Which Xiaomi smartphone with the best camera to choose in 2026: a review of top models

The camera in a smartphone has long ceased to be an auxiliary feature — for many users, it becomes a key criterion when choosing a device. Xiaomi traditionally offers a wide range of models, from budget devices with decent photography to flagships competing with professional cameras. But how to understand this diversity and understand which Xiaomi really shoots better than others?

In this article, we will analyze the top models of 2023-2026, compare their main and auxiliary modules, tests in different conditions (daylight, night, portrait mode), and evaluate the capabilities of video shooting. We will pay special attention to the image processing processor, which often determines the final quality of images, not just megapixels. If you are looking for a professional smartphone with manual settings or just want to take bright photos for social networks, here you will find the answers to all the questions.

Xiaomi uses different approaches to cameras in its lineups. flagships of the Xiaomi 13/14 series are equipped with sensors from Sony and Samsung with support for 1-inch arrays, while the budget Redmi Note and POCO rely on software optimization. This does not mean that cheap models shoot poorly, just their strengths are manifested in other scenarios.

1. Top.-5 Xiaomi smartphones with the best camera in the world 2026 year

We selected five models that perform best in DxOMark, GSMArena and independent reviews, and the ranking is based on a balance of price, hardware and software processing.

• 🥇 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – flagship with 1-inch sensor and optics Leica
• 🥈 Xiaomi 13T Pro – Best Price/Quality Balance in the Premium Segment
• 🥉 Xiaomi 13 Lite – a compact smartphone with an excellent frontal for selfies
• 4️⃣ POCO F5 Pro - budget champion in video 4K
• 5️⃣ Redmi Note 13 Pro+ — Best camera in the segment up to 30,000 ₽

Each of these models has unique features, such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which has a variable aperture (f/1.6 to f/4.0) that allows you to control depth of field during shooting — a feature previously only available in SLR cameras. And the POCO F5 Pro is amazing with video stabilization, which is not inferior to devices in 2-3 times more expensive.

When choosing which scenes you need the camera for, if you shoot often in the dark, the priority should be models with large pixels (1.6 microns or more) and support for night mode with long exposure. For portrait lovers, the accuracy of background blur (back-up effect), and for video bloggers, the presence of Dolby Vision HDR and microphones with noise cancellation is critical.

2. Xiaomi 14 Ultra: professional camera in a smartphone

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is not just a smartphone, but a complete replacement for the compact mirrorless for many users, and its main advantage is the joint development with Leica, which guarantees high color reproduction and natural tones. Let's see what makes this model the best in the lineup.

The Leica Authentic mode, which disables Xiaomi’s aggressive processing and preserves natural colors like film photography, is ideal for those who later rework pictures in Lightroom or Photoshop. However, there is a downside: in automatic mode, the camera sometimes overexposures in difficult conditions (for example, against the sun).

Unique feature: Xiaomi 14 Ultra can shoot in RAW format with full dynamic range (14 bits), allowing professionals to pull shadows and light without noise.

⚠️ Attention: When shooting in mode 8K The smartphone is very hot - it is recommended to use an external battery or limit sessions to 10-15 minutes.It is also worth noting that Leica profiles work only in standard photo mode, not in Pro mode.

3. Xiaomi 13T Pro vs Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Which one to choose?

If Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the choice for enthusiasts, then Xiaomi 13T Pro and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ represent the optimal value for money. Let’s compare their key features to see which model is right for you.

The Xiaomi 13T Pro features Samsung’s 200-megapixel HP3 sensor, which uses pixel-binning technology (combining 16 pixels into 1) to improve detail, resulting in sharp, high-dynamic range images during the day and minimal noise at night, but autofocus sometimes fails when shooting moving objects.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+, in turn, offers a 200-MP Samsung HPX sensor that is slightly inferior in light power, but wins in processing speed. Its main advantage is the price: at similar characteristics, it is cheaper by 30-40%.

For clarity - a comparative table on key parameters:

⚠️ Note: Both models have problems with overheating during long-term video shooting in the 4K. In Redmi Note 13 Pro+ This is more pronounced because of less efficient cooling. If you plan to shoot video for longer than 20 minutes, consider an external cooler.

Test the night mode in the store (take a picture of the dark corner)

View YouTube video examples (look for reviews with real shots, not commercials)

Check for software updates (camera bugs can be fixed in new batches)

Compare prices in official and "gray" stores (the difference can reach 10-15%)-->

4 Budget models with good camera: POCO and Redmi

Not everyone needs flagship capabilities - many users are looking for a decent camera for a reasonable amount of money. Xiaomi's lineup has several models that offer 90% of the quality of top-end smartphones at 50% price — POCO F5 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

POCO F5 Pro stands out among the public sector thanks to:

• 🎬 Video 4K@60fps with good stabilization (rare for devices up to the 40 000 ₽)
• 📸 64MP main camera with OmniVision sensor OV64B (Good detail with sufficient lighting)
• 🔋 Fast charging. 67W — It is important for those who take a lot of pictures on trips.

The main drawback is the low night mode, with a lack of light, the pictures are noisy and the colors are unrealistic, but during the day the POCO F5 Pro is not inferior to many smartphones in the middle segment.

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is another worthy candidate, and its 200MP camera looks impressive on paper, but in practice it loses to the POCO F5 Pro in video shooting, but it wins at:

• 🖼️ Details (due to high-resolution sensor)
• 🌈 Color rendering (less aggressive processing than that of the POCO)
• 💰 Price (often available at discounts of up to 25,000) ₽)

Both models are suitable for social networks and everyday shooting, but if you need high-quality video – it is better to pay for the POCO F5 Pro. If the priority is daytime photos and macro shooting, then the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ will be a more profitable choice.

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Before buying a budget Xiaomi, be sure to check the firmware version. In older MIUI builds (below 14.0.5), the camera can work unstable - especially for night mode and 4K video.

5. Secrets of setting up a camera on Xiaomi: how to improve the pictures

Even the most advanced smartphone won’t show its full potential without the right settings. Xiaomi devices have a few hidden features that can significantly improve the quality of shooting.

The first thing you should do is turn off the watermarks, which not only spoil the frame, but also take up space on the sensor.

Camera settings → Watermark → Turn off

The second is the Pro mode setting, and you can manually control the following:

The third tip concerns the save format. Xiaomi defaults to JPEG, but you can turn on RAW or HEIF in the settings:

Finally, don’t forget to keep up with regular updates. Xiaomi often releases patches that improve image processing. For example, the MIUI 14.0.12 update for Xiaomi 13 Ultra fixed a bug with overexposed skies in landscape shots.

6. Frequent Xiaomi camera issues and how to fix them

Even the best smartphones sometimes fail.-5 Problems faced by Xiaomi owners and ways to fix them:

• 🔴 Camera not focusing Cause: lens contamination or software failure Solution: Wipe the lens with a microfiber wipe. Reset your smartphone. Reset camera settings: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🌃 Night photos get blurred Reason: long shutter speed without tripod. Solution: Use night mode only with stable support. Reduce shutter speed manually (in Pro mode). Enable Ultranoctovision (available on flagships).
• 🎥 Video twitches when moving Cause: weak stabilization Solution: Enable Ultra High stabilization in the video settings. Remove the case, it can block the gyroscope. Use an external stabilizer (e.g., remove the case, DJI OM 6).

If none of these things worked, it might be a hardware problem, like the Xiaomi 12 Pro, where there was a known problem with the camera plume detaching, which caused artifacts to appear in the photo, and only a service center would help.

⚠️ Attention: After updating to MIUI 15 Some of the users of Xiaomi 13T They complained about the green color in the photo, and it's because of a bug in the white balance algorithm, so you can roll back the firmware or wait for the patch (expected June 2026).

7. Alternative cameras: Should other brands be considered?

While Xiaomi offers some of the best cameras on the market, it’s worth comparing them to competitors.

• 🍎 iPhone 15 Pro: Pros: better video stabilization and skin treatment in portraits.Cons: weak zoom (only) 3x optical), no 8K-video.
• 🤖 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Pros: 10x Optical zoom, great detail, cons: overworked (colors sometimes look non-natural).
• 📱 Google Pixel 8 Pro: Pros: The Best HDR Cons: weak front camera, no support for Leica profiles.