Xiaomi’s modern smartphones and Redmi’s sub-brand are equipped with advanced cameras that capture moments that the human eye often fails to see. Time-lapse video captures routine actions into cinematic scenes, allowing detailed viewing of a drop, a jumper, or a car’s movement. Owners of Android devices often look for ways to activate this mode without realizing that it is already built into the standard app.
The process of creating such content can vary depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, as well as the specifications of a particular camera module. Some models support recording in ultra-high resolution at high frame rates, while others are limited by standard parameters. Understanding these nuances will allow you to squeeze the maximum out of the capabilities of your gadget without installing third-party software.
In this article, we will take a look at all the methods available, from built-in settings to third-party post-processing apps, how to set exposure and focus properly to keep the picture clear even when time is slowing down, and how to look at the common mistakes that can make the video twitchy or blurry.
Use of the built-in Slow Motion mode
The easiest and most efficient way to get high-quality slow-motion video is to use the camera’s regular functionality. Xiaomi engineers embed a special algorithm for interpolating frames directly into the device’s software.
Open the standard Camera app and swipe your finger down the bottom panel of modes to the right, all the way up. In the options list, where Portrait, Night or Pro are usually located, you need to find the item Slowly or Slow motion. On some versions of the firmware, this mode can be hidden inside the “More” menu, which is indicated by three dots or the “More” button.
⚠️ Warning: When switching to slow-motion, the resolution of the frame can automatically decrease to 720p or 1080p, Even if the main camera is supported 4K. This is a technical limitation associated with the high speed of processing sensor data.
Once the mode is activated, a scale will appear on the screen that allows you to select the beginning and end of the slowdown, so you can adjust the sliders so that the video starts at a normal pace, then slows down sharply at a key moment and speeds up again, a technique often used in professional video editing to create dramatic effect.
Frame rate setting (FPS) and permissions
The key parameter affecting the smoothness of slow-motion video is frame rate per second, or FPS (Frames Per Second).Standard video is shot at 30 or 60 frames per second, while Slow Motion on Redmi smartphones can reach 120, 240 and even 960 frames per second on flagship models.
The higher the FPS, the more you can slow down the video without losing movement smoothness. However, there is a rule of inverse proportionality: as you increase the number of frames, you often have to sacrifice the resolution of the matrix or the amount of light available. In low light conditions, video shot at 960 FPS can be too dark or noisy.
To adjust these settings, go to the camera settings menu by clicking on the three horizontal bars in the upper right corner. Find the section for video quality. Here you will see the available resolution and frame rates combinations. Choose maximum values if the scene lighting allows.
| Recording mode | Frame rate (FPS) | Recommended coverage | Availability on Redmi |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD Slowly. | 120 FPS | Daylight/Studio | All models. |
| HD Slowly. | 240 FPS | Bright sunlight | Middle and high class |
| Super slow down. | 960 FPS | Perfect lighting | Flagships (Mi/Number series) |
| Standard video | 30/60 FPS | Anybody | All models. |
Note that when you select 960 FPS, the recording time is often limited to a few seconds, the camera buffers the image and saves only a short period of time, which is then stretched for a few seconds of playback, which is usually enough time to capture an explosion, a shattering plate or a splash of water.
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To achieve the best quality when shooting at 240 FPS And above, use outside lighting or shoot outside on a clear day, and in a room without additional light sources, the matrix will not have time to capture enough information, and the video will be dark.
Manual setting of exposure and focus
Xiaomi’s camera’s automatic mode doesn’t always handle the fast-paced scene. To make slow-motion videos look professional, you need to manually record exposure settings. In Slow-mode, tap the screen at the point where the action will take place to focus.
After focusing, the sun icon will appear next to the square of focus. Pull the slider down to reduce exposure a little. This will prevent overlights (white spots illuminated) and make the colors more saturated. In addition, the short exposure that you get at low exposure will reduce the lubrication of fast-moving objects.
If your smartphone supports Pro Video or manual settings inside slowdown mode, try setting shutter manually. The 180-degree rule says shutter speed should be doubled back frame rate. For example, for shooting at 120 FPS, the ideal shutter speed is 1/240 seconds.
⚠️ Attention: Focus fixation (AF Lock is critical when shooting macro objects in slow motion. If the object leaves focus, autofocus can start to "scour" and the video becomes unusable.
Use a tripod or slam your phone against a stationary object, and with strong digital zoom or high resolution, even the shaking of your hands will be markedly amplified in slow-motion, and stabilizing your image in these conditions is less effective than physically immobile.
☑️ Checklist before shooting Slow Motion
Slowing down the finished video through the editor
If you've already shot a regular video but want to slow down some of it, the built-in MIUI can be limited, and third-party editing apps come to the rescue to change the speed of individual snippets, and popular editors like CapCut, InShot, or KineMaster work great on Snapdragon and Helio processors.
The way these programs work is by interpolation, where the algorithm creates new intermediate frames between existing ones, and this allows even 30 FPS video to be smooth. But the quality of the interpolation is inferior to the high-speed native imagery, and the artifacts of motion can be seen when you look at them in detail.
To edit, import the video into the project, select the desired area on the timeline, and select the Speed tool. Reduce the value to 0.5x or 0.2x. Some applications offer a “Smooth Slow-mo” mode that uses artificial intelligence to smooth out jerks.
Processing video with slowing effects requires significant computational resources. During rendering (saving) the final file, the phone can heat up and the battery can discharge quickly. It is recommended to close the background applications before exporting.
Why does video slow down when editing?
Comparison of native camera and third-party applications
Users often wonder: which is better to use – the built-in Xiaomi mode or third-party cameras from Google Play? the native application is optimized specifically for the “hardware” of your device, ensuring a better experience with the ISP (image processing processor).
Third-party applications such as Open Camera or Footej Camera can provide more flexible settings, such as manual bitrate or codec selection, but they do not always have access to special sensor modes that are activated only by the manufacturer's standard software, resulting in less quality or no high FPS video.
The key advantage of the regular camera is stability. Xiaomi algorithms know how to balance white and noise cancellation correctly for a particular matrix model. Third-party programs use universal drivers, which sometimes leads to color reproduction with errors.
However, third-party software is indispensable for creative experimentation, allowing you to overlay real-time filters, change aspect ratios, and use manual settings that are not available in the basic interface, depending on your goal: documentary accuracy or artistic expression.
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Native cameras are always the priority for shooting at 240/960 FPS, as only they have direct access to high-speed matrix reading modes.
Optimizing Storage and Productivity
Slow Motion video takes up significantly more disk space than a regular recording. One minute of video at 240 FPS can weigh several hundred megabytes. Owners of smartphones with 64 GB or 128 GB of storage should carefully monitor the free space.
In addition, recording and processing such files puts a high load on the drive. If the smartphone memory is more than 90% full, the recording speed may drop, and the camera will stop writing video, interrupting the recording.
To transfer heavy video files to your computer, use a USB 3.0 cable (if the phone port supports this speed) or a high-speed Wi-Fi standard. Transferring over Bluetooth or via instant messengers without compression of quality will take too long and can stop.