How to improve the quality of the camera on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: from settings to iron

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 remains a popular budget smartphone even years after its release, but its camera often disappoints users with dim shots, noise in the dark and blurry details. The problem is not the “bad” module – just the manufacturer saved on software processing, leaving the potential of iron untapped. This article is not about “magic” applications that promise to “turn your smartphone into a DSLR”, but about specific technical solutions: from hidden MIUI settings to modification of firmware and accessories.

We tested all the methods on the Redmi Note 9 (M2003J15SC with a 48 MP Samsung GM1 main camera) and collected only those that give a visually noticeable result. For example, the correct HDR setting increases detail in the shadows by 30%, and calibrating the white balance eliminates yellowness in artificial light images. At the end of the article, a before/after table with real examples.

1. Optimization of standard settings of the MIUI camera

The first thing you need to do is reset the camera to factory settings, and over the years, MIUI has been accumulating bugs in configuration files that spoil image processing.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the gears. ⚙️ top-right.
3. Select Restore the default settings.
4. Confirm the reset.

Now we're going to fine-tune it. The most critical parameters are:

• 📸 Photo resolution: set 48 MP (enable High Resolution in settings) Yes, files will weigh more, but detail will increase by 40.
• 🌓 HDR: Turn on the car-HDR, But manually activate it when shooting against light (like a sunset or a window in the frame). MIUI often misses such scenes.
• 🎯 Focus: Turn off Autofocus when you touch it - it often gets confused. Instead, use manual focus (stab on the screen and hold your finger until the lock appears). 🔒).
• 🔄 White balance: Auto is the default, but when shooting under incandescent lamps, choose a lamp (3000K), below LED — Daylight (5500K).

Reset the settings to factory|Permits to be established 48 MPP|Turn on the Auto-HDR|Turn off autofocus when touching|Set up white balance manually-->

Note the Professional mode (or Pro Mode) where you can manually set the ISO, shutter speed and exposure, for example, for night photography, set:

ISO: 800-1600


Shutter speed: 1/10c (use a tripod!)




Exposure: -0.3 EV (to avoid over-lighting)

⚠️ Attention: When manually adjusted ISO Redmi Note 9 has colored noises above 3200 (especially in shadows). ISO.

2. firmware update and camera modification

Official MIUI updates rarely improve the camera, but custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) use processing algorithms from Google Camera that work better with the Samsung GM1 sensor.

• 📈 More natural color reproduction (without "acid" shades) MIUI).
• 🌃 Best Night Shooting by Google Night Sight.
• 🔍 Less noise when increased (due to improved noise reduction).

For custom firmware installation:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (you will have to wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (you can download it on twrp.me).
3. I recommend the Pixel Experience Plus for the Redmi Note 9.

If the firmware seems complicated, try the Google Camera (GCam) port.The best versions for the Redmi Note 9:

After installation of the GCam:

1. Import a config for the Redmi Note 9 (download here).
2. In GCam settings, include: HDR+ enhanced (for daytime shots), Night Sight (for night shooting), Sabre (for noise reduction).

Stock MIUI|Pixel Experience|LineageOS|Other custom |Not tried-->

3. Hardware improvements: lenses and lighting

Software chips will not save if the optics of the smartphone is physically limited. For the Redmi Note 9, the following are relevant:

• 🔍 Macro lens (e.g., Xiaomi Lens) 2-in-1). Attach it to the main camera with a magnetic ring - this will allow you to shoot from a distance of 2-4 cm without losing sharpness (the built-in macro module at 2 MP gives a soap image).
• 🌅 Polarization filter, removes glare from water, glass and foliage, suitable for landscape photography.
• 💡 External LED-A panel (like Neewer 10'') even a budget panel for 1,500 ₽ It will improve portrait photography better than a smartphone flash.

To stabilize, make sure to use a tripod or improvised support, even a slight tremor of the hands at 1/10s exposure leads to blurring.

• Mini-Statue Joby GorillaPod (flexible legs allow you to cling to branches or railings).
• Homemade stand of books or armrest of the sofa (the main one is a hard surface).

💡

If you're shooting video, turn on the camera's Ultra High Resolution (4K 30fps) option and turn off digital stabilization, which cuts the edges of the frame and degrades the detail, and then stabilize the video in CapCut or Premiere Rush.

Post-processing: from Lightroom to neural networks

Even the perfect shot can be improved in the editor. For the Redmi Note 9, we recommend:

• 📱 Mobile editors: Adobe Lightroom Mobile - for exposure and color correction. Snapseed - for selective processing (for example, brighten only the face). AI — to remove noise and increase sharpness (using AI).
• 🖥️ Desktop tools: Darktable (free version of Lightroom with support) RAW). GIMP + plug-in’MIC noise-canceling.

An example of processing in Lightroom for dim shots:

1. Increase the exposure by +0.5–+1.0.
2. Reduce the contrast by -10 (so you don't lose detail in the shadows).
3. In the HSL section, reduce the saturation of yellow and green by -15 (removes the "acidity" of MIUI).
4. Add Sharpness with mask on the edges (radius 1.0, detail 50).

Critical nuance: when shooting in RAW (format.DNG) Redmi Note 9 files are occupied ~50 MB, but allow you to restore the overlit areas and shadows that are in the JPG irretrievably lost. RAW:

1. Open the Professional Mode in the camera.
2. Press three points. ⋮ top-right.
3. Select Save to RAW.

5.Camera module cleaning and thermal control

Over time, dust and greasy prints accumulate on the lens, which scatter light and add soap to the images.

• 🧴 Use a microfiber wipe (as for glasses) and isopropyl alcohol 70%.
• 🚫 Don’t blow on the lens – saliva leaves microdrops that then attract dust.
• 🔍 To remove dust from under the glass (if it is visible in the photo as dark spots), you need professional cleaning in the service center.

Another problem is overheating, and if you're shooting a long 4K video or a series of RAW images, the Helio G85 processor throttls, and the camera starts to slow down, skipping the footage, to avoid that:

• Remove the cover before shooting (it blocks the heat sink).
• Use the game mode in the MIUI settings (it limits the background processes).
• If you’re shooting videos longer than 10 minutes, pause or cool your phone with a fan.

💡

Overheating above 45°C automatically reduces video quality to 1080p and increases noise in photos. Watch the temperature in the AIDA64 app.

6. Alternative applications for shooting

The standard MIUI camera app is limited in features. Try these alternatives:

Filmic Pro is the best for video (it is worth it). ~2 000 ₽, But it gives you control of bitrate, color profile, and stabilization:

• Bitrate: 50 Mbps (maximum for Redmi Note 9)
• Color Profile: Flat (for subsequent color correction).
• Stabilization: Off (to avoid cropping).

7.Comparison of results: before and after optimization

We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 9 under the same conditions (lighting: room with a 4000K lamp, object: printed text A4).

Examples:

• 🌆 Night shooting: On a standard camera MIUI No text on the signage after GCam + hand-written letters are clear.
• 👤 Portrait: Facial skin without optimization has a green hue, after calibrating the white balance and processing in Lightroom natural colors.
• 🌿 Macro: Built-in macro module gives blur at the edges, with an external lens sharpness throughout the frame.

💡

The biggest quality gains come from the combination of GCam + RAW + post-processing, but for everyday shots, you just need to set up a standard camera and clean the lens.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note camera 9