A guide to Xiaomi smartphones

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A guide for those who want to understand the variety of Xiaomi smartphones.

Xiaomi problems

In the previous article "5 reasons not to buy Xiaomi smartphones" we talked about the shortcomings of mobile devices from this manufacturer, forcing users to choose other brands.

Today, Lifehacker will reveal another big problem with Xiaomi smartphones, because of which I had to write a whole guide. We are talking about the lineup and naming.

Yabloko lives easily. If they want to upgrade their mobile, they choose between three iPhones: regular, large Plus and compact SE. We counted about 30 more or less relevant smartphone models from Xiaomi. This is without taking into account versions with different amounts of RAM and storage.

And now another person who has read about the advantages of Xiaomi enters an online store, sees in front of him dozens of different, but very similar smartphones and immediately falls into a deep stupor. Sound familiar? That is why Lifehacker created this guide.

Now we will quickly make you a real connoisseur of the range of Xiaomi smartphones. Go!

Xiaomi classification

Despite the apparent diversity, Xiaomi has only two lines of smartphones:

1. Xiaomi Mi is mostly flagship smartphones. Generally more expensive, powerful, high quality, with great cameras and excellent build quality. The newest Xiaomi Mi competes with the top models of the global A-brands.
2. Xiaomi Redmi is mainly budget smartphones, middling, some of which, however, claim to be the flagship status. Redmi is capable of meeting the needs of the vast majority of users and is much more affordable.

It is a little more complicated further. Xiaomi Mi and Xiaomi Redmi, in turn, are divided into several series.

What are Xiaomi Mi

Xiaomi Mi is divided into four series: just Mi, Mi Note, Mi Max and Mi Mix.

Mi

Classic top smartphones with a standard screen size of 5, 15 inches. The best hardware, the best displays, the best cameras, the discreet conservative design and construction without any obvious features. The Mi series can be considered the benchmark, basis and face of the older lineup of Xiaomi smartphones.

The most recent at the time of this writing is the Mi6 smartphone.

• 8-core Snapdragon 835 processor.
• 6 GB of RAM.
• 5.15-inch Full HD IPS display covering 71.4% of the front panel.
• Storage for 64 or 128 GB.
• Ceramic version available.

The previous generation Mi at number 5 is still relevant and will be in high demand for a long time to come. This is because the flagships get the best hardware with a huge margin for the future.

Generation Mi5 is represented by five models:

• Mi5 is the base model powered by Snapdragon 820 with Full HD display. The body is made of glass and metal.
• Mi5 Pro is an older version of the classic Mi5 with increased memory capacity. The model is available in an incredibly beautiful and stylish ceramic case.
• Mi5S is an updated version of Mi5 based on Snapdragon 821 in a metal case.
• Mi5S Plus is a version of Mi5S with a 5, 7 inch screen and dual main camera. Due to the increased size of the display, it can be considered as an alternative to the Mi Note series, which will be discussed below.
• Mi5c is not a very successful attempt by the company to release a smartphone with a processor of its own production.

Mi Note

Mi Note is a series of flagship Xiaomi phablets with a screen diagonal of 5.7 inches.

A phablet is a smartphone with a large display, that is, a hybrid of a smartphone and a tablet.

Obviously, due to the increased dimensions, such devices are not suitable for everyone, since they often simply do not fit in a pocket.

The strong point of phablets is the large screen, which is more convenient to surf, watch videos and play.

The most recent at the time of this writing is the Mi Note 2 phablet.

• Snapdragon 821 4-core processor.
• 4 or 6 GB of RAM.
• 5.7 inch Full HD AMOLED display.
• Storage for 64 or 128 GB.

The first generation of phablets, represented by the standard Mi Note model and the advanced version of Mi Note Pro with increased memory and a higher resolution screen, cannot boast of the most up-to-date filling, but it costs significantly less than Mi Note 2.

Please note: in addition to the Mi Note series, the Mi5S Plus, equipped with a 5, 7-inch screen, can rightly be attributed to the line of Xiaomi phablets.

Mi Max

If you think that the 5, 7-inch screens of the Mi Note phablets are already overkill, then just take a look at the Mi Max series with a 6, 44-inch display! Obviously, such large devices are more reasonable to consider primarily as a tablet with a dialer than as a smartphone.

The most recent at the time of this writing is the Mi Max 2 phablet.

• 8-core Snapdragon 625 processor.
• 4 GB of RAM.
• 6.44 inch Full HD IPS display.
• Battery 5 300 mAh.
• Camera like Mi6.

Please note: the first generation Mi Max is equipped with a Snapdragon 650 processor, which is slightly inferior to the 625 in overall performance, but wins in graphics.

Mi Mix

Mi Mix is innovation in its purest form. Bezel-less design, giant screen, good filling, clever audio technology, ceramic body and the corresponding price.

• 8-core Snapdragon 821 processor.
• 4 or 6 GB of RAM.
• 6.4-inch 2K IPS display covering 91.3% of the front panel.
• Storage 128 or 256 GB.

What are Xiaomi Redmi

Xiaomi Redmi is divided into three series: just Redmi, Redmi Note and Redmi Pro.

Redmi

Classic smartphones with a standard screen size of 5 inches. Unlike the flagship Mi, Redmi's lineup is more variegated. Here you will find both frankly cheap devices made of plastic and with an entry-level processor, as well as very productive middle peasants with claims to flagship status.

At the moment, the fourth generation of Redmi is relevant, represented by four models:

• Redmi 4 is the base model based on Snapdragon 430 with HD screen. The body is made of metal.
• Redmi 4 Pro is an older version of Redmi 4 with a more powerful Snapdragon 625 processor, Full HD screen and more memory.
• Redmi 4X is an intermediate variant between the base and older models based on Snapdragon 435. The processor is slightly better than that of Redmi 4, the screen is the same. Versions with memory capacity identical to both the base and the older Redmi 4 models are available.
• The Redmi 4A is a Snapdragon 425-based ultra budget smartphone in a polycarbonate case. The ideal entry-level smartphone.

Redmi note

Redmi Note is a series of 5, 5-inch (Full HD, IPS) Xiaomi smartphones.

At the moment, the fourth generation of Redmi Note is relevant, represented by Redmi Note 4 models based on MediaTek Helio X20 and Snapdragon 625.

Redmi Pro

Redmi Pro is a series of 5, 5-inch (Full HD, AMOLED) Xiaomi smartphones based on MediaTek Helio X20 and X25 with a front-mounted fingerprint sensor and a dual main camera.

Did this classification help you? Has a clear understanding of the range of Xiaomi smartphones appeared in your head? If not, that's okay. There are really so many Xiaomi smartphones that it is no longer possible to organize them.

We are by no means suggesting that all manufacturers should follow Apple's example, that is, release one or two smartphones, telling everyone that they should. Freedom of choice is important, but everything is fine in moderation.

We hope that in the near future Xiaomi will put things in order and make everything clear to everyone.

And here you will find a detailed guide to Meizu smartphones.