Which Xiaomi smartphone 2021 has the best camera: expert analysis with tests

Choosing a smartphone with a great camera in 2021 has been a real puzzle, even for power users. Xiaomi has released several models with advanced photo modules, each of which was positioned as “best in its class.” But marketing slogans often diverge from the real possibilities: some phones show outstanding results in daylight, others in night scenes, and others are versatile, but with compromises.

In this article, we will analyze all flagship models Xiaomi 2021 from the point of view of camera quality, based on independent tests DxOMark, comparative reviews and real user reviews, focusing on such criteria as detail, color reproduction, low light and video shooting, you will learn which phone is suitable for professional shooting, which is for selfies and which will be the middle ground for everyday use.

Smartphone camera evaluation criteria: what to look at first

Before we start comparing specific models, it's important to understand which parameters actually affect the quality of photos. Many users mistakenly focus only on the number of megapixels, but this is far from the main indicator.

• 📸 Main module: Matrix size (1/1.12" vs 1/2.0"), aperture (f/1.9 vs f/1.4), presence of optical stabilization (OIS). The larger the matrix and the wider the aperture, the better the light transmission and detailing.
• 🌃 Night shooting: Availability of dedicated night mode, operation of noise reduction algorithms, support for shooting in the film RAW post-processing.
• 🎥 Video Opportunities: Permission (4K@30fps vs 8K@24fps), support HDR10+, presence of logarithmic profile for color correction.
• 🔍 Additional modules: Wide-angle (FOV 120°+), telephoto (optical zoom) 5x+), macro or monochrome sensor for black and white images.
• 🤳 Front camera: Resolution, support for autofocus, flash or display backlight for selfies in the dark.

Xiaomi is known for aggressive noise reduction and sharpening algorithms that sometimes lead to loss of natural color and plastic effect on portraits. In 2021, the company tried to fix this by adding minimal processing modes, but the result depends heavily on the specific model.

⚠️ Note: If you are planning to print photos in a large format (A3 and above, note the presence of a shooting mode in RAW (For example, a.dng. Even a 108 MP shot in a JPG If you increase it will lose 12 MP RAW detailing.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: the absolute flagship with a camera from Leica (almost)

The Mi 11 Ultra was Xiaomi’s biggest photographic hit in 2021 — and for good reason. This smartphone features a triple module with the Samsung GN2 50MP main sensor, which is 1/1.12′′ in size overtakes many mirrorless ones. But the real highlight is the second screen on the back that can be used as a selfie viewfinder with the main camera.

According to the results of the tests DxOMark (143 points) Mi 11 Ultra took 2nd place in the world ranking at the time of release, behind only Huawei P50 Pro.

• 🌅 Daytime shooting: incredible detail even at a 10-fold magnification, natural color reproduction (without excessive saturation).
• 🌙 Night mode: one of the best in the industry thanks to the large sensor and algorithms Night Mode 2.0 with multi-frame addition.
• 🔭 Telephoto: 5x optical zoom (120 mm) + 120x Digital with Hybrid Stabilization – a rare combination for Android smartphones.

However, there are also disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Overheating: during long shooting 8K Video case heated to 45°C, which may lead to a forced reduction in quality.
• 💰 Price: at the start of sales Mi 11 Ultra cost more than the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which for many was a deterrent factor.
• 📱 Dimensions: weight 234 g and thickness 8.38 mm make it uncomfortable for single use.

For the Mi professionals 11 Ultra offers Professional mode with manual shutter speed setting (up to) 32 s), ISO (100–32000) And white balance. There's also support for shooting in the RAW (10/12-bit) the possibility of simultaneously preserving RAW+JPG. This makes it one of the most flexible post-processing models in Lightroom or Capture One.

⚠️ Attention: When shooting in RAW file ~50 to 70 MB each, and consider that 256 GB of memory will fill up with about 3,000 to 4,000 of these photos. UFS 3.1 to speed up recording.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: The Gold Standard for Most Users

If the Mi 11 Ultra was too bulky or expensive, the Mi 11 Pro is a reasonable compromise: it retained the same main Samsung GN2 sensor at 50 MP, but lost the second screen and some of the features of the telephoto module, but the weight decreased to 208 g, and the price is 30-40%.

The main advantages of the Mi 11 Pro:

• 📏 Compact: thickness 8.53 mm against 8.38 mm in the Ultra version, but due to the lower weight is more comfortable in the hand.
• 🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh vs. 5000 mAh for Ultra, but with more efficient energy management.
• 💰 Price/quality ratio: at the time of release was cheaper than Samsung Galaxy S21+ camera-quality.

What is the Ultra version of the game:

• 🔭 Telephoto-module: 8 MP s 5x optical zoom (vs. 48 MP in Ultra), which affects the detailing with increasing.
• 🌃 Night mode: less effective at shooting moving objects due to lack of laser autofocus.
• 🎥 Video: No support 8K@24fps (maximum — 4K@60fps).

However, blind tests have shown that many users are unable to distinguish between Mi 11 Pro and Ultra images in daytime, and the difference is only noticeable when shooting in extreme zoom or in complete darkness.

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For best nighttime results, use a tripod or a stable surface, and even a slight tremor of hands at 2-4 seconds will lead to blur.

Redmi K40 Pro+: budget flagship with a premium camera

The Redmi K40 Pro+ proved that a good camera is possible in the segment up to 40 000 rubles. It uses the main sensor Sony IMX766 108 MP (1/1.52) that is also installed in the Oppo Find X3 Pro and OnePlus 9 Pro. This is one of the best sensors of 2021 in terms of price / quality.

Key features:

• 📸 108 MP in full resolution: In good light, images contain an incredible amount of detail that persists even after trimming.
• 🌈 Color rendering: more natural than the Mi 11 series, without excessive saturation of green and red shades.
• 💡 Night Mode: uses Night Mode 1.5 algorithms, which are inferior to the Mi 11 Ultra, but outperform most of the competitors in the price segment.

Weaknesses:

• 🔍 There is no telephoto module - only 8 MP s 2x optical zoom (actually – crop from the main sensor).
• 🎥 Video: No support 8K, maximum resolution — 4K@30fps (without stabilization on this permit).
• 🤳 Front camera: 20 MP without autofocus, which affects the clarity of the selfie.

For its Redmi price segment K40 Pro+ It offers an extraordinary ratio of possibilities, unless you need a professional zoom and 8K-This model will be an excellent alternative to flagships for half the price.

Comparison with competitors: Xiaomi vs Samsung vs Apple in 2021

To objectively evaluate Xiaomi cameras, compare them to the main competitors of 2021: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and iPhone 12 Pro Max. All three brands have used different approaches to photography, and each has its own strengths.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra wins in video with better stabilization and support from Director’s View, and offers more natural colors out of the box. However, in terms of detail and night shooting, the Mi 11 Ultra is confidently leading the way.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is traditionally strong in portraiture and video (especially with Dolby Vision HDR), but loses in flexibility: there is no manual shutter speed setting in the standard Camera app, and RAW support is limited to the ProRAW format (only 12 MP).

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If you want to be versatile (photo + video + ease of use), choose an iPhone. For maximum detail and manual settings – Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra. For balance of price and quality – Redmi K40 Pro+.

Which Xiaomi to choose in 2026: are the models of 2021 relevant?

3 years after the 2021 model launch, it may still be interesting for a number of reasons:

• 💰 Price: Mi 11 Ultra in the secondary market is 2-3 times cheaper than the new flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, offering 80% of its capabilities.
• 🔧 Repairability: Parts and batteries for the Mi 11 range are widely available, unlike new models.
• 📱 Performance: The Snapdragon 888 still pulls on modern games and apps (except for the most demanding ones).

But there are pitfalls:

• ⚠️ Software support: Xiaomi officially stopped updates for the Mi 11 series in 2023. MIUI — 14, based on Android 13.
• 🔋 Battery capacity could decrease by 15-20% in 3 years.We recommend checking the status using ##4636## (menu "Battery Information").
• 📸 New models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) use Leica color correction profiles that give more natural colors.

If you want a camera for a hobby or semi-professional shoot, the Mi 11 Ultra is still a great choice. For everyday tasks, consider the Redmi K40 Pro+, which is cheaper to maintain and more compact.

Battery condition (capacity >80%)

Performance of all cameras (manual test)

No artifacts on the screen (especially the Mi 11 Ultra with E4 AMOLED)

Original box and documents (for warranty repair)

Verification IMEI Xiaomi website (not blacklisted)-->

Tips for setting up Xiaomi camera for the best shots

Even the most advanced camera requires the right settings, and here are some tips to help you make the most of Xiaomi’s 2021 smartphones:

1. Turn it off "AI-Improvement: Go to Camera Settings → AI-You can deactivate the option, and that will prevent the color saturation and plasticity on the faces.
2. Use Pro mode for static scenes: Manually (Professional) set the ISO to 100-400 (day) or 800-1600 (night), and shutter speed to 1/100-1/500 for daytime shots.
3. Configure RAW Saving: In Settings → Image format, select RAW+JPG. This will allow the later to edit photos without loss of quality.
4. White Balance Calibration: In Professional Mode, use a pipette to select a neutral grey object in the frame (e.g., asphalt or white paper).

For videotaping:

• 🎬 Turn on Stabilization (even if you hold your phone in your hands).
• 🎛 Use the logarithmic profile (if available) for subsequent color correction.
• 🔊 For clean sound, connect an external microphone through USB-C (for example, BOYA BY-M1).

If you are taking portraits, experiment with Bokeh Effects in real time. The Mi 11 Ultra has aperture settings (f/0.95–f/16), allowing you to control background blur.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's 2021 cameras