Despite the arrival of the latest flagship smartphones, some of the best old Redmi models continue to thrive in Asia.
Popularity of old Redmi smartphones
Xiaomi is known for its vast selection of high-end devices, including the Xiaomi Mix Flip and Xiaomi 15 Ultra. However, the brand is aware that there’s also a huge market dedicated to budget-concerned buyers. With this, Redmi and Poco were introduced, and both are flourishing around the globe.
Yet, despite the arrival of the newest models, old Redmi smartphones continue to attract buyers in Asia. The reason? Their quality and price. Despite the emergence of new Redmi devices, these old handhelds can still compete against their younger siblings. Even more, they are now more affordable, especially when purchased through third-party retailers.
Pros & Cons
Redmi has become popular in the market due to its maximum value offering at a minimal cost. This value is further underscored by its earlier smartphones, which are still in the market. They are continuously being offered by Xiaomi and its offline stores, as well as third-party retailers. Despite being released in earlier years, their specs still appeal to buyers, explaining their continuous fame.
However, like all devices, Xiaomi devices have a limited number of years of software support. That also applies to Redmi, Poco, and all other brands and sub-brands. Just months ago, several devices reached End-of-Life support, including the Redmi 10C, Redmi 10A, Xiaomi 12X, Poco M4 Pro 5G, and more.
As such, though old smartphones still offer great value and specs, be mindful that they are also nearing their EoL years. That doesn’t mean that they will no longer work, though. Even though companies stop sending updates to these handhelds, you can still use them. Yet, they will lack protection from possible software vulnerabilities, which can lead to bigger issues, such as security.
Thankfully, a lot of old Redmi models still have several years of software support. In this list, we rounded up some of the best options out there.
Best old Redmi models
Redmi 10 5G (Security Update EOL Date: July 1, 2025). It is one of the best budget bestsellers in Asia, thanks to its 5000mAh battery and decent performance made possible by its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chip.
It is already approaching its EoL date this year, but the Redmi 10 5G is still a hit among buyers in Myanmar and Bangladesh, where many buyers are price-sensitive. Some of its main specs include a 6.58″ FHD+ 90Hz display, a 50MP main camera, 18W fast charging support, and a side fingerprint sensor.
Redmi 12C (Security Update EOL Date: March 10, 2026). This model is also widely popular in Southeast Asia due to its large display and long battery life. Considered a budget workhorse, the Redmi 12C is powered by a decent MediaTek Helio G85 chip. It comes with up to a 6GB/128GB configuration and supports up to 1TB storage expansion.
It also has a trendy design and comes in four color options (Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, and Lavender Purple). Other key details of the phone include its 6.71″ HD+ display, 5000mAh battery, 10W charging, 50MP main camera, rear fingerprint sensor, and AI Face unlock support.
Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G (Security Update EOL Date: March 23, 2027). This model also comes in a 4G variant. Still, this 5G model is a more popular choice among buyers in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam due to its great balance between performance and price.
This old Redmi model houses a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chip, which is complemented by LPDDR4X RAM and UFS2.2 storage. It has a 6.67″ 120Hz AMOLED, which is powered by a 5000mAh battery with 67W Turbo Charge support. It also impresses in the camera section with its 16MP selfie camera and a 50MP/8MP/2MP rear camera setup led by a Sony IMX766 lens. It also boasts a 12-layer graphite sheet for its cooling system and an X-axis vibration motor.
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (Security Update EOL Date: March 23, 2027). As its name implies, it is a slightly upgraded version of the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G. Yet, it made a bigger success as a top midrange hit in India, Indonesia, and Vietnam due to its 200MP camera, 120Hz AMOLED display, and 120W fast charging. It is important to note, however, that some of its details depend on the market. In India, its battery is limited to a 4980mAh capacity, while its global variant comes with a higher 5000mAh capacity.
The old Redmi phone has a 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chip, a 6.67″ FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED with 900nits peak brightness, a 200MP+8MP+2MP rear camera setup with 4K@30fps recording capability, a 16MP selfie camera, 120W HyperCharge support, a LiquidCool Technology cooling system, and a side fingerprint sensor.
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G (Security Update EOL Date: January 15, 2028). This model is considered one of the best Redmi smartphones at present. Just last February, the company even introduced the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ World Champions Edition to revitalize its craze in India.
The Redmi smartphone has the 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7200-Ultra chip, which is paired with either 8GB/256GB or 12GB/512GB configurations. In India, the 12GB/512GB configuration is priced at ₹37,999 (around $455) on Flipkart, Xiaomi India, and retail stores.
Some of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5 G’s main highlights include its 6.67″ CrystalRes 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED, triple rear camera setup (200MP+8MP+2MP), 5000mAh battery, 120W charging support, and IP68 rating.
