One of the most important parts when buying a phone is of course the camera. Everyone wants a device that takes great pictures. Phone brands are in a race in this regard. 108MP resolution has been reached so far, but camera sensor quality is more important, higher resolution is just for attention.
Xiaomi devices are considered very good in this regard, but recently released devices are a bit expensive. So what are budget-friendly xiaomi devices that can take beautiful photos? There are devices that were introduced 1-2 years ago, but take very good photos. Let’s take a look at these.
Mi A2 – 6X (jasmine – wayne)
You know Xiaomi’s Android One series devices. Mid-range and inexpensive devices. Globally introduced “A” series devices come with pure android, while in China they usually come with a different name and MIUI. Mi A2 (Mi 6X in China) is one of the cheap Xiaomi devices that can take beautiful pictures.
Device was released 2018 and which comes with Snapdragon 660 SoC, has a 6″ IPS FHD+ (1080×2160) 60Hz screen. 4GB-6GB RAM, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB storage options available. Device includes 3010mAh battery with 18W QuickCharge 3 fast charging support. All device specs are here, and camera specs are as follow.
- Main Camera: Sony Exmor RS IMX486 – 12MP f/1.75 1/2.9″ 1.25µm. with PDAF.
- Secondary Camera: Sony Exmor RS IMX376 – 20MP f/1.8 1/2.8″ 1.0µm, with PDAF.
- Selfie Camera: Sony Exmor RS IMX376 – 20MP f/2.2 1/3″ 0.9µm.
Phone equipped with such good cameras. Moreover, price is really cheap. For around 230$. And it’s still usable device thanks to its pure Android (AOSP) interface.
Mi 8 (dipper)
Mi 8 (dipper), one of the Xiaomi flagships, was released in 2018. Device which comes with Snapdragon 845 SoC, has a 6.3″ Super AMOLED FHD+ (1080×2248) 60Hz and HDR10 supported screen. 6GB-8GB RAM, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage options available. Device includes 3400mAh battery with 18W QuickCharge 4+ fast charging support. All device specs are here, and camera specs are as follow.
- Main Camera: Sony Exmor RS IMX363 – 12MP f/1.8 1/2.55″ 1.4µm. Supports dual-pixel PDAF and 4-axis OIS.
- Telephoto Camera: Samsung ISOCELL S5K3M3 – 12MP f/2.4 56mm 1/3.4″ 1.0µm. Supports AF and 2x optical zoom.
- Selfie Camera: Samsung ISOCELL S5K3T1 – 20MP f/2.0 1/3″ 0.9µm.
Mi 8 (dipper) camera sensors are able to take high quality and very beautiful photos. DxOMark score is 99, and device price is $200 – $300. Such good hardware, plus good camera. It would be an excellent choice for such a cheap price.
Mi 9 (cepheus)
Mi 9 (cepheus), a 2019 flagship as well as a price/performance device, is equipped with excellent cameras. Device which comes with Snapdragon 855 SoC, has a 6.39″ Super AMOLED FHD+ (1080×2340) 60Hz and HDR10 supported screen. 6GB-8GB RAM, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage options available. Device includes 3300mAh battery with 27W QuickCharge 4+ and 20W wireless fast charging support. All device specs are here, and camera specs are as follow.
- Main Camera: Sony Exmor RS IMX586 – 48MP f/1.8 27mm 1/2.0″ 0.8µm. Includes PDAF and Laser AF.
- Telephoto Camera: Samsung ISOCELL S5K3M5 – 12MP f/2.2 54mm 1/3.6″ 1.0µm. With PDAF and 2x optical zoom.
- Ultrawide Camera: Sony Exmor RS IMX481 – 16MP f/2.2 13mm 1/3.0″ 1.0µm, with PDAF.
- Selfie Camera: Samsung S5K3T1 – 20 MP f/2.0 1/3″ 0.9µm.
It’s the first device in Xiaomi’s Mi series with a 48MP camera. Excellent pictures can be taken with a Mi 9 (cepheus), because DxOMark score is 110! Moreover, device’s price is around $300 – $350. Good choice for those who like to take photos.
Mi 9 SE (grus)
Mi 9 SE (grus) device, which is the little brother of Mi 9 (cepheus), can take at least as perfect photos as it. Device which comes with Snapdragon 712 SoC, has a 5.97″ Super AMOLED FHD+ (1080×2340) 60Hz and HDR10 supported screen. 6GB RAM, 64GB and 128GB storage options available. Device includes 3070mAh battery with 18W QuickCharge 4+ fast charging support. All device specs are here, and camera specs are as follow.
- Main Camera: Sony Exmor RS IMX586 – 48MP f/1.8 27mm 1/2.0″ 0.8µm. Includes PDAF.
- Telephoto Camera: OmniVision OV8856 – 8MP f/2.4 52mm 1/4.0″ 1.12µm.
- Ultrawide Camera: Samsung ISOCELL S5K3L6 – 13MP f/2.4 15mm 1/3.1″ 1.12µm, with PDAF.
- Selfie Camera: Samsung S5K3T1 – 20MP f/2.0 1/3″ 0.9µm.
Good specs for $250 – $300 price. And photo quality is the same as Mi 9 (cepheus).
Redmi Note 9T 5G (cannong)
Redmi Note 9T 5G (cannong), mid-range device of Xiaomi’s sub-brand Redmi, can be a good choice for taking pictures. Device which comes with MediaTek Dimensity 800U 5G SoC, has a 6.53″ IPS LCD FHD+ (1080×2340) 60Hz and HDR10 supported screen. 4GB RAM, 64GB and 128GB storage options available. Device includes 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. All device specs are here, and camera specs are as follow.
- Main Camera: Samsung ISOCELL S5KGM1 – 48MP f/1.8 26mm 1/2.0″ 0.8µm. Includes PDAF.
- Macro Camera: 2MP f/2.4 1.12µm.
- Depth Camera: GalaxyCore GC02M1 – 2MP f/2.4 1/5″ 1.12µm, with PDAF.
- Selfie Camera: Samsung S5K3T1 – 13MP f/2.25 29mm 1/3.1″ 1.12µm.
If you’re looking for a cheap photography device that still gets updates, Redmi Note 9T 5G (cannong) is a good choice.
