How to take a high-quality photo on a Xiaomi phone: a complete guide with examples

Xiaomi smartphones have long ceased to be a “budget compromise” – today even models of the mid-range segment are equipped with cameras with support AI-Optimization, multi-layer lenses and advanced processing algorithms, but even the most advanced hardware doesn't guarantee a perfect shot without the right settings and techniques, POCO Xiaomi 14 flagship – from basic principles of composition to hidden features MIUI, which are not covered in official instructions.

We're not going to list the obvious things like "keep your phone straight" or "don't take photos against the sun," but instead focus on the practicalities that really affect the outcome: how to set up manual modes for shooting in difficult conditions, which Xiaomi camera modes are better for portraits or nightscapes, and how to circumvent the limitations of software processing, and also look at the typical errors that even an expensive smartphone produces "soap" shots.

Important: all screenshots and examples in the article are made on current versions MIUI (2026 The majority of the tips apply to older models, from the Redmi Note. 8 Xiaomi 13 Ultra, if your phone works on MIUI 12/13/14, but some menu items do not match - use the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner of the Camera application).

1. Basic Xiaomi camera settings to check before shooting

Before you get into the creative aspects, make sure the camera is set up optimally. Many users take factory-sized photos for years without even knowing that the default resolution may be understated, and that the camera is not the same as the default resolution. AI-Improvements are redundant. That's what we need to change first:

• 📸 Resolution and aspect ratio: Go to Camera Settings → Photo resolution and select the maximum value (for example, 50 MP or 200 MP for flagships). 4:3 ratio is preferable to 16:9 - less cropping when printing.
• 🎯 Focus: Turn on Continuous Autofocus (CAF) In the video settings, if you're shooting dynamic scenes, it's best to leave the photo. AF-S (single-focus).
• 🌈 Color profile: On flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14) You can choose between Living colors (saturated but unnatural) and Natural colors (closer to reality.
• 🔍 Frame grid: Activate grid → Rule of thirds in interface settings, which will help you to follow the composition even in dynamic scenes.

Pay special attention to the setting HDR. In most Xiaomi it works in Auto mode, but when shooting against a light source (for example, a sunset against a silhouette background), it is better to turn on HDR However, be careful: some models (Redmi Note 11 and older) are forced to use the same system. HDR It can slow down the shooting of serial photos.

⚠️ Note: If you are taking photos for social networks (for example, Instagram), turn off Save originals in the social network. MIUI Gallery. Otherwise, each shot will be duplicated in two versions: processed and raw, which quickly fills the memory.

2. Shooting modes: which to choose for different scenes

Xiaomi's Camera app offers more than 10 modes, but most users are limited to Photo and Portrait, while the right mode can save a shot in difficult conditions.

A critical nuance for owners of Xiaomi with multiple cameras: the application by default can choose not the main module for shooting. 2x) Redmi Note 12 Pro+ It turns on the telephoto lens, not the digital zoom from the main camera. To check which module is active, look at the icon in the upper right corner of the camera screen (for example, to check which module is active, 0.6x, 1x, 2x).

Check the cleanliness of the lenses (dust and fingerprints spoil the frame)

Turn off the digital zoom, you better get closer.

Set the maximum resolution in the settings

Activate the grid for the composition

Charge your phone at least 30% (night mode quickly puts the battery down)-->

3. Manual shooting: ISO, exposure, white balance

Xiaomi Automotive Mode can handle 80% of tasks, but in difficult conditions (contrast light, movement, non-standard objects) it is better to switch to Professional Mode.

• ⚙️ ISO: Sensitivity of the matrix to light. The higher the value, the brighter the frame, but more noise. Optimal values: ISO 100-200 — sunny; ISO 400-800 — cloudy; ISO 1600+ — night (but expect "graininess»).
• ⏱️ Excerpt: The time for which the shutter opens. Short (1/1000(c) “freezes” traffic, long (1/30Slower or c. You blur it. Don't put the shutter speed longer for your hand. 1/60c, otherwise the frame will be blurred.
• 🎨 White balance: Adjusts the "warmth" of the color. The car usually copes, but in rooms with incandescent lamps, choose a lamp (3000K), And for the street in cloudy weather - Cloudy (6000K).
• 📐 Focus: In manual mode, you can set the focus on a specific point by pulling the slider MF (Manual Focus: Useful for macro photography or when autofocus does not see an object.

Example of settings for shooting a waterfall during the day:

Regime: Professional


ISO: 100




Shutter speed: 1/250c (to freeze water)




White Balance: Solar (5500K)




Focus: Auto (or MF on the Rocks)

For a night portrait with a blurred background:

Mode: Portrait + Night Mode


ISO: 800




Exposure: 1/30c (needs a tripod!)




White balance: Auto




Blurring background: Maximum

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with optical zoom (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Ultra) manually, you can set the settings for the main camera and telephoto lens separately, switch between them by swipeing on the screen or by clicking on the button. 1x/2x/5x.

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If in manual mode the pictures turn out dark, do not rush to increase ISO — Try to increase the exposure first (image «±» It's going to brighten up the frame without adding any noise.

4.Portraiting: How to avoid “plastic” faces and unsuccessful bokeh

Portrait mode in Xiaomi is often criticized for over-handling the skin and unnatural blurring the background, but with the right settings, it can produce professional results.

• 👤 Turn it off. AI-Beauty: Go to the camera settings → Portrait → Beauty and set the slider to 0. It will preserve the texture of the skin and natural features.
• 🌟 Use natural light: The best lighting for a portrait is diffuse daylight (such as by a window). Avoid direct sun, which creates hard shadows.
• 🔄 Experiment with angles: Shooting from the bottom visually lengthens the neck; shooting from the side emphasizes the cheekbones; shooting from above makes the face more rounded.
• 🎭 Background: For a beautiful bokeh, choose a contrasting background (such as green trees or city lights in the evening). Avoid monochromatic walls - blurring on them looks unnatural.

On flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14) You can use Double Bokeh, which blurs the background like it's on professional cameras, to activate it:

1. Open Portrait Mode.
2. Press the badge. ⋯ top-right.
3. Choose Bokeh Effects → Double.
4. Adjust the intensity of the blur with a slider.

Unique feature Xiaomi: in the mode “Portrait” on models with a telephoto lens (for example, Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) can be filmed with optical zoom 2x, It's a rare option, even among other brands' flagships.

5 Night photography: how to avoid noise and blur

Night mode in Xiaomi has improved significantly in recent years, but still requires the right approach. The main problem is that moving objects (people, cars) get blurred due to the long exposure.

• 🌃 Use a tripod or support: Even a slight tremor of hands at a time of 2-4 seconds will ruin the frame.
• 🚶 For dynamic scenes: If you want to shoot a person at night, switch to Photo (not Night) mode and zoom in ISO It's going to be noisy, but it's not blurry, until 1600-3200 by hand.
• 🌆 Shooting cityscapes: Set shutter speed 4-8 seconds; ISO — 800–1600; White balance – 3,500–4000K (scorch).
• 📱 RAW + Night mode: On flagships (Xiaomi 13 Pro and newer) you can save pictures in format RAW Even in the night mode, it gives you more post-processing options.

Example settings for shooting the starry sky (suitable for Xiaomi 13 Ultra and the like):

Regime: Professional


ISO: 3200–6400




Exposure: 10–30 seconds (a tripod is needed!)




Focus: MF → ∞ (infinity)




White balance: 4000K




Format: RAW + JPEG

Note:

Star Tracker

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi models and POCO medium level (e.g., medium level, POCO X5 Pro) Night mode automatically limits shutter speed to 1-2 seconds, even if you manually set more, which is done to reduce noise, but negates the benefits of long exposure.

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For night photography, always turn off the digital zoom, which makes noise. If you want to zoom in, use your feet: come closer or shoot on a wide angle, and then cut the frame.

6. Macrograph: how to take small details without blurring

Even low-end Xiaomi (like the Redmi Note 12) have macro lenses, but the quality of the images is often disappointing.

• 🐜 Minimum distance: Macro lens in Xiaomi focuses on a distance of 2-5 cm from the object. Bring the phone closer if the frame is blurred.
• 💡 Lighting: Use an external light source (like a desk lamp) or turn on a flashlight on another phone.
• 📏 Stabilization: Even a slight shaking of the hand in macro photography leads to blurring, optimal use of a mini-station or fix the phone on a stack of books.
• 🔍 Manual focus: In Macro or Professional mode, tap the screen to set the focal point. If autofocus jumps, switch to MF (hand-stitch).

To capture water at a macro scale (drops, bubbles) use this trick:

1. Apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the lens (this will create a “soft focus” effect).
2. Light the water from behind (for example, with a window or lamp).
3. Take a video shoot. 4K, And then choose the best shot, so it's easier to capture the moment.

On flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra), macro photography supports optical zoom, which allows you to shoot small objects from a longer distance without losing quality. 3x zoom, without scaring her.

7 Post-processing: how to improve the photo directly on the phone

Even a perfectly shot shot shot often requires some reworking, and Xiaomi has built-in tools for this, but most users don't use them. Here's what you can do in a standard Gallery:

• ✂️ Pruning and alignment: The Cover tool automatically corrects perspective (e.g. if the horizon is littered.
• 🎨 Color correction: Brightness/Contrast: Increase contrast by 10-15% for “juicy” frames; Saturation: Do not raise above 20%, otherwise the colors will become unnatural; Temperature: For “warm” frames, shift the slider towards yellow (+5–10%).
• 🖌️ Retouch: In the Beauty section, you can remove pimples, lighten the shadows under the eyes, and even change the shape of the face. But don't overdo it, the plastic doll effect gives you an amateur processing.
• 🌄 Effects: Filters tab offers presets for different scenes (e.g. Sunset, W/B). AI-style that selects a filter for the content of the photo.

For advanced processing, install Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed. In these applications, you can:

- Correct curves (RGB, contrast);


- Remove objects from frames (the tool "Platch");




- Add a vignette to accent the center;




- Keep your own presets.

Hidden function MIUI: In the gallery, you can compare the original and the edited version of the photo, holding your finger on the thumbnail.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that spoil the frame, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

One of the most insidious mistakes is to ignore the format. RAW. Many users only take pictures of JPEG, But this format compresses the image very much, losing detail. On Xiaomi flagships (Xiaomi 12 Pro and later), you can save pictures in the image. RAW + JPEG:

1. Open the camera settings → Photo format.
2. Choose. RAW + JPEG.
3. Shoot as usual - the gallery will have two versions of each frame.

RAW

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi models and POCO Budget segment (e.g. Redmi) 10A) regime RAW It can be blocked. In this case, shoot at maximum resolution. JPEG and turn it off. AI-filter.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions