Which Xiaomi has the best camera in 2026? 12 models compared to photos and videos

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone with the best camera in 2026 is not an easy task. Even within a single lineup (like Redmi or POCO), the difference in quality can be huge, from soap photos at dusk to professional portraits with blurred backgrounds. In this article, we analyzed 12 Xiaomi models (from budget to premium), tested them in real conditions and ranked them according to 5 key criteria: detail, night shooting, video, stabilization and software processing.

The debate over which camera is better — Xiaomi 14 Ultra with a waterer or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with a 200-MP sensor, we will not rely on the “naked” characteristics (megapixels are often misleading!) Instead, compare real photos in difficult scenes: against light, in motion, in low light, and tell you what hidden settings Xiaomi camera will help improve the picture by 30-40% even on budget models.

1.TOP-5 Xiaomi with the best camera in 2026: expert ranking

We selected the models that performed best in DXOMark lab tests and real-world shootings, and the rating is based on the decrease in the quality of the photo/video, but taking into account the price, sometimes the public sector will cope with the task as well as the flagship.

• 🥇 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – the absolute leader in detail and night shooting (price from 120,000) ₽).
• 🥈 Xiaomi 13T Pro – Best Price/Quality Balance (60 000) ₽) 200MP main camera.
• 🥉 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Record holder for the ratio "quality of photo / cost" (35,000) ₽).
• 4️⃣ POCO F6 Pro is the perfect choice for video (Government Stabilization).
• 5️⃣ Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro is the best for selfies and portraits (even in the dark).

Pay attention to Xiaomi 14 (Without the prefix Ultra, did not get the top-5 The camera is weak, and the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ And we've given way to a new generation.

2. Xiaomi 14 Ultra: the best camera among all smartphones?

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is not just a smartphone, but a full-fledged DSLR replacement for 80% of users, and its main advantage is the Leica optics with variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0), which automatically adjusts to lighting. In the dark, the aperture opens to f/1.6 to capture maximum light, and in the day narrows to f/4.0 for clarity at the edges of the frame.

Test results:

• 📸 Daytime photos: detailing at the level of the iPhone 15 Pro Max (but with a more natural color reproduction).
• 🌙 Night shooting: the best among all Android smartphones (overtakes even Samsung Galaxy) S24 Ultra).
• 🎥 Video: 8K@24fps with logging (for professional color correction).
• 🔍 Zoom: 5× optical + 10× lossless hybrid.

⚠️ Attention: The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has aggressive noise making on by default, which removes grain but sometimes eats away small details (like leaf texture). → Additionally. → Noise reduction level and select "Low".

3. Budget Xiaomi with a good camera: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ vs POCO F6 Pro

If your budget is up to 40,000 ₽, But you’re not ready to sacrifice the quality of the photo – look at the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6 Both models are equipped with 200-MP sensors (Samsung). HP3), But their treatment approach is different:

• 📱 Redmi Note 13 Pro+: ✅ It copes better with portrait mode (more precisely, it highlights the boundaries of objects). ✅ There is hardware stabilization for video (no "jelly" when walking). ❌ Night photography is losing. POCO F6 Pro at 15-20%.
• 📱 POCO F6 Pro: ✅ Best video in the segment (stabilization as an action camera). ✅ Focuses more quickly in dynamic scenes (sports, children, animals). ❌ Color sometimes overstates saturation (the skin looks "tanned").

For clarity – compare the photo in the same conditions (click to enlarge):

⚠️ Attention: B POCO F6 Pro is on by default mode "AI-It's a camera that artificially improves the sky and the grass. To get natural colors, turn it off in the settings: Camera. → AI → Off..

Shut down. AI-processing (if you need natural colors)

Use Pro mode for manual ISO setting and shutter speed

Shoot in RAW format (for post-processing)

Cleaning the lens before shooting (even fingerprints spoil quality)-->

Previous articleXeap camera settings Xiaomi: how to make photos better by 40%

Even on top Xiaomi models, the camera isn’t working at full power by default. Here are 5 hidden settings that will instantly improve your shots:

1. Pro mode: Allows you to manually adjust ISO, shutter speed and white balance. For example, for night photography, set: ISO: 1600-3200 Shutter speed: 1/10-1/4 sec. Focus: manual (stick on the screen)
2. RAW format: Shoot in.DNG (in camera settings → file format). RAW saves more editable parts in Lightroom or Snapseed.
3. Turning off the noise maker: In Xiaomi 13/14 models, go to Settings → Additional → Noise reduction → Low.
4. Leica Color Calibration (Xiaomi 12S Ultra/13 Ultra/14 Ultra only): In the camera settings, select the Leica Authentic profile for natural tones or Leica Vivid for juicy flowers.
5. Video Stabilization: Enable Ultrastabilization (in the video settings) – this will reduce shaking when shooting with hands.

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If your Xiaomi is “overlighting” photos in bright sun, use HDR10+ mode (in camera settings), which saves details in light and dark areas of the frame.

5. Xiaomi vs Samsung vs iPhone: Who shoots better in 2026?

To objectively compare the cameras, we took three flagships of 2026: Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max, and tested them in 5 scenes:

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra leads by most parameters, but loses the iPhone in portraiture and video stabilization. Samsung remains in third place due to aggressive processing and “plastic” colors.

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If you want detail and zoom, go with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If video and portraits are the priority, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the best.

6. Frequent Xiaomi camera issues and how to fix them

Even on top Xiaomi models, users are faced with camera bugs.-5 problems and solutions:

• 🔴 Camera not focusing: Causes: lens dirt, software failure, or module damage. Solutions: Wipe the lens with a microfiber wipe. Reset your smartphone. Reset camera settings: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data. If it doesn't work, take it to the service (maybe the laser autofocus has been damaged).

The photos are blurry.

Turn on Pro mode and manually set ISO to no higher than 800. If the blur is only in motion, activate Sport Mode (in the camera settings).

Camera brakes or flies off

Clear the Camera app cache and turn off background processes. If the problem persists, update the firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

The colors in the photo are unrealistic

Turn it off. AI-For models without Leica, try third-party apps (Google Camera or ProCam X).

Night mode is not working.

Make sure the camera settings turn on Night Mode → Car. If manual switching doesn't help, check the light sensor (it may be contaminated).

⚠️ Warning: If the camera is shooting with a purple or green shade after the fall of the smartphone, this is a sign of damage to the matrix. ~10 000–20 000 ₽).

7.How to choose Xiaomi by camera: checklist for the buyer

Before you buy Xiaomi for the camera, answer 5 questions:

1. What budget is it? ➕ Up to 30,000. ₽ → Redmi Note 13 Pro or Redmi Note 13 Pro POCO X6 Pro. ➕ 30 000–60 000 ₽ → Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro. ➕ 60 000–100 000 ₽ → Xiaomi 13T pro POCO F6 Pro. ➕ Over 100,000. ₽ → Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

What's more important, a photo or a video?

For video, take POCO F6 Pro (best stabilization), for photo – Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Do I need to shoot in the dark?

If so, look for models with a larger sensor (1" or 1/1.28") and Leica optics.

Is zoom important?

For a high-quality approximation, you need optical zoom (5× in Xiaomi 14 Ultra or 3× in Xiaomi 13T Pro). Digital zoom (for example, 100× in Redmi Note 12 Pro+) gives a soap image.

You gonna take portraits?

For this, any model with a telephoto module (for example, Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro or Xiaomi 13 Lite) is suitable.

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Before buying, check the camera on a sample displayed in the store! Take a test photo at maximum zoom and at night - this will reveal hidden defects.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Cameras