Best Xiaomi Phones of 2023: Which Xiaomi Suits You Best?
Xiaomi has a lot of (far too many) smartphones in its 2023 catalog. There are its sub-brands Redmi and Poco, where each has a respective entry-level, mid-range, and high-end models to choose from. With such a wide selection, we help you choose the best Xiaomi, Redmi, or Poco smartphone.
The best Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco smartphones in 2023
| Editor's tip | Camera flagship | High-end alternative | Best gaming phone | Price-performance winner | Price-performance alternative | Price tip | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | |||||||
| Image |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Display | 6.67" OLED 2712 x 1220 px 144 Hz refresh rate |
6.73" LTPO OLED 3200 x 1440 px 120 Hz refresh rate |
6.36" OLED 2400 x 1080 pixels 120 Hz refresh rate |
6.67'' OLED 2,400 x 1,080 pixels 120 Hz refresh rate |
6.67'' OLED 2,400 x 1,080 pixels 120 Hz refresh rate |
6.67'' OLED 3200 x 1440 pixels 120 Hz refresh rate |
6.43" OLED 2400 x 1080 pixels 90 Hz refresh rate |
| SoC | MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
| RAM | 12/16 GB LPDDR5X | 16 GB LPDDR5X | 8 / 12 GB LPDDR5X | 8 / 12 GB | 8 GB LPDDR4X | 8 / 12 GB LPDDR5X | 4 / 6 GB |
| Storage | 256/512/1024 GB UFS 4.0 | 512 GB UFS 4.0 | 128 / 256 / 512 GB UFS 4.0 | 128 / 256 GB | 256 GB UFS2.2 | 256 / 512 GB UFS 3.1 | 64 / 128 GB |
| microSD | ❌ | ✔ | |||||
| Software | MIUI 14 based on Android 13 4 Android updates 5 years of security updates |
MIUI 14 based on Android 13 3 Android updates 5 years of security updates |
MIUI 14 based on Android 13 3 Android updates 5 years of security updates |
MIUI 13 based on Android 12 | MIUI 14 based on Android 12 | MIUI 14 based on Android 13 | MIUI 13 based on Android 11 |
| Camera | Main: 50 MP, f/1.9, OIS Ultra-wide-angle: 12 MP, f/2.2 Telephoto: 50 MP, f/1.9 |
Main: 50 MP, f/1.9, OIS Ultra-wide-angle: 50 MP, f/1.8 3x telephoto: 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS 5x telephoto: 50 MP, f/3.0, OIS |
Main: 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS Ultra-wide-angle: 12 MP, f/2.2 3x telephoto: 10 MP, f/2.0, OIS |
Main: 64 MP, f/1.9 Ultra-wide-angle: 8 MP, f/2.2 Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4 |
Main: 200 MP, f/1.8, OIS Ultra-wide-angle: 8 MP, f/2.2 Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4 |
Main: 64 MP, f/1.79 aperture, OIS Ultra-wide-angle: 8 MP, f/2.2 aperture Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4 aperture |
Main: 50 MP, f/1.8 Ultra-wide-angle: 8 MP, f/2.2 Telephoto/macro: 2 MP, f/2.4 Depth: 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Selfie | 20 MP. f/2.2 | 32 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.0 | 20 MP | 16 MP | f/2.4 | 16 MP, f/2.45 aperture | 13 MP |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh 120 W wired charging 50 W wireless charging |
5,000 mAh 90 W wired charging 50 W wireless charging 10 W wireless reverse charge |
4,500 mAh 67 W wired charging 50 W wireless charging 10 W wireless reverse charge |
4,700 mAh 120 W wired charging |
5,000 mAh 120 W wired charging |
5,160 mAh 67 W fast charging, charger included up to 30 W wireless charging |
5,000 mAh 33 W wired charging |
| Ruggedness | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | ❌ | IP53 | IP53 | IP53 |
| Connectivity | 5G | eSIM | Wi-Fi 7 | NFC | Bluetooth 5.4 | 5G | LTE | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi Direct | NFC | Bluetooth 5.3 | 5G | LTE | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi Direct | NFC | Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6 | Dual 5G | NFC | Bluetooth 5.2 | 5G | LTE | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi Direct | NFC | Bluetooth 5.3 | LTE | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi Direct | NFC | Bluetooth 5.0 | |
| Colors | Alpine Blue, Meadow Green, Black | Black, White, Olive Green | Black, White, Flora Green | Black, Silver, Yellow | Midnight Black, Polar White, Sky Blue | Black, White | Black, Blue, Turquoise |
| Dimensions | Weight | 162.2 x 75.7 x 8.49 mm | 206 g | 163.18 x 74.64 x 9.06 mm | 227 g | 152.8 x 71.5 x 8.0 mm | 189 g | 162.5 x 76.7 x 8.5 mm | 210 g | 162.9 x 76 x 8.98 mm | 210.5 g | 162.78 x 75.44 x 8.59 mm | 205 g | 159.87 x 73.87 x 8.09 mm | 179 g |
| Advantages |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Disadvantages |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| To the offer* | |||||||
Attention: Xiaomi does not officially import the following devices to the United States. The prices mentioned in the article are approximate conversions of the MSRP and they may not reflect the market price in the US. All the affiliate links included are from third-party sellers and may not represent the MSRP. The devices may not include a warranty or support to your carrier.
Table of Contents:
- Recommended Xiaomi smartphones by nextpit in 2023
- Between Xiaomi and Redmi: Which do you pick in 2023?
Recommended Xiaomi smartphones by nextpit in 2023
Listed here are the Xiaomi, Poco, and Redmi smartphones that the nextpit editorial staff has recommended. For each price range from $200 all the way to a lofty $1,000, we put our best choice forward.
The best choice in 2023: Xiaomi 13T Pro
Check out nextpit's review of the Xiaomi 13T Pro
We have been thinking for a while about which smartphone to recommend to you as an editorial tip. Both the Xiaomi 13 Pro (review) and the brand-new Xiaomi 13T Pro have their merits—and we have now decided on the newcomer.
The 6.67-inch AMOLED display repeats pictures with a sporty 144 Hz. Xiaomi also relies on MediaTek instead of Qualcomm and uses the speedy MediaTek Dimensity 9200+, which you can combine with 12 or 16 GB and up to 1 TB of storage depending on the configuration.
For the first time, Xiaomi installed a Leica triple camera, which is convincing in most cases. A 5,000 mAh battery is also on board, which a) charges very quickly with 120 W and b) whose charger is also included. MIUI 14 based on Android 13 is installed and—apart from annoying bloatware—is also convincing. By the way, Xiaomi has increased the software support to four years for system updates. Security updates are still available for five years.
Looking at the spec sheet, we can see that Xiaomi's 13 Pro and 13 Ultra are better equipped in a few areas. However, we still recommend the Xiaomi 13T Pro because the price starts at 799 Euros (approx $850) and even the largest version with 1 TB storage and 16 GB RAM only costs 999 Euros (approx $1060).
The high-end alternative 2023: The Xiaomi 13
Check out the review of the Xiaomi 13
Want to save a bit on price, but still craving a high-end smartphone from Xiaomi? Here you go, here is the Xiaomi 13! The AMOLED screen of 6.36" is smaller than that of the big brother, but it is still convincing all along the line. Matt also has only positive things to say about the triple-cam after his review, even though it is not quite on the same level as the Pro model.
Like the Pro, the Xiaomi 13 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and is also available in storage variants up to 512 GB. The battery of 4,500 mAh is a bit smaller than in the Pro, and the charging speed is also lower at 67 watts. However, most people won't even notice the difference, especially considering the savings.
The true flagship experience: Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Read the Xiaomi 13 Ultra review
Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro not fancy enough for you? No worries! The Chinese manufacturer has launched the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, its new ultra-premium smartphone that will top its lineup for 2023.
This more muscular version of the Xiaomi 13 Pro with which it shares some characteristics, is thought for those who want to have the top of the top. Compared to the Xiaomi 13 Pro, it stands out for its more worked and massive design, its much brighter 2K screen with its 2600 Nits of peak luminosity, its 16 GB of RAM and the storage that goes up to 1 TB or its 5000 mAh battery.
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is especially impressive when it comes to the camera module, with its quadruple camera module consisting of a 50 MP main lens with a 1-inch sensor, its 50 MP ultra-wide angle lens and its two 50 MP telephoto lenses with focal lengths of 75 and 120 mm respectively.
In the review, the device got 4.5-stars. We miss eSIM support and find a bit too much bloatware on the device—otherwise, there is just about nothing to criticize about this phone!
The best gaming flagship: Poco F4 GT
Check out the full review of the Poco F4 GT
The Poco F4 GT positions itself in the upper mid-range segment comfortably. It's not a full-fledged flagship like a Xiaomi 12, but it sets the right tone with its specifications that go all out when it comes to performance and multimedia content.
It is a smartphone made for gaming, armed with a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, a 120 Hz AMOLED display, and good temperature control. The smartphone won't overheat even during long gaming sessions and you can play all your games at a constant 60 frames per second. The Poco F4 GT has an exceptional feature—retractable physical triggers are very nice to use.
Its 4,700 mAh battery isn't the longest lasting on the market, but it more than makes up for it with its 120-watt Hyper Charge fast charger. Going from 0 to 100% in 25 minutes is what's known in the industry as a "game changer." If you're looking for a premium smartphone with MIUI that's more suited for gaming than photography, I think the Poco F4 GT is the best choice.
Best value for money: Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Read the full review of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the Xiaomi smartphone offering the best value for money. At less than $500, it offers everything you need to work, go online or exchange with your contacts or play comfortably.
It offers a very well-balanced spec sheet with a sublime 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, a good triple camera module, a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC backed by 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage as well as a 5000mAh battery. The big strength of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is its HyperCharge 120 W fast charging which is even the best that Xiaomi currently offers.
The only hitch of this smartphone is the rather limited update policy and. But if you've been with Xiaomi for a while, this clearly won't be a hindrance for you.
The price-performance alternative: Poco F5 Pro
Here is the complete review of the Poco F5 Pro
As an alternative to the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, we recommend the Poco F5 Pro, which is available for less than $560. For this price, Xiaomi installs the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and a 6.67-inch AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass 5. This offers a 1440p resolution and repeats images at 120 Hz.
The more than decent spec sheet is rounded off with a good 64 MP main camera (although the 2 MP macro shooter could have been left out of the three-port lineup), a fat 5,160 mAh battery, and Dolby Atmos stereo sound. Thus, the Poco F5 Pro is an inexpensive alternative to much more expensive flagship models—and hardly has any real weaknesses.
The best cheap smartphone: Redmi Note 11
Every single year, Xiaomi renews its entry-level range with a Redmi. The Redmi Note 11 is the base model among the 5 variations that this range currently has. It is slightly more premium than the Redmi 10 launched by Xiaomi this year (not to be confused with the Redmi Note 10).
Thus, for less than $300, we have a 6.43-inch AMOLED screen in Full HD+ and 90 Hz. The screen is outstanding, there is sufficient power underneath the hood to play games as well as for everyday applications, and the camera module is pretty decent for its price. The Redmi Note 11 also offers excellent battery life and expandable storage.
It is simply the best smartphone you can buy for under $200 in 2023.
Between Xiaomi and Redmi: Which do you pick in 2023?
If we were to take Xiaomi and Redmi into consideration, we have to consider them as two distinct brands and two ranges within the same catalog. Yes, I know, it's complicated, but basically, Xiaomi is slightly more premium overall than Redmi.
However, there are times when Redmi's flagship range is sometimes more interesting than Xiaomi's entry-level handsets. For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro at $280 is more competitive than the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite at $300. By the way, we asked you in our survey if you still feel comfortable with Xiaomi—and the answer was a big fat NO.
Flagships
Let's start with Xiaomi's flagship range. These are the top-of-the-range smartphones of the manufacturer with, generally, the most premium technical specifications. The flagship of the range is the Xiaomi 13 Pro with its vanilla version, the Xiaomi 13. But the family is usually expanded throughout the year with Ultra and "T" models, so it is worth keeping an eye on updates on this article.
If we go further down in the hierarchy, we get to the Mi Note range. The question here is whether Xiaomi will really continue this series since we have not seen a continuation of the series since the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 from 2019. So, it is possible that Note models can now be found completely under the Redmi umbrella.
Mid-range
If we take Xiaomi as the global scale brand, the manufacturer that is, Redmi constitutes the mid-range of its catalog, but if we consider Xiaomi and Redmi as two brands, Redmi also has its own sub-ranges, from flagships to entry-level.
Redmi's top-of-the-line, which corresponds to Xiaomi's mid-range, is the Redmi Note. They too come in several numbered versions like the Redmi Note 12, Note 12 5G, Note 12 Pro 5G and Note 12 Pro+ 5G, from the basic to the most premium model.
Entry-level
Next up are the Redmi all-in-ones, which is the entry-level with the Redmi 10 this year. Here again, we'll probably see variations of the Redmi 10A, which is more affordable, and a Redmi 10C, an intermediate model. Well, at least there you are sure to be on entry-level models of Xiaomi and Redmi.
The Poco catalog
Poco is a rather unusual sub-brand. The brand seems quite independent of Xiaomi compared to Redmi. Within the Poco catalog, you can again find further differences and classes based on a wide price range.
The Poco F models, like the Poco F4 GT, are the flagship models, being the most powerful and expensive smartphones from the manufacturer. The Poco X models like the Poco X5 5G (review) represent Poco's mid-range price segment, with smartphones that place more emphasis on the quality of the screen and the camera.
The Poco M like the Poco M4 Pro makes up Poco's entry-level segment, with prices of less than $200 while offering more limited (but still functional) specifications, in addition to a longer battery life.
Poco smartphones are less popular outside of Asia, though. You are more likely to find a Xiaomi or Redmi device in a store than a Poco device. On the other hand, Poco models are the Xiaomi models that usually see the biggest price drops over time.
That's it for this selection of the best Xiaomi smartphones to choose from in 2023. What do you think of nextpit's choices? Which model should be in this comparison that you think we didn't mention? What is YOUR candidate for the best Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone in 2023? Tell us all about it in the comments!
List updated in September 2023 with the Xiaomi 13T Pro replacing the standard 13 Pro. The comments prior to the update have been retained.
Sticking by 0 for the US resident (my 2019 comment) The band matchups are poor for my carrier. I did pick up the inkpalm (7 months old comment) and convert it for English use. It's fine as a reader and the size is ideal for my purposes. The new 2nd gen version is even more intriguing, but unnecessary where I have the first gen.
Just their Inkpalm interests me and that's not a phone, but a phone format ereader.
The correct answer is 0 for the US resident.
-
Admin
Dec 19, 2019 Link to commentold list. Redmi 8, 4gb ram, 64 gb storage battery 5000 mAh. extremely cheap for the specs. Great phone
I hope they can distribute all their phone models worldwide.
So do I, Ivan. And that's the real catch with Xiaomi isn't it? Every year we hear that they'll start selling in more markets but even the US doesn't have them yet. Stepping up their efforts towards this should be a priority for the company.
In a race to achieve maximum number of technology user shares each brand is coming up with their own smartphone, Xiaomi too seems to have jumped the bandwagon. They have been releasing units that are of excellence and something you really want to have.
Great specs and value... but, what about regular software support and updates ? I'm hoping the new trend for Chinese OEM's is a more stock like android, something Huawei is considering....
Yeah thats one thing thats holding me off of buying one. Who knows whats going to happen after 1-2 years. Sure right now you can not even buy one here in the US or even Europe so Support is the biggest question anyways.
To bad none of their phone support US LTE bands.....
i hear ya. But, i was testing a Doogee X5 on ATT. It only got 3G but felt just as fast as my Zenfone 2 on 4G. Just my two cents though.
Well I guess they are about to change that as soon as their phones are officially available in the US. Anything else would not make any sense at all.
i want to try one.