Which Xiaomi smartphone in 2026 shoots best? Comparison of cameras flagships and public sector

Choosing a smartphone with a good camera among the Xiaomi lineup in 2026 is not an easy task. The brand offers devices for any wallet: from budget Redmi with decent shooting quality to flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, competing with the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S24. But how not to get confused in the characteristics and marketing slogans such as “professional camera” or “filming”. 8K»?

In this article, we will analyze the TOP-5 Xiaomi models by camera quality, compare them on key parameters: matrix resolution, aperture, stabilization, night shooting capabilities and processing through the camera AI. So we're going to figure out which smartphones are good for bloggers, who likes portrait photography, and which are good for traveling or YouTube videos, and most importantly, we're going to answer the question: should we overpay for a flagship if a public sector person shoots "almost the same way»?

Xiaomi 14 Ultra with Leica lens and 1-inch matrix remains the undisputed leader, but the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 200MP camera for 30,000 ₽ And we'll also reveal the secret of why sometimes POCO F6 Pro shoots better than some Samsung flagships.

Selection Criteria: What to look for when evaluating a camera in Xiaomi?

Before comparing specific models, we will see what technical parameters really affect the quality of photos and videos. Marketing “megapixels” and “supernight mode” is good, but more important:

• 📸 The size of the matrix (in inches): the larger, the better the light absorption and dynamic range. 1/1.5" for the public sector and 1" flagship.
• 🔍 Aperture (light): value f/1.6–f/1.9 It allows you to shoot at dusk without noise. f/2.2 worse.
• 🎥 Stabilization: OIS (optical) + EIS (Electronic video is the minimum required for smooth video. 4K will twitch».
• 🌙 Night mode: not only the presence, but also the time of the exposure is important (for flagships up to 30 seconds, for public sector employees - 2-5 seconds).
• 🤖 AI-Xiaomi actively uses algorithms to improve colors, but sometimes “overcooks” smartphones (especially Redmi).

Another nuance: software optimization, even with the same hardware specifications Xiaomi 13T and POCO F5 Pro shoot differently because of firmware. Flagships get camera updates longer, and public sector employees often stay with "raw" algorithms.

⚠️ Attention: Don't blindly believe the DxOMark tests! In 2023, Xiaomi 13 Ultra took No. 1 in the ranking, but in real conditions lost the iPhone 14 Pro in white balance.

TOP-5 Xiaomi smartphones for camera quality 2026 year

We selected models that are actually bought in Russia and the CIS, taking into account the price / quality ratio, in the ranking - both flagships and "golden mean", all smartphones tested for:

• 🌞 Day Photo (Landscapes, Macro, Portraits)
• 🌃 Night shooting (city, forest, without lighting)
• 🎬 Video (4K 60fps, stabilization, autofocus)
• 👤 Selfie (detailing, background blurring)

Xiaomi 14 Ultra: the best camera among smartphones in 2026?

Xiaomi 14 Ultra is not just a flagship, but a camera in a phone.

• 🔭 Variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0), It's like DSLRs, and it allows you to adjust the depth of field right in the camera app.
• 📏 1-inch matrix (like Sony) RX100) — It's a record smartphone, and it gives you incredible detail in the daytime, and it makes minimal noise at night.
• 🎞️ Videos in Dolby Vision with Support LOG-Profile for Professional Color Correction.

But there are pitfalls:

• ⚖️ Weight 224g and thickness 9.2mm – uncomfortable to carry in your pocket.
• 💰 Price from 120,000 ₽ — overpayment for the brand, if you do not need RAW-files and manual settings.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge during intensive shooting (especially in the 8K).

⚠️ Attention: If you're shooting for Instagram, Xiaomi 14 Ultra may be redundant.His 200-MB RAW-files will have to be converted, and social networks will still compress the picture to 1080px. For storis enough and Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+: The publicist who shoots like a flagship?

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ It became a sensation in 2026 thanks to a 200-MP camera for 35 000 ₽. On paper, it overtakes even the iPhone 13, but in reality there are nuances:

Pros:

• 📊 200 MP allows you to do extreme crop without loss of quality, useful for wildlife or architecture.
• 🌃 The nighttime routine works better than the POCO F5, But loses to flagships in detailing shadows.
• 💡 Backlighting for macro - a rare feature in the budget segment.

Cons:

• 🔍 Autofocus sometimes misses dynamic scenes (children, animals).
• 🎨 AI-processing aggressively blurs out faces in portraits, losing skin texture.
• 📹 Video 4K It only shoots on the main camera (without using a wide-angle).

Turn it off. AI-Improvement in camera settings (Settings) → AI-camera → Off.)

Use Pro mode to manually adjust ISO and shutter speed

Take it down. HEIF (Save space without loss of quality)

Use a tripod for night shots (even 5 seconds of exposure give blurry hands)

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POCO F6 Pro vs Xiaomi 13T Pro: Who shoots video better?

If your priority is video shooting (for YouTube, TikTok or family archive), then the choice is between the two. POCO F6 Pro and Xiaomi 13T Pro is not obvious. Both models support 8K, but different in detail:

Who has what to choose?

• 🎥 POCO F6 Pro – if you need to take a cheap film 8K for editing (for example, for drone clips), but be prepared for artifacts when moving.

Selfie Cameras: Which Xiaomi Model Makes the Best Self-Portraits?

If you take selfies or take stories often, look at front-facing cameras. Xiaomi has three approaches:

1. Wide-angle selfies (100)°–120°) — For group photos, but distort the face around the edges (Redmi Note 13 Pro)+).
2. Telephoto selfie (50 MP with autofocus) – for portraits without blur (Xiaomi Civi 3).
3. 3D-Deep sensor cameras for realistic bokeh (Xiaomi 14 Ultra).

The leader in selfie in 2026 – Xiaomi Civi 3:

• 👗 50-MP frontal with aperture f/2.0 Autofocus – no blurring even at close range.
• 💡 Double. LED-flash for uniform lighting (no hard shadows).
• 🎨 10 Portrait Effects (Including Cinema Lighting»).

But there are pitfalls:

• 🤖 AI-beauty by default is turned on at maximum - you have to reduce the level of smoothing by your hands.

What Xiaomi is not afraid of the dark?

The night mode in Xiaomi smartphones works in different ways, from “lubricated HR” for public employees to almost mirror-definition for flagships.

1. City at night (street lighting, neons).
2. Forest without moon (stars only).
3. Room with lamp 40W (languor).

Results:

Tips for night shooting on Xiaomi:

• 📱 Use Pro mode and display ISO manually (optimum: 1600–3200).
• 🔋 Charge your phone 100% – Night mode severely drains the battery (up to 1% per minute).
• 🌌 For the starry sky, turn on RAW and use a tripod.

⚠️ Note: Night mode on Redmi and POCO It often over-lights lights (lights, headlights) If you want to keep the atmosphere, shoot in Pro mode without any lights. AI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cameras