Have you ever noticed that in some photos from Xiaomi phone the sky looks too bright and the shadows look completely black, while in other pictures everything is balanced? Most likely, it is in HDR mode. This technology has become the standard for modern smartphones, but not all users understand how it works and when it should be turned on (or vice versa – turn off).
In this article, we will discuss what HDR is in a Xiaomi camera, how it affects photo quality, what is the difference between HDR, Auto HDR and HDR+, and give practical tips for setting up. We will focus on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi 13/14 flagships, where the implementation of HDR has its own nuances. If you want to learn how to take pictures with the right exposure in any environment, read on.
What is HDR and why you need it in your smartphone camera
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a technology that allows the camera to capture more detail in the lightest and darkest parts of the frame. The name means "high dynamic range," and it's key to understanding the essence. Without HDR, the smartphone camera often "does not cope" with contrasting scenes: either the sky in the photo turns into a white spot, or the faces in the shadows become silhouettes.
How does it work in practice? When shooting in HDR mode, Xiaomi's camera takes multiple images in a row with different exposures (from very dark to very light), and then combines them into one photo, saving details in all areas, for example, on the beach you get both blue sky with clouds and sand with textures, not scorched white spots.
- 🌄 No HDR: sky overlit, shadows clogged, loss of detail.
- 📸 S HDR: balanced picture, visible and clouds, and faces in the shadow.
- ⚡ Minus. HDR: There may be a “ghost” blurring of moving objects.
It’s important to understand that HDR doesn’t improve resolution or add megapixels — it works with dynamic range, especially on Xiaomi smartphones with Sony IMX cameras (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), where hardware support for HDR is implemented at a high level.
How HDR works in Xiaomi cameras: technical details
Xiaomi’s HDR technology is implemented on two levels: hardware (with sensor capabilities) and software (with MIUI Camera processing algorithms). Let’s take a look at what happens under the hood when you click on the camera spoiler.
Most current models (starting with Xiaomi 11 and Redmi Note 10) use multi-frame HDR. This means that the camera does not take 2-3 pictures, as before, but up to 5-7 frames with different exposures, some of which can have ultra-short shutter speeds (to save details in lights) and ultra-long exposures (to work out shadows).
| Xiaomi model | Type HDR | Number of staff | Support for Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | HDR10+ / Dolby Vision | 9 frames | Yes. |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | Auto HDR (multi-frame) | 5 frames | No. |
| POCO F5 Pro | HDR+ with night mode | 7 frames | No. |
| Xiaomi 12S Ultra | Leica Natural HDR | 8 frames | Yes. |
The flagships with support for Dolby Vision HDR (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) are special, using an extended dynamic range that allows you to record video in HDR10+ format with a brightness of up to 4000 nits, which is relevant for shooting content for modern TVs and monitors with support for HDR.
⚠️ Note: On budget models (e.g. Redmi) 10A or POCO M5) multi-frame HDR It can be slower because of a weak processor. HDR or disable the function when shooting moving objects.
Auto HDR vs. Manual powering: what’s best for Xiaomi
In the MIUI Camera app, you'll find two main HDR modes: Auto HDR and Manual. Which one to choose? It all depends on the scene and your experience.
Auto HDR analyzes lighting in real time and only allows multi-frame photography when needed.
- 🌞 Scene contrast (difference between the lightest and darkest parts).
- 👥 The presence of faces in the frame (so as not to overlight the skin).
- 🏃 Movement of objects (to minimize blurring).
Automation is not perfect, however, for example, it may miss the point when you need to save details in lights (for example, when shooting against the sun), or vice versa, turn on HDR where it will only worsen the quality (for example, in fog or in low light).
Manually turning on HDR gives you more control, but it requires knowing when to use it, and we recommend turning on HDR manually in the following cases:
Landscapes with bright sky (sunsets, beaches)
Contrast Scenes (Window + Dark Room)
Architecture with shadows and light
Portraits in the bright sun (so as not to over-glow the face)-->
⚠️ Note: On models with Leica optics (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) manual HDR It can produce more natural colors than Auto. HDR, Special processing profiles from Leica.
How to turn on or off HDR on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
The HDR setting in Xiaomi smartphones depends on the MIUI version and the device model. We will look at the universal way for most devices (relevant to MIUI 14 and later), as well as some nuances for flagships and budget models.
Universal instruction:
- Open the Camera app.
- Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings (or swipe up the screen on some models).
- Find the HDR section (can be called Auto HDR or HDR Improvement).
- Choose one of the options: Off. - HDR is not used. Auto - the camera decides when to turn on. On. - HDR is always active (not available on all models).
On flagships (Xiaomi 13/14, Mix Fold) in the camera settings can be an additional item Dolby Vision or Leica Authentic – these modes also use advanced HDR, but with unique processing algorithms.
Where is HDR on POCO and Redmi?
For models with Google Camera (GCam), the configuration process is different, where HDR is enabled via LibPatched or Sabre settings (depending on the modification), usually just select the HDR+ Enhanced profile in the module settings.
💡
If HDR photos are longer saved after you turn on, try turning off the option to Save Original in the camera settings, which will speed up processing, but you will lose the ability to compare before and after HDR.
HDR and Night Shooting: Are They Compatible?
Many Xiaomi users are wondering: can HDR be used with Night Mode? The answer is yes, but with reservations. Most models have the two technologies synchronized, but the algorithms for combining them are different.
Here's how it works in practice:
- 🌙 Night mode increases exposure and reduces noise due to long exposure and multi-frame addition.
- 🌅 HDR Balances exposure between light and dark areas.
- 🔄 Combo mode (available on flagships) combines both approaches: first applied HDR to capture dynamic range, then night processing to reduce noise.
On budget models (Redmi 10, POCO M4), the simultaneous use of HDR and night mode can be over-processing – photos become too “plastic” or lose their natural colors.
💡
For static night scenes (e.g. cityscapes), use night mode. For dynamic scenes with contrasting lighting (e.g., an evening portrait with lights), turn on HDR.
Xiaomi’s flagships (like the 13 Pro or 14 Ultra) can automatically determine when to combine both technologies. HDR Or Pro Night Mode.
Common HDR Issues on Xiaomi and How to Fix Them
Even with all the advantages, HDR on Xiaomi smartphones sometimes doesn’t work as well as you’d like, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The photos are blurry. | Movement of objects or trembling of hands during multi-frame shooting | Use a tripod or turn on HDR only for static scenes |
| Colors look unnatural | Aggressive processing in Auto HDR mode | Try manual HDR or turn it off altogether. |
| HDR does not automatically turn on | Software failure or budget processor limitations | Update the MIUI Camera or enable HDR manually |
| Slow-motion footage. | Multi-frame processing takes time | Turn off the originals or use Auto HDR |
Another typical situation is that HDR works well on the main camera, but it works poorly on the ultra-wide or telephoto lens, which is because the auxiliary modules often have less advanced sensors. For example, on the Xiaomi 12T Pro, the main camera at 200 MP supports full HDR, and the 8MP ultra-wire only supports a simplified version.
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI quality HDR worsened (for example, there was a green hue in the photo), try resetting the camera settings to the factory: → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.
HDR comparison on different Xiaomi models: what’s better in 2026
Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equally good at HDR. We tested several popular models and made a rating on the quality of processing:
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra (Leica) is the best HDR thanks to a joint development with Leica. supports Dolby Vision and 10-bit color reproduction.
- Xiaomi 13 Pro is a great detail in shadows and lights, but sometimes overdoses with saturation.
- The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is surprisingly good for the mid-range, especially in Auto HDR mode.
- The POCO F5 Pro is a fast HDR, but the colors can be too cold.
- Redmi 12 is a budget version with a simplified HDR, often losing in detail.
If you’re choosing a smartphone specifically for photography, look for models with Sony IMX8xx sensors (such as the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70 Pro) that support hardware HDR at the chip level, which gives a more natural result than software processing.
For experimentation enthusiasts: Some models (like the POCO X6 Pro) can feature Google Camera with modified HDR profiles. This can improve detail, but requires manual tuning and sometimes leads to artifacts.