Study finds Xiaomi leads smartphone reliability

Reliability is a decisive factor for many people buying a smartphone. A recent study has now identified which brand holds up best over time - and the top spot goes to a manufacturer from China.

Why reliability matters when choosing a smartphone

When shopping for a new smartphone, most buyers compare performance, design and camera quality. Yet reliability matters just as much: if a handset fails after only a few months, the rest hardly counts. So which brands actually make the most robust devices in the long run? A survey carried out by 60 Millions de Consommateurs sets out to answer that question.

The study focuses on reliability alone. The association asked 1267 people whether their device had already broken down or suffered a technical fault, and which brand it was.

A ranking led by Chinese brands

The results produce a clear winner - and it is neither Apple nor Samsung. According to the study, Xiaomi is the most reliable brand, with a reliability rate of 94,1%. In practical terms, that suggests that out of all Xiaomi smartphones sold, just 5,9% encountered a technical problem or stopped working.

In joint second place sit Sony and Oppo, both scoring 92,2%, followed by Honor on 91,8%. These are brands that may be less familiar to the general public, yet they deliver impressive devices. For instance, the Oppo Find X9 Pro is presented as one of the best smartphones of the year, while the Honor Magic7 Pro stands out for its photography. In other words, they are not only technically cutting-edge, but also dependable.

Behind them come OnePlus (91,7%), Samsung (91,5%), Motorola and Huawei (91,4%), and then Apple (91%). Google finishes last with 84,3%.

Google at the bottom: recurring technical issues

This low score for the Mountain View company is not especially surprising, given how often the brand’s phones launch with technical problems. On the most recent model mentioned, the Pixel 10 Pro, many users saw the screen freeze. The issue was software-related and has since been fixed, but it still reflects poorly. Battery performance that deteriorates over time is another complaint that comes up regularly.

What to check before you buy a smartphone

Overall, the study is a useful reminder that reliability can sometimes be found among brands that are less prominent with the wider public. When buying a smartphone, it is worth paying attention to the repairability index, user feedback about the brand, and the number of Android updates promised. That final point offers a clue about a phone’s potential lifespan - and some manufacturers now commit to support lasting up to seven years.