Xiaomi has the best camera in 2026: honest rating and tests

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone with the best camera is no easy task. Even within a single brand, the difference between models can be enormous, from budget devices with mediocre sensors to flagships competing with professional cameras. In 2026, the company released several devices that truly stand out for the quality of shooting, but each has its own characteristics.

The big question is, what’s more important to you — daylight detail, night shooting, 8K video or versatility? We tested the top models Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi 13T Pro, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and others, compared them with competitors (including Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max), and also studied the reviews of photographers. In this article, only verified facts, without marketing promises.

Xiaomi’s Best Camera Choice Criteria: What to Look For First

Before we compare specific models, we can see what parameters actually affect the quality of photos and videos. Many users mistakenly focus only on megapixels, but this is not the main indicator.

Here are the key characteristics that should be considered:

• 📷 Size of the main sensor: the larger the physical size (e.g., the larger the sensor, 1 quiz 1/1.56"), The better the light absorption and dynamic range. - Xiaomi flagships 2026 The year has been marked by Sony sensors. IMX800 before IMX989 sized 1 inch.
• 🌙 Night mode and hardware stabilization: not only is it night mode important, but it is also important to implement it. For example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra uses Dual Native ISO noise-reducing.
• 🎥 Video Opportunities: Support 8K, frame rate (up to 240) FPS full HD), Dolby Vision and Log profiles for post-processing.
• 🔍 Optical zoom: real zoom (not digital zoom) starts from the 2x. In the top models, up to 5x periscopic zoom with Lossless-quality.
• 🤖 Software processing: Xiaomi algorithms are often criticized for over-aliasing, but in recent firmware (e.g. HyperOS) this has been fixed.

Also note the autofocus: budget models often use contrast autofocus, which is slower than phase (for example, Laser AF in Xiaomi 13 Pro). and for video, electronic stabilization (EIS) is important - without it, shooting from the hand will be shaking.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to shoot videos for YouTube or TikTok, check availability 10-bit HDR And support for external microphones, which are often missing in Redmi's budget.

Top.-5 Xiaomi with the best camera in the world 2026 year: rating of test results

We selected the models that performed best in DxOMark, GSMArena and real-world shooting conditions, and the rating is based on a balance of price, capability and quality, excluding marketing megapixels.

Important: Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the only smartphone in the lineup with variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0), which allows you to more accurately control depth of field and exposure in manual mode.

If you want maximum photo quality without compromise, take Xiaomi 14 Ultra. For video, Xiaomi 13T Pro is better suited thanks to support for Dolby Vision and 10-bit LOG. And the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is the best budget option with a 200-megapixel sensor, which in good lighting gives amazing detail.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra: the king of photography with variable aperture

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is not just a flagship, but a real camera in the phone, and its main advantage is its variable aperture (from f/1.6 to f/4.0), which allows you to adapt to different lighting conditions, for example, when shooting portraits, you can close the aperture to f/4.0 for greater depth of field, and in the dark open up to f/1.6 for maximum light absorption.

Technical specifications of the camera:

• 📸 Main module: 50 MP, Sony sensor IMX989 (1 inch, Dual Native support ISO.
• 🔭 zoom: 3.2x optical (75 mm) + 5x Periscopic (120 mm) with Lossless quality up to 10x.
• 🌃 Night mode: hardware stabilization + Night Mode 2.0 algorithms (take up to 10 frames and combine them).
• 🎬 Video: 8K@24fps, Dolby Vision, Leica Authentic Look (natural color reproduction).

In DxOMark, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra scored 146, one of the best results of any smartphone in 2026, and the zoom detail is particularly impressive: even at 10x zoom, the picture remains sharp, without artifacts. Compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with this zoom, it loses in sharpness.

⚠️ Attention: Variable aperture requires training. In automatic mode, the phone can choose sub-optimal settings - you have to master manual mode for professional shooting.

Of the minuses:

• ❌ High price (from 120,000) ₽ Russia).
• ❌ Heavy weight (224 g) and dimensions - inconvenient to carry in your pocket.
• ❌ 5300mAh battery drains faster due to powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.

💡

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the best choice for photographers, but requires manual tuning to unlock the potential.

Xiaomi 13T Pro: Best Price/Quality Balance for Video

If the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is too expensive and the shooting quality should still be at the same level, pay attention to the Xiaomi 13T Pro.

• 🎥 Video in the video 8K@30fps with Dolby Vision support and 10-bit HDR — rarity even among flagships.
• 📸 Sony sensor IMX707 (1/1.28") pixelated 4-into-1 (efficient 200 MPP).
• 🔋 5000mAh battery + fast charging 120 watts (full charge in 19 minutes).

In GSMArena tests, the Xiaomi 13T Pro performed the best video stabilization performance of any Xiaomi from 2023-2026. OIS + EIS makes shooting with a hand look almost like a tripod, and the model supports a Log profile for color correction in Premiere Pro or Final Cut.

The main drawback is the lack of a real telephoto lens. 2x zoom is implemented through the crop of the main sensor, so as you zoom in, you lose detail. If you want zoom, you better pay for Xiaomi 14 Ultra or consider POCO F6 Pro (it has a weaker zoom, but the price is lower).

Redmi Note 13 Pro+: budget champion with 200-megapixel camera

If the budget is limited but you want the most detail, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G is the best choice, its main feature is the 200-megapixel Samsung HP3 sensor (1/1.4) with Tetra2pixel technology (combining 16 pixels into one for better light absorption).

Pros of the model:

• 💰 Price from 35,000 ₽ (3 times cheaper than Xiaomi 14 Ultra).
• 📸 In daylight, the photos are sharp and detailed (you can sprinkle without loss of quality).
• 🌙 Night mode performs better than competitors in this price segment (for example, Samsung Galaxy). A54).
• 🔋 5000mAh battery + charging 120 watts (like flagships).

However, there are serious limitations:

• ❌ No. 8K-video (maximum) 4K@30fps).
• ❌ Optical zoom of everything 2x (digital zoom 10x loses out on quality).
• ❌ Software processing sometimes "cooks" colors (especially green shades).

Who's good for? For those who want a cheap smartphone with a great camera for daytime and social media, if you want a professional video or zoom, you better save for a flagship.

💡

In the camera settings Redmi Note 13 Pro+ turn off the option "AI-Improvement: This will reduce over-processing and make colors more natural.

Comparison with competitors: Xiaomi vs Samsung vs Apple

To see how good Xiaomi cameras are, compare them to other brands’ flagships, take three key models: the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Conclusions:

• 📸 Photo: Xiaomi 14 Ultra leads in detail and flexibility settings (due to variable aperture). iPhone 15 Pro Max gives more natural colors out of the box".
• 🎥 Video: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra better stabilizes video, but Xiaomi wins in dynamic range.
• 🔍 Samsung has the best 10-time periscope, but Xiaomi is not far behind.

If you want simplicity and reliability, you can use an iPhone. If you want maximum customization and quality, you can use a Xiaomi 14 Ultra. For video, Samsung is better, but the difference is not critical.

How to improve the quality of photos on Xiaomi: 5 working tips

Even the top-end smartphone won’t save you from blurry or dark pictures unless you know the basic rules of shooting. Here are proven tips that work on any Xiaomi models:

Clean the lens of prints and dust |

Turn off digital zoom (use optical only) |

Shoot in RAW format for post-processing |

Use the grid (rule of thirds) for the composition |

Try manual mode (especially in difficult lighting)-->

1. Shoot in RAW (.dng format) This will allow the laser to fix exposure, white and color balance in Lightroom or Snapseed. Included in the camera settings: Additional → Format → RAW.

2. Turn off digital zoom. Most Xiaomi zooms above 2x-5x (depending on the model) are software-based, which means it spoils quality.

3. Use night mode even during the day. It's not just for the dark: in contrast lighting (for example, against the sun), the night mode retains more detail in the shadows.

4. Adjust white balance manually. Automation often makes mistakes with colors (especially in rooms with artificial light).In manual mode (Pro), set Kelvins (for example, 4000K for incandescent lamps).

5. Shoot video in 10-bit HDR (if supported) This will expand the dynamic range and simplify color correction. Xiaomi 13T Pro and 14 Ultra this option is in the video settings.

⚠️ Note: In the Redmi models and POCO There is often no optical stabilization (OIS). If you are shooting video from your hand, use it. EIS (Electronic stabilization or buy an imbalance tripod.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cameras