This is the latest updated list if you are looking for the best Xiaomi smartphones. We’re regularly checking the Chinese company’s smartphones, so we know how their handsets compare and which is your top pick.
There are often excellent specifications and features for Xiaomi smartphones, with prices lower than you can expect. So, Xiaomi is a fantastic option for Apple, Samsung and Huawei handsets if you’re looking for great value for money.
Launched at the end of December 2020, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is a significant new brand. The reason you’re not going to see it here is that it was just a Chinese launch, and we haven’t tried it yet — hopefully we’re going to be able to try it soon. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T, which we are checking right now, was Xiaomi’s first global launch in 2020 and should be added to this list soon.
Xiaomi smartphones are a comparative newcomer in the West, but thanks to such reliable construction quality and model specifications, it has established a keen fanbase. We’ve made this list of the best phones for Xiaomi so that you can see just what’s best for your budget and your needs.
Under many brand names, including Mi, Redmi, Pocophone, and Black Shark, Xiaomi markets its mobile. Mi phones are its mid-market general all-rounder brand, while its budget range is Redmi. Alternatively, due to the original Poco F1, the gaming-focused Black Shark and Pocophone range is a little all over the place, but the Poco F2 Pro is anything but budget.
As usual, to stay up to date with all the new Xiaomi developments, we’re updating this list regularly. Latest handsets have been introduced, such as the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro and Poco X3 NFC, and we hope to see the Xiaomi Mi 11 and Mi Note 11 feature somewhere further down the line in the rankings.
The best Xiaomi Mobile Phones of 2021 at a glance
- Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
- Xiaomi Mi 10
- Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro
- Xiaomi Poco F2 Pro
- Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
- Xiaomi Mi Note 10
- Xiaomi Black Shark 3
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
- Xiaomi Mi 9
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
The best Xiaomi smartphones
1. Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
Release date: September 2020 Weight: 215g Dimensions: 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4mmOS: Android 10Screen size: 6.67-inchResolution: 1080 x 2400CPU: Snapdragon 732GRAM: 6GBStorage: 64GB/128GBBattery: 5,160mAhRear camera: 64MP + 13MP + 2MP + 2MPFront camera: 320MP
The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC, mainly because it is one, is a surprising handset. For a handset at its price, this phone has very impressive specs.
The computer has tons of processing power, a long-lasting battery, and a 120Hz screen for a low price. You’re getting more than you paid for if you pick up this kit, in the best possible way.
Of course, there are some peculiarities that not everyone would like – the phone is very tall, and the cameras don’t fit the competitors at the same price. But this is still a worthwhile investment, and right now, this is the best budget phone.
2. Xiaomi Mi 10
Release date: February 2020Weight: 208g Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 9mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 6.67-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2340 CPU: Snapdragon 865 RAM: 8/12GB Storage: 128GB/256GB Battery: 4,780mAh Rear camera: 108MP + 13MP + 2MP + 2MP Front camera: 20MP
The Xiaomi Mi 10 is the best phone launched by the company so far in 2020 – it doesn’t take the top place, because while it’s an upgrade on the Mi Note 10 in a few respects, it has some downgrades as well, and it also costs more.
The phone has an impressive and punchy screen, a camera array led by a primary 108MP snapper (although with some less than stellar companions), a fantastic 20MP selfie camera, a long-lasting battery and a design that we liked.
While our most significant concern with the Mi 10 is its price, which seems a little too high, thanks to the even higher price of that smartphone, the phone ranks higher than its Pro sibling, so if you want a great phone that will not empty your bank – not wholly, at least – this is a device to consider.
3. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro
The late-2020 additions to the Mi 10 phones were the Xiaomi Mi 10T range, and the Mi 10T Pro is the top of that new team, which sits above the Mi 10 but below the Mi 10T Pro. This order, ironically, goes the other way in our best round-up of Xiaomi smartphones.
As a cut-price flagship, the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro is fantastic – it has the same primary camera, software and processing power, but has a lower design and display quality to balance the books and keep the cost down.
Although like a handy side-mounted fingerprint scanner, 144Hz display and an utterly massive camera bump, there are a few fantastic additions to this phone that are missing in the Mi 10 series.
4. Xiaomi Poco F2 Pro
Release date: May 2020 Weight: 219g Dimensions: 163.3 x 75.4 x 8.9mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 6.67-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 CPU: Snapdragon 865 RAM: 6/8GB Storage: 128GB/256GB Battery: 4,700mAh Rear camera: 64MP + 5MP + 13MP + 2MP Front camera: 20MP
The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro crowns the line-up of early-2020 powerhouses of the business, with a variety of specs that solidify its position as most premium Xiaomi smartphones. It has a top-end Snapdragon 865 chipset, 108MP primary camera, 90Hz refresh rate screen and quick 50W fast charging.
The phone’s main issue is its price, as it is approximately twice as expensive as the Mi Note 10, but there are not too many drastic improvements to justify that cost (hence the Mi Note 10 taking the first slot on this list). There are also some design problems, such as the fact that it comes with much bloatware and has a sluggish sensor for fingerprints.
It should be noted that the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro has seen a very staggered release, as it is available in some regions but not others, and may not come out until late 2020 in some areas. When it’s available in your area, keep an eye out, though, because it’s worth considering.
5. Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
Release date: February 2020 Weight: 208g Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 9 mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 6.67-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2340 CPU: Snapdragon 865 RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB/512GB Battery: 4,500mAh Rear camera: 108MP + 12MP + 8MP + 20MP Front camera: 20MP
For a long time, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 took the top spot on this chart. However, it has never seen a replacement, and now it’s challenging to find in supermarkets, so it’s more difficult to recommend.
Looking at the list of specs and photos, you would be forgiven for thinking that this phone was a top-end flagship phone, with a curved screen, a primary camera of 108MP and a massive battery pack. But then look at the price, and you see a phone that’s one-third the price of the biggest and cheapest phones out there right now.
Sure, there are a few drawbacks that kept us giving a perfect score to this phone, but it was a close call, and it’s a pleasure to use the phone for a variety of purposes.
6. Xiaomi Mi Note 10
Release date: December 2019 Weight: 208g Dimensions: 157.8 x 74.2 x 9.7mm OS: Android 9 Screen size: 6.47-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2340 CPU: Snapdragon 730GRAM: 6/8GB Storage: 128GB/256GB Battery: 5,260mAh Rear camera: 108MP + 12MP + 5MP + 20MP + 2MP Front camera: 32MP
For a long time, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 took the top spot on this chart. However, it has never seen a replacement, and now it’s challenging to find in supermarkets, so it’s more difficult to recommend.
Looking at the list of specs and photos, you would be forgiven for thinking that this phone was a top-end flagship phone, with a curved screen, a primary camera of 108MP and a massive battery pack. But then look at the price, and you see a phone that’s one-third the price of the biggest and cheapest phones out there right now.
Sure, there are a few drawbacks that kept us giving a perfect score to this phone, but it was a close call, and it’s a pleasure to use the phone for a variety of purposes.
7. Xiaomi Black Shark 3
Release date: March 2020 Weight: 222g Dimensions: 168.7 x 77.3 x 10.4 mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 6.67-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 CPU: Snapdragon 865RAM: 8GB/12GB Storage: 128GB/256GB Battery: 4,720mAh Rear camera: 64MP + 13MP + 5MP Front camera: 20MP
You could find a Black Shark smartphone perfect for you if you’re looking for a phone that’s good for gaming but doesn’t want to shell out on a top-end device, and the Black Shark 3 is the newest phone from Xiaomi’s gaming-focused subsidiary.
The Black Shark 3 has loads of top-end features such as a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 5G connectivity, a large battery and a 90Hz refresh rate display, but it doesn’t cost as much as many of its rivals that are similarly listed. The phone also has a terrific camera, which is a bit of a surprise.
Sure, this phone isn’t for everyone, and we wouldn’t suggest it to you if you’re not an ardent mobile gamer (not least because its nature is undoubtedly divisive). You should still consider it if you’re inclined to a PUBG Mobile game, Fortnite or Call of Duty: Mobile.
8. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
Release date: May 2020 Weight: 199g Dimensions: 162.3 x 77.2 x 8.9 mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 6.53-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2340 CPU: Helio G85 RAM: 3GB/4GB/8GB Storage: 64GB/128GB Battery: 5,020mAh Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 2MP +2MP Front camera: 13MP
Redmi phones are generally commendable, inexpensive products – it’s a shame that the Redmi Note 9 came out simultaneously as the Poco X3 NFC, which triumphs at the same price in many ways.
This is, though, a worthy phone in its own right. Its battery lasts a long time, it worked well in our camera tests, and for several use cases, the widescreen was bright enough.
Sure, this phone bears its ‘affordable’ design on its sleeve, suggesting it has a plasticky feel and doesn’t have much processing capacity. But if you prefer photography to results, it is still a good option.
9. Xiaomi Mi 9
Release date: March 2019 Weight: 173g Dimensions: 157.5 x 74.7 x 7.6mm OS: Android 9 Screen size: 6.39-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2340 CPU: Snapdragon 855 RAM: 6/8GB Storage: 64GB/128GB Battery: 3,300mAh Rear camera: 48MP + 12MP + 16MP Front camera: 20MP
The Xiaomi Mi 9 is the best Xiaomi smartphones you can purchase right now, offering at a low price some fantastic features.
It was the first phone to get the Snapdragon 855 chipset in the world (although the Samsung Galaxy S10 was the first in the West) and one of the first to have three rear cameras point, including a 48MP primary sensor.
Other phones have appeared with similar specs and characteristics since its release, but the Mi 9 is still impressively cheap and has fewer weak points than some of its competitors.
10. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
Release date: April 2020 Weight: 209g Dimensions: 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8mm OS: Android 10 Screen size: 6.67-inch Resolution: 1080 x 2400 CPU: Snapdragon 720G RAM: 4GB/6GB Storage: 64GB/128GB Battery: 5,020mAh Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP Front camera: 16MP
Redmi is the affordable phone brand of Xiaomi, and while it hasn’t put as many handsets as its Mi line under the label in the West, there are still a fair few Redmi phones Note 9S is the best we’re checking for.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S won’t break the bank, but it has a long-lasting battery, a beautiful display, and a high screen-to-body ratio, so you may be surprised by some of the offerings if you choose to pick it up.
Sure, there are also some signs of its low price – they charge it is not exactly snappy, the cameras are just ‘okay’, and in our time with the system, we noticed a few bugs. But if you’re able to ignore some drawbacks, with the Redmi Note 9S, you’ll pick up a cheap phone that’s better than many of its rivals.