How to improve the camera Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from settings to firmware

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still one of the most popular smartphones among amateur photographers due to its 64-megapixel main camera. However, even with such hardware, many users face blurry images, noise in the dark or poor detail, the problem is not the device, but the ability to customize it.

In this article, 10 proven ways to improve the Redmi Note 8 Pro camera without buying a new phone, we will examine both software tricks (hidden settings, alternative firmware) and hardware solutions (lens, stabilization), and focus on shooting in difficult conditions: At night, in bright sun and in motion, all methods tested on current versions. MIUI and GCam.

Important: results depend on the firmware version and the state of the camera module. If your Redmi Note 8 Pro fell from a height or came into contact with water, first check the hardware health at the service center.

1. Optimization of standard settings of the MIUI camera

The factory camera settings in the Redmi Note 8 Pro are designed for the average user, but can be fine-tuned to specific scenarios.

• 📸 Photo resolution: set 64 MP (in camera settings) → "Resolution") for maximum detail. In the dark, it is better to switch to 16 MP - this will reduce noise due to binning pixels.
• 🌓 HDR: Turn on the car-HDR (or AI HDR newer MIUI). Manually activate. HDR when shooting against the sun or in the backlight.
• 🎯 Focus: Turn off face autofocus if the camera often misses the subject. Use manual focus (tapping the screen). + lock-in).
• 🔄 Grid: Activate the Grid 3×3 (rule of thirds) for compositionally balanced personnel.

Hidden function: In Pro mode (professional), sharpness and saturation are available. Set sharpness on the +2. and saturation on +1 for more lively but not overexposed colors.Avoid extreme values - this adds artifacts.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI before 14+ Some menu items may be shifted. If you don't find the setting, reset the camera settings to the factory settings in Settings. → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.

2.Install Google Camera (GCam) for better handling

Xiaomi’s stock camera app loses Google Camera in processing HDR, GCam uses Google algorithms for more natural colors and less noise. Redmi Note 8 Pro is suitable for versions based on the BSG Shamim.

Installation instructions:

1. Download. APK-GCam file for Redmi Note 8 Pro from a trusted source (e.g. Celso Azevedo) Current versions: 8.1 or 8.4.
2. Before installation, enable Installation from unknown sources in the security settings.
3. Install. APK Open the app. When you first start, give me all the permissions you've requested.
4. In the settings GCam (Settings) → BSG Mods) Select a config for Redmi Note 8 Pro (e.g, begonia_config.xml).

Recommended GCam settings for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

GCam on Redmi Note 8 Pro supports shooting in the RAW (format DNG), But only in Night Sight mode, which allows the laser to edit the images in Lightroom with minimal loss of quality. RAW Go to Settings. → Advanced → RAW format.

3. Night shooting: how to get detailed footage

The main camera of the Redmi Note 8 Pro is physically able to capture a lot of light thanks to its large aperture. f/1.89, But stock firmware often makes noise in the night:

• 🌙 Night mode in a standard camera: hold your phone still for 3-5 seconds. Use a timer or remote to avoid shaking.
• 📱 GCam Night Sight: Set shutter speeds up to 10 seconds (manually in Pro mode). For moving objects, limit yourself to 3-4 seconds.
• 🔦 Additional lighting: even a weak light source (a smartphone flashlight pointed at the ceiling) will improve detail.
• 📊 Manual settings ISO: set up in Pro mode ISO on 800–1600 (Higher, more noise: 1/10–1/4 seconds.

The secret trick is to cool your phone for 10 minutes before you shoot at night (e.g., hold it in the shade or next to the air conditioner). Overheating the sensor increases the digital noise. If the camera overheats, the screen will display a warning "Camera is too hot" - let it cool.

⚠️ Warning: When shooting with a shutter speed of more than 2 seconds, always use a tripod or support. Even microscopic hand movements will lead to blurring. Alternatively, Handheld modes in GCam (for shooting with hands).

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To capture the starry sky set GCam shutter speed 30 seconds, ISO 3200 and focus on "infinity" (manual). Use a tripod and remote to lower the shutter.

4. Videotaped: 4K, stabilization and sound

Redmi Note 8 Pro shoots video in resolution before 4K@30fps, But the default is software stabilization, which cuts the edges of the frame, to get the best quality:

• 🎥 Permission and FPS: Choose for a smooth video 1080p@60fps (It's better for dynamic scenes — 4K@30fps (But the files will weigh. ~400 MB/min).
• 🔄 Stabilization: Turn off EIS (Electronic stabilization in video settings if you're shooting from a tripod. To shoot with your hands, turn on Ultra Steady (in GCam).
• 🎤 Sound: Connect an external microphone via Type-C or use wireless headphones in "microphone" mode. Built-in microphone does not suppress wind noise well.
• 📱 Codecs: in GCam, select the encoder H.265 (HEVC) for smaller files with the same quality.

The problem of Redmi Note 8 Pro - overheating in a long time 4K-If the video starts to lie or the camera goes off, go to the video. 1080p Or take a 5 minute break, and watch the battery power: below 20%, the camera can automatically lower the resolution.

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For professional video, use the Filmic Pro app (paid) which allows you to manually adjust your focus, exposure and white balance in real time, as well as record in real time. LOG-Profile for subsequent color correction.

5. Alternative firmware and modifications

If standard software doesn't work, consider custom firmware, which gives you access to advanced camera settings, support for new codecs, and bug fixes. Popular options for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

• 🤖 LineageOS: pure Android without MIUI, But it requires unlocking the bootloader. Camera2 API This improves compatibility with GCam.
• 📱 Pixel Experience: firmware with Google Pixel features, including improved Night Sight and Portrait Mode.
• ⚡ MIUI EU: European MIUI It includes advanced camera settings (e.g. manual shutter speed up to 32 seconds).

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding).
2. Install a custom Recovery TWRP Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename of the device is begonia).
3. Make a backup of the current firmware in TWRP.
4. Sweep through the selected firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
5. Install a compatible version of the GCam or a modified camera ANX Camera.

After the Pixel Experience firmware is installed on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the Astrophotography mode in GCam becomes available, which automatically adjusts shutter speed and focus for shooting the Milky Way.

⚠️ Warning: Unskillful firmware can lead to a "brick" (breakdown) of the phone. Before you start, check the firmware compatibility with your revision of the Redmi Note 8 Pro (for example, the global version of begoniain is not compatible with the Chinese begonia).

6. Hardware improvements: lenses and accessories

Software optimization has limits, so for a serious photo, consider hardware accessories that compensate for the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s weaknesses: the lack of optical stabilization and the average quality of the wide-angle module.

Top.-5 accessories to improve the camera:

• 📷 External lenses: moment nozzles or xenvo (macro, wide-angle, telephoto) fastened to a magnetic ring or clip. Cost: 1,500-4 000 ₽.
• 🎥 Triple: Joby GorillaPod mini-station (flexible legs for attachment on any surface) or full-size Manfrotto Pixi.
• 🔦 External flash: Lume Cube LED panels or color-temperature-adjustable ring lamps (5,000–10,000) ₽).
• 🎤 Microphone: loopy Boya BY-M1 (1 500 ₽) Directed Rode VideoMic for video (8000) ₽).
• 🔋 Powerbank with Passthrough: for long-term shooting (for example, Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3 Pro with support for fast charging).

Example of use: For portraits with a blurred background (boke), use an external lens with a focal length of 58 mm and move the model 1.5-2 meters from the background. In the standard camera, activate Portrait mode, and in the GCam, Lens Blur.

7 Post-processing: editing applications

Even a perfect shot requires minimal processing. Both mobile and desktop editors are suitable for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, and the rule of thumb is: don't overdo the settings so that the photo doesn't look artificial.

The best editing apps:

• 📱 Adobe Lightroom Mobile: Free, Supported RAW (DNG). Use Portra 400 Presets for Natural Colors or Kodachrome for Saturated Frames.
• 🎨 Snapseed: convenient interface for point correction (tool "Selective" for lightening shadows on faces).
• 🖼️ VSCO: Filters with imitation of film (recommended) A6 or HB2 portrait).
• 💻 Darktable (for PC): free analogue of Lightroom with support for color profiles DCP.

Basic settings for photos with Redmi Note 8 Pro:

• Exposition: increase by +0.3–0.7 for nighttime photographs.
• Contrast: reduce by −10 for a soft image.
• Shadows: Lift on +20–30 for details to be worked out.
• Sharpness: Field mask with a radius of 1.0 and a strength of 30% (web publishing only).

For video, use CapCut (free) or LumaFusion (paid, 2,000) ₽). In CapCut, enable stabilization (stabilization) → Strong) and color correction by means of curves RGB.

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In editing RAW-file (DNG) First, adjust the white balance, then the exposure, and last, sharpness.

8.Diagnostics and repair of hardware problems

If the Redmi Note 8 Pro camera produces artifacts, blurs, or errors even after all the settings, there may be hardware malfunctions.

• 🔍 Contaminated lens: blurry edges, glare. Clean the lens with a microfiber wipe (do not use alcohol!).
• 💥 Damaged module: vertical stripes in the images, broken pixels, requires a replacement camera (cost: 3000-5 000) ₽).
• 🔌 Oxidized contacts: the camera periodically shuts down, help reconnect the plume (in the service center).
• 🔋 CPU overheating: The camera lags after 5 minutes of shooting. Clean the phone of dust (especially around the camera) and replace the thermal paste.

How to check the hardware status of the camera:

1. Install Camera Test from the Play Market.
2. Test each module (main, wide-angle, macro, front).
3. Compare the results with reference pictures (examples are available on the forums) 4PDA or XDA).
4. If the artifacts are repeated, the hardware malfunction.

The cost of repairing the Redmi Note 8 Pro camera in 2026:

⚠️ Warning: If the camera is "Cannot connect to camera" when the phone falls, don't try to disassemble the phone yourself. In the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the camera plume is very fragile and easily breaks when handled carelessly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about camera improvements