How to improve the camera on Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC: from settings to firmware

Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC is a budget smartphone with a camera that often disappoints users with dim shots, noise in the dark and slow focus. But even with a module of 13 MP (main) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth) you can achieve noticeably better results if you know the hidden settings, the right applications and hardware limitations of the model. In this article, 7 working ways to improve the camera without buying a new phone, with examples of settings, software comparisons and warnings about typical errors.

The Redmi 9C NFC’s main problem is Xiaomi’s image processing software, which aggressively smoothes out details and overstates exposure, and adds hardware constraints like the lack of optical stabilization, the weak Helio G35 processor, and budget matrix, but even with these flaws, you can get acceptable photos for social media or documents if you set up the software correctly and avoid typical shooting errors.

It’s important to understand that the Redmi 9C NFC camera is physically unable to compete with flagships, but 80% of the problems are solved by setting up processing algorithms and post-processing. Below are step-by-step instructions from simple (changing parameters in a standard application) to advanced (install custom firmware).

1. Optimization of the standard camera application

The first thing you need to do is turn off the automatic "improvers" that spoil your images. Go to the Camera app, tap the gear in the upper right corner, and make the following changes:

• 🔍 Turn it off "AI-The camera, which artificially saturates colors and adds noise. → AI-camera → Off.
• 🌓 Set up a manual exposure. In Professional mode, swipe left, lower down. ISO before 100–200 and 1/1000 day-shot.
• 📏 Turn on the grid (Settings) → Grid. → 3×3) fit.
• 🚫 Turn it off. HDR Automatically – it works poorly on budget smartphones, creating halos around objects.

Also check the video resolution: Redmi default 9C NFC drop-in 1080p@30fps, but it can be forced to 720p@60fps For a smoother picture (albeit with loss of detail). → Video resolution.

⚠️ Note: Don't use digital zoom in a standard app - it just crops and enlarges pixels, degrades quality.

2. Installation of alternative applications for shooting

Standard annex MIUI Camera is very limited in settings. Alternative software allows you to manually control focus, white balance and processing. RAW-Best Files for Redmi 9C NFC:

The GCam will require you to download a version compatible with the Helio G35 processor (e.g. BSG GCam or Shamim GCam).

1. Download. XML-configuration 9C (like, from here).
2. Place the file in the GCam/Configs7 folder on your phone.
3. In the application, tap twice on the black field next to the down button.
4. Select the downloaded config and restart the application.

⚠️ Warning: Some versions of the GCam may cause Redmi processor to overheat 9C NFC For long shots, watch the temperature in the Settings menu. → Battery.

Download the compatible version of GCam|Install XML-configuration G35|Turn off "Sabre" in settings (reduces noise)|Turn it on "HDR+ Enhanced" for daytime photos|Set 12 MP resolution for better detail-->

3. Manual control of focus and exposure

One of the main drawbacks of the Redmi 9C NFC is its slow and inaccurate autofocus, to avoid blurry images:

• 🎯 Use a point focus. Touch the screen at the point where you want to focus, and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds to block the focus.
• 📐 Adjust exposure. In most alternative applications (like Open Camera), you can manually reduce exposure by -0.3 or -0.7. EV more saturated.
• 🔄 Turn off Focus while shooting in the video settings if the camera is constantly "breathing" (changes focus during recording).

For macro photography (Macro mode 2 MP):

• Bring the phone 4-6 cm to the object.
• Use additional lighting (such as a flashlight or annular lamp) as the 2MP matrix does not cope well with noise.
• Shoot in RAW format (if supported by the app) and process later in Lightroom or Snapseed.

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If autofocus is constantly floating, try cleaning the camera lens with a soft brush, and often the problem is the lens contamination, not the software.

4 Post-processing photos: from Snapseed to Lightroom

Even perfectly captured images on the Redmi 9C NFC require post-processing.

• 🌫️ Noise (especially in dark areas).
• 🎨 Smuddering (due to aggressive smoothing) MIUI).
• 🔆 Peresvet (light areas "broken" to white).

Recommended tools:

Example of processing in Snapseed:

1. Open the photo and select the Details tool → increase the structure by 20-30%.
2. Go to Selective Correction and darken the lights.
3. Use the HDR Scape filter with a force of 30-50% to restore shadows.

5. Hardware improvements: lenses, lighting, stabilization

If software methods do not give enough result, you can improve the camera with the help of inexpensive accessories:

• 🔍 External lenses (e.g. Xenvo Pro Lens or Apexel)>) — They add a wide angle or macro effect, they stick to a magnetic adapter.
• 💡 Ring lamp (from 500 rubles) - removes shadows during portrait photography and macro.
• 🎥 Mini-trager (e.g, DJI Osmo Mobile SE) — Stabilizes video and allows you to shoot smooth panoramas.
• 🔋 External battery - Redmi 9C NFC It is quickly discharged during long shooting, especially with GCam.

When using external lenses:

• Before installation, clean the main chamber of dust and prints.
• Do not use lenses with a magnification of more than 2× – this will increase digital noise.
• For macro photography, fix the phone on a tripod, as any shaking of the hand will spoil the frame.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap head-mounted lenses (priced up to 300 rubles) often distort the edges of the frame and add chromatic aberrations.

6. Update firmware and core to improve the camera

Camera quality is affected not only by hardware, but also by the firmware version and matrix drivers. Official updates from Xiaomi for the Redmi 9C NFC are rare, but custom builds can be installed:

• 📱 MIUI EU — European firmware without Bloatware, with improved photo processing.
• 🤖 LineageOS or Pixel Experience – pure Android with support for GCam without crutches.
• 🔧 Modified core (e.g., FrancoKernel) – optimizes the processor’s performance when shooting.

Instructions for installing Pixel Experience:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires an account binding Mi).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 9C (codename angelican).
3. Download the firmware from the official website.
4. Sweat through TWRP (wipe → install → reboot).

After installing custom firmware:

• Check the camera performance in GCam – some builds require additional fixes (like the Magisk patch for Camera2API).
• Calibrate the sensors (Settings → System → Sensors) if the autofocus is not working properly.

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Custom firmware can improve the camera by 30-40%, but the risk of "bricking" the phone if installed improperly is ~5%. Always back up through TWRP before firmware!

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with perfect settings, you can ruin your picture because of typical errors. Here's what you can't do on the Redmi 9C NFC:

• 🚫 Shoot against the sun - the matrix does not do well with high contrast. Use manual exposure or shoot in the shade.
• 🚫 If you use digital zoom, you'd better crop the photo later. Maximum "useful" zoom is 1.2.×.
• 🚫 Videotape in 4K — Helio G35 If you don't pull that load, the video will lag: 1080p@30fps.
• 🚫 Keep the photo in HEIF — This format saves space, but it worsens compatibility with editors.

A few more nuances:

• 🔋 Battery charge below 20% impairs camera performance – phone starts to limit resources.
• 🧊 Overheating (above 45)°C) automatically reduces the quality of the shots. Let the phone cool down after 10-15 minutes of shooting.
• 📁 Full memory (less than 1 GB free) can cause photo saving errors.

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Before an important shot, restart your phone and close all the background apps, which will free up RAM and reduce the camera's lags.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi camera 9C NFC