The best Xiaomi phones in 2024

Following its global release in February 2024, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is easily the best new Xiaomi phone. It packs some incredible performance with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, as well as a host of useful AI features to keep up with the other big names like Apple and Samsung, and, as we’ve come to expect from Xiaomi, the cameras are some of the best around. It’s the complete package.

While we still haven’t had the chance to review the phone fully, we spent plenty of time with it at both the Xiaomi 14 Ultra launch and during MWC 2024, and it left us very impressed. It’s got a comfortable form factor for day-to-day use and gaming and sports an elegant design that is sure to get people asking what phone it is you’re using.

There are almost no caveats to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, it’s just that good. However, as it’s Xiaomi’s premier device of 2024, it is quite expensive. It’s also worth saying that the photography features are so comprehensive that they might be slightly overwhelming for some, but that really depends on your experience with previous Xiaomi phones or high-end cameras.

Despite swapping out the Snapdragon chip of the regular Xiaomi 13 series for a MediaTek 9200+ alternative, the Xiaomi 13T handles games like a champ, easily capable of running popular games like Honkai Star Rail, Asphalt 9, and more. Combine this with a gorgeous AMOLED screen, and gaming is a real treat on the 13T, with streaming just as good.

Still, the real stars of the show here are the cameras. The 13T Pro is a perfect showcase for the Xiaomi and Leica co-engineered cameras, offering incredibly detailed shots even when compared to big hitters like the Google Pixel 7 Pro. The picture editing software isn’t as developed as Google’s, but from a capture quality perspective alone, this smartphone is one of the best.

It’s hard to suggest any caveats here, but it is worth mentioning that we’re not massive fans of the MIUI 14 Android skin. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on the brand in that regard, as a replacement is coming soon in the form of the HyperOS software, which promises to offer a more fluid experience. Like many modern Androids, there’s no headphone jack, so you’re going to need Bluetooth headphones to listen to audio.

Read our Xiaomi 13T Pro review. Alternatively, the Xiaomi 13 is still a very powerful phone with great performance for a slightly lower price point – though you do miss out on a few of the flashier features. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is also a great choice, and you can read more about that one further down this list

If you’re looking for a mid-range phone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note Pro+ has a fantastic AMOLED display, great cameras for the price, and super-fast charging. Its MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor finds a balance between stable performance and efficiency, while a hefty 5,000mAh battery and 120 W ultra-fast wired charging keep you topped up.

The main selling point for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is its 200MP main camera, which allows well-balanced and sharp daytime photography. Elsewhere, an 8 megapixel ultra-wide lens and 16MP selfie camera are average in this price category.

If you want a mid-range phone that offers value for money, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is a great choice. It suffers some flaws in terms of software, but it’s capable of meeting your day-to-day needs.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, an entry-level workhorse that has a AMOLED display better than some mid-range devices we’ve tested. The phone houses a Snapdragon 680 processor along with up to 6GB of working memory and 128 GB of internal storage, plus a slot for a Micro SD card – a rarity in many modern phones.

It performs well for everyday tasks and can comfortably run most mobile apps and games, though expect longer loading times at launch. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11’s quad camera is typical of mid-range and budget handsets. It captures sharp pictures in daylight, but its ultra-wide angle photos often come out blurry and we found it struggling in low light.

The charging speeds could be better, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 doesn’t offer 5G support, but if you’re looking for an affordable device that can meet most of your everyday needs, it serves this purpose very well.

The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro is a powerful device designed for a pro mobile gaming experience. It boasts a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a fast and responsive 6.67” 144Hz OLED display bright enough for outdoor use, and a maximum 16GB RAM with 256GB internal storage (for a price) though the cheaper version still has plenty of space for the best mobile games. The main 108MP camera has AI processing and HDR support, both of which help you to snap sharp and detailed photos.

The design features built-in, programmable magnetic triggers, customizable LED lighting on the rear, and a futuristic design made up of bold lines that fall in line with the popular gamer aesthetic. Unfortunately, the battery comes in at a slightly lower capacity than some of its competitors, sitting at 4650 mAh as opposed to the 4700 mAh of Xiaomi’s other high-end gaming phone, the Poco F4 GT. Luckily, the ultra-fast 120 W charging speed allows you to charge the device in as little as 18 minutes.

The main downside to the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro is how hot it gets during prolonged play sessions. This can have a pretty hefty impact on performance, as well as making the device uncomfortable to hold, so you may need to invest in an external cooler – which certainly isn’t preferable with a pricey handset like this.

While its big brother might take the top spot on our list of the best Xiaomi phones, the Xiaomi 14 is no slouch. With fantastic cameras, a sleek design, and a lower price point than the 14 Ultra, this thing is a very impressive bit of kit.

While the fantastic triple 50 MP camera set-up is the main draw of the Xiaomi 14, it’s also an incredibly rapid charger, going from 0-100% in under half an hour. That’s ridiculously fast, even by today’s standards, and it holds its charge just as well, so you can concentrate on taking fantastic snaps for your social media.

It’s hard to find a downside to the Xiaomi 14, though there are a couple of things to point out. For one, Xiaomi’s HyperOS operating system takes a bit of time to get used to, especially if you’re usually an iOS user. Secondly, there’s a bit too much bloatware for our liking, though this is nothing an app-deleting spree can’t sort out.

If your top priority is battery capacity and charging speeds, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is one of the best options on the market. Sure, newer devices come with improved specs in other areas (specifically the chipset, RAM, and storage) but thanks to a whopping 5000mAh and Xiaomi’s HyperCharge, the 11T Pro’s battery options are pretty much unbeatable.

These staggering battery specs make the phone extremely reliable and flexible, and it can go for days on end without charge depending on use. Equally, because of how quickly it charges, even a small 10-minute charge while you’re on the go will bring your battery life up to a usable level. So, this isn’t the best Xiaomi phone if you’re looking for the greatest gaming mobile, but it is something versatile that can keep pace with your busy, active life, and that makes it a great choice.