When Xiaomi Redmi 9 was first introduced in 2020, one of its key features was the Xiaomi Redmi 9. AI-The camera is a technology that promised to revolutionize mobile photography in the budget segment. Four years later, questions about what really lies behind this acronym and how to use smart modes are not abating. Many owners still do not understand what AI-The camera is different from a conventional photo module and why sometimes the pictures with it turn out better, and sometimes worse.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how artificial intelligence works in the Redmi 9 camera, what specific functions it performs, and why results may vary depending on the shooting conditions. We will also test real-world scenarios, from portraits to night shots, and show you how to turn on or off. AI, If you don't like the machine, and the big question is, should we rely on it today, in 2026? AI in a budget smartphone or better go to manual settings?
What is it? AI-The camera and how it works in Redmi 9
AI-The camera (Artificial Intelligence) is not a separate physical module, but a software algorithm that analyzes the scene before shooting and automatically selects the optimal settings. G80, which is integrated into a specialized AI-It processes data from the main camera 13 MP and auxiliary sensors in real time.
How does it work in practice? Let's say you're taking pictures of food. AI It recognizes a dish, it increases the saturation of red and green, it blurs the background slightly and adds contrast to make the picture look "appetite." Or another example: when you take a portrait, the algorithm detects the face, smooths the skin, illuminates the eyes and creates a bokeh effect. All this happens in a split second without you.
- 🧠 Neural networks: AI Learns from thousands of images to recognize objects (humans, animals, text, sky, etc.).
- ⚡ Hardware acceleration: In Helio G80 squash AI-A core that processes data faster than a central processing unit.
- 🎨 Post-production: After filming AI It can draw details, reduce noise, or adjust white balance.
It is important to understand that AI-The camera is not a magic wand, it doesn't improve the physical limitations of the optics (like a small aperture). f/2.2 redmi 9) It can make up for some of the shortcomings of software, like artificially sharpening or pulling out shadows in over-lit areas.
Differences AI-cameras from the usual: pros and cons
To understand whether you need artificial intelligence in photography, compare it with the classic mode without the help of the computer. AI. For the test, we took several pairs of images on Redmi 9 in the same conditions, with both on and off. AI.
| Parameter | A regular camera. | AI-camera |
|---|---|---|
| Colors. | Natural, sometimes faded | Bright, saturated (sometimes excessive) |
| Contrast | Medium, can "blurn" details | Increased, clear boundaries of objects |
| Noise in the dark | Notable, especially on ISO > 1600 | Depressed, but possible artifacts of smoothing |
| Speed of shooting | Instant. | Delay 0.3–0.5 seconds for processing |
| Scene recognition | No. | Yes. 27.+ scripts: sunset, snow, text, etc.) |
Main advantage AI — You don't have to be manually versed, you'll pick the best settings for the scene, and it's perfect for beginners or people who appreciate speed:
⚠️ Attention: AI It can make the sky unnaturally blue, or it can smooth out the texture of the skin to a plastic effect. AI and shoot in Pro mode.
Another nuance is performance. On a weak Helio processor. G80 work-in AI It increases the heat of the case and puts the battery down faster. 1080p, switched on AI It may be a lag when focusing.
What functions AI Available in Redmi 9: full list
In Xiaomi Redmi 9, artificial intelligence is involved not only in the main camera, but also in additional modules. AI:
- 🌄 Scene recognition: automatically detects 27+ types of scenes (sunset, night city, snow, beach, food, documents, etc.) and selects settings.
- 👤 Portrait mode: blurs the background, improves the skin, illuminates the eyes. Works even on the front camera 5 MP.
- 🌃 Night mode: combines multiple frames to reduce noise and increase brightness. AI-The version adds color balance correction.
- 📄 Document scanner: aligns perspective, removes shadows and improves text clarity.
- 🎨 AI-beauty: smooths the skin, narrows the face, removes bags under the eyes (the degree of effect is adjusted).
- 🔍 Smart. HDR: Analyzes the contrast of the scene and applies HDR only where it is necessary.
- 🐕 Pet recognition: Focuses on the face of the cat/dog and adjusts exposure.
Not all functions are enabled by default, AI-Beauty in portrait mode can be too aggressive, it's better to adjust it manually:
- Open the Camera app.
- Go to Portrait or Photo.
- Touch the icons ⚙️ (setting) → AI-beauty.
- Move the slider to a comfortable level (recommended 30–50%).
Shut down"AI-beauty for men's portraits|
Set "Night mode" on "Auto"|
Turn on "Smart." HDR" only in the bright sun|
Shut down. AI for macro photography (manual focus is better)-->
Note that some features (such as pet recognition) only work in good light. AI You may be wrong and apply the wrong settings.
How to turn on or off AI-camera on Redmi 9
By default. AI-Redmi 9 is activated, but it can be turned off globally or for individual scenes:
Shutdown AI fully:
- Open the Camera app.
- Touch the icons AI in the upper panel (near the flash).
- If the icon has turned grey — AI The yellow color means that the mode is active.
Shutdown AI specific functions:
- For Portrait Mode: Go to Portrait → setting ⚙️ → turn off AI-beauty.
- For night photography: In the night mode, touch AI, to disable intelligent processing.
- For the video: AI only works 1080p. Switch to the switch. 720p, to turn it off.
💡
If after the shutdown AI The pictures are too dark, increase the value ISO manually in Pro mode (optimum: 400-800 for daylight).
Important: in some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 and later) the path to settings may be different.If you don't find an option, update the Camera app via Google Play.
⚠️ Attention: When disconnected AI Redmi 9 loses the ability to shoot in 48 MP resolution (if supported by your modification), this is due to the fact that high resolution is implemented software through the use of the camera. AI-lopscaling.
Testing. AI-Camera: Real-life examples of photos
To show you exactly how. AI It's influenced by the images, and we tested four scenarios: portrait, food, night shots and landscape. MIUI 14 (Android 12), without further processing.
Portrait (daylight):
No AI: The skin is natural, but you can see minor flaws (pores, shadows under the eyes) and the background is slightly blurred, but uneven.
S AI: The skin is smoothed, the eyes are illuminated, the background is blurred more (bokeh effect), however, the hair on the edges of the face looks "cut off" due to the aggressive mask.
Food (restaurant lighting):
No AI: The colors are muted, the dish looks dull.
S AI: The saturation of red (tomato sauce) and green (durr) is increased, the contrast is added, but the salad is starting to look like plastic».
Night shooting (street with lights):
No AI: A lot of noise, the sky is black, details are lost.
S AI: noise suppressed, the sky turned blue, but artifacts appeared in the form of “oil” divorces on the asphalt.
Landscape (sunset):
No AI: The sky is pale, clouds merge with the background.
S AI: The sunset turned bright orange, the clouds are highlighted, but the grass at the bottom of the frame is overexposed.
How we tested.
Conclusion: AI It actually improves the picture 80 percent of the time, but it's 20 percent too much. AI selectively, turning it off for scenes where naturalness is important.
Top.-5 photoboard AI on the Redmi 9
Even with artificial intelligence, there are nuances that will help you take better photos. Here are proven recommendations:
- Use it. AI For macro photography, but only in good light, in the dark, you'd better switch to manual mode and zoom in. ISO until 1600.
- Turn it off. AI for moving objects (children, animals) processing delays may result in blurred frames.
- For portraits, lower the level AI-It's 30 to 40 percent beautiful, and it's still natural, but it's not a small defect.
- In night mode, use a tripod or support. AI combines several frames, and the slightest shaking of the hand will spoil the result.
- For documents, include AI-scanner – it straightens perspective and removes glare from lamps.
If you are making a video, remember: AI only works 1080p@30fps. For 720p or 60fps The processing is automatically shut down. AI does not support shooting in Pro format (where you manually adjust the shutter speed and ISO).
💡
AI Redmi 9 is best at static scenes with good lighting, and for dynamic shots or creative shots, it should be turned off.
Frequent problems with AI-camera and how to solve them
Despite all the advantages, Redmi 9 users often encounter bugs or unexpected behavior. AI. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| AI squirrels | Poor lighting or unusual object | Turn on the flash or switch to manual mode |
| Pictures too bright/dark | AI misjudged the exposure | Tap the screen to set the focus point and the exposure measurement |
| Hanging while shooting | CPU overload (especially in night mode) | Close the background apps or restart the smartphone |
| Colors look unnatural | Excessive post-processing AI | Turn it off. AI or reduce saturation in the camera settings |
| AI It does not work in some modes. | The function is not supported (e.g. in Pro or 48MP) | Check the list of supported modes in the manual |
If after the firmware update AI Stopped working at all, try it:
- Clear the Camera app cache in settings (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
- Reset the camera settings to factory (Camera settings) → Restore the default settings).
- Install alternative camera software, such as GCam (requires manual configuration).
⚠️ Note: In some regional firmware (e.g. India or China) functions AI If you notice that your model has fewer modes than in the reviews, check the firmware version through Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.