Buying Guide: Choosing a Xiaomi Smartphone

Xiaomi is a Chinese manufacturer known for its aggressive price-to-spec positioning. The group sells its smartphones under several distinct brands worth understanding before you buy.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO: three brands, three positions

Xiaomi-branded smartphones proper cover the mid-range to high-end (the main numbered series). Redmi, originally a Xiaomi sub-line that became its own brand, targets entry-level and mid-range with a strong price-to-spec ratio. POCO, also spun out of Xiaomi, focuses on performance at a contained price, particularly for mobile gaming. All three brands often share similar components from one generation to the next.

Things to check before buying

• Software version (ROM): Xiaomi devices run MIUI or HyperOS (an Android overlay). Versions sold in certain markets (notably the China version) can differ from the international version in terms of Google Services support or notifications — an important thing to check for an imported device.
• Which sub-brand: before comparing prices, identify whether you're looking at a Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO model — their price ranges partly overlap.
• Warranty: warranty terms differ between officially imported devices and grey-market imports.

Browse the specifications and prices of the Xiaomi smartphones available in our catalog on their dedicated product pages.