AL mode in the camera Xiaomi: what it is, how it works and why you need

If you are the owner of a Xiaomi smartphone and actively use the camera, you probably noticed in the settings the mysterious acronym AL. This mode appears in the latest flagships of the brand, but not all users understand what it means and how it affects the quality of shooting. Unlike the usual HDR, Night Mode or Portrait, AL has no obvious decoding in the interface, which causes confusion.

Actually. AL (Or Artificial Lighting, which is an advanced light processing technology that Xiaomi has integrated into its top-end models to improve detail and color reproduction in challenging lighting conditions. But how exactly does it work? Is it available on all devices? And should it be turned on all the time? In this guide, we'll take a look at AL-mode from all sides - from technical nuances to practical tips for using.

What does AL in Xiaomi camera mean: decoding and working principle

AL stands for Artificial Lighting, not a separate physical module, but a hardware and software package that analyzes the scene in real time and adjusts exposure, white balance and contrast for a more natural picture. The technology debuted in Xiaomi 12S Ultra (2022) and has since appeared in the new flagships of the Xiaomi 13/14 and Redmi K series.

How does it work in practice? AL uses data from the main sensor and additional sensors (such as the ToF or spectral analyzer in some models) to:

• 🔍 Light source ratings – determines whether the lighting is natural (sun) or artificial (lamps, screen), and adjusts the color temperature.
• 🎨 Dynamic color correction – removes unwanted shades (for example, yellow tint from incandescent lamps).
• 📸 Improvements in detail in the shadows - without re-lighting of light areas (unlike the classical one) HDR).
• ⚡ Optimization of noise reduction – especially noticeable when shooting at dusk.

It’s important to understand that AL is not just a filter, but a complete system that works at the ISP (Image Signal Processor) and neural network level, for example, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra uses a specialized Surge C2 chip that processes sensor data in real time.

⚠️ Attention: Regime AL It can increase the processing time of a picture by 10 to 30 percent compared to a standard shot. If you want high speed (for example, for serial shooting), it is better to turn it off manually.

What models Xiaomi has an AL mode

AL technology is not available on all Xiaomi smartphones, but only on flagship devices with advanced camera modules. Here is the full list of models where this mode is present out of the box (as of 2026):

If your model is not listed, it doesn’t mean that AL mode can’t be activated; in some cases, it can be unlocked through engineering menus or custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), but there is no official support for budget and mid-budget devices (Redmi Note, POCO).

How to turn on and configure AL mode in the Xiaomi camera

Activation of AL mode depends on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone, in most cases it turns on automatically when shooting in difficult lighting conditions, but it can also be started manually.

1. Open the standard Camera app.
2. Go to Photo or Professional mode.
3. Touch the icons ⚙️ Settings (or swipe up the screen).
4. Find a point. AL-Mode (or Artificial Lighting in Global Firmware).
5. Choose one of the options: 🔄 The camera itself decides when to use it. AL. 🌞 Daylight – Optimization for Sun Scenes. 💡 Artificial lighting - correction for lamps and LED-lightning. 🌙 Nighttime AL — Improvement of parts in the dark (not available on all models).

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra), AL mode is integrated into the Leica Profile, in which case its settings are hidden behind the option Natural Colors or Live Colors.

Take a test shot with AL| enabled Compare it to a shot without AL| Pay attention to the color rendering in the shadows | Check if artifacts (blurred, noise) have appeared

-->

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 13 Pro and newer mode AL It can conflict with manual white balance settings, if you manually set the color temperature, AL shut down.

AL vs HDR: What’s the difference and what’s the best thing to use

Many users confuse AL with classic HDR (High Dynamic Range), but these are fundamentally different technologies.

So what do you choose? AL is better for portraits or photos in artificial lights, where accurate color reproduction is important. HDR is indispensable for landscapes or shots with bright sun and deep shadows. Ideally, you can combine both modes - many Xiaomi flagships allow you to turn them on simultaneously.

💡

If you shoot in RAW, AL automatically turns off, because it only works with JPEG. To keep the AL effect, shoot in RAW+JPEG and edit RAW manually.

AL Mode Problems: Typical Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Despite the benefits, AL is not without its disadvantages, and these are the most common problems that users face:

• 🐢 Slow-motion — because of the complexity of processing, there can be a lag between pressing down and saving the photo. AL only for static scenes.
• 🎭 Unnatural colors -- sometimes the algorithm overdoes the correction, making the skin too pink or the sky too blue. Solution: calibrate the white balance manually.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – constant work ISP And neural networks increase power consumption by 5 to 10 percent. Solution: turn it off. AL low-charge.
• 📱 Artifacts on video - in recording mode AL So, it can create a soapy effect on moving objects. HDR10+.

Another common mistake is to use AL in low light conditions without a tripod, and because of the lengthy processing, even slight hand shaking can lead to blurring, in which case it is better to use Night Mode or Pro-Mode with manual settings.

Hidden AL Opportunities: How to Use the Mode to the Maximum

You can customize AL to specific tasks if you know a few secrets. Here are the life hacks for advanced users:

• 📸 AL + Pro-mode: Manually install ISO 100–400 and endurance 1/100–1/200, and then turn it on. AL. This will give a cleaner picture with natural flowers.
• 🌃 Nighttime footage from AL: Xiaomi 14 Ultra in Night Mode AL take off RAW with subsequent processing in Lightroom – so you get the maximum detail.
• 🎥 AL For video: In the video settings, turn on AL-stabilization (available on Xiaomi 13 Pro and later) – this will reduce the “jelly” on moving objects.
• 🔍 Macrograph with AL: When photographing small objects (such as flowers) AL It helps to avoid overlighting at a close distance.

For experiments, you can use applications like GCam (Google Camera) with ported modules for Xiaomi. AL-emulation, even if your smartphone is not officially equipped with this technology, but be careful: unofficial firmware can lead to overheating of the camera or loss of warranty.

💡

AL is most effective when shooting in 10-bit JPEG or DNG format, as it allows you to save more color gradations.

The future of AL technology: what to expect in the new smartphones Xiaomi

According to leaks and patents, Xiaomi is actively developing AL technology. In the nearest flagships (for example, Xiaomi 15 Ultra) the following innovations are expected:

• 🤖 AL 3.0 with AI segmentation – the camera will recognize objects (faces, sky, grass) and apply correction selectively.
• 🎬 AL for 8K-Video: The mode now works only with 4K@60fps, New models will support higher resolutions.
• 🌈 Adaptive profiles of Leica – automatic presets for different genres (portrait, landscape, street-photo).
• 🔋 Energy efficient AL — Optimization for mid-budget smartphones (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+).

There are also rumors that Xiaomi plans to license AL technology to other manufacturers, as it did with 108-MP sensors, and if it does, we will see similar modes in smartphones POCO, Black Shark and even third-party brands.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s AL mode