Choose what suits you best
The big Xiaomi and POCO sale has dropped prices again, and the brand’s smartphones and tablets have predictably topped the charts. While Apple fans are wondering whether it’s time to start saving for a new iPhone, these devices do the same thing for half the price — and don’t blush. This roundup features five devices that are worth forgetting about overpaying for: the crowd-favorite Redmi Note 15 Pro, the workhorse Xiaomi Pad 7, and a trio of POCOs ranging from the affordable M8 to the loaded X8 Pro Max. I’ll break down all five and tell you what to grab while the sale lasts.
Redmi Note 15 Pro on Sale: Why It’s Better Than Other Budget Phones
Redmi Note 15 Pro — this is the quintessential people’s smartphone that many use as their introduction to the brand. The global version comes with NFC and Russian language support right out of the box, so there’s no fiddling around. Inside is the MediaTek Helio G200-Ultra, which is more than enough for messengers, streaming, and casual games.
I’ve always loved Chinese smartphones for including a case in the box
| Display | AMOLED 6.77″, FHD+ (1080×2392), 120 Hz, up to 3200 nits |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G200-Ultra |
| Memory | 8/12 GB RAM, 256/512 GB + microSD |
| Battery | 6500 mAh, 45W charging |
| Camera | 200 MP + 8 MP ultrawide |
The main trump card is the silicon-carbon 6500 mAh battery: up to two days without a charger and a lifespan of 1600 cycles, which is about six years of service. Add to that a 200 MP camera with the ability to do a 2x crop without losing detail and IP65 protection. For its price, the package is almost indecently generous.
Buy Redmi Note 15 Pro on AliExpress
Xiaomi Pad 7 for Work and Study: Why You Should Get It on Sale
A great tablet for leisure, studying, and more
If you have enough smartphones but want a big screen, grab the Xiaomi Pad 7 during the sale. It’s an 11.2-inch tablet with an IPS panel at 3.2K resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate — the picture is smooth both in the interface and in games. Performance is handled by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, which easily handles multitasking, video editing, and demanding projects.
| Display | IPS 11.2″, 3.2K (3200×2136), 144 Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| Memory | 8/12 GB LPDDR5X, 128/256 GB UFS 4.0 |
| Battery | 8850 mAh, 45W charging |
| Sound | 4 speakers with Dolby Atmos |
The tablet runs on HyperOS with split-screen and floating windows, and the generous 8850 mAh battery easily lasts a full workday. Stylus and keyboard support turn it into a compact laptop replacement, and its weight of around half a kilogram won’t weigh down your backpack. For studying and remote work — a very sensible purchase.
Buy Xiaomi Pad 7 on AliExpress
POCO X8 Pro — A Powerful Smartphone Under 25,000 Rubles
A genuinely powerful smartphone for a reasonable price
POCO X8 Pro launched in spring 2026 and instantly became a budget roundup hero. Under the hood is the MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra — a 4-nanometer chip on par with last year’s flagships, scoring around 2.3 million points in AnTuTu. The 6.59-inch AMOLED screen is designed for those tired of oversized phones, but the peak brightness of up to 3500 nits won’t let you down even in bright sunlight.
| Display | AMOLED 6.59″, 1.5K (2756×1268), 120 Hz, up to 3500 nits |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra (4 nm) |
| Memory | 8/12 GB RAM, 256/512 GB |
| Battery | 6500 mAh, 100W charging |
| Camera | 50 MP (Sony IMX882, OIS) + 8 MP ultrawide, 20 MP front |
The 6500 mAh battery easily lasts a day and a half, and 100W charging brings the phone back to life in minutes. A special feature is the LED rings around the cameras, which light up for notifications and can be customized for different scenarios. If you need a powerful yet affordable smartphone, this is one of the most obvious picks during the sale.
POCO X8 Pro Max — The Most Powerful POCO Smartphone
Looks cool in white
POCO X8 Pro Max is the top model in the series, focusing on battery life and performance. Inside is the sub-flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9500s, which surpasses 3 million points in AnTuTu — that’s twice as much as the younger X8 Pro. The screen has grown to 6.83 inches, is protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, and also reaches up to 3500 nits brightness.
| Display | AMOLED 6.83″, 1.5K (2772×1280), 120 Hz, up to 3500 nits, Gorilla Glass 7i |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9500s (3 nm) |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM, 256/512 GB |
| Battery | 8500 mAh, 100W charging |
| Camera | 50 MP (OIS) + 8 MP ultrawide, 20 MP front |
The main argument is the 8500 mAh battery in a slim body: two full days without a charger and a lifespan of roughly six years. On top of that, eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, NFC, and stereo sound with Dolby Atmos. If you want a smartphone built to last for years, this is the smartest choice from the entire lineup during the sale.
Buy POCO X8 Pro Max on AliExpress
POCO M8 with AMOLED and NFC: An Affordable Everyday Smartphone
