Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 camera: a full overview of modules, features and hidden features

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2021, and still a viable choice due to its balanced specs. But what really sets it apart from the competition is its camera. In an era where even flagships sometimes disappoint with photos, the Redmi Note 10 offers a 48-megapixel main module, an ultra-wide-angle lens, macro shooting and night photography mode — all for a price below 20,000 rubles.

In this guide, we will analyze all the specifications of the camera, test it in different conditions (daylight, dusk, night, macro), compare with competitors like Samsung Galaxy. A32 or realme 8, And we'll reveal the hidden settings. MIUI, This will help improve the quality of the images 30-40%. And then we answer the main question: is it worth it? 2026 Buy a Redmi Note in the year 10 For the sake of the camera or better look at the new models?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 camera specs: what is behind the numbers?

At first glance, the Redmi Note 10 looks impressive for the budget segment, but let's get a sense of what all these megapixels and apertures mean in practice.

The core module is a 48 MP Sony IMX582 with an aperture of f/1.79 and a pixel size of 0.8 microns. On paper, this sounds good, but in reality, the smartphone defaults to 12 MP, combining pixels for better lighting (pixel binning technology). That means you don't get those 48 MPs in automatic mode - you need to manually turn them on in the settings. And here's where the nuances begin...

• 📸 Main camera: 48 MPP, f/1.79, Sony IMX582, phase-focus (PDAF), 6-lens
• 🌌 Ultra-wide-angle: 8 MPP, f/2.2, angle 118°, fixed-focus
• 🔍 Macro: 2 MPP, f/2.4, fixed focus (distance) 4 centimeter)
• 👁️ Depth: 2 MPP, f/2.4, used for portrait mode
• 🎥 Frontal: 13 MPP, f/2.45, support HDR and portrait mode

It's important to understand that 2MP macro and depth sensor are more marketing chips than useful tools. 2MP macros are very noisy, and depth sensors only work in portrait mode, but ultra-wides with an angle of 118° are really useful for shooting architecture or landscapes, although there are distortions around the edges (barreling).

⚠️ Attention: In mode 48 The MCU images are taken up to 15-20 MB each, and the processing takes 2-3 If you want speed (for example, for shooting children or sports events), it is better to stay on the scene. 12 MPP.

Comparison with competitors: Redmi Note 10 vs Samsung A32 vs Realme 8

To see how good the Redmi Note 10 is, let’s compare it to major competitors in the same price range.We took three popular models from 2021: the Samsung Galaxy A32, the Realme 8, and the POCO X3 Pro (which, incidentally, is a relative of the Redmi Note 10 Pro).

On paper, the Samsung A32 and Realme 8 look better with 64MP sensors, but in practice the difference is not so great, because both of these smartphones also use pixel binning, reducing the resolution to 16 MP in automatic mode. But the processing of photos in Xiaomi is often more natural — Samsung traditionally overstates saturation, and Realme sometimes overdoes with noise cancellation.

The main advantage of the Redmi Note 10 — And that's the price. With the same quality of the photos, it's worth it. 3-5 And then you're a thousand rubles cheaper than your competitors. POCO X3 Pro, then the latter has the advantage of Snapdragon 860, But they have identical cameras.

Shooting Modes: What Does the Redmi Note 10 Camera Do and How to Use It?

MIUI offers many modes of shooting, but not all of them are equally useful. Let's figure out which features are really worth using and which ones can be ignored.

• 🌃 Night mode: Works until 6 seconds, but it's better to limit 3-4 It turns on automatically in dark conditions, but sometimes it has to be run manually through a swipe up in the camera app.
• 🎭 Portrait Mode: Uses a 2MP depth sensor, but the result often requires refinement (especially at the edges of the hair).It is better to shoot in normal mode and add blur later in Google Photos.
• 🌄 HDR: It's automatically turned on, but you can manually select the intensity level (from 1 to 3). At level 2, usually the most balanced result.
• 🎥 Pro mode: Allows you to adjust shutter speed (up to) 32 sack!), ISO (100-3200), White balance and focus, useful for shooting the sky or lighting.
• 🔄 Double video: Records both from the main and front camera. Interesting feature for vlogs, but the quality leaves much to be desired.

One of the most underrated modes is Document, which automatically aligns perspective and increases text contrast, which is ideal for scanning receipts or pages of books, but Clone mode (to create the double effect) is extremely unstable and often gives artifacts.

Camera tests: daylight, night, macro and video

We ran a series of tests in different environments to show the real-world capabilities of the Redmi Note 10 camera, all shots taken in automatic mode (12 MP) without post-processing.

Daylight: In good lighting, the camera performs well. Details are high, colors are natural, and HDR copes well with contrasting scenes (e.g. sky + shadow). However, in bright sun, sometimes a purple halo around light sources is a known problem of many Sony sensors.

Twilight/night: This is where the problems start. Automatically, the pictures are noisy, and night mode only saves you in static objects. If you shoot with your hands, even 3-second exposure gives you lubrication. For best results, we recommend using a tripod or flying the phone against a hard surface.

Macro: The 2MP is more of a toy than a tool, and it's soft, low-detail, and if you want high-quality macro, you'd better use the main camera with manual focus in Pro mode.

Video: The maximum resolution is 4K@30fps, but without electronic stabilization (EIS). In practice, the video is shaking, so it's better to shoot in 1080p@60fps with stabilization enabled. It's also worth noting that when you write 4K, the processor is very warm, and in 10-15 minutes, the trottling can go off.

⚠️ Note: When shooting a video in 4K The zooming capability is disabled, which is a hardware limitation of the Snapdragon 678. If you want zoom, you'll have to lower the resolution to the lower limit. 1080p.

Hidden MIUI settings to improve photos

MIUI hides a few useful features that can significantly improve the quality of images.

1. Disable watermark: By default, Xiaomi adds a logo to the photo. To remove it, go to Camera Settings → Watermark → Turn it off.
2. Configure save: In the same settings, you can choose the save format - JPEG (less weight) or JPEG + RAW (more post-processing options).
3. Lens correction: In Ultra-Wide Mode, enable Distortion Correction (in settings) to reduce the effect of the fish eye.
4. Quick camera start: Twice press the power button to instantly open the camera, even if the phone is locked. Configures to Settings → Lock screen → Quick camera start.

Another hack is the use of Google Camera (GCam), which is an application that often offers better HDR and nighttime processing, but beware: some versions of GCam may not work smoothly on the Snapdragon 678. We tested the BSG GCam 8.1 version, which was the best port available.

💡

Before installing the GCam, back up the standard camera app. Some versions of the GCam may conflict with MIUI, causing reboots.

Frequent Redmi Note 10 Camera Issues and How to Fix Them

Even this model has some bugs and camera problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Camera not focusing: Clean the lens with a soft cloth (sometimes just blowing is enough).If the problem persists, restart your phone or reset the camera settings in Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 📉 Fall FPS When you're recording video: It's because of overheating. Try lowering the resolution to 1080p Or use an external fan (yes, it works!).
• 🌓 Night mode doesn't automatically turn on: Check if Auto-Night mode is enabled in the camera settings. If yes, but mode doesn't work, try turning it on manually.
• 🔴 Red hue in photos: This is a well-known Sony sensor issue IMX582 In artificial lighting, you can turn off the white balance in Pro mode and manually adjust it to the 4000-4500K.

If the camera started to glittle after the MIUI update, try rolling back on the previous firmware version or wait for the patch. Xiaomi usually fixes critical camera bugs within 1-2 weeks of the update's release.

⚠️ Attention: If after the fall of the phone, the camera stopped working at all (black screen, error "Can not connect to the camera"), most likely, the plume left. In this case, only disassembly and soldering will help - do not try to repair yourself!

Should I buy a Redmi Note 10 in 2026 for the camera?

When it launched in 2021, the Redmi Note 10 was one of the best budget smartphones in terms of price/quality. But three years later, has anything changed?

The camera's pros in 2026:

• ✅ Excellent quality in the daytime (competitive even with some 2023 smartphones)
• ✅ Good detailing in 48MP mode (with proper processing)
• ✅ Ultrashire with an angle of 118° — budget-scarcity
• ✅ Support RAW (when using GCam)

The disadvantages that have become more noticeable over time:

• ❌ Weak video (No) 4K@60fps and good stabilization)
• ❌ Mediocre night mode compared to new smartphones
• ❌ 2MP macro and depth sensor are useless
• ❌ Snapdragon 678 no longer pulls on modern filters and processing apps

If you want a camera for daytime photography only and you don’t plan to shoot video, the Redmi Note 10 is still a good choice, especially for a used 10-12 thousand rubles. But if you want nighttime shooting or video, you’d better look towards the Redmi Note 12 (with Sony IMX686) or the POCO X5 Pro (with OIS).

💡

In 2026, the Redmi Note 10 will only be available as a budget option for daytime photography, and for video, nighttime photos or professional processing, it’s better to choose a newer model.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about the Redmi Note 10 camera