Lens on the phone Xiaomi Redmi: device, types and how to use it correctly

The camera has long been a key criterion in choosing a device, especially in the Xiaomi Redmi line, where the manufacturer is actively experimenting with optics, offering users a wide range of options - from ultra-wide-angle modules to telephoto lenses with optical zoom. But what really lies behind the term "lens on the phone"? Why some models take sharp pictures in low light, and others "soap" even during the day? And how to use the variety of lenses in your Redmi to get professional shots?

In this article, we will discuss in detail the types of lenses, their technical characteristics (from aperture to focal length), as well as give practical tips for shooting. You will learn how the main module differs from a macro or depth sensor, how optical stabilization works in the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+ And for those who are planning to buy, here's a comparison of the best Xiaomi Redmi models for camera quality.

If you’ve ever wondered why your Redmi 10 takes dim night photos and your Redmi’s. K60 The Pro does this job perfectly, and the answer lies in the lens!

1.What is a lens in a smartphone and how does it work

A smartphone lens is an optical system consisting of one or more lenses that focuses light on the camera matrix to form an image. Unlike soapboxes or SLR cameras, where the lenses are removable, phones have them built into the case and cannot be replaced. However, this does not prevent manufacturers, including Xiaomi, from equipping their devices with several modules with different characteristics.

The main functions of the lens:

• 🔍 Focusing light – directs beams to the sensor to create a clear image.
• 📏 Adjusting the viewing angle – wide-angle lenses capture more space, telephotos – bring distant objects closer.
• 🌓 Light Transmission Control – Aperture determines how much light will hit the matrix.

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are most often found multi-module systems: the main lens (wide-angle), ultra-wide-angle, macro and deep sensors. For example, in the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ A four-modular camera with optical zoom 3 is installed×, Budget models (e.g. Redmi) 12C) double-lens.

It is important to understand that the quality of the lens directly affects the final result:

• 🔹 Plastic lenses are cheaper, but distort the picture around the edges (especially noticeable in the budget Redmis).
• 🔹 Glass lenses (e.g. in Redmi) K70 Pro) more expensive but provide better sharpness and colour reproduction.
• 🔹 The coating of lenses (anti-glare, hydrophobic) protects against glare and contamination.

2. Types of lenses in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones

Xiaomi Redmi offers a variety of optical modules, each designed for specific tasks, and let’s understand what each type of lens is responsible for and in which models it occurs.

1. Primary (wide-angle) lens

This is the eye of your camera, the most versatile module that's used by default.

• 📸 Focal distance: usually 24-28 mm (equivalent to full-frame cameras).
• 🕳️ Aperture: the smaller the number (for example, f/1.7 redmi K60), the more light the lens passes through.
• 🔄 Autofocus: in top models, laser or phase (Dual Pixel) is used, in budget models - contrasting.

Example: In Redmi Note 12 Pro+ The main module has permission 200 MP and aperture f/1.69, This allows you to take detailed photos even at dusk.

2. Ultra wide-angle lens

It's used to take pictures of landscapes, architecture, or large companies, and the viewing angle of these modules is 115.°–120° (70°–80° But they have disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Distortions along the edges (“barrel” geometry).
• ⚠️ Less aperture (usually) f/2.2–f/2.4).

In Redmi 11 Pro ultra-wide-angle module has a resolution of 8 MP and a viewing angle of 118°.

Telephoto lens (zoom)

It allows you to zoom in on distant objects without losing quality. There are two types of Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🔍 Optical zoom (e.g. 2)× 3× redmi K50 Ultra – Uses real lenses.
• 🔍 Digital zoom – software increase (quality drops at 5)×).

4. Macro lens

Designed to capture small objects from a distance 2–10 See Redmi. 10A redmi 12 It's usually a module on 2–5 Fixed focus MP, the main drawback is low light (f/2.4), Which requires good lighting.

5. Deep sensor (ToF or monocular)

It is not a lens in the classic sense, but it helps create a bokeh effect (blurred background) found in mid-range models such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro.

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Ultra-wide angle lens is useful for landscapes, but due to distortions is not suitable for portraits. For high-quality zoom, choose models with an optical telephoto module (for example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro).+).

3. Key characteristics of lenses: what to pay attention to

When choosing a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone for camera quality, it is important to pay attention not only to the megapixels, but also to the parameters of the lens, let’s understand what technical terms mean and how they affect shooting.

1. Aperture (diaphragm)

It's designated as f/1.7, f/2.0 And so the smaller the number, the wider the aperture, and the more light that comes to the sensor, which is critical for shooting in the dark:

• 🌙 f/1.6–f/1.8 — Great for night photos (like Redmi) K70 Pro).
• 🌤️ f/2.2–f/2.4 — It requires good lighting (budget models).

Focal distance

Measured in millimeters and determines the "angle of view" of the lens:

• 📷 24–28 mm – standard wide-angle (universal).
• 🌄 12–16 mm – ultra-wide-angle (for landscapes).
• 🔭 50–100 mm – telephoto (for zoom).

In Redmi Note 12 Pro+ The main module has an equivalent focal length of 24 mm, and the telephoto is 75 mm.

Optical stabilization (OIS)

Compensates for the tremors of hands when shooting video or photos at long exposures. Found in flagships (for example, Redmi). K60 Budget models bypass electronic stabilization (EIS), clipper.

4. Type of autofocus

Responsible for the speed and accuracy of sharpening:

• ⚡ Phase (PDAF) — Fast, accurate (used in Redmi Note 11 Pro)+).
• 🐢 Contrast – slower, can “miss” in dynamic scenes.
• 💡 Laser is the fastest, but rarely seen in Redmi.

5. Material of lenses

Affects sharpness and durability:

• 🔮 Glass - better transmits colors, resistant to scratches.
• 🧴 Plastic is cheaper, but it gets cloudy and distorts the picture faster.

⚠️ Note: If the characteristics are specified «50 MP", but aperture f/2.4 Plastic lenses, the real quality of the photo will be worse than that of the «12 MP" with aperture f/1.8 And the megapixels are not the main indicator!

4.How to improve the quality of photos on Xiaomi Redmi: tips for setting up

Even with a mediocre lens, you can take good pictures if you set the camera right. Here are practical tips for Xiaomi Redmi owners:

1. Turn off the digital zoom

Increased by more than 2-3× (If you don't have an optical telephoto, the quality drops dramatically. Better get closer or crop the photo later.

2. Use Manual Mode (Pro Mode)

In the Camera app, go to More → Pro and manually adjust:

• 📥 ISO — The lower the noise (for example, 100-400), the less noise.
• ⏱️ Exposure – for night shots increase to 1/10–1 c (use a tripod!).
• 🎯 Focus – tap the object for accurate tipping.

3. Shoot in format RAW

Files.DNG They save more parts for post-processing. → Format → RAW.

4. Clean the lens.

Dust and greasy prints on the lenses degrade the quality. Use a microfibre wipe and alcohol solution (no more than 70%).

5. Experiment with regimes

• 🌃 Night mode – holds the camera longer to capture light (works better when stabilizing).
• 👤 Portrait – uses a deep sensor to blur the background.
• 🌺 Macro – approach the object by 2-5 cm.

⚠️ Attention: In Redmi multi-camera models (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro), the core module always delivers better quality than the ultra-wide-angle or macro.

5. Comparison of lenses in popular Xiaomi Redmi models

To understand which model Xiaomi Redmi is right for you, compare the optical capabilities of several popular devices. Pay attention to the aperture, stabilization and type of zoom – these parameters are the most powerful influence on the quality of photos.

In models with optical zoom (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) digital increase to 30× It is implemented using a hybrid algorithm, but the really useful zoom is only up to 10.×.

If you want to know more detail, choose models with high resolution core module (108-200 MP) and optical stabilization, travel will be useful ultra-wide-angle lens, and portraits – camera with good bokeh (for example, Redmi). K70 Pro).

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Before buying, check the camera tests on DxOMark or GSMArena sites – they objectively assess the quality of lenses in different conditions (day/night, video, zoom).

6. Frequent problems with Xiaomi Redmi lenses and how to solve them

Even the top-end Xiaomi Redmi models can have optics issues, and let's look at common faults and how to fix them.

1. Blurred photos

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🧹 Dirty lens – wipe the lenses with a microfiber wipe.
• 🤳 Trembling hands – use a tripod or turn on Night mode.
• 🔧 Autofocus Failure – Restart your phone or reset your camera settings (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data).

2. Glare and illumination

They come when light hits the lens.

• ☀️ Shoot against the sun or use manual exposure settings.
• 🕶️ Put on the phone a blendo (can be made of black cardboard).

3. Edge distortion (on ultra-wide-angle lens)

This is normal for wide-angle optics, but it can be reduced by:

• 📐 Enable distortion correction in camera settings.
• ✂️ Cut the edges of the photo in the editor (for example, in Google Photos).

4. The lens is not focused

If the autofocus is floating or not working:

• 🔄 Switch to Manual Mode and set the focus manually.
• 🛠️ A physical defect (e.g. after a fall) may occur, in which case repairs are required.

⚠️ Note: If after the software update the camera became worse focus, try to roll back to the previous version of the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a Service Package.

7.External lenses for Xiaomi Redmi: is it worth buying

If the built-in optics aren't enough, you can extend the camera's capabilities with external lenses, which are attached to the phone body with a clip or a magnetic ring, and consider the pros and cons of this solution.

Types of external lenses

• 🔍 Macro – for shooting small objects (increase to 15)×).
• 🌄 Wide-angle - widens the viewing angle to 180° (fish-eye).
• 🔭 Telephotos: Increases zoom to 20× (But the quality is worse than the optical).

Pros:

• ✅ It’s cheaper than buying a new phone.
• ✅ Easy to remove and transfer to another device.

Cons:

• ❌ Quality is worse than built-in modules (especially in budget nozzles).
• ❌ It is inconvenient to carry with you (requires a cover).
• ❌ Can block flash or other sensors.

Popular brands:

• 📷 Xenvo – a set of macro and wide-angle lenses (~2 500 ₽).
• 📷 Olloclip - premium nozzles with magnetic fastening (~5 000 ₽).
• 📷 Apexel - budget option (~1 000 ₽).

⚠️ Note: Before buying, check the nozzle compatibility with your Redmi model – some lenses are not suitable for protrusion cameras (for example, in the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+).

8.The future of lenses in Xiaomi smartphones: what to expect

Smartphone manufacturers are actively working to improve optics, and in the coming years, the following innovations can be expected in the Xiaomi Redmi lineup:

1. Periscopic lenses

Already used in flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra). Allow you to achieve optical zoom 5×–10× Redmi can have these modules in 2026.

2. Liquid lenses

A technology where the shape of the lens is changed by the electric field, allowing you to instantly switch between focal lengths.

• ⚡ Fast focus.
• 📏 Compact (no need for multiple modules).

3. Improved night photography

Increase the size of the sensor (e.g., to 1/1.1") and use of pixel binning (combining pixels to increase light sensitivity).

4. Artificial intelligence

Algorithms will not only improve photos after the fact, but also predict the movement of objects for perfect focus (there are already rudiments in Redmi). K70 Pro).

Maybe already in Redmi Note 14 or Redmi. K80 We'll see hybrid lenses with variable focal length or underwater photography without an additional case.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi lenses