Redmi Note 4 Camera Quality: An In-Depth Review

When considering the Redmi Note 4, one of the most talked-about aspects is its camera quality. This budget-friendly smartphone offers a 12MP sensor, which, considering its price point, can surprisingly take high-resolution photos. However, its performance varies under different lighting conditions.

Daylight vs. Low Light Performance

Under ideal conditions, the Redmi Note 4 excels in delivering impressive daytime photography. The 12MP sensor paired with an f2.0 aperture ensures vibrant and sharp photos with rich color details. For instance, the following locations have seen some of the phone's best daylight performances:

Narayani temple on the way to Bhubaneswar NIT Rourkela campus Kolkata Rimbic

These pictures were edited using the Snapseed app to enhance the overall quality. While the phone's camera is commendable under daylight, its performance can falter in low light conditions. Shooting in artificial or dim lighting can lead to blurry and under-exposed images. This limitation is not unique to the Redmi Note 4, as most budget smartphones face similar challenges in low light scenarios.

Video Quality and Future Enhancements

Besides still photography, the Redmi Note 4 also provides average video quality. However, enabling electronic image stabilization (EIS) can significantly improve video clarity and stability. EIS is a feature that helps to reduce or remove shake and judder in videos, which is great for capturing more stable footage. Unfortunately, it's a setting often overlooked in budget smartphones.

Selfie Camera Performance

Regarding the front camera, the Redmi Note 4 offers a 5MP sensor, which, when considering the price, is a good choice. High megapixel counts are not always beneficial for selfies, as sharpness can sometimes lead to an unnatural look. The Redmi Note 4 strikes a good balance between the number of megapixels and image quality.

Comparison and Recommendations

While the Redmi Note 4 delivers quality images within its budget range, it doesn't quite match the performance of higher-end smartphones like the Samsung S7 or S8. For users who are looking for high pixel count and high frame rate, the Note 4 might not be the ideal choice. However, for general photography and video, the Redmi Note 4 is a solid option, especially when considering its price point.

Contemporary Issues and Reliability

It's worth mentioning that some users have reported issues with their Redmi Note 4 phones, particularly around the end of February 2020. Many users experienced their phones stopping unexpectedly and not turning back on. Although these reports are not officially validated, the frequency and similar experiences of multiple users suggest a potential systemic issue. Xiaomi, as a manufacturer, should ensure better reliability in its devices, especially when it comes to critical components like the power and camera systems.

For those looking for a reliable camera in the same price range, it might be worth considering alternatives or waiting for the next generation of Xiaomi phones that could address these issues. The Redmi Note 4 is a solid camera phone, but users should proceed with caution if they encounter any of the aforementioned problems.