pro: Further Considerations
Four years of software support is paltry compared to the competition.
Read our full
Xiaomi Poco F8 Pro review
7. Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra – Best for Gaming
Pros
- Stunning, unique designÂ
- Stellar battery lifeÂ
- Incredible performanceÂ
- The best speakers of any phone
Cons
- Disappointing low-light photosÂ
- Annoying bloatwareÂ
- Only 4 major Android updates
Best Prices Today:
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first – yes, the Poco F8 Ultra is arguably one of the nicest looking phones around right now. It’s the Denim Blue option in particular that stands out for us as there really isn’t another handset out there that features such a backing, and it feels great in the hand too. It’s almost as if the F8 Ultra is singlehandedly trying to show that phones don’t have to be homogeneous in 2026.
In terms of specs, you’re getting a larger 6.9-inch display that gives off quite a cinematic feel owing to its stature, which can really draw you in. If you don’t have a pair of headphones to hand, then the Bose-engineered onboard speakers are easily some of the best that we’ve ever seen on a smartphone, with a tangible sense of bass and weight to the dialogue.
The biggest upgrade of them all relates to the battery, which has now leapt from 5,300mAh on the F7 Ultra to a whopping 6,500mAh. There’s also 100W wired fast charging, which, according to Poco, can net you a full battery in just 38 minutes, although you’ll need to splurge for a compatible charger.
It’s a shame then that for all the flagship prowess that the F8 Ultra delivers, you don’t get the same flagship-level software support as what you’ll find on similarly priced handsets from Apple and Samsung. To get just four years of OS updates when you’re paying a minimum of £749 is absurd, and we’d like to see Xiaomi rectify this in the F8 Ultra’s eventual successor.
Who should buy the Poco F8 UItra?
Flagship fans who want a phone that actually stands out in the market.
Poco F8 Ultra: Further Considerations
Xiaomi lags behind rivals for software support at this level.
Read our full
Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra review
8. Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro – Best Budget
Pros
- Very good 200Mp main camera
- Exceptional battery life
- Impressive display with superb visibility
Cons
- Bloated HyperOS software
- Some colour issues in photos
- Bulky camera module
Best Prices Today:
The Redmi series has long been a great, go-to option for anyone sniffing around the budget end of the market and that sentiment continues with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro. In terms of its core principles, the Note 15 Pro nails it on the main camera, the display and the available battery life so if those are the features most important to you then you’ll appreciate what Xiaomi’s put together here.
Starting with the camera, the main 200Mp wide lens is a true beauty, capturing so much colour and detail that even if you crop into a photo, it doesn’t feel as if you’re losing a ton of quality in the process. There is an 8Mp ultrawide lens on board but it doesn’t come anywhere near the prowess of that main 200Mp snapper.
When it comes to lining up your shots, the massive 6.83-inch display is perfect for the job, and with minimal bezels surrounding it, you can really settle in for a great streaming experience too. Colours are vibrant and the 3200 nits of peak brightness allow it to be used outside without issue. It’s all backed up by a 6580mAh battery that, from our testing, can run for up to two days between charges.
Holding the Redmi Note 15 Pro back from greatness is the bloatware bundled in with Xiaomi’s HyperOS. There isn’t a great deal of optimisation for the software to work with Google’s ‘Material You’ UI either, and if you’re someone who’s obsessed with having a smooth UI then there’s a good chance that you’ll be clamouring for the nearest Samsung instead.
Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro?
Those who value a great display, main camera and battery life in a budget phone.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro: Further considerations
The included bloatware stops the phone from overtaking Samsung in the software department.
Read our full
Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro review
9. Xiaomi 15 Ultra – Best Previous Gen Flagship
Pros
- Incredible camera performance
- Excellent screen
- Solid battery life & fast charging
- Silky performance
Cons
- Some design backsteps
- Not the best Android skin
- Mixed bag of AI features
Price When Reviewed:
$1,250 (Global version)
Best Prices Today:
Even though the newer Xiaomi 17 Ultra has hit the scene, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is still one of the best Android phones money can buy right now. This is an absolute beast on pretty much all fronts, and one of the few handsets out there that can go toe to toe with (and sometimes outdo) the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The headline feature is the 15 Ultra’s impressive camera array, which offers up, amidst its four rear-facing sensors, a 200Mp periscope telephoto. Even though this camera’s 4.3x zoom is slightly shorter than what was previously available, the higher megapixel count more than makes up for it with astonishing detail that can pick up clarity in subjects from quite a distance away.
Helping to line up your shots is the massive 6.73-inch AMOLED display, which is very easy to use outdoors thanks to a peak brightness of 3200 nits. The refresh rate can move between 1-120Hz to optimise the battery, and the colours emitted from this panel are truly stunning, making shows on Netflix and Disney+ really pop.
While HyperOS still isn’t our favourite Android overlay, the fairly lacklustre AI features feel more egregious at this end of the market, given that Galaxy AI provides much better functionality on the S25 Ultra. If you’re not fussed about software, however, then you won’t feel hard done by with picking the Xiaomi 15 Ultra above all other flagships.
Who should buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra?
Android fans who want one of the best flagship handsets that money can buy.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Further considerations
The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a better software experience.
Read our full
Xiaomi 15 Ultra review
10. Xiaomi Mix Flip – Best Foldable
Pros
- Decent battery life for a flip phone
- Good photos with the right lighting
- Swift performance
Cons
- Pricier than rivals
- No water resistance
- Cluttered software
Best Prices Today:
The Xiaomi Mix Flip is the first attempt at a foldable for the Western market from the brand, and its first-generation build is pretty apparent compared to its biggest rivals, which cost less but offer more.
Performance is a strong point for this foldable, as it’s fitted with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Therefore, if you’re looking for a flip phone that can also handle large games or heavy-duty tasks, you should consider this one.
The 4780mAh battery is also impressive, giving one and a half day’s worth of usage on average. That said, there’s no water resistance rating, the software is clunky and the outer screen experience needs improvement.
If the phone gets a big discount during sale seasons such as Black Friday, then it may be worth considering. Otherwise, there are better foldables out there such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra.
Who should buy the Xiaomi Mix Flip?
Xiaomi fans who finally want to hop aboard the flip phone bandwagon.
Xiaomi Mix Flip: Further considerations
The overall foldable experience is superior on Motorola Razr and Galaxy Z Flip phones.
Read our full
Xiaomi Mix Flip review
Other Xiaomi phones tested
As you may have already gathered from this list (and our extensive coverage of Xiaomi’s launches), the company puts out a huge amount of phones each year and there are several that we’ve tested that simply didn’t make the cut or have since been pushed out:
- Redmi Note 15 Pro+ – For the asking price of £429, it’s wild that you can get a competent 200Mp main lens, high-end durability with IP66 and IP68 ratings, alongside a battery that can really go the distance. If you are in the market for a cheaper mid-range phone that’s great for entertainment on the go as well as capturing the best moments throughout your day with plenty of colour and clarity, then the Note 15 Pro+ may very well be the right phone for you.
- Xiaomi 15 – Now that it’s been replaced by a newer model, the Xiaomi 15 can be picked up at a discounted price, making it a very tempting previous-gen flagship for bargain hunters. You’re still getting an amazing trio of cameras, and because of its compact 6.36-inch display, the Xiaomi 15 is one of those rare phones that can actually be used one-handed.
- Poco X7 Pro – The Poco X7 Pro was never quite able to carve out a space for itself on this list, largely due to the bloatware that comes preloaded with the phone, even though it’s a very attractive handset. Working in the phone’s favour however is the great combination of an epic main camera and dependable performance for the price, which makes it a competitive beast on the budget market.
Here are a few other Xiaomi phones that are worth a look:
Sean Cameron / Foundry
Xiaomi phone news that could affect your buying decision
Now that the Chinese and global launches of the Xiaomi 17 range are behind us, the rumour mill has started to churn over what might be in store for Xiaomi’s next generation of flagships.
Of course, given that the Xiaomi 17 range as a whole is still fairly new, it’s not really worth holding off if you’re in need of an upgrade, as you could be waiting for some time unless you might be interested in a 17T series device.
Back to the next-gen flagships, from what we know so far, the Xiaomi 18 Pro may pack no less than two 200Mp sensors in an attempt to really outpace the likes of the Galaxy S26+ and the iPhone 17 Pro. The phone’s larger sibling, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, could boast an upgraded 6.9-inch LIPO display designed for a bit of late-night scrolling with brightness that can drop to just one nit.
In terms of raw performance, it appears that only the Xiaomi 18 Ultra will receive the absolute cream of the crop in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, while the rest of the range will use the slightly lesser-powered Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.
Can I get a better phone deal?
The best thing about our deals widgets, which accompany every entry on this list, is that they give you an up-to-date look at the best prices for a given phone at all times, so you don’t have to worry about chasing after any hidden deals on the web. With that said, there are times of the year when you’re more likely to see big price cuts on Xiaomi phones, namely Amazon Prime Day sales and Black Friday.
These major sales events feature smartphone deals across the board, not just for Xiaomi’s handsets, which usually results in some excellent price matching and incentives as Xiaomi tries to lure potential adopters away from the competition.
If you don’t fancy holding out until then, you can always peruse our collection of the best refurbished phone deals, which can get you a hefty discount at all times of the year.
Luke Baker
How we test Xiaomi phones
Xiaomi phones, just like any other brand of phone that comes our way, are used for at least a week as the main handset of one of our expert reviewers. With their own SIM-card in the phone, they get a real-world understanding of how the device performs day to day, whilst also putting it through its paces via industry-standard benchmarking tests.
Read more about how we test smartphones.
Why you should trust Tech Advisor for Xiaomi phone reviews and buying advice
Tech Advisor has been reviewing phones long before Xiaomi hit the scene, and our mantra to offer in-depth, unbiased consumer advice has never wavered. It is our duty to make sure that whenever you are looking to pick up a new smartphone, you make the right decision from the jump.
Who curated this article?Â
Our Mobile Editor, Anyron Copeman, covers phones on a daily basis and has reviewed devices from every brand making them. He’s often among the first people in the world to get hands on with the latest models. He’s assisted by Chris Martin, our Managing Editor, who has been testing phones since the Google Nexus days.
How to choose the best Xiaomi phone?
Much like Samsung and Honor, Xiaomi has a phone to match practically every budget you could think of, so deciding which phone to go for depends almost entirely on how much you’re willing to spend.
For example, those looking to stick within the parameters of the best budget phones should check out Xiaomi’s Redmi sub-brand of phones, while those interested in what the best mid-range phones have to offer can find a more fitting device under the Poco brand, or amongst Xiaomi’s most recent ‘T-series’ phones, with the most recent being the Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro.
Luke Baker
Anyone who’s flush with cash can go straight to the numbered Xiaomi flagship phones, which more closely compete with the iPhone and flagship Android handsets. Phones like the Xiaomi 15/15 Ultra provide top-tier camera specs, alongside high-end chipsets that facilitate fast everyday performance, making gaming and multitasking a breeze.
Xiaomi phone buying advice
What’s the difference between Xiaomi’s different brands?
Xiaomi has a range of different brands, which can make things confusing. First up, it has its core Xiaomi products – these used to have the ‘Mi’ moniker, but now they’re simply branded with the company’s name. This is where you’ll find its latest flagships and foldables, but also plenty of cheaper options.
Budget phones come from the Redmi sub-brand. These are still made by Xiaomi, but the Redmi brand is a signal that a phone will be cheaper than the core line.
Then there’s Black Shark. This is the company’s gaming phone line, with a focus on pure performance and features like advanced cooling, extra controls, and bold designs.
Finally, Poco. While Poco started as a Xiaomi sub-brand, it’s technically been spun off as an independent company since then. However, it still shares Xiaomi’s R&D and uses Xiaomi software, so Poco phones are often quite similar to Xiaomi and Redmi models. They tend to be affordable, like Redmi devices, with a particular focus on power and performance.
Should I buy a Xiaomi phone from China?
If you live in the US then you may be tempted to turn to Chinese importers such as GearBest and Geekbuying to buy a Xiaomi phone – and even readers elsewhere in the world will find that there are still some models that stay exclusive to China and may tempt you into an import, including the top-of-the-range 17 Ultra for now.
If you do, make sure you buy a model with a global ROM installed, or be prepared to mess around with the software when it arrives (novice users should avoid this). The global models have full access to Google services and an English-language interface out of the box. If you accidentally purchase a Chinese ROM model, we’ve explained how to install Google Play on a Xiaomi phone here.
Second, if you’re buying from China you should take into account that your consumer rights are different to when you buy elsewhere, and that should something go wrong you’re going to find aftersales support more difficult.
Lastly, delivery can be a pain. Delivery times will be longer in general, though there are usually free and express shipping options. More than that, though, there could be hidden costs: you may be asked to pay import duty upon the phone’s arrival, which is calculated based on whatever value is printed on the shipping paperwork, usually plus an additional admin fee.
What software do Xiaomi phones use?
All Xiaomi phones run the Android operating system, with the company’s own HyperOS Android skin installed on top – this was formerly known as MIUI
To be honest, neither are our favourite versions of Android out there – they’re both a little cluttered and complicated – but you can expect a fairly smooth and reliable experience, with plenty of customisation options and fairly frequent updates.
