Xiaomi isn’t a household name in America because it doesn’t sell phones in this country, but it’s still one of the most important smartphone manufacturers in the world. It goes toe to toe with Apple and Samsung in its native China and is comfortably the third biggest player in the global market too.
Part of Xiaomi’s success has come from what you might call a deluge of devices. For better or worse, Xiaomi makes a lot of phones – both within its core brand, and across its Poco, Redmi, and Black Shark sub-brands. That means there are a lot of excellent Xiaomi phones to pick from, but also that it can be difficult to find the best one for you.
Fortunately, we’re here to help.
Why you should trust us: Every year our team reviews loads of Xiaomi handsets, from flagship models like the Xiaomi 14 to entry-level devices such as the Redmi Note 13 5G. Tech Advisor staff and contributors all use these phones with our own SIM cards, so we get a true-to-life experience of the performance, battery life, and more. We’ve also reviewed many competitors from the likes of Google, Samsung and OnePlus, so we know how Xiaomi phones stack up against rivals.
Updated 22 April 2024: In our most recent update, we added the latest premium flagship to the chart (the Xiaomi 14 Ultra).
Best Xiaomi phone reviews 2024
1. Xiaomi 14 – Best Xiaomi phone
Pros
- Incredible cameras
- Flawless performance
- Super-fast charging
- Stunning screen
Cons
- HyperOS software annoyances
- Fingerprint magnet on certain colours
- More expensive than some rivals
The Xiaomi 14 is a brilliantly competent and compact flagship for 2024 that outpaces rivals in many areas.
There’s very little to complain about when it comes to the hardware, even if it’s very similar to last year’s Xiaomi 13. It both looks and feels premium, with a stunning Jade Green colour on offer. It’s one of the smallest flagship phones you can buy, with a similarly sized build to the Pixel 8.
The rear design is paired with a 6.36-inch AMOLED 120Hz Full-HD display that is bold and bright, making it perfect for watching videos. Underneath the hood, you get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, making it plenty capable of running demanding games and tasks.
The trio of 50Mp rear-facing cameras (co-developed with iconic camera company Leica) makes for a formidable setup. This is largely thanks to the 1/1.31-inch sensor on the main camera, which delivers DSLR-level snaps.
Xiaomi’s new operating system, HyperOS, isn’t a big improvement over MIUI. There’s still the usual bloatware, for example. If that’s not a dealbreaker, then you should seriously consider the Xiaomi 14 as your next flagship phone.
2. Xiaomi 14 Ultra – Best camera
Pros
- Incredible photography performance
- Stunning vegan leather design
- Gorgeous curved screen
- 90W fast charging
- Top performance
Cons
- Expensive
- HyperOS software is a mixed bag
If you want a smartphone dedicated to photography, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best model you can buy. The phone boasts an incredible Leica quad camera system, with OIS and a huge 1-inch sensor on the main 50Mp snapper. It even comes with an optional Photography Kit, which transforms it to rival compact mirrorless DSLRs.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a distinctive design, along with a durable IP68 rating. Combined with the 6.7-inch AMOLED 120Hz curved display and 90W fast charging, this smartphone is a true premium option.
All those features are reflected in its high price tag. However, if your budget can stretch that far, then this can take some of the best photos of any smartphone, period.
3. Xiaomi 13 Pro – Best former flagship
Pros
- Class-leading performance
- Excellent cameras
- Impressive 120W charging
- Solid battery life
Cons
- Huge rear camera module
- Expensive
The Xiaomi 13 Pro takes what made the 12 Pro so great and makes it even better.
Performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is fantastic, with its improved power efficiency and a larger battery delivering significant battery life improvements. The Leica cameras are close to the best you’ll find on any phone, with great results across all four lenses – especially the 1-inch main camera.
But a huge new camera bump interrupts an otherwise sleek design, while the software experience remains a major source of frustration – though this is true for every Xiaomi model.
4. Xiaomi 13 – Best smaller Xiaomi
Pros
- Small and stunning design
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
- Excellent main camera
Cons
- Middling battery life
- Competitors offer more for the money
On the hardware front, the Xiaomi 13 is solid. It’s extremely well-built, and more durable than the previous generation. The main camera produces clear, crisp shots, even in darker conditions, and we can’t ignore its impressive performance thanks to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
It offers the best of the Xiaomi 13 Pro but in a smaller package and at a lower price – though do bear in mind that the camera, while great, isn’t the same as in its Pro sibling.
If the Xiaomi 13 has a failing, it’s only that rival offerings from competing brands look a little more appealing at the same price.
5. Xiaomi 13T Pro – Flagship features for less
Pros
- Top-tier performance
- 120W charging
- IP68 rating
- Five years of security updates
Cons
- Frustrating MIUI software
- Average battery life
- Polarising rear design
On the hardware front, the Xiaomi 13T Pro is a bona fide flagship phone.
It comes with 120W charging speeds and a durable build with an IP68 rating. The AMOLED panel is one of the best we’ve seen on any smartphone full stop, whilst the MediaTek chipset delivers top-tier performance.
However, the software experience is frustrating, and the battery life also isn’t something to shout about. That mirror-style rear may also be off-putting to some. Moreover, rivals such as the Pixel 7 and OnePlus 11 mean that it faces stiff competition.
There is also the regular 13T model to consider, which has a few downgrades but a cheaper price tag.
6. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro – Best mid-range option
Pros
- Smooth performance
- Bright 120Hz AMOLED screen
- Fast charging
- Double the storage
Cons
- Frustrating software experience
- Limited software support
- Some camera issues
The Redmi Note 13 Pro is a compelling mid-range smartphone. It’s got some downgrades compared to its big sibling, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+. However, it’s also available at a more affordable price point.
You get some impressive specs, such as the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip, an AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, and speedy 67W charging. It’s also got a solid main camera, though the supporting cameras don’t live up to the same standard.
While there’s lots to like about the Redmi Note 13 Pro, it has the usual Xiaomi software woes and only two years of updates.
7. Poco X6 Pro – Best budget option
Pros
- Outstanding performance for the money
- Advanced display
- Subtle design improvements
- Fast charging with adapter included
Cons
- Camera not a huge improvement
- New HyperOS UI much like MIUI
- Rather bland looks, at least in black
The Poco X6 Pro 5G boasts a 120Hz AMOLED display with a resolution of 2712 x 1220. It is bright, vibrant and buttery-smooth, and still better than most rivals at this price. The 2160Hz touch sampling rate also means it’s responsive for gamers.
That gaming audience can also expect a MediaTek Dimensity 8300-Ultra chip with 12GB RAM, making it able to run even some of the most demanding titles. On our benchmarking tests, it goes toe-to-toe with some flagship phones like the Pixel 8.
The big 5000mAh battery means that the phone can last either a full day with heavy usage or two days if you’re more conservative. Plus, the 67W charger can juice it to over 80% in 30 minutes.
The 64Mp main camera comes with OIS, offering impressive detail and colour representation in well-lit environments – even those with low light. The accompanying 8Mp ultrawide does have noticeable downgrades compared to the main camera, but the 16Mp front snapper provides surprisingly impressive shots.
Xiaomi has traded MIUI for HyperOS with the X6 Pro, but there aren’t many differences to the software. Nonetheless, at £369 it’s undercutting many rivals that have similar specs by quite some way, making it a tempting option for the cost-conscious.
8. Poco F5 Pro – Best upper mid-range option
Pros
- Wireless charging
- Slick performance
- Solid main camera
Cons
- Only two OS updates
- Additional cameras disappoint
There’s one thing that will immediately attract potential phone purchasers to the Poco F5 Pro: its price. For the money, it’s a great bargain.
The specs are in line with 2022 flagship models, but at half the cost. That you get long battery life, a nice main camera, and wireless charging tops off a great deal.
There are, of course, some caveats. On the hardware side, the main drawback is the limited performance from the secondary cameras, but it’s also a shame that Xiaomi only promises two major OS updates, meaning it won’t last as long as some other options on this list.
9. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ – Another mid-range contender
Pros
- Superb 120Hz screen
- Very good performance
- Premium design
- Solid battery life
- 120W charging
Cons
- Hit-and-miss cameras
- Annoying software
- Only three Android version updates
The Note 13 Pro+ elevates Xiaomi’s budget-friendly Redmi brand from competitive mid-rangers to potential flagship killer.
Its headlining 200Mp camera is a bona fide premium feature, while performance and display are among the best you’ll find at this price point. Battery life is solid too, while the 120W fast charging is excellent.
As a result, the 13 Pro+ is easy to recommend. The polarising MIUI software and poor supporting rear cameras are the only real downsides, but you certainly shouldn’t rule out this phone.
10. Xiaomi 13 Lite – Best Lite phone
Pros
- Slim & lightweight
- Solid performance
- Fast recharge times
- Large AMOLED screen
Cons
- Camera downgrade from 12 Lite
- Build issues
Following up on success is always difficult, but Xiaomi nailed it – mostly – with the 13 Lite.
The design and build are lovely, with a lightweight frame that is nice to use all day, and the decent battery life with quick recharging means you won’t have to worry about power.
However, the cameras are a little underwhelming this time around, which is the one area where the older 12 Lite has an edge. There are also some build issues surrounding the curved edges of the display.
Still, there’s plenty of performance and charm on offer, plus the camera quality can most likely be improved by updates to the software, so the Xiaomi 13 Lite is a solid option if you want a lightweight mid-ranger with the latest specs and performance.
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 13 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 MIUI Android skin installed on top.
To be honest, MIUI isn’t our favourite version of Android out there – it’s a little cluttered and complicated – but you can expect a fairly smooth and reliable experience, with plenty of customisation options and fairly frequent updates.
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Author: Hannah Cowton-Barnes, Entertainment Editor, Tech Advisor
As Tech Advisor's Entertainment Editor, Hannah is the resident expert in all things streaming, film and TV. Before joining Tech Advisor in 2019, she studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds and created a website dedicated to geek culture and lifestyle. She's also reviewed a whole range of gadgets including flagship smartphones, wearables and styling tools. Outside of Foundry, she's written freelance pieces for Polygon, Metro and Den of Geek, and is proud to be a Women Techmakers Ambassador for Google.