The Redmi Note series has been a top-of-the-line smartphone for years, offering features previously available only in flagships. The Redmi Note 9 Pro has become a hit in large part because of its core photo module, which allowed users to take high-resolution pictures for affordable money. The question of how many megapixels are installed in this device remains relevant not only when buying a used gadget, but also to understand the real possibilities of shooting.
The focus of this model was on photo capability, as evidenced by the presence of a dedicated Samsung GW1 sensor, a 64-megapixel array that uses pixel-combination technology to improve photo quality in under-light, but the number of megapixels is not the only parameter that affects the final image, so it is important to consider the entire camera system in the complex.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the characteristics of each lens, the shooting modes available, and the software features that turn dry spec numbers into real photos. Understanding how the sensor works and the software processing will help you get the most out of your smartphone.
Characteristics of the main module and resolution
The main answer to the question “how many megapixels on the xiaomi redmi note 9 pro” is 64. That’s how many megapixels the main sensor in the vertical camera box on the back of the device contains, and this is the Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 matrix with a size of 1/1.7 inches, which is quite a large figure for smartphones in this price segment.
Using this high resolution, digital zoom can be used without critical loss of detail, and large-format photos can be printed. Standard shooting mode uses Tetracell technology, which combines four neighboring pixels into one large one, allowing for 16MP images with improved light sensitivity and less noise.
To activate full resolution at 64 MP, the user needs to manually switch to the appropriate mode in the camera application, which makes sense when shooting static landscapes or architecture in good daylight, when maximum detail of small objects is important.
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Use 64MP mode only in good lighting. In dusk or indoor environments, the standard 16MP mode will give a cleaner picture with less digital noise.
It's worth noting that the software processing of the image in the MIUI shell plays no less a role than the matrix itself. AI algorithms automatically determine the scene and adjust the white balance, saturation and contrast, which allows you to get bright and rich pictures even for inexperienced users.
Wide-angle, macro and depth sensor
In addition to the main module, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro camera system includes three additional sensors, each of which performs its own specific function. The first of them is a wide-angle camera with a resolution of 8 MP. It allows you to capture much more space in the frame, which is especially useful when shooting landscapes, city panoramas or group photos in a limited space.
The second optional module is a 2MP macro camera, designed to capture objects very close to the surface, allowing you to see the smallest details of texture, flower petals or small objects, but it is worth considering that due to the low resolution, detail in this mode can be limited.
- 📸 Wide-angle lens: viewing angle 119 degrees, aperture f/2.2.
- 🔍 Macro lens: focal length 2-10 cc, suitable for taking textures.
- 👤 Depth sensor: 2 MP, required to create a bokeh effect in portrait mode.
The third sensor is the depth of field sensor, which does not take independent pictures, but serves as an auxiliary tool for the main module, its task is to accurately determine the boundaries of the subject and blur the background, creating a bokeh effect characteristic of professional SLR cameras.
The Secret to Macro Shooting
The presence of four cameras on the back makes this smartphone a versatile tool for mobile photography, closing most of the use cases that the average user encounters in everyday life.
Front camera and quality of selfie
Special attention should be paid to the front camera, which in the Redmi Note 9 Pro received a resolution of 16 MP, it is located in the cutout in the upper right corner of the display. This solution allowed to increase the usable screen area, while maintaining high quality shooting for video calls and self-portraits.
The main function of the frontal is to create selfies, and here the developers have implemented a number of software improvements. The "Beauty" mode allows you to adjust the appearance by smoothing the skin and changing facial features, but the degree of processing can be adjusted or turned off completely to get a more natural result.
In addition, the front camera supports portrait mode with background blur, using depth data obtained by software. This allows you to create spectacular images where the object is in focus and the background is softly blurred. Face recognition is also available to unlock the device, although it works slower than a fingerprint scanner.
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The 16MP front camera delivers excellent quality for video conferencing and social media, supporting 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second.
In low light, the front camera uses a pixel-combination algorithm similar to the main module, which helps to get lighter and less noisy shots, but for better results, it is still recommended to use additional lighting or a screen flash.
Video capture and image stabilization
The video capabilities of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro are also impressive for their class: the core module is capable of recording video in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, allowing you to create detailed videos that look great on modern TVs and high-resolution monitors.
However, it is worth noting an important nuance: when shooting in 4K, electronic image stabilization (EIS) does not work, which can cause the picture to shake when walking. To get a smooth video, it is recommended to switch to Full HD (1080p) mode, where stabilization is active and works quite efficiently, smoothing out small jerks of the hands.
Also included in the arsenal of video modes is slow motion, the smartphone can shoot video at 120 or 240 frames per second, which allows you to create spectacular videos with time slowing, and timelapse mode is available, which speeds up long processes such as cloud movement or city traffic.
- 🎥 4K Video: 3840×2160 upon 30 fps (unstalled).
- 📹 Full HD: 1920×1080 upon 30/60 fps (electronic stabilization).
- 🐢 Slow Motion: 720p upon 120/240 fps for delayed effects.
Video bloggers can record video from a wide-angle camera, which expands the creative possibilities, and the sound is recorded in a stereo format, which provides a more surround sound than monophone microphones of budget devices.
Programming modes and camera settings
The camera software in MIUI offers a variety of modes for different situations, in addition to the standard Photo mode, there are Portrait, Video, Night, Prof, Panorama and others, each with its own unique settings and processing algorithms.
Night Mode deserves a special mention, and when activated, the smartphone takes a series of images with different exposures and combines them into one frame, which allows you to significantly brighten the dark areas, save details in the lights and reduce digital noise, making night shooting on the phone possible.
For more advanced users, Pro Pro mode allows you to manually adjust settings such as shutter speed, ISO, white balance and focal length, which gives you complete control over the shooting process and allows you to achieve artistic effects that are not available in automatic mode.
☑️ Settings for the perfect photo
Also worth mentioning is the Long Shutter Speed mode, which allows you to take pictures with the effect of light traces from cars or silk water on waterfalls. To use this mode, you are strongly recommended to use a tripod or securely lock your smartphone.
Comparison with competitors and the final table
At the time of the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s release, it was considered one of the best cameras in its price range, and competitors often offered either lower resolution of the main module or no wide-angle camera, and even after a while, this model remains relevant due to the balanced operation of all four sensors.
The main advantage is the 64 MP core module, which gives a head start to many devices with 48 MP or 12 MP sensors in good lighting conditions. The wide-angle camera is also made at a decent level, although inferior to flagships in detail at the edges of the frame.
Below is a summary table of the characteristics of all smartphone cameras for ease of comparison:
| Type of camera | Permission | Aperture | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 64 MP | f/1.89 | PDAF, 4K video |
| Wide-angle | 8 MP | f/2.2 | 119° angle |
| Macro | 2 MP | f/2.4 | Focus 2-10cm |
| Depth sensor | 2 MP | f/2.4 | Portrait mode |
Why can the photos be different?
In conclusion, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro offers a great camera suite that covers 95% of the needs of the average user.The high resolution of the main module, combined with useful additional sensors, makes this smartphone a worthy choice for mobile photography.
⚠️ Warning: When buying a used device, be sure to check all four cameras. Make sure that autofocus works quickly and the lenses do not scratch or dust inside the module, as this directly affects the quality of the images.
⚠️ Warning: Do not seal the area around the cameras with protective films or magnetic ring covers for carholders. Magnets can operate the stabilization and autofocus system, causing shaking or humming.