Despite fierce competition from other Chinese brands, Xiaomi has become one of the most prolific contenders in the smartphone industry with handsets that go above and beyond to provide outstanding value to consumers, often putting companies more familiar in the West, like Apple and Samsung, to shame. Xiaomi’s phones regularly make an appearance in our best phones list , but the company’s multi-faceted approach, which also includes phones for the lower end of the market, also ensures a steady presence amongst the best budget phones and the best mid-range phones . The best thing to know about these devices is that while they can’t quite compete on a software perspective, with bloatware often being an issue alongside shorter software and security updates, they more than claw it all back with top-of-the-line processors, cameras and displays. The battery life and charging speeds also tend to be outstanding across the entire range of Xiaomi phones, with many making the possibility of two days of use an easy milestone to hit. Bear in mind that we haven’t yet reviewed the latest Xiaomi 17 series of phones, but they won’t launch globally until next year. All 10 phones below are available in the UK, but not all of them are sold in the US – we’ll indicate where that’s the case. On a different budget? See our dedicated guides to the budget phones and best phones overall . Best Xiaomi phone reviews 1. Xiaomi 15 Ultra – Best Overall Pros Incredible camera performance Excellent screen Solid battery life & fast charging Silky performance Cons Some design backsteps Not the best Android skin Mixed bag of AI features Price When Reviewed: 1499 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €1138 View Deal €1138 View Deal €1199 View Deal €1229.9 View Deal mi.com 1.499,00 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 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. Who should buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra? Android fans who want one of the best flagship handsets that money can buy. Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Further considerations The Galaxy S25 Ultra is similarly priced and offers a better software experience. Read our full Xiaomi 15 Ultra review 2. Xiaomi 15T Pro – Best Mid-Range Pros Stylish design Massive screen Powerful performance Long battery life and speedy charging Solid camera system Cons Ultrawide camera could be better HyperOS is a little divisive Price When Reviewed: 799,90 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €665 View Deal €665 View Deal €803.9 View Deal €899.9 View Deal €676.91 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 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. Who should buy the Xiaomi 15T Pro? Anyone after a mid-range phone that offers top-shelf level features for less. Xiaomi 15T Pro: Further considerations Other great mid-ranges like the Pixel 9a and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro are cheaper. Read our full Xiaomi 15T Pro review 3. Xiaomi 15T – Best Lower Mid-Range Pros Stylish looks Solid performance Long battery life Decent cameras Large, impressive display Cons No macro capabilities No wireless charging Price When Reviewed: 649,90 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €424 View Deal €429 View Deal €439 View Deal €510 View Deal €549.9 View Deal Xiaomi 649,90 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 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. Who should buy the Xiaomi 15T? Mid-range consumers who want a large display and a long-lasting battery. Xiaomi 15T: Further considerations The 15T Pro packs a better display, battery and chipset for not that much more Read our full Xiaomi 15T review 4. Xiaomi 15 – Best Entry-Level Flagship Pros Brilliantly balanced cameras Excellent screen Huge battery for a small phone Solid battery & speedy charging Cons Fussy and charmless HyperOS UI Price increase Samey design Price When Reviewed: 999 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €669 View Deal €699.9 View Deal €671.15 View Deal mi.com 999,00 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 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. Who should buy the Xiaomi 15? Photography enthusiasts who want DSLR-style quality from their smartphone. Xiaomi 15: Further considerations It’s more expensive than entry-level options from both Apple and Samsung. Read our full Xiaomi 15 review 5. Xiaomi Poco F7 – Best Value Pros Premium build with aluminium frame Speedy Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor Massive 6500mAh battery 90W fast charging with charger in box Cons No telephoto camera No eSIM or wireless charging Some bloatware to deal with Price When Reviewed: 399,90 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Mi.com 399,90 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket While Xiaomi comfortably has the higher end of the mid-range market on lock with the all-new Xiaomi 15T series, the company has made sure not to overlook the lower end where phones like the Nothing Phone (3a) and the Honor 400 sit. To that end, the Poco F7 is a worthy competitor to both of those phones with some truly outstanding value. Even though it’ll only set you back £389, the phone looks like it could cost at least double that. The futuristic two-tone aesthetic on the back immediately catches your eye, with a design that feels more inspired than the bland backings you typically see at the budget-end. It even feels solid in the hand thanks to its aluminium railing. Things only get better from there once you realise that the phone packs a massive 6500mAh battery that can easily last for up to two days without much hassle. Plus, you won’t have to wait around long for the battery to replenish as the phone boasts a super fast 90W charging standard. The lack of a telephoto lens is felt a bit more dearly when you consider that Xiaomi is typically miles ahead of the competition in this area, and it does make the Xiaomi 15T range a bit more tempting for those who can spare the added expense, but that’s only a small blemish on what is otherwise a terrific smartphone. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco F7? Shoppers who prefer having a budget handset that looks like a high-end device. Xiaomi Poco F7: Further considerations The lower price does come with a diminished camera experience which the Xiaomi 15T remedies. Read our full Xiaomi Poco F7 review 6. Xiaomi Poco F7 Pro – Best Battery Life Pros Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance Stunning display Reliable battery life Premium IP68-rated build Cons Ultrawide camera is just okay Display isn’t quite bright enough Some pre-installed bloatware Price When Reviewed: 499,90 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €389 View Deal €599.9 View Deal €436.97 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Poco F7 Pro is one of those phones that best exemplifies how far the mid-range market has come. Unless you’re the type of person to value the software experience above all else, in which case you’ll be better off with the Pixel 9a or the Samsung Galaxy A56 , the F7 Pro is a rare device that’s competitively priced and leaves you wanting for very little. With a price tag of £499, you might have a pre-conceived idea of what specs you’re likely to get for that amount of cash, but the F7 Pro will blow past all of your expectations. For example, the 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a 2K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ is better than some of the displays you’ll find in phones that cost nearly double. Powering the show is the highly capable Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and it absolutely decimated the competition during our benchmarking tests. In Geekbench 6 multi-core tests for example, the F7 Pro left the Galaxy A56 and the Nothing Phone (3a) in the dust, so you can enjoy efficient speed on an average day, as well as decent gaming performance for the price. What ties the package together is the addition of a 6000mAh battery which, just like the standard Poco F7, can make use of 90W fast charging. In our testing, it didn’t take more than 37 minutes to reclaim a full battery from 0%, and you won’t have to top it up again until two days later under certain use cases. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco F7 Pro? Mid-range buyers who aren’t too fussed about software and prioritise battery and screen size above all else. Xiaomi Poco F7 Pro: Further considerations Just like the regular F7, you’ll find a vastly superior camera setup by opting for the Xiaomi 15T instead. Read our full Xiaomi Poco F7 Pro review 7. Xiaomi Poco F7 Ultra – Best for Gaming Pros Super powerful Exceptional value Great battery life Ultra-fast charging Cons Cameras aren’t the most Consistent HyperOS software has some bloatware Price When Reviewed: 699,90 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 699,90 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket We’ll be honest, while the regular Poco F7 and its F7 Pro sibling are a little easier to explain in the context of Xiaomi’s wider range, the Poco F7 Ultra doesn’t quite have an obvious entry-point in the market given that it has the exact same price tag as the Xiaomi 15T Pro. Still, if you can get past Xiaomi’s head-scratching self-sabotage, you can start to appreciate the Poco F7 Ultra for the amazing phone that it is. The best way of separating the F7 Ultra from the 15T Pro is by mentioning that while the latter is a better option in the realm of camera chops and screen size, the former has the upper hand where performance is concerned. Thanks to the inclusion of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset under the hood, the F7 Ultra has the same level of performance as flagship phones that cost a great deal more. As you can imagine, this paves the way for smooth performance in everyday use, but it’s particularly important for mobile gamers as it allows the phone to play more graphically demanding titles without breaking a sweat. In our benchmarking tests, the Poco F7 Ultra even managed to outdo the vastly more expensive Oppo Find X8 Pro in multi-core performance. What ties it all together is the excellent battery life and unbelievably fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging speeds. If you want a gaming phone that provides a top-shelf experience for less then the Poco F7 Ultra is an instant recommendation, but those who prefer other types of entertainment will get on better with the Xiaomi 15T Pro. Who should buy the Poco F7 Ultra? Mobile gamers who want a flagship chipset at a mid-range price point. Poco F7 Ultra: Further considerations It’s the same price as the Xiaomi 15T Pro, which boasts better cameras and a larger display Read our full Xiaomi Poco F7 Ultra review 8. Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G – Best Budget Pros Improved battery life Addition of OIS benefits night photos Good OLED display Cons Limited availability Same cluttered software as always Bigger and heavier than before Price When Reviewed: €299.90 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Redmi Note 14 5G is another excellent arrow in Xiaomi’s jam-packed quiver of budget phones, which is why it’s unfortunate that trying to get your hands on one can be something of an issue. The phone isn’t available at all in the US, and UK availability is limited to just a handful of outlets, but if you are able to track one down then you won’t be disappointed. The big upgrade over the Redmi Note 13 is an uptick to the battery life. Thanks to the rather hefty 5110mAh cell that’s included, you can easily get through a heavy day of use and still have a decent amount of juice left in the tank. If your current handset is giving you too much battery anxiety then the Note 14 is the ideal remedy. One of the Note 13’s biggest foibles, the lack of optical image stabilisation, has been fixed here too. The addition of OIS means that you can get far more detailed night-time shots with the main 108Mp camera, so you won’t have to worry about immediately diving into the editing suite to fiddle about with the lighting or colour saturation. As we’ve now come to expect from Redmi phones, the screen is a real highlight here. The 6.67-inch OLED panel is packed full of colour and wonderfully bright with a peak of 1200 nits, making it the ideal companion for a spot of entertainment either at home or on a long flight. The 120Hz refresh rate also makes scrolling through apps feel buttery smooth. Who should buy the Redmi Note 14? Budget-conscious buyers who value a solid battery life above all else. Redmi Note 14: Further considerations The phone can’t be bought in the US, and is nearly impossible to find in the UK. Read our full Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G review 9. Xiaomi 14 Ultra – Best Previous Gen 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 Price When Reviewed: 1499,90 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €1099 View Deal €1101 View Deal €1101 View Deal €1192.37 View Deal 1.299,90 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket If you want a smartphone dedicated to photography, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best previous-gen 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 still take some of the best photos of any smartphone, period. Who should buy the Xiaomi 14 Ultra? Flagship buyers who aren’t fussed about having the most recent device. Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Further considerations The software experience on Google and Samsung’s flagships is far superior. Read our full Xiaomi 14 Ultra review 10. Xiaomi Mix Flip – Best Foldable Pros Decent battery life for a flip phone Good photos with the right lighting Swift performance Cons Pricier than rivals No water resistance Cluttered software Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket 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. Who should buy the Xiaomi Mix Flip? Xiaomi fans who finally want to hop aboard the flip phone bandwagon. Xiaomi Mix Flip: Further considerations The overall foldable experience is superior on Motorola Razr and Galaxy Z Flip phones. Read our full Xiaomi Mix Flip review Other Xiaomi phones tested As you may have already gathered from this list (and our extensive coverage of Xiaomi’s launches), the company puts out a huge amount of phones each year and there are several that we’ve tested that simply didn’t make the cut. For example, there is certainly no shortage of budget-friendly Xiaomi phones available, particularly as you can choose between various Poco and Redmi handsets featured above, but it’s still worth giving a nod to the Poco X7 Pro . While the similarly priced Poco F7 is the better handset for most people, the X7 Pro still has some crucial features that may appeal to shoppers who don’t want to spend too much on an upgrade. The phone boasts a rather large 6.67-inch OLED display with a great viewing experience for a spot of Netflix or gaming on the go, and it’s backed by an improved battery life over its predecessor. With a 6000mAh cell, you can easily get to the end of a day without any worry, and there’s seriously fast 90W charging for getting it back to full health quickly. Sean Cameron / Foundry The only thing that massively works against the phone is its excessive bloatware, which makes the clutter-free experience offered by the likes of the CMF Phone 2 Pro feel like a breath of fresh air. On the topic of affordable phones, however, it’s also worth considering previous-gen models like the Poco F6 and the Poco F6 Pro . While we would much sooner recommend picking up the more recent Poco F7 phones, anyone who really needs to pinch pennies on their next upgrade should be able to find the F6 phones at a cheaper price now that they’ve been replaced. The Poco F6 Pro is the better option of the two if you want a display with greater clarity and brightness that makes it easier to look at against direct sunlight, but the value in the F6 is hard to ignore, especially as it uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, which has been well optimised for everyday use and battery longevity. Xiaomi phone news that could affect your buying decision Given just how much coverage there has been about Xiaomi skipping over the number 16 in an attempt to catch up with Apple’s most recent iPhone 17 series, there’s a good chance that you’ve already heard about the all-new Xiaomi 17 phones. With three handsets in the range, including the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max (sound familiar?), there’s a decent amount of choice here for folks looking to shop at the higher-end of Xiaomi’s wares, and if you’re among them then we recommend holding off on a purchase until our definitive reviews come in. At the very least, you’ll have a better idea as to which phone is best for your needs, or if you can get away with skipping them entirely and opting for one of last year’s Xiaomi 15 phones instead. Xiaomi At this point in time though, there’s a lot to be excited about, particularly with the 17 Pro and Pro Max. Both of these phones now feature a secondary display on the back, housed in the camera module. From what we’ve seen so far, this added display can be used for framing selfies with the rear-facing cameras, checking in on notifications and even playing a game or two if you fancy. The downside is that Xiaomi doesn’t typically give all the models a global launch, so we’ll have to wait and see which ones we get. And that’s unlikely to happen until March 2026, too. There might also be a fourth model in the Xiaomi 17 Ultra . Can I get a better phone deal? The best thing about our deals widgets, which accompany every entry on this list, is that they give you an up-to-date look at the best prices for a given phone at all times, so you don’t have to worry about chasing after any hidden deals on the web. With that said, there are times of the year when you’re more likely to see big price cuts on Xiaomi phones, namely Amazon Prime Day sales and Black Friday . These major sales events feature smartphone deals across the board, not just for Xiaomi’s handsets, which usually results in some excellent price matching and incentives as Xiaomi tries to lure potential adopters away from the competition. If you don’t fancy holding out until then, you can always peruse our collection of the best refurbished phone deals , which can get you a hefty discount at all times of the year. Luke Baker How we test Xiaomi phones Xiaomi phones, just like any other brand of phone that comes our way, are used for at least a week as the main handset of one of our expert reviewers. With their own SIM-card in the phone, they get a real-world understanding of how the device performs day to day, whilst also putting it through its paces via industry-standard benchmarking tests. Read more about how we test smartphones . Why you should trust Tech Advisor for Xiaomi phone reviews and buying advice Tech Advisor has been reviewing phones long before Xiaomi hit the scene, and our mantra to offer in-depth, unbiased consumer advice has never wavered. It is our duty to make sure that whenever you are looking to pick up a new smartphone, you make the right decision from the jump. Who curated this article? Our Mobile Editor, Anyron Copeman , covers phones on a daily basis and has reviewed devices from every brand making them. He’s often among the first people in the world to get hands on with the latest models. He’s assisted by Chris Martin , our Managing Editor, who has been testing phones since the Google Nexus days. How to choose the best Xiaomi phone? Much like Samsung and Honor, Xiaomi has a phone to match practically every budget you could think of, so deciding which phone to go for depends almost entirely on how much you’re willing to spend. For example, those looking to stick within the parameters of the best budget phones should check out Xiaomi’s Redmi sub-brand of phones, while those interested in what the best mid-range phones have to offer can find a more fitting device under the Poco brand, or amongst Xiaomi’s most recent ‘T-series’ phones, with the most recent being the Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro. Luke Baker Anyone who’s flush with cash can go straight to the numbered Xiaomi flagship phones, which more closely compete with the iPhone and flagship Android handsets. Phones like the Xiaomi 15/15 Ultra provide top-tier camera specs, alongside high-end chipsets that facilitate fast everyday performance, making gaming and multitasking a breeze. Xiaomi phone buying advice 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. What software do Xiaomi phones use? All Xiaomi phones run the Android operating system, with the company’s own HyperOS Android skin installed on top – this was formerly known as MIUI To be honest, neither are our favourite versions of Android out there – they’re both a little cluttered and complicated – but you can expect a fairly smooth and reliable experience, with plenty of customisation options and fairly frequent updates. Related content Phone reviews Phone news Best phones Best mid-range phones Best budget phones Best Google Pixel phones Best Samsung Galaxy phones Best OnePlus phones Best Oppo phones Best foldable phones Best camera phones Best dual-SIM phones