Starry sky is fascinating, but capturing it on a smartphone is not an easy task. Even Xiaomi’s flagship with advanced cameras requires the right setup, preparation and patience to get clear pictures of the Milky Way or individual constellations. In this article, we will examine all the steps from choosing a Xiaomi model to post-processing, and also reveal secrets that are rarely mentioned in standard guides.
Many people mistakenly think that astrophotography requires a professional camera.+ or POCO F5 And we can do amazing things, provided you take three key things into account: light pollution, stabilization, and camera settings. We tested different models and techniques so you can avoid the typical errors and get images that are worthy of Astrophotography in Google Photos.
What Xiaomi models are suitable for shooting stars?
Not every Xiaomi smartphone will be able to capture the sky at night, but it’s important to have Star Mode or manual settings with long exposures, and here are the models we recommend:
- 📱 Xiaomi 13 Ultra / 12S Ultra is the best choice thanks to Sony’s 1-inch sensor IMX989 and Leica optics.
- 🌌 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ — Budget version with 200-MP sensor and Star Trail mode.
- 🔭 POCO F5 Pro – supports shutter speed up to 30 seconds in manual mode.
- 💫 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra – time-tested model with a separate night algorithm.
If your model is not on the list, check for manual mode (Pro Mode) with the ability to set ISO, For example, even the Redmi Note 10 Pro can shoot stars with the right settings, but the quality will be worse due to the smaller sensor.
⚠️ Note: Smartphones with a sensor are smaller 1/1.5" (Like Redmi. 9A or POCO M4 Pro) physically unable to capture enough light for quality astrophotography. Don't waste time experimenting, the result will be blurred.
Preparation for shooting: time, place and equipment
Even the most advanced Xiaomi can't save you if you take pictures of stars in the city under lights. Light pollution is the main enemy of the astrophotographer. Use light pollution maps (for example, Light Pollution Map) to find dark areas (gray or black areas on the map).
Optimal conditions for shooting:
- 🌑 Lunar phase: New moon or narrow sickle (the smaller the moon, the better).
- 🌌 Weather: cloudless sky, low humidity (fog scatters light).
- ⏰ Time: 23:00 to 4:00, when the Milky Way is visible above the horizon.
Equipment that will be useful:
| Accessory | Appointment | Budgetary option |
|---|---|---|
| A tripod | Stabilization (required!) | Plastic tripod for 500₽ |
| DU remote or timer | Avoid shivering when pressed | Bluetooth remote for 300₽ |
| External battery | Shooting discharges the battery in 1-2 hours | Powerbank at 10,000mAh |
| Light filter | Reduces light from the lights | DIY red-film |
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If there is no tripod, put your smartphone on a bag of rice or sand – this will help reduce tremors with prolonged exposure.
Xiaomi camera settings for shooting stars
So, to the most important thing, the settings. Depending on the Xiaomi model, the algorithms may differ, but the general principles are the same.
For models with the mode "Starry Sky" (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+):
- Open the Camera app → More. → Starry sky.
- Choose the type of shooting: Star tracks for long exposures (star tracks); the Milky Way for static images.
Launch
For models without a specialized mode (manual mode):
- Go to Pro Mode (or Manual).
- Set the parameters: ISO: 3200-6,400 (the darker the sky, the higher). Shutter speed: 15-30 seconds (maximum for manual mode). Focus: manual focus on infinity (∞). White balance: 3,500–4000K (cold-toned).
Autofocus off.|The ground is fixed exactly.|Battery charged. >50%|Aircraft mode is on (so that notifications do not interfere)|The screen is locked (so as not to illuminate the frame)
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⚠️ Note: When shooting in manual mode, Xiaomi can automatically limit shutter speed to 4-10 seconds. To get around this, use apps like Camera. FV-5 ProCam X, which allows you to set shutter speeds up to 60 seconds.
Secrets of shooting: how to avoid noise and blur
A critical mistake of 90% of beginners – shooting in the JPEG instead RAW. Format RAW saves more data, allowing the later to correct the white, shadow and noise balance in Lightroom or Snapseed.In Xiaomi's camera settings, turn on Save RAW (usually in the settings → Photo format).
Other life hacks for clean shots:
- 🔋 Smartphone cooling: When you shoot for a long time, the camera overheats, which makes noise. Take breaks or use a cooling case.
- 📱 Turn off processing: in camera settings turn off HDR, AI-Improvement and Noise Reduction – They Destroy Astroscopic Images.
- 🌡️ Test frame: before a long exposure, take a test shot with ISO 1600 and 5 seconds shutter speed to check focus.
If the stars are blurry, the problem is the wrong focus.
- Point the camera at a bright star or the moon.
- zoom in (not digital zoom!) and manually adjust the focus until the subject is clear.
- Lock the focus (some Xiaomi models have a Lock option) AF).
Why do you see green/purple spots in the photo?
Image processing: from RAW photo-finished
Raw images of the sky tend to look dull and noisy. Post-processing is about unlocking potential. RAW-file without loss of naturalness:
- 📱 Snapseed (for mobile processing).
- 💻 Adobe Lightroom (for detailed editing).
- 🌌 StarStaX (to add up the tracks of stars).
The basic processing steps in Lightroom are:
- Import. RAW-File and go to the Development tab.
- Increase the exposure to +1.5–2.5 EV.
- Raise the Shadows to +50–70 to manifest the Milky Way.
- Reduce Noise (Detail tab): Luminescent by 20-30, Color by 50-60.
- Add Contrast (+20-30) and clarity (+15–25).
For adding several frames (reduces noise and shows details):
- Take a series of 10-20 pictures with the same settings.
- Download them to StarStaX or Sequator (free software).
- Select Lighten (for star tracks) or Average (for static shots).
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Astrophoto processing is a balance between revealing details and fighting noise. Don't overdo it with exposure: if the sky turns green or purple, reduce the temperature to 3,000–3500K.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced photographers have problems shooting stars, and here are some of the most common mistakes and solutions.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Stars look like dots, not tracks | Too short exposure | Increase shutter speed to 20-30 seconds or use Star Trail mode |
| Photo too noisy | High. ISO sensory overheating | Lower down. ISO 3200, take breaks between frames |
| The Milky Way is not visible | Light pollution or improper white balance | Take pictures away from cities, install BB 3500K |
| Blurrence around the edges | Cheap wide-angle module | Cut the edges in post-processing or use a telephoto lens |
Another common problem is that you automatically shut down your screen while you're shooting.
- Go to Settings → Display → Sleep mode.
- Set the value of Never or 10 minutes.
- Activate Developer Mode and turn on Do not turn off the screen while charging.
Alternative methods: applications and accessories
If the standard Xiaomi camera is not satisfied, try specialized applications:
- 📸 Camera FV-5 — full control ISO, fastened RAW.
- 🌠 NightCap Camera – Optimized for astrophotography (Stars Mode).
- 🔭 AstroCamera – automatically adjusts the parameters for shooting the sky.
For serious astrophotography, consider buying external lenses:
- Xiaomi Surge S1 (Xiaomi 13 Ultra – Improves Details.
- Anamorphic lenses (such as Moment) expand the field of view.
- Teleconverters are used to photograph the moon or planets.
If the budget is limited, try it. DIY-decision:
- 🔦 Flashlight with red light: illuminates objects without lighting the sky.
- 📦 Shoe box: like an improvised light box to calibrate white balance.