Xiaomi’s 2025: A Year of Wins and Losses
Xiaomi’s 2025 was filled with great products across a wide range of categories. Gone are the days when the brand was playing catch-up to the likes of Apple and Samsung, as Xiaomi proved it is forging its own path across more than just smartphones.
Xiaomi is one of the fastest-growing EV brands in China, and the success of its very first vehicle, the SU7, is shaping up to be an even bigger hit. However, smartphones are still Xiaomi’s bread and butter, so let’s kick off the list with one of our favorite devices of the year.
Winner: Xiaomi 15 Ultra
While the Xiaomi 15 Ultra wasn’t a revolutionary device per se, it introduced significant refinements over its predecessor that make it a standout. The Ultra series always showcases the best of Xiaomi’s imaging division, and that was clearly on display with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
You’re getting a rare combination of a 1-inch type main camera and a 200MP telephoto periscope (100mm equivalent) with 4.3x optical zoom, while still retaining a second 70mm telephoto module. The addition of a 50MP ultrawide lens makes the 15 Ultra arguably the most versatile camera phone of the year.
Beyond camera enhancements, the 15 Ultra also boasts vastly improved battery endurance and a memorable design, which is further complemented by an optional photography kit.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Winner: Poco F7
However, you don’t need to spend Ultra money to get a great smartphone in 2025, and the Poco F7 is a prime example. With its bright and punchy 12-bit AMOLED display, powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, and impressive battery endurance, the F7 is an easy recommendation in the €330/£300/INR 30,000 range.
The F7 features a premium aluminum and glass build, excellent performance, and IP68 ingress protection, solidifying it as one of the best all-rounders in its class. However, some may find the lack of camera upgrades, as it reuses the F6’s shooters, and the outdated USB 2.0 connector, to be minor setbacks.
Xiaomi Poco F7 5G
Winner and Loser: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max stood out for several reasons in a competitive landscape of phones with top-tier specs in 2025. The inclusion of a rear display inside the camera island is not a revolutionary concept, as seen with the Mi 11 Ultra, but the implementation on the 17 Pro Max is noteworthy due to its size and versatility.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max secondary display
The secondary screen allows for easy call management, notification checks, and provides a viewfinder that enhances selfie and vlogging capabilities. Coupled with a flagship main display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, outstanding battery life, and 100W charging, the 17 Pro Max has strong points.
Yet, Xiaomi hasn’t announced any plans to release the 17 Pro Max globally. While the device offers an impressive overall package, we critique the odd naming choice, which seems to intend to parallel Apple’s nomenclature. This decision appears more aligned with marketing than substance.
Loser: Redmi Note 14 5G (Global)
The Redmi Note series has fostered confusion, particularly with the Note 14 series, which introduced ten devices. The global Redmi Note 14 5G is actually three different variants depending on the region, further complicating the situation.
Unfortunately, the global Note 14 5G fell short in performance and camera capabilities, failing to deliver strong battery endurance to stand out against its rivals.
Winner: Xiaomi YU7
Xiaomi’s foray into electric vehicles emerged as a clear winner, marked by the commercial success of its SU7 sedan. The brand’s first electric SUV, the YU7, looks set to maintain this momentum into 2026. With record-breaking demand in China and an impressive design, the YU7 represents a strategic expansion for Xiaomi.
Based on our preliminary experiences with the YU7 Max, it offers everything the SU7 does, enhanced by a spacious SUV-style body and a more comfortable ride. This model is highly anticipated to drive growth for Xiaomi in the automotive sector.
Loser: Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 Successor
While the Mix Fold 4 was a significant advancement over its predecessor, it faced limited availability outside China. In 2025, the situation became worse, as Xiaomi failed to release a proper successor to the Mix 4.
This year, only one new foldable, the Mix Flip 2, was introduced, leaving enthusiasts disappointed as the popular book-style form-factor was skipped. Speculation suggests a Xiaomi 17 Fold may arrive in 2026, but overlooking a generation during this crucial growth period raises questions about Xiaomi’s market strategy.
Loser: Redmi Note 15 Series
The Redmi Note series has suffered from naming confusion for a while, but the Note 15 series has reached an unprecedented level of complexity. With two virtually identical base models and two Pro variants that differ only marginally, distinguishing between them has never been more challenging.
Moreover, the entire Note 15 series launched with Android 15, yet the 4G models still lack the ability to record 4K video, an oversight that seems unacceptable at this stage. We hope that Xiaomi will address its confusing naming schemes and deliver a more coherent release strategy in future Redmi iterations.
For more detailed insights into Xiaomi’s performance in 2025, you can check the full article Here.
Image Credit: www.gsmarena.com
