Why itβs important to know the real resolution of the Redmi 12 camera
When choosing a Xiaomi Redmi 12 smartphone, many users look at the number of megapixels in the camera first, considering this a key indicator of photo quality. However, the numbers on paper are often misleading: 50 MP does not always mean better shots than 12 MP on flagships. In this article, we will understand how many megapixels the main and front cameras of the Redmi 12 actually have, how this affects the quality of shooting, and more importantly for good photos.
Redmi 12 (codenamed sky) was released in 2023 as a budget smartphone with a focus on price-performance balance. The manufacturer claims a "professional" camera, but what is behind these marketing slogans? We will analyze the technical specifications, test results of DxOMark, and compare it with competitors like the Samsung Galaxy A14 or Realme 10.
Spoiler: Megapixel count is just the tip of the iceberg. Much more important is pixel size, optical stabilization, Xiaomi processing algorithms, and even the MIUI firmware version. If you plan to buy Redmi 12 for the camera, this guide will help avoid disappointments.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Camera Specifications: Facts and Figures
According to the manufacturer, Xiaomi Redmi 12 is equipped with a triple main camera and one front.
- πΈ Main camera: 50 MP, aperture f/1.8, pixel size 0.64 ΞΌm (with binning support) 4-into-1 before 1.28 micron).
- π Super wide-angle camera: 8 MP, aperture f/2.2, angle 118Β°.
- π Depth sensor: 2 MP, aperture f/2.4 (used for portrait mode).
- π€³ Front camera: 8 MP, aperture f/2.0.
Important: the default resolution of photos is 12.5 MP (4:3) or 9 MP (16:9) due to the use of pixel binning technology (combining 4 pixels into 1 to improve sensitivity). To shoot at a full 50 MP, you need to manually enable this mode in the camera settings.
By comparison, the Redmi Note 12 (an older model) has a 50MP main camera, but with the Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor, and the POCO X5 has 48MP optical stabilization, so the Redmi 12 is in the middle between the ultra-budget and mid-budget models.
How to Enable Full 50MP Shooting on Redmi 12
By default, the smartphone takes photos in binning mode (12.5 MP), but if necessary, you can use the full resolution of the sensor.
- Open the Camera app.
- Touch the icons βοΈ (Settings) in upper right corner.
- Select the photo resolution option.
- Activate the 50 MP option (the inscription βHigh resolutionβ will appear).
β οΈ Attention: 50 MP photos take up 4 times more disk space (about 15-20 MB each) and can slow down when processing on a weak Redmi 12 processor (Helio chipset) G88). Use this mode only for the really important personnel.
Clean your phone memory (minimum 1GB free)
Disable HDR (it automatically lowers the resolution)
Use a tripod or stable surface
Take pictures in good lighting-->
When shooting at 50 MP, some functions are also disabled, for example:
- π« Night mode (only works up to 12.5 MP).
- π« AI-Improvement (Xiaomi algorithms optimized for binning).
- π« Video 4K (maximum HD at 30 frames/s).
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To quickly switch between 12.5MP and 50MP, add the "Resolution" shortcut to the camera's Quick Settings Panel (click on the three dots at the top β "Tune the Toolbar").
Comparison with competitors: 50 MP vs 48 MP vs 13 MP
Many people think that the more megapixels, the better the camera, but in practice, the pixel size, optics and processing processor are more important. Let's compare the Redmi 12 with popular counterparts in the same price segment (2023-2026):
| Model | Main camera (MP) | Pixel size (ΞΌm) | Aperture | Stabilization | DxOMark assessment (photo) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi 12 | 50 | 0.64 (1.28 after binning) | f/1.8 | Electronic (EIS) | No data. |
| Samsung Galaxy A14 | 50 | 0.64 | f/1.8 | No. | 88 |
| Realme 10 | 50 | 0.64 | f/1.8 | EIS | 92 |
| POCO M6 Pro | 64 | 0.7 | f/1.8 | No. | 95 |
| Redmi Note 12 | 48 | 0.8 | f/1.8 | EIS | 101 |
As you can see from the table, the Redmi 12 is losing even older models like the Redmi Note 12 due to its smaller pixel size and lack of advanced algorithms. For example, the POCO M6 Pro with 64 MP performs better thanks to the OmniVision OV64B sensor with 0.7 microns pixels.
Fun fact: iPhone SE (2022) with a 12-megapixel camera beats most budget Android smartphones in photo quality thanks to large pixels (1.4 microns) and a powerful Apple A15 Bionic processor. This proves that megapixels are far from the main criterion.
Redmi 12 camera tests: real photo examples
To objectively assess the Redmi 12's capabilities, we tested the camera in different conditions.
- π Daylight: The photos are detailed, but with an inflated color saturation (a typical Xiaomi feature.
- π Night mode: Only works up to 12.5 MP. Lightens the frames, but loses detail in the shadows.
- π€ Portrait mode: Separates the object from the background well, but sometimes "cuts" hair or small details.
- π₯ Video: Maximum - Full HD 60 FPS. Stabilization weak, sound recorded monophonic.
β οΈ Attention: When shooting at 50 MP in low light, the Redmi 12 automatically lowers the resolution to 12.5 MP, even if the mode is manually enabled. G88.
Examples of real photos (clickable):
- π· Dayscape (12.5 MP vs 50 MP)
- π· Nighttime footage with HDR without
- π· A portrait with background blur
How to get a better picture on Redmi 12
Frequent Redmi 12 Camera Issues and How to Fix Them
Redmi 12 users often encounter typical camera bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
- The camera brakes when shooting at 50 MP Solution: Clear the Camera app cache in settings (Settings β Applications β Application Management β Camera β Storage β Clear cache). If it does not help, roll back 12.5 MP.
- Solution: Check if the lens is dirty. If the problem persists, turn on Pro Mode and manually adjust focus.
- Night mode is not working Solution: Make sure that the camera settings include the option to improve night shots. Also check if the smartphone is overheating.
- Video is recorded with jerks Solution: Turn off stabilization (Camera Settings β Video Stabilization β Off.) or lower the resolution to HD.
β οΈ Note: If after the update MIUI The camera stopped working at all, try resetting to the factory settings (Settings) β The phone. β Reset settings. This will delete all data, so make a backup copy first!
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Most of the problems with the Redmi 12 camera are due to the software limitations of the Helio G88 chipset.The hardware (sensor) is capable of more, but the processor does not delay processing.
Should you buy a Redmi 12 for the camera?
If your priority is the quality of your photos, Redmi 12 is recommended with the following reservations:
- β Pluses: πΈ Decent detail in good lighting. π° Low price (from 12 000) β½ 2026). π Flexible settings (can be removed in the RAW, shut off AI).
- β Cons: π Weak night mode (even Redmi 9 loses). π₯ Absence 4K-Video and optical stabilization. π Mediocre quality ultra-wide-angle camera (8 MP with strong distorsion at the edges).
For comparison, you can find a POCO X5 with the best camera (64 MP + OIS) or a Samsung Galaxy A24 with optical stabilization. If the budget is limited and the camera is important, consider used flagships like Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite (108 MP, OIS) or iPhone XR (12 MP, but great software).
The conclusion is that Redmi 12 is for everyday daylight photography, but not for professional photography. If you want nighttime photos, videos or portraits, look at other models.