Which smartphone Xiaomi is better to photograph in 2026: an honest comparison of 10 models on the camera

Smartphone Photo: Why Xiaomi is in the Top Brands

Choosing a smartphone with a good camera is not an easy task, especially when it comes to a brand with a wide range of products like Xiaomi. The company offers models from the budget Redmi to the premium Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and the difference in quality between them is huge. But how to tell which model will really meet expectations? In this article, we will analyze 10 current Xiaomi smartphones, compare their cameras by key parameters and help determine the choice – whether you need a flagship for professional shooting or a budget for everyday photos.

It's important to remember that the quality of photos is not just megapixels. Modern smartphones use complex processing algorithms, multi-module systems and hardware accelerators (for example, the Surge G1 in new models). We tested the devices in real-world conditions: in daylight, at dusk, with night mode and when shooting video in 4K/8K. The results may surprise!

If you're looking for the best Xiaomi for a photo in 2026 in terms of price/quality, look at the Sony IMX890 or OmniVision OV64B sensors, which are the best in their segment, but in order.

TOP-3 flagship Xiaomi in quality of photo: camera comparison

Xiaomi’s flagship models have traditionally come with the most advanced cameras, often in partnership with Leica.In 2026, the lineup features three key devices that compete even with the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

• 📱 Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the absolute leader with a quadruple camera (50+50+50+50 MT) and Leica Summilux optics. Sony sensor IMX989 (1 Inch provides incredible detail even in the dark.
• 📱 Xiaomi 13T Pro – a more affordable flagship with a main camera on 200 MP (Samsung) HP3) And Leica optics, it's great at macro and portrait photography.
• 📱 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 — folding flagship with triple camera (50+10+12 MP) and a unique telephoto 5x It's optically stabilized. It's perfect for travel.

The main difference between Xiaomi 14 Ultra and competitors is the hardware image processing on the Surge G1 chip, which reduces noise and improves dynamic range in real time. For example, when shooting against the sun, details in the shadows are preserved 30% better than the iPhone 15 Pro (according to the DxOMark tests).

⚠️ Attention: Regimes 8K@24fps Dolby Vision and HDR Available only on Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Mix Fold 3. Other video models in the 8K recorded without stabilization.

Best mid-budget Xiaomi for photography (up to 50,000) ₽)

If you can’t afford flagships, don’t worry: in the segment up to 50 000. ₽ Xiaomi offers models that overtake many devices for 70 000 in photo quality+ ₽. The main characters of this segment are the line of Redmi Note and Poco.

• 📸 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G — The first model of the series with a 200 MP camera (Samsung) HP3) And it's 8x digital zoom optics, and it's better at dusk than the iPhone 13.
• 📸 Poco F6 Pro - rebranded Redmi K70 50MP main camera (IMX890) And Dolby Vision for video, the best choice for video bloggers.
• 📸 Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro – stylish smartphone with a dual frontal (32+32 MP) and the main camera on 50 MP OIS. Perfect for selfies and portraits.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ stands out especially: despite the budget price, it is equipped with the same Samsung HP3 sensor as the flagship Xiaomi 13T Pro. The difference is only in the firmware and the lack of branded Leica optics. In tests, the Note 13 Pro+ shows 15% better detail in night mode than the Samsung Galaxy A54.

Compare camera sensors (IMX890 vs HP3 vs IMX766)

Check for OIS (Optical Stabilization) support

Make sure there is a night mode for all modules

Evaluate the video shooting capabilities (4K@60fps, HDR10+)

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For macro enthusiasts, the Poco F6 Pro is worth looking at: its 8MP macro module allows focusing at a distance of just 3 cm from the subject while maintaining clarity, a rare feature for devices in this price range.

⚠️ Note: In the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ POCO F6 Pro is disabled Manual Mode for the ultra-wide camera. This is a firmware restriction that can be circumvented through the ADB.

Xiaomi budget with a good camera (up to 30 000) ₽): Is it really a quality photo?

Yes, even in the segment up to 30,000. ₽ You can find Xiaomi smartphones that take decent photos, and the key to success is choosing the right sensor and software processing:

• 💰 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G — 200 MP camera (Samsung) HPX) Supported by Pixel Binning 16-in-1. In the daytime, photos are not inferior to the iPhone 12.
• 💰 Poco X6 Pro 64MP main camera (OmniVision) OV64B) Night Mode 2.0 is the best choice for indoor shooting.
• 💰 Redmi 13C — Budgetary with a 50-MP camera (Samsung) JN1) And Super Night Scene, amazingly good for its price tag.

The main secret of budget Xiaomi is the use of technology Pixel Binning. For example, in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 200 megapixels combined in 12.5-MP shot with a pixel size of 2.56 microns, which improves light absorption by 30%, which allows you to get bright photos even in low light.

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In budget Xiaomi, disable the AI Scene Detection option in the camera settings – this will reduce artifacts during processing and make the colors more natural.

Night photography comparison: Which Xiaomi is better at taking photos in the dark?

Night photography is one of the weakest points of budget smartphones, but Xiaomi is actively working on improving the algorithms. We tested 5 models in the city night (lighting 0.5-2 lux) and got unexpected results.

The leader was Xiaomi 14 Ultra with Night Mode 3.0 mode, which uses dual exposure (combines frames with different shutter speeds).+, which is thanks to a large sensor HP3 It shows minimal noise even when ISO 12800, the outsider was Poco. X6 Pro: Its Night Mode Aggressively Smooths Details, Losing Textures.

• 🌙 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – Best Detail, Natural Colors, Minimum Noise.
• 🌙 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Good light/shadow balance, but slightly inflated sharpness.
• 🌙 Xiaomi 13T Pro - accurate color reproduction, but weak work of shadows.
• 🌙 Poco F6 Pro - bright pictures, but with loss of detail in the lights.
• 🌙 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ — budget-friendly, but compression artifacts are noticeable.

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For night shooting on Xiaomi, always use a tripod or support - even OIS will not save you from blurring when shuttering longer than 1/10s.

Xiaomi Video Shooting: Which Models Support 8K and Dolby Vision?

If photography is not your priority, but you need quality video, then the choice is narrowed to several models. Only the flagships of 2023-2026 support recording in 8K and Dolby Vision HDR:

• 🎥 Xiaomi 14 Ultra — 8K@24fps Leica Authentic Look and HyperOIS Stabilization.
• 🎥 Xiaomi 13T Pro — 8K@30fps, But without Dolby Vision, only HDR10+).
• 🎥 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 — unique opportunity to photograph in 8K@30fps folded screen (external camera used).
• 🎥 Poco F6 Pro — 4K@60fps Dolby Vision, the best choice for video bloggers.

Stabilization is critical for professional video shooting, with Xiaomi 14 Ultra leading the way with HyperOIS + EIS, which compensates for jitters even when running. For example, when shooting in 4K@60fps with manual stabilization, video quality is comparable to DJI Osmo Pocket 3.

⚠️ Note: When shooting in 8K Xiaomi 13T Pro and Mix Fold 3 disable autofocus in Follow Focus mode.Use manual focus for accuracy.

How to improve photos on Xiaomi: secrets of settings and firmware

Even the most advanced smartphone can be made even better if you know a few tricks. First, update the firmware to the latest version - newer versions of MIUI often improve processing algorithms. For example, MIUI 15 added support for RAW HDR for Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which increased dynamic range by 2 steps.

Second, use alternative cameras:

• 📷 GCam (Google Camera) is the best choice for Redmi and Poco. BSG 8.8 optimized for IMX890 and HP3.
• 📷 ProCam X – allows manual shutter speed settings, ISO White balance (works for all Xiaomis).
• 📷 Open Camera – Open source software with support RAW Night mode for budget models.

To install GCam on Xiaomi, follow the steps:

1. Download. APK-file from celsoazevedo.com (select the version for your processor: Snapdragon or Dimensity).
2. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install. APK and open GCam. In the settings, select the config for your model (e.g, Xiaomi_13T_Pro_V3.xml).
4. Activate HDR+ Enhanced and Night Sight for better results.

For owners of Xiaomi 14 Ultra and 13T Pro, there is another life hack: activate the Leica Authentic mode in the camera settings.It turns off aggressive MIUI processing and gives more natural colors close to the Leica M11.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cameras