If you have ever held a Xiaomi smartphone in your hands in recent years, you probably came across the term «AI-The camera is in the specs or settings of the photo module. But what is behind this acronym? Is it just a marketing ploy or a real technology that changes the quality of the images? In this article, we will discuss in detail how artificial intelligence is integrated into Xiaomi cameras, what tasks it solves and why some users turn off. AI-functions, despite their advantages.
Just make it clear: AI-The camera is not a separate physical module, but a hardware-software complex where neural networks analyze the scene in real time and optimize the shooting parameters. POCO F5) This technology works at the processor level (most commonly Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek Dimensity) and specialized chips such as Sony. IMX But how exactly does that affect your photos -- read on.
What is it? AI-camera: in simple words
AI-An Artificial Intelligence Camera is a system that uses machine learning to automatically adjust the settings of the shooting, unlike traditional algorithms, where the camera relies on predefined rules (for example, "in low light increase"). ISO»), Artificial intelligence analyzes the context of a scene in real time, comparing it to millions of samples from its database.
For example, when you are photographing food, AI-Xiaomi camera recognizes the dish and automatically:
- 🍝 Increases the saturation of red and green shades (for salads, meat).
- 🌮 Adjusts white balance to avoid the “yellow” hue of artificial light.
- 🍰 Adds a light background blur (bokeh) to focus on the plate.
And you don't have to manually select Food mode, you just have to point the camera, and you can also recognize portraits, landscapes, documents, even pets, but there's a major drawback: sometimes you can point the camera. AI If you are mistaken in the definition of the scene, then the photo is unnatural.
How it works AI Xiaomi cameras: technical details
Technology AI-Xiaomi’s camera is based on three key components:
- Neural networks are models trained on millions of photos that classify objects on the stage (faces, sky, grass, textures, etc.).
- Specialized processors, such as Hexagon DSP in Snapdragon chips or APU MediaTek Dimensity that speeds up image processing.
- Multilayer algorithms – a combination HDR, noise reduction, autofocus and color correction, working synchronously.
The process can be divided into stages:
- Camera captures raw shot (RAW).
- AI Analyzes the scene: recognizes objects, evaluates lighting, detecting movements.
- Based on the analysis, corrections are used: for example, Night Mode 2.0 algorithm (in Xiaomi 13 Pro) is used for night shooting, which merges several frames with different exposures.
- The final image is saved in JPEG or HEIF optimized.
It is interesting that in flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra) AI It works even at the hardware acceleration level thanks to the Surge chip. C2, It reduces the load on the main processor and saves battery power. 12C) Some of the calculations are performed on Xiaomi cloud servers, which can slow down processing in a weak Internet.
💡
If your Xiaomi smartphone is warming up when shooting videos 4K switched-on AI — Try to disable the function AI Scene Detection in the camera settings, which will reduce the load on the processor.
Differences AI-cameras from the usual: a comparative table
To understand whether it is worth using AI-Let’s compare them to traditional photography:
| Parameter | A regular camera. | AI-camera |
|---|---|---|
| Scene recognition | Manual mode selection (portrait, night, landscape) | Automatic determination (food, sunset, text, animals) |
| White balance | Fixed presets (auto, cloud, lamp) | Dynamic correction under the light source |
| Noise suppression | A universal algorithm for all conditions | Adaptive noise suppression (stronger in the dark, weaker in the day) |
| HDR | Standard range (can overshadow the sky) | «Smart» HDR priority-based |
| Energy consumption | Low (minimum processing) | High (engaged) NPU/GPU) |
As you can see from the table, AI-The camera is more flexible, but it is less efficient and autonomous, for example, when taking serial photos (such as children or sports events), the traditional mode may be preferred because of the lower delays between frames.
💡
AI-The camera is better at static scenes (portraits, landscapes, food), whereas for dynamic objects (sports, animals) manual settings are sometimes more effective.
What Xiaomi models support AI-camera
Artificial intelligence features in cameras have appeared in Xiaomi smartphones since 2017, when the company introduced the Mi 6 with dual camera and machine learning algorithms. AI-The camera is in almost all devices of the brand, but the level of its “smartness” varies:
- 📱 Flagships: Xiaomi 13/14 series, Mix Fold 3, Black Shark 5 Pro - full-fledged AI-supportive 8K video RAW-stack.
- 📱 Mid-segment: Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5, Xiaomi 12T — basic functions (scene recognition, night mode).
- 📱 Budget models: Redmi 12C, POCO M5 — Simplified algorithms, often without cloud processing.
To check if there is any AI-The camera in your smartphone, open the Camera app and look for the following options:
- 🔍 AI Scene Detection (in settings or on the home screen).
- 🌙 Night Mode marked «AI».
- 👤 AI Portrait or AI Beauty.
In some firmware (for example, MIUI 14) AI-The functions are hidden under the menu → Intelligent functions. If you don't have options, your model doesn't support them or you need a software update.
How to turn on the hidden AI-features?
How to turn on, disable or configure AI-camera
By default. AI-Xiaomi's camera is on, but you can flexibly adjust it:
- Open the Camera app.
- Touch the icons ⚙️ (Settings) or swipe left/right to access additional modes.
- Find the section AI-Functions (or Intelligent settings).
- Activate or deactivate the following options: 🎯 AI Scene Detection – Automatic Scene Recognition. 🌃 AI Night Mode - Improve nighttime photos. 👗 AI Beauty – face retouch (adjust the intensity with a slider!). 📄 AI Document Mode - Perspective Correction for Photo Documents.
For fine-tuning (for example, in Xiaomi 13 Ultra), advanced options are available:
- 🔄 AI Frame Suggestion – Composition Tips (Rule of Thirds, Golden Triangle).
- 🎨 AI Color Boost – enhancement of colors for specific objects (flowers, sunsets).
- 👁️ AI Eye Tracking – Autofocus on the eyes in portrait mode.
Turn it off. AI Beauty for Natural Portraits
Turn it on. AI HDR Only in the high contrast of the scene
Use it. AI Night Mode with a tripod or stable surface
Turn it off. AI Scene Detection for macro photography (to avoid blurring)-->
After inclusion AI Photos are too “plastic” or unnatural, try it:
- Reduce the intensity AI Beauty to 20–30%.
- Shut down. AI Scene Detection and manually select a mode (e.g. Pro Mode).
- Remove in format RAW (in camera settings) and process the photo later in Lightroom or Snapseed.
⚠️ Note: In some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) AI-The camera automatically applies the Xiaomi watermark or Shot on... to photos. To remove it, go to the camera settings. → Watermark and turn off the option.
Problems AI-Xiaomi cameras and how to solve them
Despite the benefits, users often face typical challenges. AI-Here are the most common and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Photos too "smooth" like plastic | Excessive processing AI Beauty or AI Scene | Turn it off. AI Beauty or reduce the intensity to 10-20% |
| The camera is “thinking” before shooting | AI Analyze the scene (especially in the dark) | Switch to Pro Mode or turn it off AI Scene Detection |
| Unnatural colors (for example, green grass becomes turquoise) | Mistake in scene definition AI | Manually select Landscape mode or calibrate white balance |
| When shooting the video, artifacts appear (strips, blur) | AI-Stabilization is in conflict with high resolution | Turn it off. AI Video Enhancement or lower the resolution to 1080p |
Another frequent complaint is overheating of the smartphone during long shooting with AI. This is because neural networks load the processor by 70 to 90 percent:
- 🔋 Close the background applications before shooting.
- 🌡️ Use a cooling case or remove in short sessions.
- ⚙️ Turn it off. AI Scene Detection for Video (in camera settings).
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI AI-the camera stopped working (for example, does not recognize scenes), try resetting the camera settings: → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data. It will remove the cache, but it won't affect your photos.
AI-Google Camera (GCam): Which is better?
Many Xiaomi owners install an alternative camera software – Google Camera (GCam), known for its advanced processing. HDR+ And then we'll compare it to the home. AI-camera:
- ✅ The pros of GCam: 📸 More natural color reproduction (less “clamped” tones). 🌃 Best Night Mode with Night Sight Algorithm. 🔍 More detailed images in the RAW.
- ❌ Cons of GCam: ⚙️ Requires manual adjustment (XML-configuration for each model). 📱 Not all functions work (for example, AI Beauty or Document Mode). 🔄 May slow down on budget smartphones.
If you decide to try GCam, consider:
- Download versions adapted to your model (for example, for the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+ It's a GCam 8.4. BSG).
- Set the right one. XML-Config (settings for a specific smartphone).
- Turn off your family. AI-Functions to avoid conflicts.
For most users, the native AI-Xiaomi's camera will be enough, especially if you value convenience and don't want to mess with the settings. But for enthusiasts who are willing to take the time to calibrate, the GCam can give better results in difficult conditions (for example, when shooting against the sun).