How Xiaomi removes: from budget to flagships – a full guide to the cameras 2023-2026

Xiaomi smartphones have long ceased to be “Chinese crafts” with mediocre cameras. Today, even budget models like the Redmi Note 13 are equipped with multi-module systems with support for AI-Improvements, and flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra compete with the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy in the ranking DXOMARK. But how does Xiaomi actually take photos? Why are some users thrilled with detail while others scold "soapy» HDR? And most importantly, how to get the most out of your camera?

In this guide, we will analyze the architecture of cameras of different Xiaomi lines (from the POCO before MIX Fold, test key modes (night shooting, portrait, video) 8K), Compare photos with competitors and reveal hidden settings MIUI, And then we'll explain why it's sometimes better to turn it off. AI and shoot manually.

Xiaomi camera technology: what is hidden behind megapixels

Xiaomi likes to use numbers like 200MP, 1-inch sensor, Leica optics, but in practice, megapixel count is not the main factor.

• 🔹 Sensor size: The larger the physical size of the matrix (e.g., the sensor size, 1/1.12" Xiaomi 13 Ultra vs 1/2.55" redmi 12), the better the light absorption and dynamic range.
• 🔹 Optical stabilization (OIS): Without it, night photos and videos will be “soapy”, even with the help of the AI-enhancement.
• 🔹 Image processing (ISP): The flagships use Qualcomm Spectra (in Snapdragon 8 Gen 3), which handles the RAW faster than budget chips.
• 🔹 Software "firmware" of the camera: algorithms HDR, Autofocus and noise reduction are often updated through MIUI Camera.

Xiaomi 14 Pro and 14 Ultra use Sony sensor IMX989 It's powered by pixel binning 2.0, which combines data from 16 pixels into one to improve detail in low light. POCO F5 Pro's worth the same. IMX766, The same as in the OnePlus 9 Pro, but with different color reproduction settings – so the pictures are “colder».

The key point is that even with the same sensors, the results will be different because of the firmware. 13T Pro and Redmi. K60 Ultras have the same core module (IMX707), But the first one shoots brighter due to aggressiveness. HDR, The second is more natural, but with less detail in the shadows.

2.Comparison of cameras by line: what to expect from the budget, average and flagship

To avoid confusion, we have compiled a table with key characteristics of cameras in different price segments of Xiaomi (relevant for devices 2023-2026).

⚠️ Warning: just because you see up to 200 MP in the specs, it doesn't mean that all the shots will be like this (HDR, At night, portrait, automatically reduce the resolution to 12-50 MP to speed up processing. To shoot in full resolution, you need to manually select the 200 MP mode in the camera settings - but then all will turn off. AI-chips.

Buyer’s advice: If you need zoom, take Xiaomi 13 Ultra or MIX Fold 3 with periscope. For video, Xiaomi 14 Pro is better suited (Dolby Vision support) HDR). And if you just need a “good photo for Instagram” – enough and Redmi Note 13 Pro with his AI-rag-tag.

3. Shooting Modes: Which to Use (and Which to Disable)

Appendix Camera MIUI It's overloaded with regimes, but half of them are completely ignored:

• 📸 Photo (Auto): Used AI It's good for 90 percent of the time, but sometimes it overdoes it with saturation.
• 🌙 Night mode: automatically activates in low light, works only with static objects - if you remove a moving object, you will "grease».
• 👤 Portrait: blurs the background, but often misses the boundaries (especially on the hair.
• 🎥 Video: in flagships supports 8K@24fps and 4K@60fps s HDR. But 8K eat 1 GB of memory. 3 minute!
• 🔍 Pro-mode: manual setting ISO, You have to learn, but you have better control.
• 🤖 AI-Camera: recognizes scenes (food, sunset, documents) Often mistaken - it is better to turn off.

What's better to turn off right away:

• ❌ Watermark (in camera settings): adds Xiaomi logo in photo.
• ❌ Shutter sound: interferes with shooting in quiet places (disabled in Settings) → Sounds).
• ❌ Automobile-HDR: in some models (Redmi) 12) he spoils the colors.

Turn off the shutter sound.|

Select a 50 MP resolution (if you have a choice)|

Shut down. AI-scene-recognition|

Insert a grid (rule of thirds)|

Activate conservation RAW (post-processing)-->

⚠️ Attention: If you're taking documents or texts, use Document Mode (in some models it's hidden, you swipe left in the main menu) and it automatically aligns perspective and improves clarity. But never use it for portraits, the face will be distorted!

4 Night photography: how to take photos in the dark without noise

Xiaomi's night mode is multi-frame, where the camera takes multiple images with different exposures and combines them into one, which in theory should remove noise and draw details.

• ✅ Works well with static objects (buildings, landscapes).
• ❌ Poorly handles moving people/machines (ghosts appear»).
• ⚠️ It requires a steady hand, even with a OIS exposure can reach 2-4 seconds.

How to improve nighttime photos:

1. Use a tripod or support (even leaning against the wall will help).
2. Turn on Night mode manually (auto-action often misses the necessary frames).
3. If there is a Pro mode, install it: ISO: 1600–3200 (No higher, otherwise noise: 1/10–1 Focus: Manual (autofocus at night often misses»).

RAW

Lightroom

Snapseed

⚠️ Attention: In models without OIS (for example, POCO M6 Pro) night mode is practically useless - it is better to shoot with a flashlight or an external light source.

5. Portrait Mode: How to Avoid "Plastic" Faces and Failed Blurring

AI-Xiaomi portraits often go too far: they smooth the skin too aggressively, incorrectly separate the hair from the background, or blur “pieces:

• 🔸 Distance to object: optimally 1-1.5 meters. If too close, there will be a distortion of perspective.
• 🔸 Lighting: natural light is better than flash. If you're shooting indoors, stand by the window.
• 🔸 Background: monochromatic or with contrasting colors (then the algorithm will better separate the object).
• 🔸 Settings: Turn off Beauty (or reduce to 20–30%). Turn on Natural Skin Color (if any in your model). Use Background Blurr: Strong (but not Maximum) will be unrealistic).

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If portrait mode eats out details (such as freckles or wrinkles), shoot in normal mode with a resolution of 50.+ Add the blur to Photoshop Express or Focos.

⚠️ Note: In models with dual front camera (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) portrait mode works better than in devices with a single selfie camera.

6. Videotaped: 8K, stabilization and hidden chips

Xiaomi flagships are able to shoot videos in 8K@24fps, But in practice, this mode is not needed: the files are huge, and stabilization works worse than in the case of the 4K@30fps. That's what's really important for video:

• 🎬 Stabilization: OIS + EIS (optical + Electronic: the best option (Xiaomi 14 Pro). EIS — It is worse for dynamic scenes (e.g., in the POCO X5 Pro).
• 🔊 Sound: Flagships have stereo and noise cancellation. In public sector, the sound is often deaf - it's better to use an external microphone.
• 🌈 HDR: Dolby Vision (available in Xiaomi) 13/14) It gives you a better dynamic range. HDR10+ — The alternative, but not all players support it.

Hidden video chips:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13 Ultra and 14 Pro have a Cinematic mode with an imitation of cinematic color gamut.
• 🔄 In the video settings, you can turn on a Record with pause - convenient for vlogs.
• 🎤 In some models (Redmi) K60) There is a separate Karaoke mode with improved voice recording.

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For most tasks (travel, vlog) is enough. 4K@30fps stabilised. 8K and 60fps only need professionals who are ready to put up with huge files and overheating of the smartphone.

7 Post-processing: how to fix a photo directly on Xiaomi

Not everyone knows, but in MIUI You have a built-in photo editor with features that are not even available in some paid apps:

1. Open the photo at the Gallery.
2. Press Edit.
3. Select Additional (in some models, this item is hidden - you need to swipe to the left).

What can be done in the editor MIUI:

• 🖌️ Correcting the perspective: fixing the “bulled” horizons.
• 🌓 Selective correction: change exposure/color only in part of the photo.
• 👁️ Removing objects: works like a patch (but not perfect).
• 🎨 Leica filters: available only in flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14).

⚠️ Note: If you are filming in RAW, Edit photos in Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed – built-in editor MIUI It does not store all the data RAW-file.

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To quickly improve your photos for social networks, use the combination: Increased sharpness (20%) + Increased contrast (10%) + Bright filter. This will work for 80 percent of the shots.

8 Xiaomi Camera Problems and How to Solve Them

Even Xiaomi’s flagship cameras aren’t perfect, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If nothing helps:

• 🔄 Reset the camera settings: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 📱 Update the firmware: sometimes camera bugs are fixed in patches MIUI.
• 🛠️ Install GCam: A modified version of Google Camera often shoots better than stock (but not on all models).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions