What camera is in Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: specifications and real capabilities

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

camera

Many users still argue: is the Redmi Note 4 worth its money in terms of photography? In this article, we will analyze in detail what modules are installed in the device, their specifications, compare with competitors and give practical tips for improving the quality of images.

The camera in the Redmi Note 4 is not a flagship, but for its time and price category, it showed decent results. Today, its capabilities may seem modest against the background of modern smartphones, but with the right settings and shooting conditions, it can surprise.

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Technical characteristics of the main chamber

The main module of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is equipped with a 13-megapixel sensor Sony IMX258 or Samsung S5K3L8 — depending on the batch. Both variants have similar characteristics, but differ in color processing and noise level, the size of the pixel is 1.12 microns, which is typical for budget smartphones of the period.

The lens has an aperture of f/2.0, which allows you to do well in low-light conditions, but the lack of optical stabilization (OIS) and phase autofocus (PDAF) imposes limitations: when shooting moving objects or at dusk, blurring can occur.

Additional features of the main camera:

• 📸 Laser sensor autofocus speeds up sharpness, but doesn’t work perfectly in the dark.
• 🌃 Regime. HDR — Helps balance exposure in contrasting scenes (e.g. against the sun).
• 🎥 Videotape in resolution 1080p@30fps — supportless 4K or high-speed modes.
• 🔦 Double. LED-flash – improves lighting in dark conditions, but can over-light close objects.

It's important to understand that the software processing of images in Redmi Note 4 is far from the current algorithms, and the photos are often taken with over-saturation and noise in the shadows, especially when shooting in the shadows. RAW-format (which is not supported here).

To reduce noise in photos, try to lower the ISO manually in the camera app, the optimal value for daytime shooting is 100-200, for evening shooting is no higher than 800.

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Front camera: self or disappointment?

The front module in Redmi Note 4 is represented by a 5-megapixel camera with an aperture of f/2.0 and a viewing angle of 85°. The resolution may seem low by modern standards, but for selfies and video calls it is enough - in good lighting.

The main features of the frontal:

• 🤳 No autofocus – fixed focus is adjusted to distance ~50 cm.
• 💡 Screenlighting as an alternative to flash – lights the face in the dark.
• 🎭 Colorful filters in a standard camera app (e.g., "Face Improvement").

The main drawback is the heavy noise with a lack of light and noticeable smoothing of the skin texture in the “Beauty” mode. For comparison, even budget smartphones 2020+ offer front-facing cameras at 8-16 MP with better detail.

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Comparison with competitors: who shot better in 2017?

In the year of release, the Redmi Note 4 competed with models such as the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017), Huawei Honor 6X and Lenovo P2. Let's compare their cameras in key aspects:

The Redmi Note 4 was outperforming its competitors in front-facing resolution and lack of dual modules, but it was outperforming with laser autofocus and more balanced color rendering, such as the Honor 6X offering Boca mode, but the main camera provided less detailed shots.

Modern budget smartphones (like the Redmi Note 12) bypass the Note 4 in all respects: resolution, stabilization, night shooting. However, for a retro device, the Note 4 remains one of the most balanced in its class.

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Redmi Note 4 Camera Problems and How to Solve Them

Even with the right settings, Redmi Note 4 users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Warning: If the camera suddenly stops working (black screen, “Unconnected”), try clearing the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Memory. → Clear the cache. If it doesn't work, you need to flash or repair the plume.

1. Blurred pictures in motion

The reason: no PDAF and a weak stabilization algorithm.

• 📱 Use Sport mode in the camera app for quick shooting.
• 🖼️ Increase shutter speed manually (in apps like Open Camera).
• 🤳 Hold your smartphone with both hands or use a tripod.

2 Noisy photos in the dark

The reason: small pixel size (1.12 μm) and poor noise processing.

3. Re-lit frames with the flash on

Reason: Close location LED-flash to the lens:

• 💡 Move the smartphone 30–50 cm away from the object.
• 🌓 Use an external light source (such as a desk lamp).

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How to improve the quality of photos: tips and tricks

Even with limited technical capabilities, the Redmi Note 4 can achieve acceptable image quality.

1.Use third-party applications

Xiaomi’s standard camera app cuts down on the possibilities.

• 📷 Google Camera (GCam) – Improves processing HDR Download a modified version for Redmi Note 4.
• 🎞️ Open Camera – Allows manual setup ISO, exposure, white balance.
• 🖼️ Footie – Optimized for shooting in motion.

2. Optimize the shooting conditions

Budget camera requires ideal conditions:

• ☀️ Lighting: Shoot against the sun or in cloudy weather (avoid contrasting shadows).
• 📏 Distance: Keep the object at a distance of 30–100 cm for better focusing.
• 🧹 Clean lens: wipe the lens with a soft cloth - dust and fingerprints greatly spoil the quality.

3. Post-processing

Even average images can be improved by:

• 🎨 Snapseed – Exposure and Color Correction.
• 🔍 Adobe Lightroom – Removing noise and increasing sharpness.
• 🖌️ VSCO — presets for natural color reproduction.

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The most effective way to improve photos on Redmi Note 4 is to combine GCam + manual settings in Open Camera + post-processing in Snapseed.

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Modifications and upgrades: can the camera be improved?

Replacing the camera on the Redmi Note 4 hardware is extremely difficult, requiring soldering of plumes and software adaptations. However, there are several legal ways to "pump" the shooting:

1. Custom software firmware

Alternative firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can improve image processing with updated algorithms, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and risking the device building up.

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and may cause the camera module to work unstable. TWRP.

External accessories

For a serious improvement in quality, you can use:

• 📸 Nozzles on the lens (macro, wide-angle, fish eye) - are attached to a magnetic ring.
• 💡 External LED-panel - for uniform lighting when shooting video.
• 🎤 Lavalier microphone – improves sound when shooting video (built-in microphone slightly suppresses noise).

3. Cloud services for improvement

Services like Google Photos or Adobe Photoshop Express automatically apply corrections to uploaded photos, compensating for hardware flaws.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note camera 4