AI-Xiaomi camera: how artificial intelligence works in photos and videos

In recent years, the term AI-The camera has become one of the key marketing slogans of smartphone makers, and Xiaomi is no exception. But what is really behind this acronym? Is it just a buzzword or a real technology that changes the quality of shooting? If you’ve ever wondered why the photos on your Redmi Note 12 Pro are so interesting.+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra looks better than on older models – the answer lies in artificial intelligence.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how AI It enhances the camera capabilities of Xiaomi smartphones, what specific functions it performs, and how to use it correctly.You will learn which models support this technology, how to turn it on or off. AI-And then we'll also reveal some hidden things that are not even written in the official manuals.

What is it? AI-Xiaomi’s camera in smartphones: a simple explanation

AI-The camera (from the English Artificial Intelligence Camera) is not a separate physical module, but a software package that analyzes the scene in real time and automatically optimizes the shooting parameters. ISP (Snapdragon models, or its own Surge chip (in some flagships), and neural networks trained on millions of photos.

Simply put, when you point the camera at an object, AI:

• 🔍 Recognizes the type of scene (portrait, landscape, food, documents, night mode, etc.)
• ⚙️ Adjusts exposure, white balance, contrast and sharpness to specific conditions
• 🎨 Apply post-processing (detail improvement, noise reduction, HDR)
• 👤 Optimizes skin color, removes the effect of "red eyes" or darkened faces

For example, if you're photographing a sunset, AI will automatically amplify warmer colors and increase the contrast of clouds, and when you're shooting documents, it will emphasize the text and remove the shadows from the lamp, all of which take place in a split second, without you being involved.

What Xiaomi models support AI-camera: full list

Technology AI-The camera appeared in Xiaomi smartphones back in 2018, but has seriously developed only by 2020-2026. Today it is available in almost all models, except for budget lines like Redmi A or POCO C. Here are the key series with support AI:

To check if there is any AI In your model, open the Camera app, go to Settings → AI-If there is no point, then your smartphone does not support this feature (or needs an update). MIUI).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10A or POCO M4 Pro) AI-The camera is in the specifications, but works only in Photo and Portrait mode, and in video - disabled.

How it works AI-camera: technical details

The AI algorithms in Xiaomi cameras rely on three key components:

1. Scene Recognition, which analyzes a scene and assigns a "tag" to it (e.g. sunset, food, pet), and then selects presets based on the tag.
2. The HDR Fusion module combines multiple frames with different exposures to work out shadow and light. The new models use HDR 2.0 AI with support for up to 9 frames.
3. The ISP processor is responsible for hardware acceleration of computing. In Xiaomi 14 Ultra, it is Qualcomm Spectra 8 Gen 3, which processes up to 200 megapixels per second.

Interesting fact: Xiaomi’s flagship AI learns not only from standard datasets, but also from photos taken by users (anonymously). For example, if a million people photograph a cat in the shade, the neural network will learn to work better with wool in such conditions.

But there are limitations to the technology, and for example, AI can overdo it.

• 🌄 Sunsets are sometimes too "acid"
• 👗 Clothing neon flowers can lose saturation
• 🐶 Animals in motion blurred due to aggressive noise cancellation

How to turn on, disable or configure AI-camera

By default. AI-Xiaomi's camera is on, but it's flexible. MIUI 14/15:

Open the Camera app|Put it on the icon. ⚙️ (Settings)|Choose. AI-camera|Activate or deactivate sliders for different modes-->

On the menu. AI-The camera will find the following options:

• 📸 Scene recognition – Automatic determination of the type of shooting (it is recommended to leave on)
• 🌙 Night mode. AI — Improves low light shots (can slow down shooting)
• 👤 AI-portrait - blurs the background and improves the skin (sometimes spoils the hair)
• 🎥 AI-Video stabilization – useful for shooting with your hand, but eats up part of the field of view

For advanced users: Settings → You can additionally enable Pro Mode and manually adjust the settings that AI normally controls (such as Color Temperature or Sharpness).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) off-line AI-The cameras lose access to functions like Supermoon or Document 2.0, as they are completely dependent on the neural network.

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If AI is too aggressive in smoothing out faces in portraits, try manually reducing the Skin Improvement settings in portrait mode, which will preserve texture but remove excessive retouching.

AI-Camera vs. Manual settings: when is best to turn off artificial intelligence

Despite the advantages, there are situations where AI only gets in the way, and here are the cases when it is better to switch to Pro Mode or turn off processing altogether:

Another nuance: AI-The camera consumes additional resources, for example, when shooting video in the video. 4K switched-on AI Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor heats up 10-15% more, and the battery goes down faster. If you want autonomy (for example, on a hike), it is better to turn off unnecessary ones. AI-function.

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AI-The camera is ideal for fast shooting in automatic mode, but for creative tasks (macro, long exposure, RAW) It is better to use manual settings.

Hidden chips AI-Xiaomi cameras you didn’t know about

Besides the standard features, Xiaomi cameras have a few undocumented features that are activated via AI:

1. Lossless AI-zoom: In telephoto lens models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the neural network can “complete” parts at 3-5x zoom using data from the main camera. To turn on: hold your finger on the zoom button and wait for the AI Super Resolution prompt to appear.
2. Real-time auto-toothing: In the Civi 3 selfie camera, AI can remove pimples or wrinkles directly during video chat (works in Duo Apps or Google Meet). Included in Camera Settings → Beauty → Real-time Retouch.
3. AI-stabilization for tick currents: In vertical video shooting AI It automatically cuts the edges of the frame to remove the shaking. → Stabilization → Pruning mode.

And some MIUI firmware also has a hidden mode called "AI Cinema" that mimics cinematic color reproduction to activate it:

1. Open the Chamber


2. Go to Settings → Additional




3. Tap 5 times on the item "Version MIUI Camera"




4. there will be a menu "Laboratory" where you can turn on "Cinema AI"

⚠️ Note: Some hidden features may conflict with official updates, such as after upgrades to MIUI 16 mode Cinema AI" mayhem.

The future AI-Xiaomi cameras: what to expect in 2026-2026

According to insiders, the following flagships Xiaomi (series 15 and Mix Fold 4) will appear several revolutionary AI-features:

• 🤖 Generative AI for photo: the neural network will be able to finish the missing parts of the frame (for example, to restore the cropped edge of the building).
• 🎬 AI-Video Director: Automatic editing of clips with the addition of transitions and music in the style of TikTok.
• 🔍 3D-scanning objects: the camera will create three-dimensional models of objects for printing on 3D-printer.

In 2026, Xiaomi announced a partnership with Google to integrate Google AI Core into cameras, which means that scene recognition algorithms will be more accurate and processing faster through cloud computing.

But there are risks: As AI advances, power consumption is rising, and rumors suggest that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will be equipped with an additional neural network processing chip to offload the main processor, which could increase the cost of smartphones by 10 to 15 percent.

FAQ: Frequent questions about AI-camera