Choosing a modern smartphone often boils down to finding the answer to the question: what camera does Xiaomi have in the desired price segment? the Chinese giant has come a long way from creating simple devices for enthusiasts to the release of flagships that collaborate with the legendary Leica and are equipped with inch sensors. Photo modules company now able to compete with the best samples in the mobile photography market, offering users incredible detail and color reproduction.
But the variety of models can be confusing even for the power user, with devices with very different approaches to image processing, and if you're planning a purchase, you need to be clear about the difference between budget solutions and top-end devices so you don't overpay for unnecessary features or be disappointed in the quality of your images.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what sensors the manufacturer uses, how the software works, and what to look for when choosing a mobile camera, and you will learn about the technical nuances behind marketing slogans, and understand why megapixel count is not the only important parameter.
Evolution of photo modules and collaboration with Leica
Xiaomi’s camera history is divided into two distinct phases: before and after the Leica partnership. For a long time, the company relied on its own processing algorithms and standard sensors to keep up with industry leaders. Things changed dramatically with the launch of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra series, when engineers joined forces with German optics, allowing for unique color profiles and significantly improved dynamic range.
Modern flagships are equipped with a sophisticated lens system that minimizes glare and distortion at the edges of the frame. Optical stabilization has become the standard even for mid-range price segments, allowing you to take clear pictures in low light and shoot smooth video without the effect of “shaking hands”. An important aspect was the introduction of variable aperture number in top models, which gives physical control over the depth of field.
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Before buying a flagship, be sure to check for a Leica certificate in the specs, as not all premium models get this optics.
It's worth noting that software plays as much a role as hardware, and AI algorithms now recognize scenes, optimize exposure for people's faces, and even create bokeh effects comparable to professional lenses, making the process of shooting accessible to beginners without requiring a deep knowledge of photography.
- 📸 The introduction of inch sensors Sony IMX989 and LYT900 maximum-capture.
- 🎨 Special color profiles Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant for different styles of shooting.
- 🔍 Improved zoom lens with periscopic design in Ultra-versions of smartphones.
- 🌙 Advanced night mode, operating in almost complete darkness due to the large size of the pixel.
Main sensors: Sony vs Samsung
When it comes to what kind of camera Xiaomi has, you can’t ignore the battle between the matrix manufacturers. The company uses sensors from two major giants: Sony and Samsung. Flagship models most often get the latest Sony IMX or LYT. These arrays are characterized by high light sensitivity and excellent color rendering “out of the box.” For example, the Sony IMX989 sensor measuring 1 inch has become revolutionary for the industry, allowing smartphones to take pictures that are difficult to distinguish from photos taken on compact cameras.
On the other hand, Samsung offers high-resolution matrices such as 108 MP and 200 MP. In the models of the Redmi Note series and Xiaomi Lite, Samsung ISOCELL sensors are often found. Their main advantage is the ability to crop (digital zoom) without a strong loss of detail thanks to pixel binning technology. Xiaomi processing algorithms have learned to effectively use this margin of resolution, giving clear 12 or 25-megapixel images even in the daytime.
⚠️ Attention: High resolution 108 MP or 200 MP in budget models is often a marketing ploy.The real quality of the images depends on the size of the individual pixel and the quality of the lens, not just the number of megapixels.
In mid-range segments, Sony IMX766 or IMX890 sensors are common. It's the "gold standard" of mobile photography that provides stable results in all conditions. They're smaller than inch giants, but thanks to optical stabilization and good HDR algorithms, they allow you to get great shots. The choice between Sony and Samsung in this case often comes down to color reproduction preferences: Sony often gives more natural tones, and Samsung tends to make colors more saturated.
Special attention should be paid to Quad Bayer technology, which allows you to combine 4, 9 or even 16 neighboring pixels into one large one. This is critical for night shooting, when every photon of light counts. It is thanks to this technology that modern Xiaomi smartphones can shoot in light, in which the human eye can hardly distinguish anything.
Ultra-wide angle and telephoto lenses
A modern smartphone is always a camera system. In addition to the main module, Xiaomi is actively developing the directions of ultra-wide-angle and tele-shooting. In flagship models, you will often find an ultra-wide 50 MP resolution, which is not inferior in quality to the main module of previous years, which allows you to shoot landscapes and architecture without characteristic distortions at the edges of the frame and with high detail.
Telephoto lenses in the Pro and Ultra lines often have periscopic design. This means that light passes through the prism inside the case, allowing you to realize optical zoom 3.2x, 5x and even 10x without increasing the thickness of the smartphone. Optical zoom gives a multiple increase without loss of quality, unlike digital, which just crops the frame. Having a telephoto lens with macro mode also becomes the standard for high-quality subject photography.
| Type of camera | Permission (Flagships) | Functional | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main (Wide) | 50-200 MP | OIS, Laser AF | Everyday photography, portraits |
| Ultrawide (Ultrawide) | 13-50 MP | AF (in tops) | Landscapes, architecture, macro |
| Telephoto (Telephoto) | 10-50 MP | Periscope OIS | Portraits, remote objects |
| Macro (Budget) | 2-5 MP | Fixed Focus | Photography of small objects near |
In the budget segment, the situation is more complicated. Often, instead of a full telephoto lens, you have a depth module or a low-resolution macro camera (2 MP), which is more used to fill space in the camera block than for real use. If you want zoom, you better look at the Mi or Xiaomi models with the Pro console, where full-fledged optical augmentators are installed.
Why are macro cameras often useless?
Image stabilization and night mode
One of the key characteristics that determine which camera Xiaomi has is the stabilization system. Modern models use hybrid stabilization, combining optical (OIS) and electronic (EIS) components. OIS physically shifts the lens or sensor to compensate for the tremors of the hands, which is critical for shooting video and photos at long exposure.
Xiaomi's Night Mode is multi-framed. The camera takes a series of images with different exposures in a fraction of a second, and then the AI algorithm glues them together into one perfect frame, which removes digital noise, pulls shadows in dark areas, and prevents lights and neon from getting illuminated. In the latest models with an inch sensor, the night mode works almost instantly.
⚠️ Warning: When shooting in night mode, try to keep your smartphone still at least the first 2-3 Even if stabilization is on, it ensures that there is no lubrication at long exposures.
For video, Super Night Video is available, which allows you to record videos in the dark while maintaining color and detail. It is also worth mentioning the Long Shutter Mode, which allows you to create artistic shots of current water or light tracks from cars without using a tripod, although with a tripod the result will be much better.
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Optical stabilization (OIS) is more important for video and night photography than just high resolution.
Video: 8K, HDR10+ and Stabilization
Xiaomi’s smartphone video capabilities have also taken a step further: Top models support 8K video recording, although in practice 4K at 60 frames per second remains the most sought-after format. Support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision standards provides a wide dynamic range, keeping details in lights and shadows even in contrast lighting.
The most noteworthy is Master Cinema, which gives users manual settings of exposure, focal length and white balance right while recording, making the smartphone a professional tool for content creators. Active Mode is very aggressive, cutting edges but delivering a stedicam-like effect.
- 🎥 Video recording in 8K 24 frames per second for maximum detail.
- 🎬 Mode "Film" with professional focus and exposure settings.
- 🔊 Zoom Audio recording, allowing you to focus on the sound of distant objects.
- 📹 Format LOG for subsequent color correction on the computer.
Audio recording has also been improved: a three-mic system allows you to record sound in Zoom Audio format, focusing on the subject and cutting off extraneous noise from the wind or crowd. This makes the smartphone a great tool for bloggers who shoot reports or interviews on the go.
Series comparison: Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi
Understanding the difference between brands within the holding helps answer the question of which camera is right for you. Xiaomi’s flagship lineup (formerly the Mi series) always gets the best sensors, Leica optics and full functionality.
The Redmi Note series offers a great balance of price and quality. High-resolution (108 MP, 200 MP) sensors are common here, but there may be no optical stabilization or telephoto lens. It's a good choice for fans of shooting in good daylight. The POCO series is performance-oriented, so cameras here are often trimmed for a powerful processor, although the older models (F-series) have installed the proven flagship sensors of the past year.
☑️ What to look for when choosing a camera
It’s also important to consider software support: Xiaomi’s flagship models get camera algorithm updates longer than the budget Redmi, which means that the quality of shooting on the old flagship may even get better in a year thanks to the updates, while the budget model will remain at the exit level.