Have you ever noticed that photos on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 sometimes turn out too dark in the shadows or overlit in the bright sun? The reason for this is the limited dynamic range of standard shooting. It is to solve this problem that the smartphone has HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode. But how it works in this particular model, when it should be used and when it should be turned off? In this article, we will understand all the nuances of the technology, test it on real examples and give a checklist of optimal settings.
Let's just say, the Redmi Note 8, released in 2019, has a 48 MP quadruple camera (Samsung GM1), and its HDR is software-hardware, which means that the smartphone doesn't just glue together multiple frames, like flagships do, but optimizes exposure with the sensor's capabilities. But there are pitfalls: for example, HDR can slow down shooting by 0.3-0.5 seconds in low light or create artifacts on moving objects.
What is HDR and how does it work in Redmi Note 8?
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a technology that allows the camera to capture more detail in the lightest and darkest areas of the frame. In the Redmi Note 8, it works on the following principle:
- 📸 The smartphone takes several pictures in a row with different exposures (usually 3-5 frames: normal, overlit and underlit).
- 🖥️ Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor analyzes each frame and highlights the best areas (for example, the sky from one picture, the shadows from another).
- 🎨 Algorithms MIUI Camera glue these areas into one balanced frame, adding color and contrast correction.
Important: in the Redmi Note 8 HDR activated automatically in mode "AI-camera" (if the option is enabled in the settings) or manually through the icon HDR It's in the application interface. HDR It doesn’t always work, for example, it may ignore scenes with artificial lighting or night shots where its effectiveness is minimal.
Technically, HDR supports resolutions of up to 12 MP (it shuts down automatically when shooting at 48 MP), due to the limitations of the processor: processing a few 48 MP frames would take too much time and resources.
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If you want the maximum resolution (48 MP), HDR will have to be turned off, but for most scenes, 12 MP is enough, and the difference in detail will only be noticeable when you zoom in.
When HDR is needed and when to turn it off
HDR is not universal -- there are situations where it saves a frame and cases where it only spoils it.
| Situation | You need HDR? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Bright sun (beach, snow, contrasting landscapes) | ✅ Yes. | Prevents the re-light of the sky and the study of shadows (for example, on the face) |
| Sunset or dawn | ✅ Yes. | Keeps the colors of the sky and details in the foreground |
| Night shooting (no night mode) | ❌ No. | HDR increases noise and can make the frame darker |
| Moving objects (children, animals, sports) | ❌ No. | Multi-frame shooting leads to "ghosts" (blurred take) |
| Artificial lighting (lamps, lanterns) | ⚠️ Situation | It can enhance color artifacts, but sometimes saves from yellow. |
HDR is especially useful when taking portraits against a bright background (such as a person in front of a window), in which case the algorithm may misidentify the main object and make the face too dark to pull the background. Solution: try to turn on Portrait mode, it prioritizes the exposure over the face.
How to turn on or off HDR in the camera
In Redmi Note 8, HDR control is hidden in the camera settings, but is available in two clicks.
- Open the Camera app.
- Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings (or swipe from the right edge of the screen if you use gestures).
- Select HDR (usually the fourth item in the list).
- Set one of the regimes: 🔄 Auto – the smartphone decides when to use HDR (recommended for beginners). ✅ On. — HDR It works always, even if it is not necessary (can slow down the shooting). ❌ Off. — HDR completely off.
Also, some versions of MIUI firmware have a hidden AI HDR option, which combines HDR with artificial intelligence to fine-tune the exposure. To find it, go to Camera Settings → Additional → AI HDR (if there is no item, then your version of the software does not support it).
Is the regime on? AI-camera (if you need an automatic camera) HDR)|
Permission tested (HDR only works up to 12 MP) |
Night mode is disabled (it conflicts with HDR)|
Cleared memory (HDR requires a buffer for multiple frames)-->
Compare photos with HDR and without: real examples
We tested the Redmi Note 8 camera in typical scenarios and compared the results:
Test 1: Landscape against the Sun
Without HDR, the sky is overlit (white spots) and the trees below are too dark. With HDR, the sky is worked out, the texture of the clouds is visible, but the grass is slightly less saturated.
Test 2: Portrait in the Shadow on a Bright Background
No HDR: Face darkened, background normal. HDR: face lightened, but there was a slight halo around the head due to processing.
Test 3: Night street with lanterns
Without HDR: the lights are overlit, but there's less noise. With HDR, the lights look more natural, but there's green artifacts on the pavement.
The conclusion: HDR does improve detail in difficult conditions, but sometimes it introduces its own distortions. The best option is to use Auto mode and, if necessary, take frames with HDR turned off.
How to make a duplicate frame without HDR
Common HDR Problems and How to Solve Them
Redmi Note 8 users often encounter typical HDR bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
⚠️ Attention: If, after activation, HDR If you have a camera that starts to lay down or takes a long time to process the pictures, check the space available on the device. HDR At least 1.5 GB of free memory is required.
- 🐢 Slow-motion. Reason: multi-frame processing. Solution: turn it off. HDR Or use it only in static scenes.
- 👻 "Ghosts on moving objects. Cause: overlapping frames with different positions of objects. Solution: take photos with exposure 1/500c or faster (manually operated).
- 🎨 Unnatural colors. Cause: aggressive post-processing in MIUI. Solution: Turn it off AI-camera in settings or use third-party apps (e.g. Google Camera with ported camera) HDR+).
- 🔋 Reason: Snapdragon 665 is very loaded when processed. HDR. Solution: Connect charging or use HDR only if necessary.
If problems persist even after these actions, try resetting the camera to factory settings: go to Settings → System → Reset → Reset the camera settings. This will not delete your photos, but will return all shooting parameters to the “out of the box” state.
Alternatives to standard HDR: third-party applications
Built-in HDR Redmi Note 8 It's not perfect, but it can be improved with third-party cameras.-3 variant:
- Google Camera (GCam) Ported versions of GCam (such as those from BSG or Urnyx05) offer an HDR+ algorithm that handles noise and detail better. Minus: requires manual configurations for the Redmi Note 8.
- Open Camera. Free, open source app. Supports manual exposure settings for each HDR frame, but the interface is less intuitive.
- Adobe Lightroom. It doesn't replace HDR when you're shooting, but it lets you manually pull shadows and lights in post-processing, which is useful if you're shooting in RAW.
To install GCam on the Redmi Note 8:
- Download. APK-file from a verified source (e.g. celsoazevedo.com).
- Allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings.
- Install the app and import the config for Snapdragon 665 (look in 4PDA or XDA-Developers themes).
- In GCam settings, turn on HDR+ Enhanced and turn off MIUI Camera in the background.
⚠️ Note: Some versions of the GCam can cause the Redmi Note 8 processor to overheat during long shooting in the camera. HDR+. Watch the temperature of the device and take breaks.
HDR Shooting Tips for Redmi Note 8
To get the most out of HDR on this smartphone, follow these guidelines:
- 📏 Hold your phone straight. Even a slight shaking of your hand will cause blurry due to multi-frame shooting. Use a timer or remote control.
- 🌄 Take it down. RAW+JPEG. In the camera settings, turn on Save RAW (Path: Settings → Photo format → RAW). That'll allow it. später adjust the exposure in Lightroom.
- 🔋 Charge the phone to 50%. HDR Actively consumes the battery, and at a charge level below 20%, the camera can forcibly turn off the mode.
- 🎯 Autofocus in Redmi Note 8 is sometimes wrong when it comes to focusing. HDR. Tap the screen to set the focus point before shooting.
If you’re shooting video, remember: the HDR in Redmi Note 8 works only for photos. For video with extended dynamic range, you’ll need third-party software (for example, Filmic Pro with support for Log profiles).
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The HDR in Redmi Note 8 is best in daytime static scenes. For dynamic objects or nighttime shooting, use alternative modes (e.g., Night or Sport).