Got two Xiaomi phones in a row, one in 2018 for 250 euros (note 8 pro) and one in 2023 for 300 (13T) and I liked them a lot.
My gripe with the second one is lowish battery life, it always bites me on longer trips when my gf's Pixel 8 lasts considerably more, but was also way more expensive.
Will check battery reviews better next time I shop for a phone, I don't care much for the rest.
I just can't deal with all the ads on Xiaomi phones. Switched over from Chinese phones, still remember my JiaYu G4 fondly, to Samsung few years ago where the situation is a bit more bearable