I swapped out expensive Apple accessories for Xiaomi products, and the results exceeded my expectations.

      Xiaomi has never been particularly discreet about its sources of inspiration. Occasionally, the company creates a product that borrows from Apple’s designs, alters a few details, and results in a surprisingly appealing item. This was evident during my recent trip to Taiwan for Computex 2026, where I purchased some products that looked quite familiar, including the Xiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W and the Redmi Buds 8 Pro.

      At first glance, both products fit neatly into a recognizable Apple-esque niche. The power bank seems like a budget-friendly alternative to Apple’s iPhone Air MagSafe Battery. Meanwhile, the Redmi Buds 8 Pro aim to deliver some features similar to the AirPods Pro without the high price tag. However, these are not mere imitations; they are well-crafted gadgets that offer greater value.

      The power bank is incredibly convenient

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      Having used power banks with massive capacities, Xiaomi’s UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank serves a different function. It isn’t designed to be an all-purpose device capable of charging your laptop. Instead, it features a modest 5,000mAh cell intended solely for charging your phone. Would I choose it as my only charger for a lengthy travel day? Probably not. Still, its portability is a major strength.

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      Measuring just 6mm thick and weighing 98 grams, it feels more like a slender metal card than a full-fledged power bank. Attach it to the back of a MagSafe or Qi2-compatible phone, and it provides power without making the entire setup cumbersome. This is especially useful if you own an ultra-slim phone or dislike using phone cases, as they can detract from the original design of a well-crafted device.

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      From my experience, it performed exactly as I hoped a compact magnetic power bank would. It attached securely, remained lightweight, and provided enough extra charge to alleviate concerns about battery life. It supports up to 15W wireless charging, though iPhones are limited to 7.5W, and it also features a USB-C port capable of up to 22.5W output. During my time using it, I tested it with an iPhone 17 Pro, an iPhone 15 Plus, and even an iPhone 14. Each time, Xiaomi’s interpretation of the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery proved to be more versatile. Moreover, it claims faster charging and a higher capacity while being approximately half the cost.

      An unexpected impulse purchase of earbuds

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      Affordable wireless earbuds are plentiful, but most tend to quickly reveal their drawbacks. Transparency mode may sound unnatural, or the microphone quality can be poor. That’s what made the Redmi Buds 8 Pro stand out. They fit comfortably, which already addresses a significant challenge with in-ear models. The active noise cancellation was genuinely impressive for a product in this price range. Additionally, the transparency mode exceeded my expectations, as achieving a natural-sounding transparency can be difficult, and poor implementations feel immediately artificial.

      Xiaomi has packed a lot into these earbuds, offering up to 55dB ANC, triple-microphone AI noise reduction, LDAC support, Hi-Res Wireless Audio certification, Dolby Audio, dynamic head tracking, dual-device connectivity, Google Fast Pair, and up to 33 hours of listening time with the case. I’m not suggesting this is an AirPods Pro replacement. Apple retains advantages in ecosystem integration and polish when paired with its devices like iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches. Nonetheless, the difference was considerably smaller than I anticipated.

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      The enjoyable aspect of Xiaomi's accessories

      What’s enjoyable about Xiaomi’s accessories is that they don’t need to outright compete with Apple. They only need to be close enough in quality that the price difference becomes noticeable. The power bank’s slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry daily. The earbuds provide robust ANC, a comfortable fit, effective transparency mode, and enough premium features to feel much more luxurious than their price suggests.

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      Are they as seamlessly integrated as Apple’s accessories? No. Apple still excels in the ecosystem department, and if you desire everything to function in the most refined manner possible, the AirPods Pro and Apple’s MagSafe Battery maintain their significant appeal. However, Xiaomi provides a good portion of that experience for a fraction of the cost, with enough quality to make the lower price feel exceptionally attractive.

      These accessories have become part of my daily routine simply because they are more affordable, flexible, and surprisingly well-designed alternatives, prompting me to question how much of the Apple premium I am truly paying for the product versus how much is just for the brand name.