Xiaomi Mi A3 — One of the brand’s most talked-about smartphones, which combines a clean Android One, a stylish design and a powerful camera.But when it comes to specs, many users are confused by the numbers: It's 48 megapixels, it's 12 megapixels, and some people say it's actually lower than the resolution, and in this article, we're going to look at how many megapixels the Mi camera has. A3 How does pixel binning work, and why the actual quality of a photo doesn’t always meet the expectations of big numbers".
The controversy surrounding the camera of this smartphone has not subsided since its release in 2019.The manufacturer claimed a revolutionary sensor Sony IMX586 It's 48 MP, but in reality, users were getting 12 MP shots. Where is the truth? We're going to analyze the official data, test results, and explain how the hardware image processing in Mi works. A3, So you can objectively evaluate the camera’s capabilities before buying or setting up a camera.
Official Features of Xiaomi Mi Camera A3: What the manufacturer says
According to the data from Xiaomi, Mi A3 equipped with a triple main camera:
- 📷 Core module: 48 MP, Sony sensor IMX586, diaphragm f/1.79, support 4-into-1 pixel-binning.
- 🌄 Wide-angle module: 8 MP, angle of view 118°, diaphragm f/2.2.
- 🔍 Depth sensor: 2 MP, diaphragm f/2.4, bokeh.
Front camera has permission 32 MP (Samsung sensor) GD1) diaphragm-high f/2.0 support HDR. On paper, it looks impressive, but here lies the first catch: the default smartphone saves the photo in resolution 12 MP, not 48 MP, unless the appropriate mode is manually enabled.
The manufacturer explains this by using Tetracell technology (or pixel binning), where 4 neighboring pixels are combined into one large superpixel measuring 1.6 microns. This allows you to improve light transmission and reduce noise in low light conditions.
Real resolution: 48 MP vs 12 MP - where is the truth?
That's where the fun starts. A3 It's physically equipped with a 48 megapixel sensor, but it's default 12 MP binning, and to take a full-resolution picture, you have to manually switch to 48MP in the camera settings:
- ⚡ 48 MP files take up 3-4 times more space (up to 15-20 MB per photo).
- 📊 Details increase, but noise becomes more, especially in low light.
- ⏱️ Processing of such photos takes more time (suspiciously "hangs" during serial shooting).
Tests show that in most scenarios (daylight, good light), the difference between 12 MP and 48 MP is minimal for the average user, but when printing photos in large format (such as poster-size) or high-resolution framing, the advantage of high resolution becomes apparent.
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To enable 48MP mode, open the camera app, click on the icon ⚙️ Settings → Permission → 48 MP But remember: this mode is off HDR night-time!
| Regime. | Permission | File size | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto (binning) | 12 MP (4000×3000) | 3-5 MB | Best light transmission capacity, HDR, night-time |
| 48 MP | 48 MPP (8000×6000) | 12–20 MB | Maximum detail, but no more noise HDR |
| Wide-angle | 8 MP (3264×2448) | 2-4 MB | Viewing angle 118°, edge-slip |
| Portrait | 12 MPs | 4-to-6 MB | Uses data from the depth sensor (2 MP) |
It’s important to understand that megapixels aren’t the only quality indicator. For example, the Google Pixel 3 with a 12MP camera often bypasses the Mi. A3 In tests thanks to the best processing algorithm HDR+ So the megapixel race is not always justified.
Comparison with competitors: like Mi A3 It looks like other smartphones in 2019
Year of Mi release A3 (2019) There were several notable competitors on the market with similar camera specs. Let's compare them on key parameters:
- 📱 Samsung Galaxy A50: main chamber 25 MPP (f/1.7), wide-angle 8 MP, depth sensor 5 Advantage: Better software optimization but less resolution.
- 📱 Realme 5 Pro: 48 MP (Sony) IMX586, like Mi. A3), 8 MP wide-angle, 2 MP macro, 2 MP depth. Advantage: macromodule.
- 📱 Redmi Note 8 Pro: 64 MP (Samsung) GW1), 8 MP wide-angle, 2 MP macro, 2 MP depth. Advantage: higher resolution, but worse processing.
In the DXOMark tests (2019) Mi A3 Scored 80 points per camera, which puts it on the level of Galaxy A50 (79 points), but below the Realme 5 Pro (83 points:
- 👎 Weak detail in 48 MP mode in poor lighting.
- 👎 Notable artifacts when filming in HDR.
- 👎 Autofocus sometimes misses in dynamic scenes.
Nevertheless, Mi A3 stood out among budget smartphones thanks to the pure Android One, which provided faster processing of photos compared to shells like MIUI or ColorOS.
Why is DXOMark not always objective?
How to improve the quality of photos on Xiaomi Mi A3: practical advice
Even with the limitations of the Mi camera A3, You can significantly improve your results by following several recommendations:
- Use 48MP only in good lighting. At dusk or at night, it is better to return to 12MP with binning, so the pictures will be less noisy.
- Turn off the digital zoom. When you get close, the camera just cuts the frame, losing detail. Better shoot at 48 MP and cut it later.
- Experiment with night mode. A3 It works well, but requires a steady hand or tripod (exposure to 4 seconds).
- Install GCam.A Ported Google Camera App with Algorithms HDR+ Night Sight can significantly improve the quality of photos.
Download a compatible version of GCam (for example, from BSG or Urnyx05)|
Turn on HDR+ Enhanced in the settings|
Disable Sabre (may cause artifacts)|
Set up Lib Patcher to work correctly with Mi A3-->
To install GCam on Mi A3 follow the instructions:
- Download. APK-Compatible version file (e.g., from here).
- Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
- Open GCam and set the settings: Settings → Advanced → HDR+ Control → HDR+ Enhanced settings → Lib Patcher → Xiaomi Mi A3 (configurate)
GCam results often outperform the stock camera due to better dynamic range processing and noise reduction, but note that some features (such as portrait mode) may not work as well.
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GCam is not official software and may contain bugs. Before installing, back up your camera data!
Common Mi camera problems A3 And how to solve them.
Users of Mi A3 They often have typical camera problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
⚠️ Warning: If the camera stopped working after the software update, try resetting the application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.This will delete all user settings, but it can return functionality.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Blurred images at 48 MP | Weak autofocus or trembling of the hands | Use a tripod or turn on Serial shooting |
| The green tint in the photo | Artifacts of processing HDR | Turn it off. HDR or take it off RAW |
| The camera won't open. | Conflict of the software after the update | Clear the cache or reinstall the update |
| Strong noise in the dark. | High. ISO 48MP | Switch to 12 MP or use night mode |
Another common complaint is that the camera overheats during a long shooting of 48 MP. This is due to the high load on the Snapdragon 665 processor. If the smartphone gets hot, let it cool for 5-10 minutes before continuing shooting.
If the problems are not solved, check the integrity of the firmware. Sometimes it helps to reset to factory settings (don't forget to make a backup!). In extreme cases, you can reflash the smartphone through Fastboot, but it requires experience.
Shooting a video on Xiaomi Mi A3: opportunities and limitations
Videotape on Mi A3 It's not as hyped as a photograph, but it's worth seeing:
- 🎥 4K@30fps (stabilised).
- 🎥 Full HD@60fps (stabilizing EIS).
- 🎥 HD@120fps (slow-motion).
- 🎥 Full HD@30fps wide-angle.
The main drawbacks of the video:
- 👎 No optical stabilization (software only).
- 👎 V 4K the body is very warm (after 5-7 minutes of shooting it can turn off).
- 👎 Autofocus "breathes" when changing lighting.
To improve the quality of the video, it is recommended:
- 🔹 Shooting in 4K lead in short periods (up to 3-5 minutes).
- 🔹 Use an external microphone (built-in makes a lot of noise).
- 🔹 Enable Grid Lines (Settings) → Grid) for the correct composition.
If you need a professional video, it is better to consider the models with OIS (Like Redmi. K20 Pro), but for the amateur needs of Mi capabilities A3 enough.
Conclusion: is it worth buying Xiaomi Mi A3 for the camera in 2026?
5 years after the release of Xiaomi Mi A3 It remains a budget option for those who value a clean Android and a good camera for its price, but in 2026 it has many more modern competitors (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+ with a 200MP camera or Poco X5 Pro OIS).
The pluses of the Mi camera A3:
- ✅ Good daytime detailing (48 MP).
- ✅ Wide-angle module with acceptable quality.
- ✅ Possibility of GCam installation to improve processing.
Cons:
- ❌ Weak work in the dusk without night mode.
- ❌ Lack of optical stabilization.
- ❌ Older processor limits video shooting capabilities.
If you need a camera for social networks, taking photos while traveling or taking documents – Mi A3 But for a serious photo or video blogging, you'd better look at newer models.
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In 2026, Mi A3 You can only recommend it as a secondary smartphone or for fans of "pure" Android. OIS Modern sensors (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite).