Photography has become a key criterion in choosing a smartphone, and Xiaomi is actively competing with Samsung and Apple in this segment. The brand offers models with cameras that are not inferior to the flagships of other manufacturers, from low-end devices with decent shooting to premium devices with professional modules. But how to understand this diversity? Not all Xiaomi are equally good at photography: some models specialize in portrait photography, others in night or video.
In this article, we will analyze the best Xiaomi smartphones for camera quality in 2026, taking into account not only megapixels, but also real tests in different conditions. You will learn which models are suitable for bloggers, who focuses on 8K video shooting, and which are optimal for everyday shots without unnecessary bells and whistles.
Spoiler: Xiaomi 14 Ultra remains the undisputed leader in photographic capabilities, but the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ can surprise you with a price-quality ratio. And if you want to stabilize video, look at the Xiaomi 13T Pro with a sensor from Leica.
Top.-3 Xiaomi flagship with the best camera in the world 2026 year
Xiaomi’s flagship models have traditionally featured the most advanced cameras, often in collaboration with legendary optics brands, with three models holding the lead in 2026, each with unique advantages.
1. Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the absolute champion of photographic capabilities. This smartphone has four main modules (50 MP each) with Leica Summicron optics, including the world's first variable lens with a focal length range of 12 to 120 mm. This allows you to do without digital zoom up to 10× without loss of quality. Night shooting here at the level of SLR cameras thanks to the Sony IMX989 sensor (1 inch) and Night Mode 2.0 algorithms.
2. Xiaomi 13 Ultra (the previous model) is still relevant — its camera is almost equal to the “fourteenth” in most scenarios, but it costs less. Here the same IMX989 sensor, but without variable optics. But 13 Ultra boasts the best color reproduction among all Xiaomi thanks to deep integration with the profiles of Leica Authentic and Vibrant.
3. Xiaomi 13T Pro is the most affordable flagship with a Leica camera. Its main trump card is the 200 MP main sensor (Samsung HP3) with a pixel binning 16-in-1, which gives incredible detail in good lighting. Video shooting here is limited to 4K@60fps, but there is optical stabilization on all three modules.
- 📸 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – the best choice for professionals (night shooting, zoom, color reproduction).
- 💰 Xiaomi 13 Ultra – the best flagship in terms of price / quality.
- 🎥 Xiaomi 13T Pro is the leader in video detailing and stabilization in its class.
⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi's flagship cameras require customization! by default they often take over-processed pictures. AI-Improve your camera settings and use the Leica Authentic profile for natural colors.
Best Xiaomi mid-range smartphones with a good camera
Not everyone needs flagship capabilities – many users are looking for a balanced device with a decent camera for a reasonable amount of money. In the segment up to 50,000 rubles, Xiaomi offers several successful models.
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ was a hit in 2026, with a 200MP main camera (the same Samsung HP3 as the 13T Pro), but with stripped-down processing algorithms. However, in daylight it gives great detail, and night shooting improved with the new Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor. Another plus is the 2× optical zoom (a rarity for this class).
The Poco F6 Pro (aka Redmi K70 in China) is a choice for video enthusiasts. Its 50-MP main camera (IMX890) is not shiny with megapixels, but it supports 8K@24fps and has excellent stabilization thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. For streamers and bloggers, this is one of the best options in its price segment.
The Xiaomi 12T Pro (Model 2022) is still on sale and could be a budget alternative, with its 200MP sensor (Samsung HP1) inferior to modern processing solutions, but with manual settings, it can deliver impressive shots.
| Model | Main camera. | Night photography | Video | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | 200 MP (Samsung HP3) | 8/10 | 4K@30fps | ~35 000 ₽ |
| Poco F6 Pro | 50 MP (IMX890) | 7/10 | 8K@24fps | ~45 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 12T Pro | 200 MP (Samsung HP1) | 6/10 | 8K@30fps | ~30 000 ₽ |
If you want a universal camera without overpaying for a flagship, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is the best choice. For video, consider the Poco F6 Pro despite having fewer megapixels.
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In mid-range Xiaomi smartphones, some camera features are often disabled out of the box. For example, in the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Pro Mode is hidden - it can be activated through the developer settings (#6484###).
Xiaomi with a good camera: is it real?
Budget smartphones (up to 25,000 rubles) rarely boast an outstanding camera, but some Xiaomi models stand out from the competition.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G is the most balanced option on the budget, with its 50-MP main camera (Sony IMX766) providing acceptable daytime detail, and the 8-MP ultra-wide angle extending the shooting experience, and the nighttime photography here is weak, but it's good for social media.
The Poco X5 Pro surprises with the 108MP main module (Samsung HM6) for its price. Of course, the real resolution of the images is 12 MP (thanks to binning), but the detail is better than many competitors.
The Redmi 12 is the cheapest version with a 50-MP camera (an unknown sensor), and you don't expect anything supernatural here, but you'll have enough for daytime shots and document scans. Nighttime shooting is almost non-existent, noise is suppressed by aggressive software processing.
- 💸 Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G — best budget photo (IMX766, 8 MP super-wide).
- 📈 Poco X5 Pro – maximum resolution for the minimum money (108 MP).
- 📱 Redmi 12 – basic tasks only (50 MP without stabilization).
⚠️ Note: In low-end Xiaomi, there is a frequent problem with autofocus in macro mode. If you are interested in shooting small objects, check this point before buying - in some instances of the Redmi Note 12, the focus "floats" when approaching.
Xiaomi Cameras and Competitors Comparison: Who is Better?
To get an objective view of Xiaomi cameras, it’s worth comparing them to the main competitors: Samsung Galaxy, iPhone and Google Pixel.
1. Details and zoom: Xiaomi 14 Ultra bypasses the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in optical zoom (10× vs. 5×), but loses in video processing. iPhone 15 Pro Max lags behind in megapixels, but gives more natural colors without unnecessary post-processing.
Night shooting:
Here, the lead is the Google Pixel 8 Pro thanks to Night Sight algorithms. Xiaomi 14 Ultra is close in quality but requires manual adjustments. Samsung traditionally adds too much noise reduction, losing parts.
3. Video: iPhone remains out of competition in stabilizing and color rendering in video. Xiaomi 13T Pro is closer to it in quality, but loses in audio processing. Samsung offers more creative modes (for example, Director’s View), but with a noticeable heating of the case.
Color rendering:
Leica profiles in Xiaomi 14 Ultra give the most natural colors among Android smartphones. iPhone is still the leader in white balance, and Pixel often piles shadows.
Detailed comparison of Xiaomi 14 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max in the test DxOMark
How to choose Xiaomi by camera: checklist of the buyer
When choosing a Xiaomi smartphone with a good camera, pay attention not only to megapixels, but also to sensor types, optical stabilization and software processing.
- 🔍 Type of main sensor: Best options - Sony IMX989 (1 inch), IMX890, Samsung HP3. Avoid Unknown Budget Sensors.
- 🌓 Night mode: Check for Night Mode 2.0 (in flagships) or at least manual shutter speed settings.
- 🎥 Video Opportunities: Support for Bloggers 4K@60fps or 8K, presence OIS (optical stabilization).
- 🔄 Optical zoom is preferred over digital zoom, minimum set for universal photography: basic zoom + superb + telephoto.
- 🎨 Color profiles: In flagships, look for support for Leica Authentic/Vibrant or Xiaomi Pro Color.
Take test shots in different lighting | Check autofocus in macro mode | Record motion video (stabilization check) | Compare colors with other smartphones | Check the heating of the case during long shooting-->
Remember that software processing is often more important than hardware, for example, the Google Pixel beats many competitors by algorithms rather than sensors. At Xiaomi, the situation is reversed: hardware is often more powerful, but software requires customization.
If you buy a smartphone with your hands, be sure to check: Camera → Settings → Camera firmware version. In budget models, there are often “gray” devices with reduced capabilities (for example, turned off night mode).
Xiaomi’s Secret Camera Chips: How to Improve Your Pictures
Even Xiaomi’s top-end cameras don’t always deliver perfect out-of-the-box shots. Here are a few hidden features and tweaks that will help improve the result:
1. Leica Authentic mode:
Available in flagships with Leica cameras (Xiaomi 13/14 Ultra, 13T Pro). Disables aggressive processing, giving more natural colors. Activates in camera settings:
Additionally. → Leica style → Authentic
Manual control of exposure:
In Pro mode, you can set shutter speeds up to 30 seconds (useful for night shooting).
The camera → More → Pro → Settings → Long exposure
3. Disconnection AI-improvements:
By default, Xiaomi uses aggressive smoothing and sharpening. To get more natural shots, turn off:
Camera settings → AI-camera → Off.
4. Hidden mode Ultra HD:
Some models (like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+) have an undocumented ultra-high resolution mode to activate it:
Settings → MIUI version → Tap 5 times on the logo
After that, the option of Ultra HD 200MP will appear in the camera settings.
Calibration of white balance:
In Pro mode, you can manually adjust the color temperature (from 2500K to 10000K), which is useful for shooting in artificial lighting, where automation often fails.
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The easiest way to improve your photos on Xiaomi is to use the RAW format (available in Pro mode) and process the picture in Lightroom Mobile.This will give you control over exposure, colors and sharpness without loss of quality.
Frequent Xiaomi Camera Issues and How to Solve Them
Even in top Xiaomi models, there are bugs and limitations associated with the camera, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
Overheating during video shooting:
Flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, 13T Pro) can overheat when writing 8K or 4K@60fps.
- Take off your case before shooting.
- Close the background applications.
- Reduce the resolution to 4K@30fps.
Blurred night shots:
In budget models (Redmi Note 12, Poco X5), night mode often blurs details.
- Use Pro mode with manual shutter speed of 2-5 seconds.
- Turn it off. AI-noise-canceling.
- Take the picture from a tripod or a stable surface.
Problems with autofocus:
In some instances of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and Poco F5, autofocus floats in macro photography.
- Update the camera firmware through Settings → About the phone → Software update.
- Reset the camera settings: Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the data.
- If the problem remains, contact the service (possible defect module).
4. The greenish tint in the photo:
Sometimes Xiaomi cameras (especially those with Samsung sensors) give the wrong white balance under incandescent lights.
- Manually set the white balance to 4000K in Pro mode.
- Use the Leica Authentic profile (if available).
⚠️ If after updating the firmware camera became worse to work (for example, lost night mode or worsened detail), try to roll back to the previous version through the MIUI Sometimes new processing algorithms degrade quality instead of improving.