Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face situations where the claimed characteristics of the device are not true, especially in the budget segment, where the manufacturer can install different camera modules in different batches of the same phone, a phenomenon called a matrix lottery, and it can significantly affect the final quality of images, color reproduction and detail.
Knowing the exact sensor model is not just for curiosity; if you're planning to install custom firmware or modify Google Camera (GCam), you'll need an accurate hardware ID. An incorrect configuration file for another sensor will cause the camera to fail or artifacts to appear. In this article, we'll look at all the identification methods available.
There are several levels of verification, from simple visual inspection to in-depth analysis of system logs, and we will look at both software methods that do not require superuser rights, and methods for advanced users who are ready to disassemble the device. It is important to understand that MIUI and HyperOS hide technical information from the average user, so it is impossible to obtain an exact matrix code with standard menu tools.
⚠️ Note: Software methods show ID In rare cases, especially on reassembled or cloned devices, software is used to create a sensor that is registered in the driver. ID It may not be the same as the physical "iron" filling.
Visual inspection through disassembly of the device
The most reliable way to know which module is installed in your smartphone is to physically access the component. The back of the camera module is always marked. However, this method requires a complete disassembly of the device, which entails a loss of warranty and the risk of damage to the plumes or the case, you should only resort to it in extreme cases or if you are an experienced craftsman.
The process starts with heating the perimeter of the back cover and carefully peeling off the glass. Once the cover is removed, the protective plate must be removed and the plumes removed. The camera module itself is usually framed or glued. The metal part of the module body has a code engraved or printed with letters and numbers, and this is the unique identifier.
- 🔍 Sony Code: Usually starts with a prefix IMX (for example, IMX586, IMX766) It is the most desirable for users.
- 📷 Samsung Code: Marked as S5K (for example, S5KGM1, S5KJN1) It is often found in mid-range devices.
- 🇨🇳 OmniVision Code: Denoted as OV (for example, OV64B, OV13B), It is often used in support chambers or public sector workers.
- 🏭 GalaxyCore Code: Marking GC (for example, GC02M1), Characteristic of macro lenses and depth cameras.
It's worth noting that even within the same Xiaomi lineup, there can be different vendors, like the Redmi Note 10 Pro could have Samsung or OmniVision arrays, and visual validation is 100% guaranteed, but requires tools and skills, and if you're not confident in your abilities, you'd better use the software methods that we'll look at later.
⚠️ Warning: When disassembling your smartphone, be sure to turn off the battery first, immediately after removing the back cover. Attempting to turn off the camera plume under voltage can lead to a short circuit and the motherboard fails.
☑️ Preparation for disassembly for camera inspection
Use of engineering menus and codes
In the Android operating system, on top of which the shell works MIUI, There's a hidden diagnostic section, and it's accessed through a set of specialty units. USSD-This method is secure, does not require the installation of third-party software and allows you to access hardware tests.
To enter the diagnostic menu, you need to dial the code ##6484##. If the code does not work, try ##4636#. In the CIT menu that opens, you need to find the item associated with the camera. It can be called FrontCamera, BackCamera or simply Camera. When you start the test, the system will try to activate the module and can output technical information about the connected sensor.
However, modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 often hide specific sensor names, showing only the status of "Pass" or "Fail." In some cases, if you run a test and immediately fold the application, you can see the driver name in the logs or in the process header, but this method does not work on all models.
- 📞 Code. CIT: The main diagnostic tool for checking all Xiaomi modules.
- 📱 #4636## gives you access to general phone information and usage statistics.
- 🔧 Developer code: ##64663## an alternative path to the engineering menu on older versions MIUI.
If you have a default code blocked by your operator or region, you can use Activity Launcher, which allows you to run hidden activity, and you can search the CIT or Hardware Test list and start the corresponding activity, which is analogous to entering code, but through the Task Manager GUI.
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If the ##6484## code doesn't work, install the Quick Shortcut Maker app from the Play Market. Search for "CIT" and create a shortcut to run the engineering menu.
Analysis through ADB and System Logic
The most informative, non-disassembly software method is to analyze logs through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging bridge, which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and having basic command line skills, and it allows you to “ask” the kernel of the system which driver was downloaded for the camera at launch.
To start, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version. Then go to Advanced Settings → For Developers and turn on Debugging on USB. Connect your phone to your PC, select File Transfer Mode, and confirm debugging on your smartphone screen.
On your computer, open the command line in the ADB folder and enter a command to output kernel buffer logs by filtering them out for the camera-related keywords.
adb logcat -b all -s camera hal.cameraOnce you have the command, run the camera app on your phone, and you'll see lines in the logs that initialize the sensor, look for lines that contain sensor, probe, or brand names (sony, samsung, ov), and you'll often see an exact model, like imx686 or s5k3p9.
⚠️ Attention: Logs can be very voluminous. Use filtering. If you see a message "probe failed" or "sensor not found," it may mean that the module is physically defective or the plume has gone away, rather than that it is not in the system.
Applications for characterization
If you don't want to mess with the command line, specialized applications from the Google Play Store will come to the rescue, and they read information from the build.prop system files and turn to the Internet. API But remember, apps only see what the system allows them to see, and sometimes they can show you what they see.-generic name.
One of the most popular tools is the Device Info HW. This app specializes in identifying the real components of a device, ignoring marketing names. In the Camera section, it often shows not only the sensor model, but also the lens parameters, focal length and aperture. Also useful is the CPU-Z app, although it is more processor-oriented, sometimes slips through the sensor information in the Devices section.
Another powerful tool is AIDA64. Once installed, run the scan and go to the "Map" or "Camera" section, which will specify the manufacturer and model of the sensor, and if instead of a specific code it says "Generic" or "Unknown", then the application could not get accurate data due to the access restrictions of Android 10/11/12/13/14.
- 📱 Device Info HW: Best App for Detailed Iron Analysis, Including Cameras.
- 📊 AIDA64: Universal diagnostic tool with support for multiple sensors.
- 🔍 CPU-Z: Quick way to check basic features, including device model.
- 📸 Open Camera: In the settings of this application (section About the program» → «Tests API The camera can be viewed a list of supported sensors and their ID.
It's important to understand the difference between the main camera and the auxiliary camera. Apps often show information about the camera that's currently active. Try switching to a "width" or macro lens in a standard application, and then running the test in the diagnostic utility.
Table of popular sensors in Xiaomi smartphones
To make it easier for you to navigate the codes you might find in your checkup, we've compiled a table of markings and performance, which are the most common sensors found in Xiaomi devices over the past few years.
| Marking | Manufacturer | Permission (MP) | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMX586 | Sony | 48 | Flagships 2019-2020, upper middle segment |
| S5KGM1 | Samsung | 48 | Budget and Medium-Sized Models (Redmi Note Series) |
| IMX686 | Sony | 64 | Flagship models (Mi 10, Mi 10T) |
| S5KHM2 | Samsung | 108 | Subflagships (Mi 10S, Redmi Note 10 Pro) |
| OV64B | OmniVision | 64 | Ultra-wide-angle cameras and TVs |
| GC02M1 | GalaxyCore | 2 | Macro cameras and depth sensors |
Knowing these codes will help you quickly appreciate the potential of your smartphone’s camera, for example, the presence of a Sony IMX 700 or 800 series sensor indicates a high potential for night shooting, while GalaxyCore arrays usually perform a decorative function.
Why are there different cameras on the same phone?
The problem of the “lottery” of matrices and its impact
The phenomenon of having different cameras in the same smartphone is called the Matrix Lottery, a way for a company to optimize supply chains and reduce the risk of scarcity, and it is often a nasty surprise for the user, especially if they bought the device based on reviews that tested the version with the more expensive sensor.
The difference in quality can be noticeable in low light. Higher-end sensors have larger pixel size or better binning technology. For example, Sony IMX586 images often have a more natural dynamic range than Samsung GM1, despite having the same 48MP resolution.
Also, different modules may require different focus settings. If you decide to install a third-party camera (GCam), you definitely need to know your sensor. a configuration file (.xml) for Sony won't work properly with Samsung, resulting in a green screen, lack of focus, or app crashes.
- 📉 Dynamic range: Different sensors have different ability to retain detail in lights and shadows.
- 🌙 Night shooting: Key parameter where the difference between matrices is best seen.
- 🎨 Sony sensors traditionally better at conveying skin colors, while Samsung can go into colder tones.
Should you change your phone if you get the worst camera? Hardly unless it's a huge difference. Xiaomi's current image processing algorithms are trying to make up for the difference by using powerful noise cancellation and HDR. But for mobile photography enthusiasts, this can be a crucial factor in choosing a device in the secondary market.
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Matrice lottery is a normal manufacturing practice, and the difference in image quality between different sensors in the same class is often minimal and only noticeable when compared in detail on a large screen.