The smartphone market is oversupplied, and it gets harder to pick a device with the best camera every year. Xiaomi has made a huge leap in recent years, introducing Leica sensors and inch matrixes into its flagships, which has dramatically changed the way we approach mobile photography. However, the lineup is so vast that it is easy to get confused in it, especially when models of different generations are on the shelves.
For many users, high-quality photography is the number one priority when buying a new gadget. You need to understand not only the megapixel numbers, but also the physical size of the matrix, the quality of optical stabilization and the post-processing algorithms. In this article, we will discuss how to find a balance between price and quality, and determine which model will fit your use case.
Don't chase the top performance if you rarely shoot in difficult lighting conditions. Sometimes a more affordable device with a competent software setup will produce a result that will suit 95% of users. The main thing is to clearly determine what you shoot most often: dynamic scenes, portraits or a night city.
Key characteristics of mobile camera
To make an informed choice, you need to understand the technical part. The size of the matrix plays a critical role: the larger it is, the more light gets to the sensor, which directly affects the detail and noise level. Flagship models such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra are equipped with sensors in the format of 1 inch, which brings the quality of images to mirrorless cameras.
The second important parameter is optical image stabilization (OIS), which compensates for the tremors of the hands when shooting at long exposure or zoom. Without OIS, even the most powerful processor can't perfectly stitch together the images in night mode, and the photos will be blurred, which is especially true for videos where shaking can ruin the entire video.
The third aspect is the set of lenses. The modern smartphone is a multi-modular system. You should definitely pay attention to the telephoto lens: having periscopic optics allows you to take high-quality pictures with 5x or more zoom without losing detail. The wide-angle camera also needs to have enough resolution to not turn landscapes into "porridge" around the edges of the frame.
Why aren't megapixels important?
Xiaomi’s flagship series: Ultra and Pro
If you want the best quality possible, you should look at the Ultra and Pro series, which are the devices that the company's engineers put out all their best designs, and here you will get the best optics, the best signal processing processors (ISPs), and the most advanced software.
The Xiaomi Ultra series traditionally has the largest sensors and variable aperture, allowing you to control depth of field physically rather than programmatically, creating a natural bokeh. The variable aperture is especially useful when taking group portraits or macro shots, where you need to control the sharpness of the entire frame.
Pro models often get the same basic cameras as the Ultra, but they can be inferior in zoom or body materials. For most mobile photography enthusiasts, Pro versions become the “middle ground”, offering 90% of the top’s capabilities for more reasonable money.
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The flagships of the Ultra and Pro series are the only choice for those who plan to shoot professional videos. 8K or requires a maximum dynamic range in the RAW-format.
It's worth noting that the collaboration with Leica has brought not just a logo, but real color profiles, and you can switch between the styles of "Leica Authentic" (natural colors, contrast) and "Leica Vibrant" (bright, rich tones), which gives you creative freedom right at the moment of shooting, bypassing complex post-processing.
Mid-segment: Xiaomi and Redmi Note series
The middle class is the most competitive niche. Here Xiaomi and Redmi offer excellent main cameras, but often save on auxiliary modules. In devices like the Redmi Note or the basic Xiaomi (without the Pro/Ultra consoles), the main module can be flagship, but the ultra-wider is often low resolution, and the macro camera is decorative in nature.
But today's HDR and nighttime algorithms are doing wonders even on mid-range sensors. If you're shooting mostly in the afternoon or in good artificial light, the difference with the top models will be minimal. The Snapdragon 7 or mid-range Dimensity processors are already quite good at processing 50-megapixel images.
It is important to understand the limitations: optical zoom is rare in this segment, approaching is done by cropping from the main matrix, digital zoom above 2x-3x gives a noticeable loss of quality, and there may be no full optical stabilization on all modules except the main one.
But for blogging or Instagram, these devices are perfect, they're lightweight, they're fast, they can take beautiful portraits with software blur, and the key is not to expect miracles in extremely low light, where the physical size of the sensor does matter.
Comparison of sensors and optical systems
To make it easier for you to navigate the specifications, we have prepared a comparative table of the main types of matrixes used in Xiaomi smartphones. Understanding the difference between them will help to weed out marketing tricks.
| Sensor type | Size (inch) | Best application | Example of model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-inch (LYT900) | 1.0" | Prof. photo, night, bokeh | Xiaomi 14 Ultra |
| Flagship (IMX989/LYT800) | 1/1.28" - 1/1.4" | Top shots, video | Xiaomi 13 Pro / 14 |
| Middle class (IMX890) | 1/1.56" | Daytime shooting, social media | Redmi Note 13 Pro+ |
| Budget (GW1/HM2) | 1/1.7” and less | Documents, daylight hours | Redmi Note 12/13 |
As you can see from the table, the difference in light-sensitive surface area is huge. An inch sensor lets in many times more light than a budget one, which is why night shooting with a 1-inch sensor is possible with almost no noise, while public sector employees require long exposure and a tripod.
Also worth mentioning are lenses. Top-end models use a glare-coated glass that reduces glare and flashlights. In cheaper models, plastic optics can have a "ghosting" effect. Always check reviews for the quality of counterlighting.
Software and processing algorithms
Iron is only half the success. The other half is software. The HyperOS shell (formerly MIUI) offers a lot of camera settings that are often hidden from the average user. By enabling Pro mode, you get access to manual shutter speed, ISO and focus settings.
The AI algorithms in Xiaomi's camera can recognize scenes: food, documents, pets, the sky. In newer versions, this works neatly enough without saturating colors to the point of being unnatural. However, if you want a clean result, you better turn off the AI improvements in the settings.
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Turn on RAW or RAW Ultra format in the camera settings. This will save all data from the matrix without compression and noise cancellation, which will give you huge editing opportunities in Lightroom or Snapseed.
Video mode has also changed, with Dolby Vision and 10-bit color support in some models, allowing for a wide dynamic range of video that looks great on modern TVs and smartphones. Video stabilization (OIS + EIS) works in tandem, ensuring a smooth picture even when running.
⚠️ Note: When shooting video in resolution 4K 60 FPS or 8K Optical stabilization may be disabled or frame cut (crop factor) and check the specifications of a particular model if video is a priority for you.
Checklist before buying a smartphone
Before you go to the store or place an order online, go through this short checklist, which will help you avoid the frustration of buying a device that does not meet your expectations.
☑️ Checking the camera before buying
Note the ergonomics. The camera blocks in Xiaomi's new flagships have become huge. Make sure the smartphone is comfortable in your hand and doesn't outweigh the top. Also check if the case (if it's included) covers the lenses or flash.
Remember memory. High-resolution and 4K video takes up a lot of space. If you plan to shoot actively, consider a version with 512 GB or 1 TB of internal memory, since there is no memory card slot in modern Xiaomi.
Typical mistakes in choosing
One of the biggest mistakes is buying a device just for the megapixel count. As we've already found, 200 MP in a budget will shoot worse than 50 MP in a flagship. Marketing often plays into the hands of manufacturers, creating the illusion of numerical superiority.
The second mistake is ignoring video capabilities, and the camera can take great pictures, but it can write mediocre videos with bad sound and jerks, and if you're shooting Stories or TikTok, you can test the video mode in the store.
⚠️ Note: Global firmware versions sometimes have reduced camera functionality compared to Chinese versions (e.g. lack of some Leica modes or watermarks.
And the front camera, if you videoconferencing or shooting yourself a lot, is key to the resolution and autofocus of the front camera, and in some mid-range models, it still has fixed focus and low resolution.