HDR and HDR+ Xiaomi: Key differences, settings and tips for use

If you’ve ever looked into the camera settings of your Xiaomi, you’ve probably noticed two similar but different modes: HDR and HDR+. At first glance, these may seem like duplicate features to improve photos, but in practice they work in different ways, affect the quality of images in different conditions and even use the phone in different ways. In this article, we will discuss in detail how these technologies differ, how they are implemented in Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models, POCO and flagship series, and when to use each of the modes.

So, first of all, it's important to understand that both modes are designed to do the same thing, which is to expand the dynamic range of the photo, and in simple terms, they help the camera to correctly expose both the dark and light areas of the frame at the same time. HDR (High Dynamic Range has been around for over a decade and has become an industry standard. HDR+ — It's a proprietary Google development that Xiaomi has adapted for their devices, which is why their work and results can be very different.

Next, we'll not only compare the technical aspects, but we'll also run a hands-on test of how each mode handles contrasting scenes, like when shooting against the sun or in a room with a bright window. FAQ Answering the most frequent questions from Xiaomi users HDR.

What is it? HDR Xiaomi smartphones: the principle of operation and limitations

Technology HDR (High Dynamic Range was designed to bridge the gap between the darkest and brightest parts of photography. In the real world, our eyes can perceive a huge range of brightnesses, from the dim light of stars to the dazzling sun. But the matrix of the smartphone has much more modest possibilities: if you adjust the exposure to light areas, the shadows will “fall” into black, and vice versa.

Classical. HDR Xiaomi is working on the following algorithm:

• 📸 The camera takes several pictures in a row with different exposures (usually 3-5 frames: normal, overexposed and underexposed).
• 🖥️ The phone's processor glues these frames together, taking details from each: light areas from dark images, shadows from light images.
• 🎨 Tonal compression is used to make the final image look natural, without sharp transitions.

The main limitation of the standard HDR — Because the camera needs to take a few pictures and stitch them together, it takes a fraction of a second, but it's enough to make a difference:

• ⚡ Missing a moment (for example, when shooting moving objects).
• 🔋 Increase the load on the processor and discharge the battery faster.
• 📱 Take up additional RAM, which can lead to lags on Redmi budget models.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 or POCO X3 Pro) standard HDR It can automatically turn off when shooting in mode 4K@60fps or when using digital zoom above 2×. This is done to save resources.

Another nuance: classic HDR Front-facing selfie cameras are usually devoid of this feature due to weak hardware, except for flagship models like Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3, where the camera is not designed for the rear camera. HDR front-facing.

HDR+ Xiaomi: how Google algorithms improved the camera of smartphones

HDR+ — This is an advanced version of the technology originally developed by Google engineers for Pixel smartphones. Xiaomi licensed this algorithm and adapted it for its devices, starting with the Mi 9 series (2019). HDR — Using machine learning to make images smarter.

How it works HDR+ Xiaomi:

• 🤖 The algorithm analyzes the scene before shooting, identifying key objects and lighting.
• 📊 Instead of a fixed number of frames (as in the usual one) HDR) dynamic number of exposures is used here - from 2 to 10, depending on the conditions.
• ⚡ Processing takes place in near real time thanks to optimized code and hardware acceleration (for example, on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors).
• 🎨 The final image undergoes additional color correction to avoid unnatural tones (for example, burned sky or greenery).

Advantages HDR+ beforehand HDR:

Important nuance: HDR+ Xiaomi can automatically turn on even if you haven't manually activated it, the system detects that the scene requires an extended dynamic range (such as a sunset or contrast landscape) and applies an algorithm without you knowing "HDR+" top-panel.

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If you support Xiaomi HDR+, But the mode doesn't appear in the settings, try updating the Camera app through Google Play. Sometimes the feature is hidden due to an outdated version of the software.

How to turn it on HDR and HDR+ Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Depending on the Xiaomi model and firmware version MIUI, setting HDR Below we will give a universal instruction that will suit most devices (from Redmi Note 11 to Xiaomi 14).

Step 1. Open the Camera app

Run a standard camera app (not third-party, like GCam) to make sure you're in Photo mode (not Video or Portrait).

Step 2. Find the badge. HDR

In the top panel of the screen (near the flash switch) there should be an icon HDR. He might look like:

• 📷 Letter "HDR" on a gray background (mode off).
• 📷 "HDR" on a color background (mode enabled).
• 📷 "HDR+" or "HDR Auto" (if supported).

Step 3. Select the desired mode

Put the badge on. HDR, So you can open the selection menu:

• 🔘 Off. — HDR switched off.
• 🔘 Including. - Standard. HDR always active.
• 🔘 The phone itself decides when to use it. HDR.
• 🔘 HDR+ — Improved mode (not available on all models).

Step 4: Additional settings (for advanced users)

On some flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) you can fine-tune HDR via camera settings → Laboratory → HDR-There are options available here, like:

• 🎚️ Level. HDR (1 to 5 – the higher, the more aggressive the processing).
• 🔄 Keep the original (saves the original photo without the original photo) HDR).
• 📊 Histogram (helps to estimate exposure before shooting).

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO F5) regime HDR+ Maybe hidden behind the option. AI-To activate it, turn on Settings. → AI-camera → Improvement HDR.

Comparison HDR and HDR+ Xiaomi: Test images

To show the difference between the two modes, we ran a test on Xiaomi. 12T Pro in three typical scenes: a landscape with a bright sky, a portrait against a window and a night shot. All photos are taken with the same settings (resolution) 12MP, format JPEG, editless).

Scene 1: Landscape with contrasting sky

When shooting a landscape with a bright sun, the standard HDR I was able to keep the details in the clouds, but the shadows on the ground were too dark. HDR+ And I was able to pull out the sky and the grass, and I could avoid the unnatural lighting, and the difference is especially noticeable on the screen of the smartphone as you zoom in:

• 🌄 HDR: The sky is natural, but the shadows are clogged».
• 🌄 HDR+: Balance between heaven and earth, more detail in the shadows.
• 🌄 No HDR: The sky is red-lit, the earth is normal.

Scene 2: Portrait vs. Window

One of the hardest things for a camera is a man standing in front of a bright window. HDR+ I've done my best:

• 👤 HDR: face is normal, but you can’t see anything outside the window (silhouettes).
• 👤 HDR+: The face and the view outside the window are visible.
• 👤 No HDR: The face is dark, the window is overlit.

Scene 3: Night shooting

In the dark, both modes HDR They were worse than the specialized Night Mode. HDR+ It has given a more balanced result:

• 🌃 HDR: a lot of noise, a lot of colors.
• 🌃 HDR+: Less noise, more color is closer to the real world.
• 🌃 Night mode: best result (but requires you to hold your phone still).

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HDR+ It's better at contrasting scenes, but at night, it's less than a specialized Night Mode.

When to use HDR, when HDR+ Xiaomi

Not always on. HDR or HDR+ Sometimes these modes can even degrade the photo by adding unnatural colors or artifacts. Here are some guidelines for when to apply the mode:

Use the standard. HDR, if:

• 🌅 Photography of landscapes with moderate contrast (for example, sunset without direct sunlight).
• 🏙️ We need to preserve natural colors (HDR+ sometimes oversubstantiates).
• 🔋 It is important to save battery power (HDR+ expending more energy).
• 📱 You have a budget model (e.g. Redmi). 10A), where HDR+ may slow down.

Choose. HDR+, when:

• 👤 Photography of portraits against a contrasting background (window, bright sky).
• 🌇 There are sharp lighting changes (for example, shadow from a building on a sunny street).
• 🎭 You need more lively colors (HDR+ stains better).
• 📸 You're taking pictures of moving objects (HDR+ better at handling artifacts).

Turn it off. HDR wholly if:

• 🌃 Shooting in complete darkness (it is better to use Night mode).
• 🎆 Photograph artificial light sources (lanterns, garlands) — HDR It can create light artifacts.
• 🖼️ You need minimalistic black and white photos (HDR add unnecessary half-tone).
• 🎥 You're making a video (HDR Videos are included separately in the settings).

Common problems with HDR Xiaomi and their solutions

Even on Xiaomi flagship models, users sometimes face problems when using the device. HDR. Let’s look at typical situations and ways to correct them.

Problem 1: HDR It is turned on spontaneously, although in settings it is turned off

It's got to do with the function. AI-A camera that automatically detects when you need to have extended dynamic range to turn off the car.-HDR:

1. Open the camera settings.
2. Move to the AI-camera.
3. Turn off the Auto option.-HDR or Smart Improvement.

Problem 2: Photo with HDR blurred

The blurring is caused by the camera taking multiple shots in a row, and if the phone flinches, the shots don't match.

• 📱 Use a tripod or put your phone on a stable surface.
• 🔄 Turn on Serial Shooting and Select the Most Sharp Frame.
• ⚡ Reduce the resolution of the images (for example, with 50MP before 12MP) — It's gonna speed up processing.

Problem 3: HDR+ does not appear in the settings

If your phone supports you HDR+ (Check the model specifications, but the mode is not on the menu, try it:

1. Update the Camera app via Google Play.


2. Reset the camera settings: Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the data.




3. Install alternative firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) – sometimes HDR+ is hidden in global versions of MIUI.

Problem 4: Colors in the photo with HDR look unnatural

It's a typical complaint about HDR+, which sometimes overdoses with saturation:

• 🎨 Manually lower the level HDR in the settings (if there is such a parameter).
• 📲 Turn it off. AI-camera – it can further “paint” pictures.
• 🖌️ Use third-party apps (like Google Camera with precise setup) HDR).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note 12 on Helio) G99) HDR+ It may work worse than Snapdragon devices, due to less efficient image processing on MediaTek chips.

HDR For Xiaomi Videos: What You Need to Know

Many users do not know that HDR And it's not just for photos, it's also for video, but it's also a little bit nuanced. HDR-Videos depend on the model and version MIUI. That's what's important to consider:

What models support HDR-video?

The feature is available on flagships starting with the Xiaomi 11 series, as well as on some devices. POCO (for example, POCO F4 GT). Budget Redmis are usually devoid of this option:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Switch to Video Mode.
3. Put it on the badge. HDR in the top panel (if not, the function is not supported).

Limitations HDR-video

• 🎥 It only works with permission. 4K@30fps or 1080p@30fps (into 60fps HDR shut down).
• 🔋 Battery is very low - shooting HDR-Video can reduce the time of work by 20-30%.
• 📱 Requires a powerful processor (on the Snapdragon 865 and later runs stably, on the Snapdragon) 7xx could be lags).
• 💾 Files take up 40-50% more space than regular videos.

When to shoot a video in HDR?

HDR-The video is justified in the following cases:

• 🌅 Photographing landscapes with bright sky (for example, sunrises, sunsets).
• 🏡 Video of interiors with contrasting lighting (windows, chandeliers).
• 🎭 Professional projects where color reproduction is important (for example, for installation in Premiere Pro).

In all other cases (household video, streaming, shooting from hands) HDR It can be redundant and only increase the file size.

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HDR-Xiaomi video is not a marketing trick, but a really useful feature for shooting in difficult light conditions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about HDR and HDR+ Xiaomi