The best Xiaomi phones you can buy right now

Forget just being a great Xiaomi phone, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is one of the best Android phones money can buy right now. This is an absolute beast on pretty much all fronts, and one of the few handsets out there that can go toe to toe with (and sometimes outdo) the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

The headline feature is the 15 Ultra’s impressive camera array, which offers up, amidst its four rear-facing sensors, a 200Mp periscope telephoto. Even though this camera’s 4.3x zoom is slightly shorter than what was previously available, the higher megapixel count more than makes up for it with astonishing detail that can pick up clarity in subjects from quite a distance away.

Helping to line up your shots is the massive 6.73-inch AMOLED display, which is very easy to use outdoors thanks to a peak brightness of 3200 nits. The refresh rate can move between 1-120Hz to optimise the battery, and the colours emitted from this panel are truly stunning, making shows on Netflix and Disney+ really pop.

While HyperOS still isn’t our favourite Android overlay, the fairly lacklustre AI features feel more egregious at this end of the market, given that Galaxy AI provides much better functionality on the S25 Ultra. If you’re not fussed about software, however, then you won’t feel hard done by with picking the Xiaomi 15 Ultra above all other flagships.

Xiaomi had us absolutely floored with the Xiaomi 14T Pro, and now the company’s done it yet again with a successor that’s better in every way. Priced at £649, the Xiaomi 15T Pro is in that sweet spot of still being within the price bracket to be considered amongst the best mid-range phones, but just cheap enough to outdo handsets like the Galaxy S25 and the standard iPhone 17.

In typical Xiaomi fashion, the 15T Pro offers an array of features that feel far more in line with what you’d get at the higher end of the market. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset, for example, while it doesn’t quite match the highs of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, still operates at a very high level with excellent everyday performance and benchmarking results that aren’t that far behind.

The battery has had a major upgrade here, jumping forward to a 5500mAh offering that can last for up to two days at a time, depending on how you use it. Thankfully, when you do need to top up the phone, you now have 90W wired and 50W wireless charging at your disposal. The former can net you 80% after just a 30-minute charge.

The more powerful chipset, upgraded charging speeds, faster 144Hz refresh rate and a 5x telephoto lens are the key reasons why you would want to buy this phone over the standard Xiaomi 15T, but if you’d rather save some money, then the 15T itself is no slouch and offers quite a few similar features, including the same-sized battery and display.

As much as we loved the Xiaomi 15T Pro, and it’s well worth the upgrade if your budget can stretch to meet its price tag, the Xiaomi 15T offers a brilliant alternative that more closely matches the cost of the Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e, whilst offering quite a few flagship features that those phones do not have.

The big upgrades this year are an enlargement of both the display and the battery life. On the former, users now get to enjoy a gigantic 6.83-inch 120Hz OLED panel, which, as you can imagine, is great for streaming content when you’re at home or on the commute. It’s also very easy to see when you’re outdoors, so you won’t have to squint if you’re trying to order a train ticket on your way to the station.

With regards to battery life, you can expect to reach a full two days of use from the 5500mAh cell included, so even if you are a heavier user who likes to use their phone as a hotspot or even dive into a bit of gaming, then you won’t have any battery anxiety with safely reaching the end of the day.

The phone itself has a very premium aesthetic that, at first glance, makes it look nothing like a mid-range phone. The only reason why you might shop for one of its competitors is to get a better software experience, particularly as HyperOS still can’t compete with Google’s stock Android, but on the hardware front, Xiaomi is king.

At a time when even Xiaomi itself continues to hop aboard the industry bandwagon of aiming for increasingly larger displays (just look at the jump from the Xiaomi 14T to the 15T), it’s nice to still have an option available for folks who prefer the idea of a smartphone that can be comfortably used one-handed. Thankfully, that’s exactly where the Xiaomi 15 comes in.

This entry-level model to the flagship Xiaomi 15 range has a nicely compact 6.36-inch display, which can easily be reached by your thumb and doesn’t require any gymnastics to reach any apps or icons at the top. Still, with AMOLED technology and a 1-120Hz refresh rate, it pops with enough colour to make for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Its battery life is also surprising, given that you’d typically expect something of a downgrade in this department when dealing with a smaller phone. In spite of its stature, there’s still a massive 5240mAh cell included under the hood, which can then be topped up quickly via 90W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.

The triple rear-facing cameras do an incredible job of handling pretty much every scenario you could want to throw at them, with low-light shots packing plenty of colour and detail, whilst daytime photos have a certain professional quality about them that draws you in. At £899, the phone does cost quite a bit more than entry-level flagships from Apple and Samsung, but for what you get here, the added expense is easily justified.

The Xiaomi 14 is a brilliantly competent and compact flagship 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.

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 into a rival for 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.

The Xiaomi 14T Pro is an almost flagship smartphone for a fraction of the price. It offers competitive performance, a 144Hz OLED display, a decent camera set-up and a durable metal frame build.

It’s a big step up from the previous generation equivalent, the Xiaomi 13T Pro. This is mainly thanks to the inclusion of 50W wireless charging, a more practical finish and a far more reliable battery life. Sadly, it’s not quite a slam dunk.

HyperOS has its frustrations, while the new AI features don’t seem to stack up against rivals. Nonetheless, there is no denying that this phone may tempt users who want high-end features without an extortionate price tag.

The latest entry in the Redmi Note series is another compelling option for those who are looking for strong features without blowing the budget.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G’s standout feature is its 6.67-inch 120Hz display, which is bright, smooth and sharp. This is paired with a remarkably slim and lightweight build that doesn’t compromise on durability, with an IP68 rating included.

The 200Mp main camera is capable under a variety of conditions, making it easy to capture a great shot. As with many phones at this price range, the secondary ultrawide and macro cameras don’t quite pack the same punch.

That said, the 5110mAh battery means it can last up to two days for lighter users. Overall, this is a solid option with only a few compromises that you’d typically expect from Redmi phones.

Like its Pro sibling, the Xiaomi 14T offers incredible value for the price. It can multitask with ease and can handle a wide range of games, apps and media, It’s got an array of solid cameras, the design is quick and the charging is speedy at 67W.

The 14T Pro is more expensive, and whether the price is worth it depends on what’s important to you. If you stick with the 14T, you’ll miss out on improved main and telephoto lenses, wireless charging, a metal frame and better gaming performance.

If none of those things bother you, then you may as well save money by opting for the 14T. As it’s a little older now, you might be able to find a discount.

The Xiaomi Mix Flip is the first attempt at a foldable for the Western market from the brand, and its first-generation build is pretty apparent compared to its biggest rivals, which cost less but offer more.

Performance is a strong point for this foldable, as it’s fitted with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Therefore, if you’re looking for a flip phone that can also handle large games or heavy-duty tasks, you should consider this one.

The 4780mAh battery is also impressive, giving one and a half day’s worth of usage on average. That said, there’s no water resistance rating, the software is clunky and the outer screen experience needs improvement.

If the phone gets a big discount during sale seasons such as Black Friday, then it may be worth considering. Otherwise, there are better foldables out there such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra.