How to find out how many megapixels the camera has on the Xiaomi phone: all working methods

Camera resolution is a key parameter that affects the quality of photos. But manufacturers don't always honestly state the real number of megapixels in the specs. This is especially true for low-end Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, which sometimes use software-based resolution enhancement (interpolation). How do you know exactly how many megapixels your camera has? In this article, we'll look at 5 proven methods, from standard settings to technical utilities.

Many users mistakenly believe that the more megapixels, the better the camera. In fact, the size of the array, the quality of the optics, the processing algorithms are important, but if you need an exact number, for example, to compare models or check for deception, our instructions will help you get reliable data.

Some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) have dual or triple cameras with different resolutions, so you have to check each module separately, and it’s also worth considering that the front camera is almost always lower than the main camera.

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1.Verification through camera settings in MIUI

The easiest way is to view the information directly in the Camera app, but not all versions of MIUI firmware display this data the same way.

Open the Camera app and go to Photo mode. Then click on the settings gear (usually in the upper right corner) and find Photo Resolution or Aspect Ratio. This can show the current pixel resolution (e.g., 4000×3000) that can be easily translated into megapixels (in this case, 12MP).

If there is no such item, try another way:

1. Launch the camera and take a test shot.
2. Open the gallery and find the photo you just took.
3. Click on the Information (usually the i icon at the bottom of the screen).
4. The file details will specify the resolution (e.g., 4608×3456 is 15.9 MP).

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If the camera settings display several resolution options (for example, 12 MP and 48 MP), this means that the smartphone supports pixel binning, a technology of combining pixels to improve quality in low light conditions.

Note that in some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) the main camera can have several shooting modes at different resolutions. For example, in 50 MP mode, photos are saved in full resolution, and in 12.5 MP mode, 4-in-1 binning is used for better detail.

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2. Use of the "Technical Information" annex

If the standard settings don’t give an answer, the system application Technical Information (or CIT – Certification Information Test) will help, it is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and contains detailed data on the hardware.

To open it up:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and click on it 5-7 times in a row until you become a developer!
3. Return to the main settings menu and open the section Additional → For developers.
4. Activate the developer mode switch.
5. Now a new section will appear in the Settings menu – Technical Information (or CIT).

In the CIT app, go to the Camera tab, and here you will find a list of all the cameras on the device, with:

• 📷 Module model, for example, S5KHM2 — This is a 50MP matrix from Samsung).
• 🔢 Maximum resolution (e.g., maximum resolution, 8192×6144 — 50.3 MPP).
• 🔍 Focus distance and diaphragm.

Update MIUI to the latest version |Try the alternative app (AIDA64)|Test the camera access rights in the settings |Reset the camera settings to factory-->

Important! Some firmware (especially global ones) may not have a Camera partition, in which case use third-party utilities, which we'll talk about later.

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3. Third-party diagnostic applications

If the system methods don't work, specialized applications will come to the rescue, not only showing the camera resolution, but also providing additional data about sensors, processors and other components.

Top.-3 tested:

• 📱 AIDA64 — It shows you complete information about the camera modules, including the matrix model and the resolutions supported. → Cameras.
• 🔧 CPU-Z — Device tab contains data on the rear and front cameras (resolution is indicated in Width format) × Height).
• 📸 Camera2 API Probe – advanced utility to check support Camera2 API and maximum resolution of the shooting.

Example of data from AIDA64 for Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+:

Note that some applications (such as CPU-Z) may show software resolution rather than physical resolution. For example, a 48 MP binning camera will display as 12 MP. To get accurate data, check the matrix model against the official specifications.

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4. Verification through EXIF-Photo data

Each image contains EXIF metadata, which spells out resolution, camera model, and other parameters.

Take a photo at the maximum quality settings, then:

1. Transfer the file to your computer or open it in the Gallery on your phone.
2. Use one of the apps to view. EXIF: 🖼️ Google Photos - Open the photo → Information → Details. 📊 EXIF Viewer (Android) - shows all the technical details. 💻 IrfanView (Windows) – a free program for viewing metadata.

Image Size

Model

Example of EXIF for Xiaomi 12S Ultra:

Make: Xiaomi


Model: 2206123SC




Image Size: 5312 x 7088 (37.6 MP)




Lens Model: LEICA VARIO-SUMMICRON 1:1.9-4.1/13-120 ASPH

If the EXIF specifies a resolution below the stated resolution (for example, 12 MP instead of 48 MP), this means that the smartphone uses pixel binning by default. To shoot in full resolution, look for the High Resolution or Pro mode option in the camera settings.

Through camera settings|Annex AIDA64|EXIF-photo-record|Technical information (CIT)|Another way.-->

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5. Search by smartphone model in official sources

If you want 100% accurate data, you should go to the official specifications. The manufacturer always indicates the actual resolution of the cameras (even if there are software restrictions in the firmware).

Where to look:

• 🌐 Xiaomi's official website - Technical specifications for your model. POCO F5 Main camera: 64 MP, Sony IMX686.
• 📄 GSMArena – in the card of the device there is a Camera tab with a detailed description of each module.
• 🛒 Product page in Mi Store – sometimes there is data that is not on the global site.

Example of official characteristics of Xiaomi 13T Pro:

Attention! Some regional sites (e.g. India or China) may have different specifications. Always check the model code (e.g. 22101316C for Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G) with official data.

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6. Hidden engineering menus (for advanced users)

If you're ready to experiment, you can look at the smartphone's engineering menu, which contains low-level information about the camera, but you need to be careful, because doing something wrong can disrupt the device.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Camera section – here may be data on supported permissions.

For a more in-depth diagnosis:

1. Install the MTK Engineering Mode app (for smartphones on MediaTek) or Qualcomm Engineer Mode (for Snapdragon).
2. Go to the Hardware Testing → Camera section.
3. Select the camera module and see the Max Resolution setting.

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Engineering menus are for service centers. Don't change the settings unless you're sure of their purpose - this could lead to a loss of warranty or camera inoperability!

On some models (such as the POCO X3 Pro), you can include hidden shooting modes, including full resolution of the matrix, in the engineering menu.

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Frequent Mistakes and Myths About Megapixels

Many users are confused about how the camera resolution works, and let's take a look at some of the most common myths.

Myth 1: “More megapixels = better photos”

In fact, quality depends on:

• 📏 Pixel size (e.g., 1.6 μm is better than 0.8 μm).
• 🔮 Optics quality (glass, coating, number of lenses).
• 🤖 Processing algorithms (HDR, noise-canceling, AI).

Example: Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra (50 MP) shoots better than many 108 MP smartphones, thanks to its large matrix and optimized software.

Myth 2: “A 50MP front camera is better than a 16MP camera”

Front cameras rarely use full resolution — they usually work in binning (4-in-1) mode to improve light sensitivity. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a 16 MP frontal, but actually shoots in 4 MP with pixel-combination.

Myth 3: “All cameras in a multi-module system are the same”

In budget smartphones (e.g. Redmi 10A), additional modules (macro, depth) often have a resolution of 2-5 MP and serve only for marketing purposes.

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To see which camera module you use, you can take turns to cover each one of them with your finger, and if the image quality has not changed, this is decorative.

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FAQ: Answers to popular questions