Autofocus in Xiaomi smartphones: everything you need to know about technology and settings

Have you ever wondered why photos on your Xiaomi are sharp even in motion, and on an old phone – blurry? The secret lies in the technology of autofocus, which over the past 5 years has undergone a revolutionary change. In 2026, the brand’s smartphones are equipped with several types of AF – from classic contrast to innovative laser with artificial intelligence.

This article will not just explain what autofocus is and how it works in Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO. We will understand what types of autofocus are used in current models (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro).+), How to adjust the focus to different scenarios, and what to do if the camera suddenly stopped focusing, and also compare the autofocus of flagships and public sector, so you know what exactly you overpay for.

What is autofocus and why it is important in smartphones

Autofocus (AF) — It's a system that automatically adjusts the sharpness of the image by changing the position of the lens. Unlike manual focusing, where the user manually rotates the ring on the lens (as in professional cameras), autofocus in smartphones works lightning fast - in fractions of a second. This is a very important feature for mobile photography, where:

• 📸 The subject of the shooting often moves (children, pets, sports)
• 🌃 Lighting changes instantly (transition from room to street)
• 👆 Users do not have time to set up (selfies, spontaneous shots)

In smartphones Xiaomi autofocus is implemented at the level of both hardware (special sensors and motors in the camera module) and software (algorithms of image processing based on AI). 13T Pro uses a hybrid system of laser and phase autofocus that analyzes the depth of the scene in real time.

Without autofocus, even the most advanced matrix (like Sony) IMX800 200 MP) is useless -- the photos will be blurry. AF It allows you to take pictures that are as good as DSLR cameras, but how does it work?

Types of autofocus in Xiaomi smartphones: a comparison of technologies

Xiaomi uses several types of autofocus in its devices, and the combination depends on the price segment. Let’s break down each of them so you understand how, for example, the Redmi Note 12 is inferior to the Xiaomi 14 in terms of focus.

In 2026, Xiaomi began to implement the system "AI Ultra-Fast AF" In flagship models, which combines laser and phase autofocus with neural networks to predict the movement of an object. For example, in Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the algorithm analyzes the trajectory of movement 0.5 seconds before pressing the descent, which allows you to take clear pictures of even running children or flying birds.

How autofocus works in different Xiaomi models: from budget to flagships

The difference in autofocus between Redmi 10C And Xiaomi 14 Pro, which is the same as a bicycle and a sports car, so let's compare how focusing is implemented across different price segments, and what that means for the user.

Budget models (Redmi, POCO)

In smartphones up to 20 000 rubles (for example, Redmi) 12C or POCO M5) It uses contrast autofocus. It does basic tasks:

• 📷 Photos of static objects in good lighting
• 👤 Selfie from front camera
• 📄 Scanning of documents

But if the object moves or the lighting deteriorates - and the camera begins to "catch" the focus on the light. 2-3 In the video, it's like the constant breathing of the image).

Middle segment (Redmi Note, Xiaomi)

The Redmi Note 13 Pro is a model.+ Xiaomi Civi 3 is equipped with phase autofocus (PDAF), It's often paired with a laser sensor:

• 🏃‍♂️ Instant focus on moving objects (up to 0.3 s)
• 🌙 Confident work in low light
• 🎥 Stable video shooting in 4K

But there’s a caveat: In some models (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro), laser autofocus only works on the main camera, and when switching to ultra-wire or macro, focusing can “hang over”.

Flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14 series, Mix)

Top devices (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Mix Fold 3) get hybrid systems:

• 🔦 Laser autofocus for accurate distance measurement
• 📊 Double pixel (DPAF) detailing
• 🤖 AI motion prediction (for example, for sports photography)

The result: focus in 0.03 seconds even in complete darkness, the ability to shoot macro from a distance of 2 cm, and clear video in the dark. 8K. But for this you have to pay – both literally (price from 80 000 rubles), and metaphorically: such camera modules take up a lot of space and increase the thickness of the smartphone.

How to check and set up autofocus on Xiaomi

If your camera is not focusing well, don't rush to bring your phone to the service. First, check the settings and run a simple diagnostic.

Checking the performance of autofocus

To make sure that the problem is in AF, Not in the matrix or the software:

1. Open the Camera app and switch to Photos.
2. Point the camera at an object with clear boundaries (e.g., text on paper).
3. Touch the screen in the area of the object - a yellow square of focus should appear.
4. If the square flashes red or the focus floats, the autofocus is faulty.

Autofocus settings in MIUI

In the firmware MIUI (14 and later) There are hidden settings that will help improve focusing:

1. Go to Settings. → System applications → Camera. → Camera settings.
2. Enable the option of Fast Focus (accelerates) PDAF).
3. Activate Tracking AF moving-object.
4. In the Video section, select Continuous Autofocus (AF-C).

Calibration of autofocus manually

If the camera is not focusing where it should (for example, on the background instead of the face), try resetting:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Camera, click Warehouse and select Clear Data.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: After cleaning the data, the camera will reset all user settings, including manual modes and saved filters.

Typical Autofocus Problems in Xiaomi and Their Solutions

Even in the top-end models, autofocus can fail, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

Autofocus doesn't work at all.

If the camera is not focused under any circumstances:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.
• 📱 Check if third-party camera apps (such as GCam) are installed that may conflict with native software.
• 🔧 Update the firmware: in MIUI 14.0.5+ Fixed bugs with autofocus for Xiaomi 13/14 series.

Autofocus is slow or “breathing” when shooting videos

This is a typical problem for budget models with contrasting AF. Decisions:

• 🎯 In the camera settings, turn off Continuous Autofocus and use Disposable AF (AF-S).
• 📹 When shooting a video, turn on Stabilization – this will reduce tremors and help focus.
• 🔋 Close background apps – lack of RAM can slow down image processing.

Autofocus does not work in macro mode

Macro photography is one of the most challenging tests for autofocus, and if your smartphone can't focus on close objects, it's like:

• 🕯️ Make sure that the distance to the object is not less 2-3 cm 13 Ultra - from 1.5 centimeter).
• 💡 Use extra lighting – in the dark, macro-AF works worse.
• 🔍 Switch to manual focus (if available in firmware).

⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations, autofocus still does not work, the problem may be mechanical damage to the camera module (for example, after a fall).In this case, only replacing the camera in the service center will help.

Xiaomi and other brands autofocus comparison: who is better?

Many users are wondering how Xiaomi’s autofocus correlates with Samsung, Apple, or Google, and let’s make an honest comparison of the key parameters (data for 2026).

As you can see from the table, Xiaomi 14 Ultra is not inferior to the flagships of Samsung and Apple in terms of focus speed, and in some scenarios (for example, macro shooting) even surpasses them. However, the software processing of Google and Apple remains stronger, their algorithms better cope with noise and white balance.

Xiaomi’s main advantage is the price/quality ratio, for example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro.+ 35,000 rubles offers laser autofocus, which Samsung appears only in models from 70 000 rubles.

💡

If you shoot videos often, pay attention to Xiaomi. 13T Pro – its autofocus system is optimized for dynamic scenes and supports continuous object tracking even when shooting in the film. 8K.

The future of autofocus in smartphones Xiaomi: what awaits us?

Xiaomi is investing heavily in the development of autofocus technologies, according to patents and announcements, in the coming years. 2-3 The next year we will be innovating:

• 🤖 Intent-predicting AI: The camera will focus not only on movement but also on the object’s alleged actions (e.g. if a person raises his hand to wave).
• 👁️ Deep sensors: use of Time-of-Flight (TIME-of-Flight) cameras 3D-Stage maps that allow you to focus on multiple objects at the same time.
• 🔋 Energy-efficient lasers: new infrared emitters that consume 40% less energy, which will extend the camera life.
• 📱 Adaptive autofocus: Automatic switching between types AF (contrast, phase, laser, depending on the scene.

As early as 2026, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is expected to come with ultra-wide lens and autofocus, a combination that is only found in professional cameras, and insiders are talking about developing liquid lenses that can change focal length without mechanical movements, which will increase the reliability and speed of focusing.

Another promising area is the integration of autofocus with neuromorphic chips, which will allow you to process scene information in real time with minimal energy consumption, which is critical for mobile devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about autofocus in Xiaomi