If you are the owner of Xiaomi Redmi 9 or just planning to buy it, you probably noticed in the characteristics of the mention of the Redmi 9. AI-But is it really a marketing ploy or a really useful feature? In the budget segment, manufacturers often use the term "artificial intelligence" to attract attention, but in the case of the Redmi 9, there is a specific set of capabilities behind it.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how it works. AI-You can see the camera in Xiaomi Redmi 9, what it does, and whether you should pay attention to it when choosing a smartphone, and you will learn about the hidden settings, the limitations of the technology, and how to make the most of it in everyday shooting. And also, compare the real results with the manufacturer’s promises so that you can objectively assess the benefits of the function.
What does it mean "AI-The camera in the characteristics of the Redmi 9
term AI-The camera (from the English Artificial Intelligence Camera) in the context of Xiaomi Redmi 9 does not mean a separate physical module, but a software package that analyzes the scene in front of the lens and automatically adjusts the shooting parameters. AI processing RAW-Real-time file or object recognition, in the budget Redmi 9, its capabilities are modest, but still useful.
The main tasks that AI solves in the camera of this smartphone:
- 📸 Scene recognition – determining the type of shooting (portrait, landscape, night shooting, document, etc.) and automatic optimization of settings.
- 🌈 Color correction – increased saturation of the sky, greens or skin depending on the context.
- 🔍 Facial detection – focusing on the eyes, smoothing skin tone and highlighting shadows in portraits.
- 🌃 Night mode – reducing noise and improving detail in low light.
It is important to understand that AI It doesn't replace hardware constraints. 9 sub-module 13 MPP (f/2.2) And without optical stabilization, even the smartest algorithm won't make it a flagship camera, but for its price tag, it does basic things better than its competitors. AI-optimization.
How to turn on and set up AI-camera on Redmi 9
Default function AI-The cameras in Xiaomi Redmi 9 are activated, but you can turn it off or fine-tune it to your needs:
- Open the standard Camera app.
- Touch the icons ⚙️ (Settings) in upper right corner.
- Go to section. AI-camera.
- Activate or deactivate the switch to turn on AI.
Additional options (not available in all firmware versions):
- 🎨 AI-Scenes - Automatic recognition 27+ types of scenes (sunset, snow, food, flowers, etc.).
- 👤 AI-portrait – blurring background and improving the face in people’s photos.
- 🌙 AI-night – increased brightness and detail in the dark.
If you don’t have some items on your menu, update the Camera app via Google Play or check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone. Starting with MIUI 12.5, the camera interface has been redesigned and some of the features moved to the Additional section.
Open the camera and point at a bright object (flower, sky)
Make sure that a prompt with the name of the scene appears at the top of the screen (such as “Flowers” or “Sunset”)
Take a photo with the AI on and off, then compare the results
Check the work of facial recognition in portrait pictures-->
Real opportunities AI-cameras: tests and comparisons
To objectively assess the benefits AI-We ran a series of tests in different environments in Redmi 9, and the results were mixed: in some scenarios, the algorithms actually improve quality, and in others, they just add excess processing.
| The shooting scene | AI is off | AI on. | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait on the street (day) | Natural colors, but dull skin | Brighter skin, blurred background, but sometimes overlit shadows | ✅ Good for social media. |
| Landscape with sky | Gray sky, low contrast | Saturated skies, but sometimes artifacts appear on the clouds | ⚠️ It is better to turn off when shooting sunsets |
| Night shooting (street) | Lots of noise, dark shadows. | Less noise, but the details are blurred. | ✅ Optimal for quick shots |
| Documents/text | Readable but dull | Contrasting, but sometimes distorted colors | ❌ Better off for scans. |
Key conclusion: AI-The camera in Redmi 9 is the most useful for portraits and night photography, but often spoils landscapes and documents with excessive processing. If you take photos for social networks, the feature will be useful.
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To quickly turn off the AI during shooting, tap the AI icon in the top panel of the camera (a crossed icon will appear).
Hidden functions AI-The cameras that not everyone knows about
In addition to the basic options, Redmi 9 has several hidden features. AI-Cameras that can be activated via Pro Mode or third-party apps:
- 🔄 AI HDR — automatically activates in difficult lighting conditions (e.g. against light), but it can be forced to activate in manual settings.
- 🎭 AI-beauty for video – smoothing the skin and color correction in real time when recording (included in the video settings).
- 📏 AI-framing – compositional tips (rule of thirds, horizon) when shooting landscapes.
- 🔍 AI-macro – improved focusing on close objects (only works in good lighting).
To access these functions:
- Go to Pro Mode (fly through the camera modes to the left).
- Touch the icons ⚙️ and activate the options. AI HDR and AI-framing.
- For video, turn on Beauty in the recording settings.
How to forcefully turn on AI-macro
Note that some features may not be available in the global firmware version, and you may need to switch to MIUI China or use community patches (e.g., via Xiaomi.eu).
Limitations and shortcomings AI-cameras in Redmi 9
Despite the obvious advantages, AI-Redmi 9 has a number of limitations that the manufacturer is silent about:
⚠️ Attention: AI-algorithms consume additional processor resources, which can lead to overheating of the smartphone during prolonged video shooting in the processor. 1080p. At a body temperature above 42°The camera automatically disables some functions. AI cool.
Main problems:
- ⚡ Increased battery consumption – with active use AI Autonomy falls 15-20% faster.
- 🐢 Slow processing – between pressing down and saving photos from AI It can take up to 1-2 seconds.
- 🎨 Color distortion - in mode AI-Sometimes the sky becomes unnaturally blue and the skin pink.
- 🌃 Restrictions on nighttime — AI It works only with static objects; when moving, “ghost” artifacts appear.
Another nuance: AI-camera does not support the shooting in RAW. If you save your photo in.dng format (available in Pro Mode), all optimizations are available. AI It makes sense because it's not. RAW This involves manual post-processing, but should be considered when choosing a format.
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For maximum quality in poor lighting, use a combination AI-The algorithm sums up several frames, but requires the camera to be stationary.
AI-Google Camera: What’s Best for Redmi 9
Many Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners install third-party shooting software, such as Google Camera (GCam), and compare how AI works in a standard app and in GCam:
| Parameter | Stock camera (AI) | Google Camera (with port) |
|---|---|---|
| Scene recognition | 27+ scenes, but sometimes wrong | Less scenes, but more accurately. |
| Night mode. | It works fast, but noisy. | It takes longer to process, but cleaner. |
| Portrait mode | Strong background blur, sometimes artifacts | More natural bokeh |
| Color rendering | Bright but sometimes unnatural | More balanced |
The choice between them depends on your tasks:
- 📱 Stock camera is suitable for fast shooting and social networks.
- 📷 Google Camera is better for detailed photos, but requires manual adjustment.
To install GCam on Redmi 9, download the port from BSG or Urnyx05 (Snapdragon 662 version and enable settings HDR+ Note: Some GCam builds may not support AI-face-recognition.