Which Xiaomi is better on camera in 2026: expert rating and comparison of flagships

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone with the best camera in 2026 is not an easy task. Even within the same lineup, models can be radically different in shooting quality: somewhere the manufacturer relies on an ultra-wide angle, and somewhere on telephoto or night shooting. At the same time, the prices for top-end devices of the brand range from 30 to 100+ thousands of rubles, and overpay for unnecessary functions do not want anyone.

In this guide, we analyzed all of Xiaomi’s current models (including Redmi and POCO), tested them in real-world conditions – from portrait photography to macro and 8K video – and ranked them according to key criteria: detail, color reproduction, stabilization and post-processing capabilities, and focused on software “chips” like AI HDR, Night Mode 2.0 and Pro Mode, which can both save a frame and spoil it if you set it up incorrectly.

If you want a smartphone solely for photos and videos, rather than games or multitasking, this material will help avoid the typical mistakes. For example, many buyers overestimate the value of megapixels, not paying attention to the size of the matrix or the aperture of the lens — and in vain. We will examine why the Xiaomi 14 Ultra with 50 MP beats the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with 200 MP in 90% of scenarios, and when the latter may still be more profitable.

Key camera parameters in Xiaomi smartphones: what to look at first

When choosing a smartphone from a camera, most users are guided by the number of megapixels — but this is a gross mistake. The real quality of the photo depends on a set of characteristics, and here are some of them that are really important:

1.Size of the main matrix: The larger the physical size of the sensor (measured in inches, for example, 1/1.1) the better the light absorption and dynamic range. Xiaomi flagships (for example, 14 Ultra) use the matrix from Sony IMX989 size 1, while budget models are limited to 1/2" or less.

2. The aperture (aperture) of the lens. Denoted as f/1.6, f/1.9, etc. The smaller the number after f/, the more light enters the matrix — this is critical for shooting at dusk or at night. Optimal range for 2026: f/1.6–f/1.9.

3. Presence of optical stabilization (OIS). Programme stabilization (EIS) It is suitable for video, but it is important for the photo. OIS — It physically compensates for the tremors of the hands. Budget Redmis often lack it, resulting in blurred low-light footage.

4. Processing algorithms. Xiaomi actively uses AI to improve photos, but sometimes it plays a cruel joke: for example, the AI Scene Detection can oversaturate colors or blur textures. In flagships (starting with the Xiaomi 13 Pro), there was a Natural Mode mode that disables aggressive post-processing.

Finally, remember the ultra-wide angle (useful for landscapes) and telephoto (for portraits and zooms), which is often replaced by a digital approximation in budget models, which dramatically degrades detail.

TOP-5 Xiaomi smartphones by camera in 2026: rating and comparison

We selected the best Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models for price, performance and real-world quality, based on DxOMark tests, GSMArena reviews and our own testing in different conditions, from bright sun to complete darkness.

Important: prices are listed at the time of publication (2026) and can vary by region and stock, and for objectivity, we have divided the models into three price categories: premium, middle class and budget.

Critical note: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with 200 MP main camera loses Xiaomi 13T Pro with 50 MP in low light detail due to smaller matrix size (1/1.4" vs 1/1.28"). This is a prime example of why megapixels are not equal quality.

Best flagship: Xiaomi 14 Ultra – the king of shooting in any conditions

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is not just a smartphone, but a full-fledged DSLR replacement for 90% of users. Its camera is equipped with four 50-megapixel modules, each of which is responsible for its own scenario: the main sensor Sony IMX989 (size 1"!), an ultra-wide angle with autofocus, and two telephoto lenses with optical zoom 3.2x and 5x.

The model’s main advantage is its adaptive aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0), which automatically adjusts to lighting, such as opening at f/1.6 in the dark for maximum light absorption, and narrowing to f/4.0 in the daytime to avoid overlighting, a unique feature among 2026 smartphones.

According to DxOMark’s tests, 14 Ultra ranked 1st among all smartphones in photo quality (150 points) and 2nd in video (146 points). Night shooting is especially impressive: thanks to the combination of a large matrix, OIS and Night Mode 2.0 algorithm, the frame remains clear even at ISO 12800.

Of the minuses:

• 💰 Price: ~110 000 ₽ — This is the level of the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy. S23 Ultra.
• 📏 Dimensions: weight 224 g and thickness 9.2 mm make it uncomfortable for one hand.
• 🔋 Heat: during long-term video shooting in 8K body warms to 45°C.

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If you don't need it. 5x Zoom, consider Xiaomi 14 Pro – it’s cheaper by 20,000 ₽, It retains the same main camera and matrix. IMX989.

Best middle class: Xiaomi 13T Pro – balance of price and quality

If 14 Ultra is too expensive, and budget Redmi is not satisfied with the quality, Xiaomi 13T The Pro is the perfect compromise. It inherited the core module from the flagship (50 MPP, 1/1.28", f/1.9) And he added a telephoto to it. 2x Optical zoom, which is rare in this price segment (~65 000 ₽).

What is the advantage of 13T Pro over competitors:

• 📸 Pro Mode: allows you to manually adjust shutter speed, ISO White balance (useful for shooting in the film) RAW).
• 🌙 Night photography: thanks OIS Night Mode algorithm photos at 5 lux are brighter than the iPhone 14.
• 🎥 Video 8K: record-keeping 8K@24fps s HDR10+, This is not often found even in flagships.

Weaknesses:

• 🔍 Ultra-wide angle of only 12 MP (vs. 50 MP for flagships), because of which the detailing at the edges of the frames suffers.
• 🔋 Autonomy: When shooting actively, the battery (5,000 mAh) sits down in 6-7 hours.

Who is the right person: bloggers, travelers and those who want a quality close to the flagship, but are not willing to pay 100 000+ ₽.

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Xiaomi 13T Pro is the only smartphone in the segment up to 70 000 ₽ optical zoom 8K-Video, which makes it the best choice for portraits and short videos.

Budget champion: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — 200 MP for 35,000 ₽

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ was a sensation in 2026 thanks to Samsung’s 200MP main camera, ISOCELL HP3. On paper, it sounds impressive, but there are nuances in practice: the default photo resolution is 12.5 MP (pixels are combined into groups for better light absorption). To shoot in the full 200 MP, you manually select the 200MP Mode mode in the settings.

Pros of the model:

• 💎 Details during the day: in good lighting 200 MP give an incredible elaboration of textures (for example, you can see individual hairs on the leaves).
• 🌃 Night mode: despite the budget segment, there is a OIS Night Mode algorithm that saves shots in low light.
• 💰 Price: ~35 000 ₽ — This is 3 times cheaper than flagships with 80% of their capabilities.

Cons and pitfalls:

• 📉 Digital zoom: instead of an optical approximation, a 200-MP cropping is used, which leads to a loss of detail already when the image is taken. 2x.
• 🎨 Aggressive post-processing: AI often overstates saturation and contrast, making the skin in portraits look plastic.
• 🔋 Overheating: When filming video 4K@30fps more 10 minutes the body is heated to 43°C.

For those who are up for it: aspiring photographers who want to experiment with high resolution, but are not willing to spend on a flagship, and it's also a good option for landscapes and architecture, where detail is important.

Specialized scenarios: which Xiaomi to choose for portraits, videos or macros

Not all tasks are equally well solved by universal flagships. If you want a smartphone for specific types of shooting, look at these models:

Portraits and selfies:

• 👩 Xiaomi Civi 3: front camera 32 MP with autofocus and soft fixture for uniform face lighting. AI Beauty with the "beauty" level setting".
• 👨 POCO F6 Pro: thanks to a telephoto lens (albeit with a digital zoom) allows you to shoot portraits with a blurred background (bokeh) without losing details.

2. Videos, including 4K/8K):

• 🎬 Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Supports 8K@24fps s OIS and EIS, and also record in Dolby Vision. HDR.
• 📹 Xiaomi 13T Pro: Best for Bloggers – Stable 4K@60fps minimally heated.

Macro and details:

• 🔍 Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Despite the 2-MP macro module, due to the high resolution of the main camera (200 MP), you can do cropping without loss of quality.
• 🌺 Xiaomi 14 Ultra: its ultra-wide angle with autofocus allows you to shoot macro from a distance of 2.5 cm.

Night shooting:

• 🌙 Xiaomi 14 Ultra: best in class thanks to adaptive aperture and matrix 1".
• 🌃 POCO F6 Pro: Unexpectedly good for its segment - Night Mode works even at 1 lux.

Take a test photo in the room under artificial light (white balance check)

Test the night mode on the street (compare with other models)

Watch YouTube videos (note stabilization)

Check for Pro Mode (for manual settings)-->

Typical Mistakes When Choosing Xiaomi Camera and How to Avoid Them

Many shoppers make the same mistakes by focusing on marketing slogans instead of real tests.

1.Megapixels. ≠ quality

As we mentioned, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with 200 MP loses to the Xiaomi 13T Pro with 50 MP in most scenarios. The reason is the size of the matrix and the aperture. Always look at the parameters of 1/1.28" (good) vs 1/2.76" (bad), not the number of pixels.

2.Digital zoom ≠ optical

If the specs say "10x zoom", specify which one is optical. For example, in the POCO F6 Pro zoom up to 2x is even more or less acceptable, and everything higher is just an increase with loss of quality.

3.A. doesn't always help.

Modes like AI Scene Detection or AI Beauty often spoil frames by overcharging saturation or smoothing out textures. Flagships (starting with Xiaomi 13) have a Natural Mode mode that disables aggressive processing - look for it in the settings.

4. Video ≠ photo

If you need to shoot video, pay attention to stabilization (OIS + EIS) and bitrate. For example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra records 8K@24fps with a bitrate of 100 Mbps, and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ only 4K@30fps with 40 Mbps. The difference in detail will be noticeable when viewed on the big screen.

5.Frontal camera is important for selfies

Many people miss this point, but if you often take pictures of yourself, pay attention to the resolution of the frontal and the presence of autofocus. For example, the Xiaomi Civi 3 has a 32-MP camera with f/2.0 and a soft fixture, which gives clearer selfies than flagships with 12-MP frontal phones.

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Before buying, be sure to check out real-life examples of photos and videos on YouTube or in GSMArena reviews. Pay attention to low-light footage - this is the most difficult test for any camera.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cameras in Xiaomi smartphones

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If your budget is tight but you need a good camera, choose between the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (for photos) and the POCO F6 Pro (for video), both offering 80-90% of the flagship quality for half the price.