How to improve the quality of the camera on Xiaomi: from settings to upgrades to iron

Why is Xiaomi’s camera shooting worse than it could?

Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular on the market due to their value for money, but even flagship models sometimes disappoint with photos. The problem is not always the hardware: often to blame suboptimal settings, outdated software or incorrect shooting conditions. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with a 200-MP camera can play in detail Poco F5 with 64-MP module — all because of image processing.

In this article, we’ll look at the software and hardware camera enhancements that work on everything from the budget Redmi 10A to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Some will take 5 minutes, others will take an accessory investment, but the result is worth it: the difference between “phone shots” and “professional shots” is often in the minutiae.

It’s important to understand that even a top-end camera won’t save you from poor lighting or trembling hands – so let’s start with the basic rules that 90% of users ignore.

1. Optimizing the camera's default settings

Xiaomi’s factory camera settings are for the “average user,” but they can be fine-tuned to specific scenarios, such as the default auto-HDR on most models, which sometimes spoils colors, or skin smoothing that blurs details in portraits.

What to change first:

• 📱 Turn off Face Improvement in Portrait Mode Settings – This removes unnatural blur and preserves skin texture.
• 🌓 Adjust the exposure manually: in the camera app swipe up/down to adjust the brightness (on some models you need to tap on the screen and hold the screen).
• 🔍 Turn on the grid (Camera settings) → Support functions → Grid) for correct composition according to the rule of thirds.
• 🎯 Turn off the Smile-Switching Car – it often works at the wrong time.

On models with MIUI 14+, the “Professional Color” function (Settings → Additional → Prof. Color) has appeared, which extends the color range in the DCI-P3 format. This is especially noticeable when viewing photos on wide-gamma screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro).

⚠️ Attention: On Poco X3 Pro and some other models, when manually adjusting the white balance, a greenish shade may appear. In this case, return the setting to Auto or update the camera firmware through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

2. Update of firmware and camera module

Manufacturers regularly release updates to image processing algorithms that can dramatically improve photo quality, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14.0.4 on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, users reported 30% better detail in low light conditions.

How to check and update:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If you have an update, install it (preferably via Wi-Fi).
3. For some models (e.g. Redmi K50 Gaming) release separate patches for the camera. These can be found in Settings → Additional → Camera Update.

If there are no official updates, but you are confident in your abilities, you can flash custom software (such as Pixel Experience), which uses processing algorithms from Google Camera.

3. Use GCam (Google Camera) instead of the standard application

Google Camera (GCam) is famous for better HDR processing, night mode and detail compared to Xiaomi stock cameras. For example, on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, the difference in night shooting can reach 2 stops of exposure (4 times brighter!).

How to install GCam:

• 🔗 Download the appropriate version for your model from the forum XDA Developers or Telegram Channel @gcammods.
• 📁 Install. APK-file (permission to install from unknown sources may be required).
• ⚙️ Set up the config: Enable HDR+ Enhanced for better detail. Disable Sabre (can cause artifacts on some chipsets). Set Awb (white balance) in the Cloudy position for warmer tones.

For models on Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro) suitable version of GCam 8.7 from BSG. MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 12) is better to use modifications from Shamim.

Install APK from a verified source |

Enable HDR+ and Night Sight|

Calibrate white balance (AWB) |

Disable unnecessary filters |

Check the operation of all modules (wide, telephoto)-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Poco) X4 Pro) GCam may not start due to a conflict with the camera drivers, in which case try the version with the libpatched.so patch or roll back to the stock app.

Hardware improvements: lenses, filters and stabilization

Even the most advanced software won’t replace the camera’s physical limitations, such as the small Redmi 9A (1/3.1) sensor that never beats the Xiaomi 13 Ultra (1) in aperture. But that doesn’t mean budget models are doomed to bad shots – the right accessories can do wonders.

Top.-5 hardware enhancements:

• 📸 External lenses (macro, wide-angle, telephoto) from Xenvo or Apexel. For example, a macro lens allows you to shoot details up to 1 mm in size on the Redmi Note 10 Pro.
• 🔦 LED-A panel or ring lamp for portraits, even a cheap 500 model.₽ remove the shadows on his face.
• 🧲 Magnetic filters (UV, CPL, ND) To protect the lens and improve color reproduction. CPL removes glare on water and glass.
• 🎥 A gimbal or a tripod for a stable video, DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is compatible with all Xiaomi and eliminates hand shaking.
• 🔋 External battery for long shooting (especially relevant for Xiaomi 13 Ultra with voracious 1-inch sensor).

For supported models RAW (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra) you can use polarization filters that you can't emulate software, and they cost 1,000 dollars.₽, It has an effect comparable to that of professional cameras.

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Before buying an external lens, check the lens diameter of your smartphone. 37mm thread is suitable for most Xiaomi, but the Xiaomi 13 Ultra requires a 67mm adapter.

5. RAW shooting and post-processing

RAW format (e.g..DNG) saves raw sensor data, giving full control over color, exposure and noise in the editor. On Xiaomi RAW is available in professional mode (PRO icon in the camera app).

How to shoot and process RAW:

1. Enable RAW in the pro-mode settings (may be called Raw Data or DNG).
2. Shoot in well-lit places — RAW-file-by-file 20-50 MB and require more light for a quality frame.
3. Process in Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed: Increase exposure by +0.5-1.0 EV for shadows. Reduce noise with Denoise (but no more than 30%, otherwise you will lose details). Adjust the color profile (for example, use the Xiaomi VLOG preset for natural tones).

On the Xiaomi 13 Pro and later, RAW supports 10-bit color, which allows you to smoothly edit the gradients of the sky or skin. For comparison, JPEG saves only 8 bits, which causes banding (bands on smooth transitions) when editing.

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RAW-files take up a lot of space, but allow you to "save" overlit or dark frames that are in the JPEG would be hopeless.

6 Secrets of Video Shooting: 4K, Stabilization and Sound

Video on Xiaomi often suffers from jitters, poor focus or compression, but even budget models like the Redmi 10C can shoot decent video if you know a few tricks.

Checklist for the perfect video:

• 🎬 Permission and FPS: For social media: 1080p @ 60 FPS (It's smooth and not too heavy. It's for professional photography: 4K @ 30 FPS (maximum detail. For slow motion photography: 720p @ 960 FPS (available 12T Pro and newer).
• 🔊 Sound: Use an external microphone (e.g., Boya) BY-M1 2000₽). Turn on windscreen in the microphone settings. Use the lavalier microphone (attached to clothing) for interviews).
• 📐 Stabilization: Enable Ultrastabilization (Camera Settings) → Video → For dynamic scenes (running, cycling), use a gimbal or Hyperlapse mode.

On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Poco F5 Pro, Dolby Vision for video is available – it expands the dynamic range, but the files are very heavy (up to 1 GB per minute 4K).

⚠️ Attention: When shooting in 4K @ 60 FPS on the Redmi K60 Pro and other models with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 phone can overheat if the temperature is above 45°C, lower the resolution to 1080p or use a cooling case.

7. Cleaning the lens and sensors: why it matters

Dust, fingerprints, or scratches on the lens can degrade the quality of the images by 20-40%, adding blur or glare, especially on models with a protruding camera (for example, Xiaomi 11T Pro), where the lenses are more likely to get dirty.

How to clean properly:

• 🧴 Use a microfiber wipe (as for glasses) and an optics spray (not a regular glass cleaner!).
• 🚫 Don’t blow on the lens – saliva leaves microdrops that then attract dust.
• 🔍 To clean laser autofocus (on Xiaomi 13 Ultra) use a brush with soft pile.
• 🛡️ Apply protective film on the camera (sets for 300-500 are sold)₽). It prevents scratches and does not impair the quality of the shooting.

If you have a stain after cleaning, try an ultraviolet disinfectant lamp (kills bacteria that can leave greasy marks), but don't keep your phone under the lamp for more than 10 seconds - it can damage the lens' gluing.

8. When should you think about upgrading?

If you've tried all the ways, but the quality of the shot still doesn't suit, it may be because of the hardware limitations of your model.

• 📉 Sensor is smaller 1/2" (check in the specifications).
• 🌃 Night photos are noisy even with a tripod and GCam.
• 🔍 No optical stabilization (OIS) — The video is shaking even with a little movement.
• 🎯 Autofocus is slow or misses (relevant to older Helio models) G85).

For replacement, consider models with:

• 📷 Sensor. 1/1.5" or larger (e.g., Xiaomi) 13 Ultra with 1" sensory).
• 🔦 Optical stabilization (OIS) laser-focus.
• 🌈 Support for 10-bit HDR (for professional color correction).
• 🔋 Quick charging (from 67W), Not to interrupt the shooting because of the discharge.

If you have a budget, look for the Poco F5 or Redmi K60, which offer flagship cameras for the mid-range, and the Xiaomi 13T Pro with Dolby Vision and 8K@24FPS are better suited for video.

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Before buying a new smartphone, check out real-life photo samples on forums (like 4PDA or XDA). Marketing photos are often taken on top-of-the-line designs with better lenses.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cameras