Why Xiaomiβs camera might be better than iPhoneβs
In pursuit of the perfect shot, users often face a dilemma: overpay for a brand or choose a smartphone with a really advanced camera. Xiaomi has long ceased to be a βChinese budgetβ β today its flagships compete with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro in photo quality, and mid-budget models offer features that 5 years ago were available only in the premium segment.
The secret to success lies in the partnership with Leica (for flagships), the use of sensors from Sony and Samsung with a pixel size of up to 2.44 microns, as well as in proprietary processing algorithms. AI-Xiaomi 14 Ultra overtook iPhone 15 Pro Max in tests DXOMARK The Redmi Note 13 Pro is a nightly shoot and detailing game.+ It offers the optics of the flagship level of 2022 for half the price, but how not to get confused in the model range and choose the perfect balance between price, hardware and software processing?
In this guide, we will analyze:
- π± Top.-5 Xiaomi with the best camera in the world 2026 year (from budget to premium)
- π What is more important: megapixels, sensor size or software?
- π° Should you pay more for branded optics Leica?
- πΈ Secrets of camera setup, which are silent in reviews
Top.-5 Xiaomi with the best camera in the world 2026 Year: rating by price/quality ratio
We selected models that perform best in real-world conditions, not just in lab tests, but also in travel, low-light or photography, based on DXOMARK analysis, photographer reviews and our own tests.
| Model | Main camera. | DXOMARK assessment | Price (from) | Best for you. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | 50 MP (1) + 50 MP (5x periscope) + 50 MP (ultra-wide) + 50 MP (telephoto) | 155 | 120 000 β½ | Professional shooting, 8K video, night scenery |
| Xiaomi 13T Pro | 50 MP (1/1.28) + 50 MP (telephoto 2x) + 12 MP (ultra-wide) | 134 | 65 000 β½ | Universal flagship, portraits, 4K video |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | 200 MP (1/1.4) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 2 MP (macro) | 120 | 35 000 β½ | Budget photo, detail, daytime pictures |
| POCO F6 Pro | 50 MP (1/1.56) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 2 MP (macro) | 118 | 40 000 β½ | Games + photography, quick shooting, HDR |
| Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro | 50 MP (1/1.55) + 50 MP (telephoto 2x) + 12 MP (ultra-wide) | 115 | 45 000 β½ | Selfies, portraits, compact size |
β οΈ Attention: Assessments DXOMARK β It's a guideline, but it's not an absolute truth.+ With 200-MP camera loses Xiaomi 13T The Pro in the night shot, because of the smaller sensor, has more megapixels. POCO F6 The Pro may seem weaker on paper, but in reality its camera is more focused thanks to the Snapdragon 8 processor.+ Gen 1.
Megapixels vs. sensor size: What really matters for photo quality?
The marketing slogans of "200 megapixels" are misleading, and in practice, sensor size and pixel size affect quality more than megapixel count.
- π Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a sensor. 1" (25.4 mm) pixelated 2.44 ΞΌm, this allows you to collect in 4 times more light than that of 1/2"-Sensors in Budget Models.
- π’ Redmi Note 13 Pro+ s 200 MP uses a sensor 1/1.4" (17.3 mm) and pixel binning technology (combination) 16 pixel 1), What gives an effective pixel size 2.24 micron.
- π For night shooting critical light lens: Xiaomi 13T Pro diaphragm f/1.9, POCO F6 Pro β f/1.6, What makes a noticeable difference in low light.
π‘ Rule of choice:
If you want detailed images during the day, look at megapixels and binning. If you want to shoot night or video, look at the size of the sensor and the aperture of the lens.
Why 200 MP is not always better than 50 MP?
Leica vs. Regular Camera: Should You Overpay for a Brand?
Since 2022, Xiaomi has been cooperating with the legendary manufacturer of optics Leica, and now branded cameras are in Xiaomi 12S Ultra, 13/14 Ultra and 13/14 Pro.
The advantages of Leica cameras in Xiaomi:
- π¨ Unique color profiles: Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant modes mimic M-series film (more natural tones, less lighting).
- π Premium optics: aspherical lenses with a multi-layer coating that reduces glare.
- π Accurate calibration: less distortion around the edges of the frame (especially noticeable in the ultra-wide module).
β οΈ Attention: Leica brand adds to price 20-30%, But it doesn't improve hardware performance (sensor, processor, stabilization). 13 Pro and 13 Ultras have the same main sensor Sony IMX989, But in the Ultra version, it's calibrated to Leica profiles.
Xiaomi camera setup: How to make photos better than 90% of users
Even a top-end camera can't save you if you don't know the basic settings, and here's what you can do without buying a new smartphone:
Turn it on. AI-camera in settings (improving colors and contrast)|Disable Watermark (saves space in the photo)|Activate Night Mode manually in low light|Set video resolution 4K@30fps better stabilized|Calibrate white balance manually when shooting under lamps
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Top.-3 Hidden features of Xiaomi camera:
- π₯ Dynamic video HDR (available 13/14 Series: included in the camera settings β Video β HDR10+. Allows you to record video with extended dynamic range, as in the movie.
- π Starry Sky mode (available in Redmi Note) 12/13 Pro and older: automatically adjusts shutter speed to 30 Seconds to take a picture of the Milky Way. To activate, go to More β Long exposure.
- π€ Portrait Light: Portrait mode can manually adjust the direction and intensity of the "virtual flash" (available on all models with the MIUI 14+).
π‘
The most common mistake Xiaomi users make is using digital zoom instead of optical. For example, in Xiaomi 14 Ultra optical zoom works to the end of the spectrum. 5x, And all the above is cropping with loss of quality. Always check which zoom is active (the icon appears on the screen). π numerically).
Which Xiaomi with a good camera to choose in 2026: a selection of tasks
There's no universal answer, it depends on your priorities, and we've made recommendations for different scenarios.
πΈ For professional photography (landscapes, reports, commercial photography):
Xiaomi 14 Ultra β no options. Here and sensor 1" and optical zoom 3.2x/5x, and support for RAW 50 MP, and manual settings like in the DSLR. Alternative: Xiaomi 13T Pro (cheaper by 50%, but without a periscope).
π° Budget up to 40,000 β½ (Maximum quality for minimum money):
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is a 200MP camera, not a marketing ploy, but a real advantage for daytime photography. If you need a telephoto, take the POCO F6 Pro (50 MP + 2x zoom).
π For selfies and portraits:
Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro is the best frontal in the line (32 MP with autofocus and soft backlight). Alternative: Xiaomi 13 Lite (thin body + dual frontal).
π¬ For video (including TikTok, YouTube, streams):
Xiaomi 14 or 13 Pro β there are 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with HDR10+, and noise-canceling microphones. Budget option: POCO F6 Pro (good stabilization thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1).
What Xiaomi cameras are missing: weak spots and how to get around them
Even the best Xiaomi models aren't perfect, and here are the typical problems and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Models where you meet | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Sunlights (blurred sky/clouds) | Except 14 Ultra and 13T Pro | Enable HDR manually or shoot in RAW, followed by processing in Lightroom. |
| Noise on the ultra-wide module | All models with ultra-wide <12 MP | Use the main camera and framing or installing the night mode GCam for the ultra-wide. |
| Slow focusing in video | Redmi Note 12/13 Series, POCO M6 Pro | Disable Continuous Autofocus in video settings or fix focus manually. |
| Distortions at the edges (the effect of the fish eye) | All ultra-wide modules | Enable distortion correction in the camera settings β More. |
β οΈ Note: In the Redmi models and POCO There is often a problem with overheating during long-term video shooting in 4K. If the phone is hotter than 45Β°C, the camera automatically lowers resolution. Solution: use an external cooler or shoot in short sessions (up to 10 minutes).