Xiaomi with a camera like the iPhone 11: real analogues in 2026

Are you looking for a Xiaomi smartphone with a camera that is not inferior to the iPhone 11? This task is more difficult than it seems: despite the fact that Xiaomi flagships often bypass Apple in megapixels and modules, the real quality of shooting depends on processing, optimization and hardware features. iPhone 11 (2019) is still considered the benchmark of balance between detail, color reproduction and video, especially in low lighting conditions.

In this article, we will analyze 5 Xiaomi models that are as close as possible to the iPhone 11 in terms of camera quality - from budget options to flagships.

  • πŸ“Έ What technical parameters make the Xiaomi camera comparable to the iPhone 11 (sensor, aperture, stabilization).
  • πŸ” Comparison of real photos in day/night modes and when shooting videos (including tests) 4K 60fps).
  • πŸ’° Price categories: from 20 000 to 60 000 rubles - what the market offers in 2026.
  • βš™οΈ Xiaomi software chips that help improve photos (AI-processing, manual settings).

Spoiler: no Xiaomi smartphone does not copy the iPhone 11 One to one, but with Sony sensors IMX766/IMX800 Leica optics show comparable results in the 80% The key is to understand the tradeoffs you're willing to make, like better detail in the daytime or more natural colors in nighttime photography.

πŸ“Š Which camera setting is more important to you?
Photo quality during the day
Quality of night shots
Stabilization of video
Universality (wide-angle) + telephoto)
Price.

1. iPhone 11 vs Xiaomi: the key differences of the cameras

Before we compare the models, we will see why the iPhone 11 is still considered a benchmark for mid-range cameras.

  • πŸ”Ή Double camera with wide-angle (26 mm, Ζ’/1.8) and ultra-wide-angle (13 mm, Ζ’/2.4) modules - without "junk" telephoto, which often spoils the pictures in budget smartphones.
  • πŸ”Ή Hardware processing through a chip A13 Bionic: noise reduction, HDR Autofocus works at the level of glands, not software.
  • πŸ”Ή Video 4K 60fps With the stabilization of Cinematic Video Stabilization, so far few Android smartphones can repeat the smoothness of the device.
  • πŸ”Ή Color rendering: natural skin and palate tones, without excessive saturation (typical problem Xiaomi).

Xiaomi is going the other way: more megapixels, more modules, but often at the expense of optimization.+ Can lose the iPhone 11 in:

  • πŸ“‰ Lights in the bright sun (HDR Apple is more accurate at work).
  • πŸŒƒ Night shooting without a tripod (iPhone better suppresses noise).
  • πŸŽ₯ Autofocus in video (Xiaomi often β€œbreathes” the picture).

However, Xiaomi has advantages:

ParameteriPhone 11Xiaomi (flagships 2023–2026)
Main camera resolution12 MPs50–200 MP
ApertureΖ’/1.8Ζ’/1.6–ƒ/1.9
Optical zoom2Γ— (digital)2–5Γ— (optical)
Night mode.Got it (no tripod)There is. + AI-improvement
Price (2026)~40 000 β‚½ (b)20 000–60 000 β‚½

⚠️ Note: If you are critically interested in video stability (for example, for blogging or shooting in motion), no Xiaomi will surpass the iPhone 11 without using a gimbal. POCO F5 Pro are losing in smoothness due to software stabilization.

2. Top.-3 Xiaomi with a camera β€œlike the iPhone” 11" (photo-quality)

We have selected models that are as close to the iPhone 11 in terms of the balance of features, given:

  • πŸ“Š Daytime shooting (detailing, HDR).
  • πŸŒ™ Night mode (noise, loss of details).
  • 🎬 Video (stabilization, autofocus).
  • πŸ’΅ Price (up to 50,000) β‚½ β€” used-only iPhone 11).

πŸ₯‡ 1. Xiaomi 13 (2023) - the best balance

Main camera: 50 MP (Sony) IMX800), Ζ’/1.8, OIS Wide-angle: 12 MPP, 15 mm, Ζ’/2.2 Telephoto: 10 MPP, 3.2Γ— zoom, Ζ’/2.0 Video: 8K 24fps, 4K 60fps (s EIS)

Why is it close to the iPhone 11?

  • πŸ”Ή Natural color reproduction (through collaboration with Leica).
  • πŸ”Ή Great night mode – better than the iPhone 11 in dark scenes.
  • πŸ”Ή Video Stabilization at the iPhone Level (but only in the iPhone) 4K 30fps).

Cons: more expensive than the iPhone 11 (new) ~55 000 β‚½), No Dolby Vision support for shooting.

πŸ₯ˆ 2. POCO F5 Pro (2023) - budget flagship

Main camera: 64 MT (OmniVision) OV64B), Ζ’/1.79, OIS Wide-angle: 8 MPP, 120Β°, Ζ’/2.2 Macro: 2 MP (decorative) Video: 4K 60fps (s EIS)

Why is it close to the iPhone 11?

  • πŸ”Ή Price. ~30 000 β‚½ (New - cheaper used iPhone 11.
  • πŸ”Ή Good daytime detailing (64 MP with binning up to 16 MP).
  • πŸ”Ή Quick autofocus (laser) + phase).

Cons: weak night mode, lights in the bright sun, plastic case.

πŸ₯‰ 3. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (2023 - Best budget

Main camera: 200 MP (Samsung) HPX), Ζ’/1.65, OIS Wide-angle: 8 MPP, 120Β°, Ζ’/2.2 Macro: 2 MP Video: 4K 30fps (EIS)

Why is it close to the iPhone 11?

  • πŸ”Ή 200 MP binning gives great detail (but only in a good light).
  • πŸ”Ή Price. ~25 000 β‚½ β€” most affordable.
  • πŸ”Ή Bright AMOLED-photoscreen.

Cons: weak optimization of software (frequent artifacts in the HDR), no 4K 60fps.

Compare samples of photos on GSMArena or DxOMark|

Check availability OIS (optical stabilization)|

Make sure you're supported. 4K 60fps (if you need a video)|

Pay attention to the firmware version (MIUI 14+ better optimized)-->

3. Photo comparison: Xiaomi vs iPhone 11 (real tests)

To objectively assess the difference, we analyzed images from popular reviews (TechDroider, MrWhoseTheBoss, GSMArena) and identified key observations.

🌞 Daylight

iPhone 11:

  • βœ… More natural colors (sky is not burned, skin is not pink).
  • βœ… Better dynamic range (no blocked shadows).
  • ❌ Less detail with 100% magnification (12 MP vs 50)+ MP at Xiaomi).

Xiaomi 13 / POCO F5 Pro:

  • βœ… More details (you can crop pictures).
  • βœ… Bright colors (like those who like "juicy" frame).
  • ❌ Often sunshine (HDR worse).

πŸŒƒ Night photography

iPhone 11:

  • βœ… Less noise without a tripod.
  • βœ… More realistic colors (Xiaomi often turns green").
  • ❌ Less detail in the shadows.

Xiaomi 13:

  • βœ… More detail in dark areas.
  • βœ… The picture is brighter (but sometimes unrealistically).
  • ❌ Artifacts when moving in the frame.

πŸŽ₯ Video: Stabilization and Autofocus

Here the iPhone 11 is the undisputed leader:

  • πŸ”Ή Video on Xiaomi (even on flagships) often β€œbreathes” when walking.
  • πŸ”Ή Apple’s autofocus is faster and more accurate (especially when shooting objects in motion).
  • πŸ”Ή V 4K 60fps Xiaomi has a stronger body heat.

The exception is Xiaomi 13 Ultra with hybrid stabilization, but its price (~80 000 β‚½) It is far beyond comparison with the iPhone 11.

Details about photo processing in Xiaomi
MIUI By default, it uses aggressive AI-processing that: 1. Increases saturation of green and red. 2. smooths out faces (like in Beauty mode), even if it's turned off. 3. Adds artificial sharpness at the edges of objects. To get more natural shots, switch to Pro Mode and turn off AI-camera.

4 How to improve the camera on Xiaomi to the level of iPhone 11

Even if your Xiaomi initially loses the iPhone 11, you can improve the result with the help of settings and software.

βš™οΈ Camera settings (required to check!)

  • πŸ”Ή Turn it off. AI-camera in Settings β†’ Camera. β†’ AI-camera (reduces unnatural colors).
  • πŸ”Ή Turn it on. HDR In Auto mode (not "On"), this will give a more natural result).
  • πŸ”Ή Select for the video 4K 30fps instead 60fps (better stabilisation).
  • πŸ”Ή In Pro mode, install ISO not above 800 in daylight.

πŸ“± Photography applications

Stock camera. MIUI It's not always optimal:

  • πŸ”Ή Google Camera (GCam) is the best HDR Night mode (but you need the right version for your model).
  • πŸ”Ή ProCam X – manual settings as in a mirror.
  • πŸ”Ή Filmic Pro – for professional video (supports) LOG-profiles).

Where to download GCam for Xiaomi?

The app is not officially available, but there are verified ports:

  • πŸ”Ή For Xiaomi. 13/14: version BSG Shamim (see the XDA-Developers forum).
  • πŸ”Ή For POCO F5 Pro/Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Wichaya.

⚠️ Attention: Installing GCam on Xiaomi can break the main camera if you choose an incompatible version.Always do a backup through Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Camera. β†’ Warehouse β†’ Backup copy.

πŸŽ›οΈ Additional accessories

If you are critically interested in quality:

  • πŸ”Ή External microphone (e.g., Boya) BY-M1) β€” The sound in the video on Xiaomi is often worse than on the iPhone.
  • πŸ”Ή Gimbal (e.g., gimbal, DJI OM (5) β€” compensates for weak stabilization.
  • πŸ”Ή Moment lenses – wide-angle or telephoto for greater versatility.

πŸ’‘

To check if your Xiaomi GCam supports, search the model on Celso Azevedo’s website, which contains all the current ports with installation instructions.

5. Which Xiaomi model to choose instead of iPhone 11 in 2026

Your choice depends on your priorities:

PriorityThe best model XiaomiPrice (2026)PlusesCons
Photo quality during the dayXiaomi 13~55 000 β‚½Sensor IMX800, Leica optimizationNo Dolby Vision in the video
Night photographyXiaomi 13 Ultra~80 000 β‚½Best Night Mode among AndroidPrice like the iPhone 14 Pro
VideoXiaomi 13 Pro~65 000 β‚½8K Video, good stabilizationIt warms up during long shooting
Budget to 30,000 β‚½POCO F5 Pro~30 000 β‚½64 MPs, 4K 60fps, processorWeak night regimen
SuperbudgetRedmi Note 12 Pro+~25 000 β‚½200 MP, OIS, AMOLEDPlastic case, weak chipset

If your budget is up to 40,000 β‚½, pick β€” POCO F5 Pro. It's inferior to the iPhone 11 in video stabilization, but ahead of the detail of the photo and performance. If you're willing to spend more, take the Xiaomi 13 (it's the closest in color reproduction).

πŸ’‘

No Xiaomi will ever repeat the iPhone 11 on 100%, But models with Sony sensors IMX766/IMX800 and optics of Leica (Xiaomi) 13/14) provide a comparable result in 80% The main tradeoffs are video and processing. HDR.

6. Frequent Xiaomi Camera Issues and How to Solve Them

Even the best Xiaomi cameras have typical bugs that spoil the experience.

🐌 Slow autofocus

Reason: Cheap models (like the Redmi Note) use contrast autofocus instead of phase.

Decision:

  • πŸ”Ή Switch to Pro Mode and set up focus manually.
  • πŸ”Ή Turn it off. AI-camera (it inhibits processing).
  • πŸ”Ή Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI.

🌈 Unnatural colors

Reason: MIUI By default, increase saturation and contrast.

Decision:

  • πŸ”Ή Install Leica Authentic Style (available on Xiaomi) 13/14).
  • πŸ”Ή Use Google Camera with settings HDR+ Enhanced.
  • πŸ”Ή Edit your photo in Lightroom Mobile (reduce saturation by 10-15%).

πŸ“Ή Video 'twitches' while walking

Reason: Programmatic stabilization (EIS) hardware-worse (OIS).

Decision:

  • πŸ”Ή Take a video in 1080p 60fps instead 4K (better stabilize).
  • πŸ”Ή Use the gimbal or enable Ultrastabilization in the camera settings.
  • πŸ”Ή Install Filmic Pro and activate Horizon Lock Stabilization.

πŸŒ™ Night mode's not working.

Reason: On budget models, night mode can turn off when the battery is low or overheated.

Decision:

  • πŸ”Ή Charge your phone to 30% or higher.
  • πŸ”Ή Allow the device to cool down (night mode turns off at temperatures above 40)Β°C).
  • πŸ”Ή Install Google Camera – its night mode is often more stable.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The camera has become worse (for example, artifacts appeared in the HDR), Try resetting the camera settings through Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Camera. β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the data. It'll bring back the factory processing parameters.

πŸ” Could Xiaomi with 200 MP camera be worse than iPhone 11 with 12 MP?
Yeah, and here's why: πŸ”Ή Pixel size: iPhone 11 pixels are larger (1.4 ΞΌm vs 0.64 ΞΌm for 200 MP sensor), so they better collect light. πŸ”Ή Apple optimizes software for hardware, and Xiaomi often uses universal algorithms. πŸ”Ή Optics: iPhone 11 has better lenses with less distortion. 200 MP is only useful for framing (you can crop photos without loss of quality), but otherwise 12 MP with good optics often give the best result.
πŸ“± Which Xiaomi is the closest to iPhone 11 in video?
Xiaomi 13 Pro is the best option for video among Xiaomi, but inferior to the iPhone 11 in the video: πŸ”Ή Stabilizing when walking (Apple has better algorithms). πŸ”Ή Autofocus in dynamic scenes (iPhone faster and more accurate). πŸ”Ή Color rendering (Xiaomi often has a bit too much saturation).If video is critical for you, consider the iPhone 12 (it is cheaper than the 11th and shoots better).
πŸ’° Should I buy a used iPhone 11 instead of the new Xiaomi?
Depends on your priorities: πŸ”Ή Buy an iPhone 11 b/w (~30 000 β‚½), If: You want to see videos, stability and long-term update support. πŸ”Ή Buy a new Xiaomi (~25 000–40 000 β‚½), If: You need a modern processor, high-resolution screen and more options for manual settings. Note: used iPhone 11s are often sold with a worn battery (check through Settings). β†’ Battery β†’ Xiaomi’s battery is usually in better condition (if the phone is new).
πŸ”§ Can I flash the Xiaomi camera under the iPhone?
No, it's a myth: πŸ”Ή Hardware (sensor, optics, processor). πŸ”Ή Processing algorithms (they're stitched into a chipset) Maximum what you can do: πŸ”Ή Install Google Camera for the best HDR. πŸ”Ή Use Lightroom for manual color correction in the style of iPhone.
πŸ“Έ What camera settings on Xiaomi give the result as the iPhone?
Try this preset (powers most Xiaomi flagships): Open Pro Mode: ISO: 100–400 (daylight), 800–1600 (At night: 1/1000–1/4000 (daylight), 1/10–1/30 (White balance: Auto or daylight. Format: RAW + JPEG (I want you to edit it later. AI-Camera and scene enhancement: πŸ”Ή Format: 4K 30fps (better stabilisation). πŸ”Ή Codecs: H.265 (lessweight). πŸ”Ή Stabilization: Ultra-stable (if any in the settings).