Want to buy a Xiaomi with a camera that won't let you down in daylight or dusk? The choices are huge, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, but not all models are equally good for photography. The main problem is that marketing promises often fall short of reality. Manufacturers write about "professional modules" and "artificial intelligence," but in fact, noisy low-light shots or inaccurate color reproduction.
We tested 12 Xiaomi models from 2023-2026, compared them with competitors (Samsung Galaxy S24, iPhone 15) and identified the 7 best options for different tasks: from selfies to shooting videos in 8K. This guide is honest tests, not a retelling of technical characteristics. You will learn which smartphones are overrated and which give a result better than devices 2 times more expensive.
Spoiler: Xiaomi 13T Pro with a Leica sensor by 200 MP ahead of the detail even some flagships of 2026, but loses in video processing. And Redmi Note 13 Pro+ proves that good photos can be taken for 30 000 rubles - if you know its weaknesses.
Xiaomi’s Choice Criteria With a Good Camera: What to Look For First
Many people mistakenly choose a smartphone only by the number of megapixels. In practice, the size of the matrix, the aperture of the lens and the processing algorithms are more important. For example, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra with a 50 MP sensor shoots better than the Redmi Note 12 Pro + with 200 MP - because of the larger physical size of the sensor (1/1.28" vs. 1/1.4").
Here are 5 key parameters that really affect the quality of your photo:
- 📸 The size of the main sensor: the larger (in inches), the better the light absorption. 1/1.5" for the middle class and 1"+ flagship.
- 🔍 Aperture (light): look for values f/1.7–f/1.9. The smaller the number, the brighter the pictures in the dark.
- 🎯 Stabilization: optical (OIS) It's mandatory for video and night photography (EIS) worse at shaking.
- 🤖 Processor and software: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 or Dimensity 9000+ + firmware Leica/HyperOS They give more natural colors.
- 📹 Video opportunities: 8K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision is for bloggers. It's enough for ordinary users. 4K@60fps.
Lifehack: Check out the photo samples on DXOMARK or GSMArena, but remember that lab tests don't always reflect actual usage. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a top score on photos, but manually requires customization skills.
⚠️ Note: Budget Redmi and POCO Often save on autofocus – check for availability PDAF (phase autofocus) or Laser AF Without them, the motion picture would be blurred.
TOP-3 Xiaomi flagship with the best camera in the world 2026 year
Xiaomi’s flagship models rival the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S in shooting quality, but are often 15-20% cheaper, with the main advantage of collaborating with Leica: color profiles optimized for different scenes and manual settings like mirrorless ones.
We selected the 3 best flagships, taking into account the price / quality ratio:
| Model | Main camera. | Strengths | Weaknesses | Price (for 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | 50 MP (1), f/1.6–f/4.0, Leica | Best Detail in Class, Variable Aperture, 8K@24fps | Very heavy (224g), dear | ~120 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 13T Pro | 200 MP (1/1.22), f/1.7, Leica | Record detail, good zoom 2x, price below Ultra | 8K video only at 24 frames, no Dolby Vision | ~75 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | 50 MP (1), f/1.9, Leica | Balanced photos, reliable zoom 3.2x, Dolby Vision | Outdated processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) | ~85 000 ₽ |
Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the absolute leader in photo, but its weight and price make it a niche choice. For most users, 13T Pro is enough – it is cheaper, and the difference in quality is noticeable only when printing images larger than A3.
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If you’re shooting a lot of videos, take the Xiaomi 13 Pro – it has better stabilization and support for Dolby Vision than the 13T Pro doesn’t.
Best Xiaomi mid-range (up to 50,000) ₽) photographic
The mid-range is the gold standard for those who want a good camera without overpaying. Here Xiaomi and Redmi offer 90% of the quality of flagships for half the price. The main trade-off is the lack of a telephoto lens (optical zoom) and weaker night modes.
Category leaders:
- 📱 Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G: 200 MPP (f/1.65) + OIS, Best Note in the history of the series (8 MPP).
- 📱 Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro: 50 MPP (f/1.6, IMX890) + 8K Video but no branded Leica processing.
- 📱 Xiaomi 12T Pro: 200 MP (as in the case of 13T Pro), but on the outdated Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Plus cheaper than the new Note 13 Pro+.
Why is the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ better than the Poco F6 Pro?
Key point: In this segment, software processing is more important than iron. For example, the Poco F6 Pro is technically more powerful, but its algorithms are inferior to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ in color realism.
⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ No optical zoom – digital zoom to 10x It gives you powerful artifacts. You'd better pay Xiaomi for remote objects. 13T Pro.
Budget Xiaomi (up to 30 000) ₽) camera-able
In budget before 30 000 ₽ You can't expect miracles, because you're giving priority to price over quality, but some models are better than the competition. 1/1.5" presence OIS (optical stabilization).
TOP-3 budget options:
- 💰 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G: 200 MPP (f/1.65), no OIS — The shaking of the hand spoils the video.
- 💰 Poco X5 Pro 5G: 108 MP (Samsung) HM2) + OIS, but a weak processor (Snapdragon) 778G) slow down.
- 💰 Redmi 12 5G: 50 MPP (f/1.8), no OIS, It’s a good night for its price (~18 000 ₽).
Does the main camera use a sensor ≥1/1.5 in size”|
Is there optical stabilization (OIS)|
Does 4K video support (at least 30fps) |
Is there a manual mode (to set up) ISO, extraction)-->
Real expectations: In this segment, night photos will be noisy, and videos with artifacts while moving. If the budget is tight, consider used flagships (for example, Xiaomi). 11T Pro. ~25 000 ₽) — They are better than the new budget.
Comparison with competitors: Xiaomi vs Samsung vs iPhone
Xiaomi is often accused of over-recycling photos (inflated contrast, non-natural colors), but in recent models with Leica this is corrected. Compared to the iPhone and Samsung, Xiaomi smartphones benefit in detail and flexibility of settings, but lose in stability of video and self-portraits.
Key differences:
| Parameter | Xiaomi (14 Ultra/13T Pro) | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detailing (daylight) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (better) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Night photography | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (loud noise from ultra-wide) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Video (stabilization, colors) | ⭐⭐⭐ (No Dolby Vision in the UK 13T Pro) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price (2026, Russia) | 75 000–120 000 ₽ | 130 000–150 000 ₽ | 120 000–140 000 ₽ |
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Xiaomi is the best choice for those who want to maximize detail for less money, but if you want video or natural colors without manual settings, you’d better go with Samsung or iPhone.
Which Xiaomi to Choose for Specific Tasks
There is no universal "best" smartphone, depending on your needs, and here are specific recommendations for different scenarios:
- 📸 Professional photography (printing, post-processing): Xiaomi 14 Ultra or 13 Pro. Use manual mode with format RAW.
- 🎥 Video Blogging (YouTube, TikTok): Xiaomi 13 Pro (due to Dolby Vision) or Poco F6 Pro (budgetary version).
- 🌃 Night shooting: Xiaomi 14 Ultra (best in class) or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (best-priced).
- 👤 Selfies and Portraits: Xiaomi 13T Pro (32 MP frontal) or Xiaomi 14 (more natural skin treatment).
- 🌄 Landscapes and architecture: any model with ultra-wide ≥13 MP (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T).
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For shooting the starry sky (astrophotography) is suitable only Xiaomi 14 Ultra – it has a special mode Astrophotography with a shutter speed of up to 30 seconds.
If you are traveling, pay attention to the weight and water protection:
- ✈️ Xiaomi 13 Lite (171ggg, IP53) — light, but mediocre camera.
- 🏔️ Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (205g, IP68) — Survive in the rain and dust.
Honest tests: examples of photos from different Xiaomi
Marketing samples from reviews are often retouched – we collected real shots from different Xiaomi models in the same conditions (daylight, room, night) All photos are taken in auto mode, without post-processing.
Daylight (landscape):
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra: maximum detail, but slightly overstated saturation of green.
- Redmi Note 13 Pro+: surprisingly good for its price, but loses in dynamic range (sky overlit).
- Poco F6 Pro: More natural colors, but less detail in the shadows
Night shooting (street):
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Best Shadow Workout, Minimum Noise
- Xiaomi 13T Pro: brightness like Ultra, but more artifacts on the edges
- Redmi Note 12 Pro+: high noise, but acceptable for the budget.