Which Xiaomi smartphones are better on camera in 2026: the rating of flagships and budget

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone with the best camera is not an easy task. Even in 2026, the brand’s range is amazing: from budget Redmi with decent photography to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, competing with the top iPhone and Samsung Galaxy. But how not to get confused about the characteristics and choose a model that will truly meet expectations? In this article, we will analyze the best Xiaomi on camera, compare their capabilities in different price categories and reveal nuances that the manufacturer often does not.

It's important to understand that megapixels are not the main criterion. Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with advanced Sony IMX8xx sensors, Leica optics, stabilization systems and AI processing. But even flagships can fail in certain scenes: for example, night shooting on the Xiaomi 13T Pro is inferior to Xiaomi 14 Pro due to the less advanced noise reduction algorithm. And budget models like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ sometimes perform better than the mid-budget POCO F6 Pro, thanks to optimized software. Next, we will understand which models deserve attention in 2026 - and why.

Top.-5 Xiaomi with the best camera in the world 2026 year: flagship rating

Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones have traditionally been the top performers in terms of quality, but even among them, there are clear leaders. We selected 5 models that perform best in DxOMark, GSMArena and real-world tests.

• 📸 Main camera: sensor resolution, aperture, optical stabilization support (OIS).
• 🌃 Night shooting: efficiency of Night Mode algorithms and noise level.
• 🎥 Video: Support 8K, Dolby Vision HDR, stabilisation.
• 🔍 Zoom: the presence of a periscopic module and the quality of digital magnification.
• 🤖 AI features: scene recognition, portrait mode, processing HDR.

The leader of the ranking is expected to be Xiaomi 14 Ultra, a model with a camera developed in conjunction with Leica. Its Sony IMX989 (1 inch) sensor paired with a variable aperture f/1.6–f/4.0 provides incredible detail and dynamic range. However, not everyone is willing to pay for it 120,000+ rubles. Alternatives are there – and they are equally interesting.

Note: Xiaomi 13T Pro with a 200-megapixel camera is inferior to Xiaomi 14 Pro in general assessment DxOMark. the reason is less advanced processing and the lack of proprietary Leica algorithms. and Mix Fold 3, despite the foldable form factor, demonstrates the result better than many “direct” flagships thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and optimized software.

Xiaomi budget with a good camera: is it really possible to save money?

If you have a budget of 30,000 rubles, don't be too quick to give up on quality photography. Redmi and POCO have models that are amazing in price/quality ratio, and the key is to understand their limitations:

• 💰 Price ceiling: up to 35,000 ₽.
• 📉 Compromises: lack of optical zoom, weaker sensors in night mode.
• ⚡ Pros: good daytime shooting, support 4K-Video, AI features from Xiaomi.

Best choice in this segment - Redmi Note 13 Pro+. His 200-megapixel camera (Samsung) HP3) It rivals two years ago in the daytime, but at night, it's a weakness, more noise than Xiaomi. 12T Pro, and the detail drops, but the price starts at 28,000. ₽ — Almost 4 times cheaper than Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Another interesting option is the POCO X6 Pro. It uses OmniVision OV64B (64 MP) sensor with OIS support, which is rare for public sector users. When paired with the Dimensity 8300-Ultra processor, this gives good video performance and stable camera performance. Minus is a weak ultra-wide module (8 MP), which even loses the Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

Compare samples of Night Mode photos on YouTube

Make sure you have OIS (optical stabilization)

Check out 4K@30fps support for video

Evaluate reviews about the work of the ultra-wide module-->

Xiaomi and Samsung Camera Comparison: Who's Better in 2026?

A question that many people are concerned about: how do Xiaomi smartphones compete with the Samsung Galaxy in terms of shooting? If you take flagships, the Galaxy S24 Ultra traditionally leads in color and video processing, but the Xiaomi 14 Ultra beats it in detail and flexibility of settings (thanks to the manual Leica mode).

🔹 Bottom line: if you want detail and flexibility, go for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If you want stable video and bright colors out of the box, go for Samsung. But remember, in the budget segment, Xiaomi often beats Samsung in price/quality ratio (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro).+ vs Galaxy A54).

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Compare samples from both smartphones on sites like GSMArena or DxOMark before buying – often the difference is visible to the naked eye even in thumbnails.

What Xiaomi to choose for video shooting: 4K, 8K, stabilization

If your goal is to shoot videos, pay attention not only to the permission, but also to:

• 🎞️ Stabilization: OIS + EIS (optical + electronic) required for smooth video.
• 🌈 Dynamic range: support HDR10+ Or Dolby Vision.
• 🔊 Audio: presence of stereo microphones and noise reduction.
• 🔋 Overheating: flagship processors (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) warm up with prolonged 8K-shooting.

The best choice for video in 2026 is Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Xiaomi 14 Pro. Both models support:

• 📹 8K@24fps Dolby Vision;
• 🎬 4K@60fps HyperOIS stabilized;
• 🎙️ Recording sound in format 24-bit/192kHz.

But if you don’t need extreme permissions, look to Xiaomi. 13T Pro. He's filming. 4K@60fps It is not overheating (unlike Xiaomi). 12T Pro) and it's equipped with noise-canceling stereo microphones, and it's good for budget photography. POCO F6 Pro - he's supportive 4K@30fps s HDR10+, Which is rare for devices up to 50 000 ₽.

Secrets of setting up the camera on Xiaomi: how to improve the photo

Even Xiaomi’s top-end camera won’t show all the potential without the right settings. Here’s what you can do right now to improve your image quality:

1. Turn it on. AI Scene Detection: Go to Camera Settings → AI-This will help the smartphone automatically adjust to the stage (portrait, landscape, food, etc.).
2. Turn off watermarks: In Settings → Watermark deactivate this feature – it spoils the frames and takes up space in the picture.
3. Use Pro Mode: Manual mode (Pro) can adjust ISO, shutter speed and white balance. For example, for night shooting, set ISO 1600-3200 and shutter speed 1/10-1/4s.
4. Activate Ultra HDR: In the camera settings, turn on HDR to Auto or Ultra level, which will improve the workflow of shadows and lights.
5. Update: Xiaomi regularly releases updates for the camera. Check the relevance of the firmware in Settings → About the phone → System update.

⚠️ Note: If the camera gets worse after the upgrade (for example, artifacts appeared in Night Mode), try resetting it. → Restore the default settings.

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The best results in manual mode (Pro Mode) show flagships with sensors IMX989 and IMX890 – they are less noise at high ISO.

Honest test: which Xiaomi is the worst shoot in 2026?

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are happy with the camera, and some models, despite the high-profile claims, show mediocre results.

• 🚫 Redmi 12C: 50MP camera (S5KJN1) on paper sounds good, but in practice - blurry details, strong noises at the time of the ISO > 800 and missing OIS.
• 🚫 POCO M6 Pro: Uses an outdated Samsung sensor S5KJN1 (The same as the Redmi 10 of 2021.The night mode is practically useless.
• 🚫 Xiaomi Civi 3: marketed as a “selfie smartphone”, but the main camera (50 MP, GN5) The Redmi Note 12 Pro is also a feature.+ detailing.
• 🚫 Xiaomi 12 Lite: Despite the price tag ~40 000 ₽, camera (108 MP, HM2) Suffers from overheating and slow focusing.

🔍 The reason for the poor results is the savings on sensors and software. 12C It uses the Helio processor. G85, It's not physically capable of processing 50MP images quickly, and the Xiaomi Civi 3 suffers from aggressively smoothing out details in portrait mode, an attempt to hide a weak sensor.

⚠️ Note: if you are offered to buy Xiaomi with a camera "108 MP is cheaper 30 000 ₽, It's probably a marketing ploy. The real quality of these sensors. HM2/HM6) far-flag IMX989 or IMX890.

The future of Xiaomi cameras: what to expect in 2026?

According to insiders, in 2026 Xiaomi plans to introduce several revolutionary new products:

• 📱 Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Sony's sensor IMX999 (1.1 inch), variable aperture f/1.4–f/4.0 and 10x periscopic zoom.
• 🤖 AI Camera: Deep integration with HyperOS for automatic portrait retouching and removal of objects from photos (similar to Google’s Magic Eraser).
• 🎥 12K-Video: Experimental support in Xiaomi 15 Pro, but only for short videos (up to 30 seconds).

But don’t expect a breakthrough in the budget segment: According to analysts, Redmi and POCO in 2026 will remain on Samsung ISOCELL sensors level GN3-GN6, and the main innovations will go to the flagships, but the possibility of smartphones with a lifting camera (as in the Xiaomi Mix 3) – this will increase the size of the sensor without thickening the case.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about Xiaomi cameras