Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: How many megapixels and how it works 3D-scanner

When a device with a transparent back cover appears on the flagship smartphone market, it inevitably attracts the attention of enthusiasts and technologists. Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro has become just such a gadget, offering not only a futuristic design, but also advanced facial recognition technologies. Users are often interested not only in the appearance, but also in the real possibilities of photography, which are hidden behind the glass of the case.

The question of how many megapixels the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro has in the main and front cameras is one of the most common when choosing this device in the secondary market or compared to modern models. The resolution of the matrix is only the tip of the iceberg, because the quality of the images depends on many factors: lens aperture, pixel size and image processing algorithms. Let's go through the technical characteristics of the photo modules of this legendary smartphone.

And it's worth noting that the company's engineers have invested heavily in developing an artificial intelligence system for photo processing, and that's the software that allows you to make the most of the hardware available, so when you ask megapixels, you also have to think about software improvements that make images brighter and sharper even in difficult lighting conditions.

Technical characteristics of the main double chamber

The main camera system of the smartphone is a classic flagship of the time, a dual camera. However, simply summing up the numbers does not give a complete idea of the capabilities of the device. The core module is based on the Sony IMX363 sensor, which at the time of release was considered one of the best in the industry, it is a 12-megapixel matrix with a pixel size of 1.4 microns and an aperture of f/1.8, which provides excellent sensitivity.

The second element of the system is a telephoto lens, also having a resolution of 12 MP, but with a smaller pixel size of 1.0 μm and an aperture of f/2.4. It is the presence of the second module that allows you to implement optical zoom and create a background blur effect known as Bokeh.

It's important to understand that the presence of optical stabilization (OIS) in the core module is critical, and it compensates for the tremors of the hands when shooting, which is especially important when using long exposure or shooting video. Without this technology, the number of lubricated frames in the evening would be much higher.

💡

The main camera Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro uses two 12-megapixel sensors: wide-angle with OIS and telephoto lens for portraits and zoom.

Front camera and technology 3D-scan

The front part of the smartphone, where the most complex system of sensors hides, deserves special attention. The standard question "how many megapixels" here gets the answer - 20 MP. However, the main feature lies not in resolution, but in the infrared lighting system and distance sensors, which allow you to implement the function of unlocking on the face even in complete darkness.

Algorithms AI Face Unlock analyzes more than 100 face points, creating a three-dimensional model of the user. This provides not only a high speed of unlocking, but also an increased level of security compared to conventional ones. 2D-The system learns to recognize the owner, even if he's wearing glasses or changing his hairstyle.

⚠️ Note: Despite the advanced system 3D-scanning, it is not certified for use in banking applications as a full-fledged Face analogue ID, The density of the scan points is lower than that of competitors from Apple.

For selfie enthusiasts, the camera offers a variety of beautification modes that work in real time. AI determines gender and age, selecting the optimal settings for skin smoothing and color correction, while maintaining the naturalness of the image.

Comparison with the base model Mi 8 and other flagships

To understand the value of the camera in the Pro version, you need to compare it with the regular Xiaomi Mi 8. The base model also has two modules of 12 MP, but there is no transparent cover and, more importantly, a simplified system of front sensors. The regular Mi 8 has no infrared projector, so unlocking the face there only works in good light.

Compared to rivals from the same period, such as the Samsung Galaxy S9 or iPhone X, Xiaomi offers similar resolution, but benefits in the flexibility of settings through third-party apps like Google Camera. Ports often allow you to take pictures with a wider dynamic range.

Below is a table showing the key differences in the PV modules between the Mi 8 and Mi 8 Pro versions so you can see the difference clearly.

The impact of the processor and AI on the quality of the photo

Not only is the sensor responsible for image processing in the smartphone, but the powerful Snapdragon 845 processor, which has an integrated image signaling processor (ISP) that allows you to process frames at high speed, which is critical for slow motion and serial photo modes.

Neural Engine-based neural network algorithms analyze a scene in real time, recognize up to 28 different scenarios: flowers, food, sky, documents, animals, and each scenario has its own saturation, contrast, and sharpness settings, allowing for post-it images without any additional processing.

💡

For the best photo quality, activate HDR mode in the camera settings and use a grid to align the horizon. This will significantly improve the composition of the frame.

In addition, the processor allows you to record video in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, this smoothness and detail of video files was not available to all flagships at the time of the release of the device, processing the video stream requires significant computing resources, which the chipset copes effectively.

Camera settings: how to squeeze the maximum

Factory settings don't always match the user's preferences. To unlock the camera's potential, we recommend going to the advanced settings, you can change the aspect ratio, you can turn on watermarks or you can activate voice control, and PRO mode is available, giving you full control over the shooting parameters.

In manual mode, you can adjust ISO, shutter speed, white balance and focal length, which gives you creative freedom: for example, long shutter speeds will remove light traces from cars at night, and low ISO will ensure that the frame is clean in bright daylight.

⚠️ Note: When shooting in format RAW (DNG) files take up much more memory space. Make sure your device has enough free space before activating this feature.

It's also worth experimenting with video settings. Stabilization can be enhanced software, but it will lead to cropping. For static shooting, optical stabilization is better, and for dynamic scenes, combined.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Despite the high quality, users may encounter some difficulties, sometimes the camera may freeze or shut spontaneously, often by cleaning the app cache or updating the software to the latest available version.

Another common problem is condensation under the glass of the chamber when temperatures drop sharply, in which case you need to give the phone time to acclimatize in a dry room, using rice or silica gel can help draw moisture.

If you see black spots in the photo that don't disappear after you wipe the lens, it's possible that the dust got inside the module, and this situation requires disassembly of the device and professional cleaning, because it's extremely difficult to open the camera yourself without damaging the leakage.

Final assessment of photo opportunities

Answering the main question of the article: Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is equipped with two main cameras of 12 MP and one front 20 MP with a system 3D-These numbers, while modest by the standards of today's 100-megapixel giants, still allow for great images thanks to high-quality optics and a powerful processor.

The smartphone remains relevant for those who value the balance between performance and quality of shooting. The unique combination of transparent design and advanced technology makes it a collectible. The quality of photos in the daytime is almost equal to today’s average segments.

In conclusion, megapixel count isn’t the only criterion. The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro proves that engineering optimization is more important than a race of numbers. If you’re looking for a reliable device with a good camera and a unique look, this model is worth looking at.