The Xiaomi Redmi 9, launched in 2020, is still a popular choice among budget devices due to its balanced performance. One of the key questions that customers care about is how many megapixels the camera has and what it is capable of in real conditions. In this article, we will analyze the technical parameters of all modules, compare them with competitors and give practical recommendations for shooting.
It's important to understand that megapixel count is not the only quality criterion for photos, but that matrix size, aperture, software processing, and even the MIUI firmware version influence the final result, and we'll analyze all of these aspects, and we'll also show examples of images taken on Redmi 9 so you can evaluate the real capabilities of the camera.
Technical characteristics of the camera Xiaomi Redmi 9
The main module of Redmi 9 is equipped with a 13-megapixel matrix with a resolution of 4128×3096 pixels. This is a standard Samsung S5K3L6 sensor with a physical size of 1/3.1" and pixels of 1.12 microns. The aperture of the lens has a light transmission of f/2.2, which is typical for budget smartphones.
Support modules include:
- 📸 8 MP ultra-wide-angle lens (viewing angle) 118°, diaphragm f/2.2)
- 🔍 5 MP macro-lens (focal distance) 2 diaphragm f/2.4)
- 🌃 2 MP depth sensor (for portrait mode)
The front camera is represented by a 5-megapixel module with f/2.2 aperture and HDR support. It is important to note that all modules (except the main one) have a fixed focus - this limits the possibilities for shooting from close range or in low light conditions.
Comparison with competitors: who offers more megapixels?
In 2020, when Redmi 9 was released, the main competitors in the budget segment offered the following solutions:
| Model | Main camera. | Wide-angle | Macro | Frontal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi 9 | 13 MP | 8 MP | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Samsung Galaxy A11 | 13 MP | 5 MP | 2 MPs | 8 MP |
| Realme C11 | 13 MP | — | 2 MPs | 5 MP |
| Nokia 2.4 | 13 MP | — | 2 MPs | 5 MP |
As you can see from the table, Redmi 9 favorably features an 8-megapixel wide-angle module, while competitors often limited this parameter to 5 MP or even no. However, at the resolution of the front camera, the device loses to the Galaxy A11 (5 MP vs 8 MP).
⚠️ Note: Some vendors may indicate the "48MP camera" for the Redmi 9 in the specifications - this is a mistake! This resolution is only available to Redmi Note 9 and above.
Real quality of photos: examples and tests
In practice, the 13-megapixel Redmi 9 camera shows the following results:
- 🌞 Daylight: good detail, natural colors, but sometimes there is noise in the shadows.
- 🌃 Low light: a noticeable drop in quality, blurring, loss of parts (it is recommended to use the Night mode).
- 📐 Wide-angle module: severe edge distortion (typical for budget smartphones), but acceptable quality for landscapes.
- 🌸 Macro mode: works only in perfect lighting, in other cases, the photos are blurred.
Critical: When shooting in 13 MP, the smartphone defaults to saving photos at 4:3, not 16:9. This means that when viewing on the phone screen, there will be black fields on the sides. To avoid this, you can choose 9 MP (16:9) format in the camera settings (Settings → Resolution).
How to turn on saving in RAW?
Examples of photos (conditional descriptions):
- 🏙️ City landscape during the day: clear contours of buildings, natural colors of the sky, but the sky can "glow" in the bright sun.
- 👤 Portrait with background blur: depth sensor copes with the separation of the object, but the edges sometimes "tear" (especially around the hair).
- 🌿 Macro photography of the flower: in good lighting, the texture of the petals is visible, but at the slightest movement of the hand, the photo is lubricated.
How to improve the quality of photos on Redmi 9: tips and settings
Even with limited technical capabilities, you can achieve better results if you properly configure the camera and follow a few rules:
Insert the Grid (rule of thirds)|Disable AI Improvement (often spoils colors)|Install HDR auto-mode|Use the night mode in lighting < 50 lux|Shoot in 9 MP 16:9 format for full-screen viewing-->
Additional recommendations:
- 📱 Clean the lens before shooting – greasy fingerprints can reduce the clarity of the camera 30-40%.
- 🖼️ Use third-party apps (such as GCam or Open Camera) to manually set up ISO, white balance and exposure.
- 🔋 Battery charge below 15% can lead to a forced reduction in photo quality (processor limits performance).
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To shoot documents, turn on Document mode in the standard camera app - it automatically adjusts the perspective and increases the contrast of text.
If you often shoot videos, pay attention to the limitations:
- 🎥 Maximum resolution of video - Full HD (1920×1080) upon 30 fps.
- 🔊 When recording video in 4K Electronic stabilization is shut down.
- 🎤 External microphone is not supported – sound is recorded only from the built-in microphone.
Frequent Redmi 9 camera problems and solutions
Redmi 9 users often encounter typical camera-related issues, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI the camera started to issue an error "Can not connect to the camera", try to clear the cache of the application (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Memory. → Clear the cache. In 70 percent of cases, it solves the problem.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Blurred photos in good lighting | Dirty lens or downed focus settings | Wipe the lens; turn on the Touch Focus in the settings |
| The green tint in the photo | Matrix malfunction or software failure | Reset the camera settings or reinstall the firmware |
| The camera focuses for a long time. | Low Lighting or Macro Mode on | Use an additional light source; turn off macro mode |
| Camera app flies out | Conflict with other applications or corrupted files | Clear the cache or reset to factory settings |
If none of these methods worked, check the integrity of the camera plume.
- Turn off the phone.
- Carefully remove the back cover (need a mediator or plastic card).
- Make sure the camera plume is tightly connected to the motherboard.
In case of physical damage to the matrix or plume, a replacement of the module will be required. The average cost of repair in service centers is 1500-2500 rubles (2026).
Should I buy a Redmi 9 in 2026 for the camera?
With modern smartphones with 50-108-megapixel cameras, Redmi 9 looks modest, but it can still be recommended in several cases:
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The Redmi 9 is great if you need a second camera for everyday shots without professional quality claims, and it’s a good option for social media, documents and rare photos.
The pluses of the Redmi 9 camera:
- ✅ Sufficient resolution for printing photos up to the size 10×15 centimeter.
- ✅ Wide-angle module (rare in the budget segment of 2020).
- ✅ Good color reproduction during the daytime.
Cons that should be considered:
- ❌ Lack of optical stabilization.
- ❌ Poor performance in low light conditions.
- ❌ No support. 4K@60fps or 8K.
Alternatives in the same price range (2026):
- 📱 Redmi 10C (50 MP main camera, but weak processor).
- 📱 Poco M5 (50 MP, better performance).
- 📱 Samsung Galaxy A04 (50 MP, but weak frontal).
If the camera is your priority, it makes sense to pay more. 2000-3000 ruble and take a model with 48-50 But if the budget is tight, Redmi is tight. 9 It remains a reasonable compromise.