Xiaomi Redmi 9, released in 2020, has become one of the most popular budget smartphones due to the balance of price and capabilities. AI-The camera is a feature that was supposed to revolutionize mobile photography in the segment up to 15,000 rubles. But what really lies behind this acronym? How artificial intelligence affects photography, and is it worth paying attention to this technology when choosing a smartphone today?
In this article, we will discuss in detail:
- 🔍 What is it? AI-The camera in the context of Redmi 9 and how it differs from conventional modules
- 📸 What specific features are implemented through AI in this smartphone (and whether they work in 2026)
- ⚖️ Pros and cons of technology – where it really helps, and where only marketing ploy
- ⚙️ How to turn on/off AI-regimes and adjust them to their needs
Spoiler: Despite loud claims, AI In the Redmi 9 camera, it's not a magical tool, but a set of algorithms that in some scenarios improve the images, and in others, it can even worsen the result.
What is it? AI-camera in Xiaomi smartphones: debunking myths
term «AI-The camera (from English Artificial Intelligence Camera) is actively used by manufacturers with a high-quality camera. 2018 And it was the year when companies like Huawei, Google and Xiaomi started integrating neural networks into image processing. 9 It is not about physical optics improvement (the sensor is standard here). 13 MPP, f/2.2), a on software processing of images using machine learning algorithms.
Specifically in this model AI It works on two levels:
- Post-processing – after clicking on the descent, the AI automatically adjusts colors, sharpness and noise based on “trained” patterns.
It's important to understand: AI Redmi 9 doesn’t have a dedicated neuroprocessor – all the calculations are performed by the main chipset MediaTek Helio G80, This limits processing speed and depth, such as flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra using specialized AI chips, which yield much more accurate results.
⚠️ Note: In Xiaomi budget models, the term «AI-Camera often means simplified algorithms that only work in a standard Camera app, and when shot through third-party programs (like Google Camera) most of the time, the camera is a very simple and simple camera. AI-functions will be disabled.
What functions AI Available in Redmi 9: full list
Redmi 9 uses several modes of artificial intelligence, and here is a complete list of what each mode does:
| Function AI | Description | The real benefit |
|---|---|---|
| AI Scene Detection | Automatic recognition 27+ types of scenes (sky, flowers, snow, documents, etc.) | Useful for beginners, but often mistaken in challenging environments (e.g. mixed lighting) |
| AI Portrait Mode | Blurring background with imitation of the “boke” effect and facial correction | Works mediocrely - the edges of objects often "tear", especially on the hair |
| AI HDR | Improved dynamic range in high contrast frames | Effective when shooting against the sun, but can overshadow shadows |
| AI Beauty | Smoothing of the skin, changing the shape of the face, lightening of the eyes | Overly aggressive processing – faces appear plastic |
| AI Ultra Wide | Correction of distortions at the edges of the wide-angle module (5 MP) | Helps, but does not save from severe deformations at the corners of the frame |
Interesting fact: in the firmware Redmi 9 there is a hidden mode AI Camera 2.0, which can be activated via an engineering menu, promises more precise object segmentation, but in practice, the difference is minimal.
How to turn on and set up AI-Redmi 9 camera: step-by-step instructions
By default. AI-Redmi 9 modes are activated, but you can flexibly configure or disable them:
- Open the standard Camera app.
- Touch the icons ⚙️ Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
- Scroll to the section. AI function.
- Activate or deactivate switches in front of the desired options: 🔄 AI Scene recognition - the main mode 👤 AI portrait 🌄 AI HDR — contrast-frame 💄 AI beauty - face correction
For fine tuning. AI Beauty (if you don’t like the standard treatment):
- Return to the main camera interface.
- Touch the icons 💄 (in the upper right corner when taking a selfie).
- Adjust the sliders: 👶 Skin smoothing (we recommend not to put above 30%) 👁️ Eye enlargement (it is better to turn off) 😊 Smile: Artificially stretching your lips
Turn it off. AI Beauty for Natural Portraits|
Activate. AI HDR only in the bright sun|
Use it. AI Scene Detection in Automatic Mode|
For night photography, turn everything off. AI-functions (they add noise)|-->
Advice: if you shoot in the format RAW (available in pro-mode, all AI-functions are turned off automatically – the camera saves raw data without processing.
Pros and cons AI-Redmi 9 cameras: an honest review
Let's look at where artificial intelligence in this model is really useful, and where it creates more problems than it solves.
✅ Advantages:
- 📱 Convenience for beginners – no need to understand manual settings, the smartphone “thinks” for you.
- 🌅 Improvement HDR — In the frames with bright sky and dark earth, AI helps to preserve details in both zones.
- 👨💻 Fast processing – no delays in shooting (unlike flagships, where AI can “think” on the subject) 2-3 seconds).
- 💰 Budget alternative – for 10 000-12 000 rubles you get features that were previously only in phones for 30 000+.
❌ Deficiencies:
- 🤖 Recycling – AI often overstates color saturation, causing the sky to become unnaturally blue and the skin to become orange.
- 🎭 Artifacts in portraits – Bokeh mode does not separate a person from the background, especially if the hair is ruffled.
- 🔋 Additional battery consumption – constant AI increases power consumption by 5-10%.
- 🚫 Does not work in third-party apps – for example, Instagram or Snapchat all AI-feature.
💡
AI Redmi 9 is not about revolutionary quality, but about the convenience of random shots. For serious photography, it is better to turn off all automatic modes and shoot in manual mode or in a serious way. RAW.
Example: When shooting food in a restaurant AI It often makes dishes juicier, but if you're taking a picture of a document, the algorithm can distort the text by adding unnecessary contrast, so you should always evaluate whether you need AI in a particular situation before you shoot it.
Comparison AI-Redmi 9 cameras with other Xiaomi smartphones
To see how advanced you are. AI-Redmi 9 camera, compare it with other models of the brand in key parameters:
| Model | Chipset | AI-function | Quality of processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 9 (2020) | Helio G80 | Basic scene recognition, portrait, HDR | Simplified algorithms, frequent errors |
| Redmi Note 10 Pro (2021) | Snapdragon 732G | + night-time AI, bokeh | More accurate segmentation, fewer artifacts |
| Xiaomi 11T (2021) | Dimensity 1200 | + AI video enhancement 4K, professional filters | High quality, but warms up during long shooting |
| POCO X3 Pro (2021) | Snapdragon 860 | Similar to Redmi 9, but with better optimization | Less lags, more natural colors |
As you can see from the table, the Redmi 9 is losing a lot to even newer budget models. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro uses a dedicated model. AI-And in flagships like Xiaomi 13, AI works at the neural network level with millions of frames trained, allowing you to recognize even exotic scenes like the aurora borealis or underwater photography.
Why Redmi 9 doesn’t have a night mode AI?
Typical problems with AI-Redmi 9 camera and how to solve them
Redmi 9 users often face a number of problems related to the operation of artificial intelligence, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
🔴 Problem 1: AI misrecognizes scenes
Symptoms: The camera confuses the landscape with food, or the document with the portrait, which makes the colors appear unnatural.
Decision:
- Turn it off. AI scene recognition in camera settings.
- Use Manual Mode (Pro) and adjust white balance manually.
🔴 Problem 2: Portrait mode “eats” the edges of objects
Symptoms: Hair, glasses, or small details on the border of the person and background are cropped or blurred.
Decision:
- Step 1.5-2 meters away from the object, and it is easier for the algorithm to segment at a distance.
- Use a rear camera (13 MP) rather than a front camera (5 MP) – it has better detail.
- After shooting, rework the edge of the mask in Snapseed or Lightroom.
🔴 Problem 3: AI Beauty is too aggressive
Symptoms: Faces look like plastic dolls, and natural features are lost.
Decision:
- Turn it off. AI beauty completely or reduce the intensity to 10-20%.
- Take it down. RAW And you can manually process the photos.
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI AI-the camera has become worse (for example, artifacts or slowdowns have appeared), try resetting the camera settings through Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data. It'll bring back the factory processing parameters.
Alternatives to a standard camera: can you improve? AI Redmi 9?
If you are not satisfied with the quality of shooting through a standard application, there are several ways to improve the results:
📌 Method 1: Install Google Camera (GCam)
Modified versions of Google Camera (e.g. from a developer) BSG) Supports improved algorithms HDR+ and night mode, which is not in the stock camera Redmi 9. 4PDA (Look for the theme "GCam for Helio" G80»).
The advantages of GCam:
- 🌃 Best Night Sight (Night Mode) – Even without AI gives cleaner shots.
- 🎨 More natural color reproduction.
- 🔍 Improved Detailing Through Multi-Exposure Shooting.
📌 Method 2: Use third-party applications
Apps like Open Camera or Footage allow you to manually adjust your shooting settings, bypassing the limitations of the stock camera, for example, Open Camera allows you to:
- 📏 Customize exposure and focus manually.
- 🔄 Save. RAW + JPEG simultaneously.
- 🎯 Use serial shooting at intervals of 0.1 seconds.
📌 Method 3: Software post-processing
If AI In the camera spoils the pictures, shoot in RAW and treat them in:
- 🖼️ Adobe Lightroom (Free Mobile Version)
- 🎨 Snapseed (from Google, supports layers)
- 🔧 VSCO (Convenient Presets for Quick Correction)
💡
To reduce noise in photos, shoot in daylight with the lights off. AI HDR. In the dark, it is better to use a flashlight or an external light source – the night mode in Redmi 9 works very mediocrely.