How to accurately determine the number of megapixels of the camera on the smartphone Xiaomi

You just bought a Xiaomi smartphone and you want to figure out how much resolution it has, or maybe you need to compare the specs before you buy, but the seller is not sure about the exact data, and the number of megapixels is the first parameter that people look at when assessing the quality of photos, but how do you know this information if you don't have a box or a technical passport at hand?

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways - from viewing the phone settings to analyzing the phone. EXIF-You'll learn how the front and main cameras differ, why megapixels sometimes don't equal real quality, and what to do if the phone isn't recognized by the system, and how to check if the used device's a seller is cheating on you.

Whether you have a Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagship or a budget Redmi Note 12, the instructions are for any model.

Method 1: View in the camera settings

The quickest method is to look at the Camera app menu, and the manufacturer often specifies the resolution right in the interface, especially on new models.

1. Open the Camera app on your Xiaomi.
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) Or swipe sideways to open Settings.
3. Scroll down to the photo resolution or aspect ratio section.
4. Here you will see available options, such as 12 MP, 48 MP or 200 MP.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Poco) X5) The current resolution can be displayed in the settings, not the maximum. If you see 9 MP, it doesn't mean that the camera doesn't support 48 MP, just the binning mode of the pixels is turned on for better light sensitivity.

To see the real resolution of the matrix, switch to the maximum value manually. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the default is 12 MP, but when you select 50 MP in the settings, you will get the full resolution of the Sony IMX989 sensor.

Item "Photo Resolution" or "Photo Quality" |Mode" Professional (if any) |Settings of aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9) |Maximum value in the list of available permissions-->

Method 2: Use EXIF-photo

Each photo contains hidden information about how and on which device it was taken, called EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format), which records the resolution of the image, the camera model, shutter speed, ISO and even geolocation (if not disabled).

Take a test shot first:

1. Open the Camera app and take a photo in standard mode (no HDR or night mode).
2. Save the picture in the gallery.
3. Open the photo and find the Information button (usually the i icon in the circle or the three dots in the menu).

A data block will appear on the screen, where there will be a line like Resolution: 4000×3000 or Camera: 48.0 MP.

If the standard gallery does not display EXIF, use third-party applications:

• 📱 EXIF Viewer (Android) – shows all the technical data of the image, including the matrix model.
• 🌐 Online EXIF Viewer (e.g. exif.tools) – upload a photo from your phone to your website.
• 💻 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) – click on the photo file and select Properties.

⚠️ Attention: If you see in EXIF 12MP resolution, but you know, the camera supports 48MP, that's okay. Many Xiaomi default to take pictures in pixel binning mode (combining 4 pixels into 1 for better detail in the dark). To get full resolution, turn on 48 MP or 50 MP in the camera settings.

I'm looking at the phone settings.|I search the Internet using a model|Compared to other smartphones|I don't check, I trust the salesman.-->

Method 3: Check the specifications of the model

If the phone is new and you know its exact model, the most reliable way is to look at the official specs.

1. Find out your Xiaomi model: Go to Settings → About Phone → Model. Or look at the box (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G).
2. Type a model into a search engine asking for camera specs, such as: Xiaomi 13 Lite camera specs.
3. Look for information on official resources: 🌍 Xiaomi Global website (Specs section). 📄 Support page MIUI. 🛒 GSMArena – Here are detailed reviews with camera tests.

⚠️ Attention: Be careful with unofficial sources! Some sites indicate effective megapixels (with binning in mind) rather than the actual resolution of the matrix.+ It has a 108 MP sensor, but it removes 12 MP by default.

Also, pay attention to the number of cameras:

• 📷 The main camera is usually the most powerful (for example, 200 MP on Xiaomi 13 Ultra).
• 👁️ Front camera – most often 16-32 MP.
• 🔍 Additional modules (wide-angle, macro, depth) – usually 2–13 MP.

Method 4: Use diagnostic codes

If your Xiaomi is running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, you can find out the camera resolution using a hidden engineering menu.This method is suitable for advanced users and requires caution!

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636##
3. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
4. Scroll down to the Camera section – all modules with their permissions will be listed here.

⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models support this code. On devices with MediaTek processors (such as the Redmi Note 12), another combination may work:

##36446337##

But beware – wrong actions in the engineering menu can lead to failures!

If the codes don't work, try the MTK Engineering Mode app (for MediaTek) or Qualcomm Hidden Menu (for Snapdragon) that gives you access to technical information, including camera data.

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Before using the engineering menu, back up your data. Don't change the settings unless you're sure they're there!

Method 5: Check through testing applications

There are special utilities that analyze the hardware of the smartphone and give detailed characteristics, including the resolution of the cameras.-3 tested applications:

• 📱 AIDA64 — Shows full information about all camera modules, including the matrix manufacturer (e.g. Sony or Samsung). → Cameras.
• 🔍 CPU-Z — In the Device section there is a Cameras tab with data on resolution and supported modes.
• 📸 Camera2 API Probe – Tests camera capabilities, including maximum resolution and support RAW.

Example of data from AIDA64 for Xiaomi 12T Pro:

Camera 0: 200 MP (f/1.69, Samsung ISOCELL HP1)




Camera 1: 8 MP (wide-angle, f/2.2)




Camera 2: 2 MP (macro, f/2.4)




Front camera: 20 MP (f/2.24)

⚠️ Note: Some applications may show software resolution (the one used by default) rather than hardware. For example, if the camera supports 108 MP but the settings cost 12 MP, the application will display 12 MP. To see the maximum, temporarily switch to (maximum resolution) in the camera settings.

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Apps like AIDA64 show real-world specs of the array, not current shooting settings, which is useful if you want to know the potential of the camera, not just the current resolution.

What if the megapixels do not match the declared ones?

Sometimes users find that the actual resolution of the camera is lower than the specs, and here are the possible reasons and solutions:

• 🔧 Pixel binning mode – many Xiaomi defaults to shoot in mode 12 MP instead of MP 48/108/200 MP: Manually enable maximum resolution in camera settings.
• 🛠️ Software restriction - some firmware (especially custom ones) can block high resolution. MIUI before the latest version or check the settings in Camera2 API Probe.
• 🚨 Fake device — if the camera is giving 8 MP instead of the 48 MP claimed, it could be a sign of a fake. IMEI IMEI.info.
• 🔄 Hardware defect: If the camera makes a mistake or shoots in low resolution after a fall, the matrix may be damaged.

To check if you are cheating on the seller with a used phone, do the following:

1. Compare the IMEI on the box and in settings (Settings → About Phone → General information → IMEI).
2. Check the serial number on the official Xiaomi website (authentication check).
3. Take a test shot and analyze it. EXIF-data (see Method 2).

Additional tips for working with Xiaomi camera

Knowing megapixels is just the beginning, and here are a few life hacks that will help improve the quality of photos on your Xiaomi:

• 🌄 Use the regimen. 48/50/108/200 MP only in good light. In the dark, it's better to turn on 12 MP with binning – so the pictures will be less noisy.
• 📏 Shoot in 4:3, not 16:9 – this is how the entire matrix area is used, and the resolution is higher.
• 🔍 Enable Pro mode for manual settings ISO, It's particularly useful for shooting in difficult environments.
• 💾 Take it down. RAW (if supported) to edit photos without loss of quality.
• 🔄 Update your camera firmware – Xiaomi regularly releases improvements for image processing algorithms.

If you want to maximize the potential of the camera, install alternative applications:

• Google Camera (GCam) – Improves HDR processing and night mode.
• Open Camera – supports manual settings and shooting in RAW.
• Footie is a specialized application for high-bitrate video.

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Before installing the GCam, check your model's compatibility on the Celso Azevedo forum.Some versions may not work or cause overheating.

FAQ: Frequent questions about megapixels on Xiaomi