yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Leong428:
I just got my MI A1 as an upgrade for my 4 years old Nexus 5 daily driver. First impressions in Daylight the MI A1 outperforms the Nexus 5, but in low light the lack of OIS and relatively small 1.25 um pixel size means the A1 struggles a lot. Even getting a sharp focus is slow comparing with my Nexus 6P which has laser autofocus.

In comparison my Nexus 5 has OIS and 1.4 um pixels, and my Nexus 6P has 1.55 um pixels.

Taking into account the cost of the MI A1 however, this phone is a tip top performer and I have no compliants for what I paid. Very happy with it.

---------- Post added at 05:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:52 PM ----------

Here are some samples I shot with the MI A1, might post more soon.

Photos have been scaled down by Google Photos app.

1. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZnPCaOmsNQtHaspq2

2. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9zBmB58K2wp2JGvl1

3. https://photos.app.goo.gl/xluE7J1qFcO27Ols1

4. https://photos.app.goo.gl/IwdZ4ybNZMQtvsxq1

5. https://photos.app.goo.gl/dPQsGItVW1Cal6nr1

6. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vv4HIUyHw3dwM5Wg1

7. https://photos.app.goo.gl/JByd6qk95BiEbriS2

Update 1: After 1 week with the device now I have to say that although daylight photos turn out great, low light shots are abysmal. Still usable in certain cases but very slow
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] 3545alg:
The cameras are capable of taking excellent pictures. Unfortunately not every picture is excellent. Blurred photos are fairly common.

Hopefully a fix will come with updated software. I blame the software for the problem because a downloaded camera app is much better. Unfortunately the 2X setting doesn't work with that app.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Aman301582:
Can you tell the name of the downloaded camera app?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] 3545alg:
Open Camera is the name of the app. I would have used it as default if the dual camera was usable.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] narshi shukla:
Bokeh effect is better than moto g5s plus

Low light is better in moto g5s plus
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] vinit91:
Can we take wide angle photos with the dual camera or any other app ?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] continua.mente:
I loved my Nexus 6P camera quality.

How far is the Mi A1 camera in good light condictions from the Nexus 6P?

Inviato dal mio Redmi Note 4 utilizzando Tapatalk
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Leong428:
Disclaimer: I always shoot with HDR+ on my Nexus 6P.

In good lighting the MI A1 with HDR produces results comparable to the 6P in terms of dynamic range, sharpness and saturation. However, Xiaomi's HDR processing is noticeably not as refined as Google's on the 6P. HDR photos can seem slightly exaggerated on the A1 when you compare it side by side with the same shot taken on the 6P.

This isn't noticeable if you judge the photos on their own merit, which are very respectable and will impress you on the first shot almost every time.

In short I would say that the MI A1 has inspired enough confidence for me to carry it around full time as my daily driver and main camera for weekdays and weekends, but I still bring my 6P out when going on trips/vacations for shooting video (DJI Osmo mobile + Nexus 6P).

Here's an example:

A) Taken with HDR on MI A1 ⬇️

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yg0xG4lqLQHtqh9P2

B) Same shot taken with HDR+ on Nexus 6P⬇️

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hWYOsn4klJZ24BSF3

----

More samples from the MI A1:

1. https://photos.app.goo.gl/JB7n7XVSKMahvUfP2

2. https://photos.app.goo.gl/emF4EUgMyrwyrnab2

3. https://photos.app.goo.gl/5RbQKmCjDxAnJKJs1
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] viruzth:
I have a question about the camera, some people said that HDR picture takes times, about 1 to 2 seconds.

Is that correct?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Leong428:
Yes, HDR takes about a second
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] subhoghatak:
Great Photos using it for 4 days now.

Hi evryone, I am coming from the Moto G2 XT1068 which was my daily driver for 4 years and using clips lens on the camera and the picture quality was decent .. But I am amazed how the Mi A1 outperforms some of the over-priced same spec smartphones in its range.

I am sharing some of the shots taken from Mi A1 during my Nepal trip.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] afrizal87:
Disappointed, really,i came from mi5 to mi a1.i thought it'll be better since it has dual camera,new software,new features they claiming has better camera compared to oneplus 5 even iPhone 7,but still waaay better on mi5 even with lineage os which is known as downgrading the camera quality.

Front facing camera is the worst part,ironically i sell my mi5 to get this phone,damn!
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] eim3:
Yea, no. Those aren't photos taken on your Mi A1. A simple reverse-image search shows you ripped it off 500px - "Portrait of a Sadhu by Ashraful Arefin". I'm not allowed to post links but you can find it with a google search.

The photos were taken on a DSLR, over a year ago.

Just why?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] afrizal87:
This is actual footage of portrait mode but when taking photos instantly its quite often resulting blurry pictures
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] afrizal87:
Another portrait mode,quite impressive but you need to hold the phone really steady
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] afrizal87:
Blurry pictures when taking picture on moving object
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] guitarsmurf2501:
Outdoor shots are pretty good and HDR does a good job without making the pictures look "cartoonish" which is sometimes the case. Once you take it indoors there's a rapid drop-off in quality, I find. Going out to dinner tonight and will try to make some shots in the restaurant to test. :)

Turning on portrait mode seems to zoom in on the object automatically, which is a bit strange. Anyone else have this?

Manual mode is a bit disappointing as the maximum exposure time is 1/60 second, which means if you want a usable low-light shot you still need to bump up the ISO quite a bit. Hope they can fix this in an update.

---------- Post added at 05:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:28 PM ----------

Just tried latest HTC camera from apkmirror (Sept. 28 version) and it shoots MUCH better pictures! Indoors pictures and selfies are MUCH sharper. You get nice depth-of-field shots even without portrait mode and it nicely focuses on items the Mi camera had trouble focusing on.

Camera works fully without root, just install the apk. I highly recommend you give this a try!
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] continua.mente:
I'm trying htc camera on xiaomi Redmi notes 4 waiting for the Mi A1 to arrive but it does not work. I take the picture, but this is not saved in the gallery. Did you just download htc camera or even the gallery?

Inviato dal mio Redmi Note 4 utilizzando Tapatalk
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] guitarsmurf2501:
Just the camera. Photos open in Google photos without a problem. On some phones you need HTC gallery as well.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Ujio1140:
I am thinking about buying this phone but I really want a decent camera. How is the focusing? The problem with my Moto Z Play is that is too unreliable. For example, in a forest or tree area, it just cannot focus. Is the Autofocus of the Mi A1 reliable?

Also, you guys that complain about the night shots, do you have the HHT enabled? I read that it can improve the low light shots significantly.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] NITRO_100:
I have no problems with focus, but maybe I'm not as demanding as you are. HHT does indeed make better shots but still you have to be super calm and still to make good shot, otherwise it's blurry.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] guitarsmurf2501:
Out of the box, the camera is just OK imho. However, the MI A1 is easy to unlock/root. Then you can enable EIS/Camera2 in the build prop and install the ported Google camera with auto HDR+. After that it's a GREAT camera. Much sharper pics with more details even indoors and in low light conditions. Depth of field shots with blurry backgrounds are much better too and the object in the foreground is much sharper.

With the Google cam installed I'd say this is the best phone out there today. Only bummer is no NFC.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] aymahalawa:
How you will get a depth of field effect with Google Cam ? It is not supporting dual cam AFAIK
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] guitarsmurf2501:
Don't know but it works. See attached picture of my beer in my dimly lit kitchen.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] aymahalawa:
Yeah , it looks like a software trick using only the main Cam but it looks nice :good:
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] NITRO_100:
Yes, when you take picture very close to the object it does that. Also you can do similar with lens blur effect.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] sooti:
The Google camera port is wonderful, a picture I took of my cat, low light
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Alex2017Germany:
Is it taken with HDR+ Auto?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] sooti:
HDR+ enabled, not auto, when it chooses off instead of on in auto I get a green half photo in many of the cases, so I just stick with HDR+ on all the time. It works great for 95% of photos, when I need flash or zoom for some reason I just use the stock app, since we can't use the second camera in gcam and flash takes ages using HDR+ and blinds the subject.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] [w]:
That is so cool.

Is there a guide on how to unlock / root this phone?

Is there a guide on how to enable EIS/Camera2 in the build prop?

-- Edit ---

Of course after i ask i find the relevant guides in the guides section

How to root

https://xdaforums.com/mi-a1/how-to/root-mia1-twrp-t3678453

How to enable EIS

https://xdaforums.com/mi-a1/how-to/share-enable-eis-electronic-image-t3681196

--- Edit 2 ----

Apparently need to enable Camera API2 as well.

quite a few threads mentioning this so not linking to any specific thread.

We edit build.prop and add this line
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] mhdazhar:
Is there any lenses compatible with this model ? Can you use Iphone lenses ?

---------- Post added at 03:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 PM ----------

Latest version ?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] sooti:
4.0 I think heres another photo I took
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] mailprattu:
Only daylight portrait mode is best. Rest all is said in the air.

I'm using Mi A1 for three weeks now and here are the issues I've experienced so far from the camera perspective:

Pros:

1) Daylight portrait mode shots are outstanding when compared directly to the iPhone 7 plus portrait mode.

2) Wide angle lens (1x mode) has amazing clarity while taking pics in daylight.

Cons:

1) while shooting in Portrait mode, I notice the images taken have the skin smoothened by default (even when the beautification option is OFF) and noise levels exists even in broad day light shots. Especially when you zoom in after taking the photo, you'll notice that.

2) Action shots turn out blurry - Like for example.. if I take a kid playing.. either his hand / leg will turn out blurry. This is the case in broad broad daylight.

3) Low light shots are way too grainy and blurry even with the inbuilt flash.

4) While taking pics in manual mode, what you see from the viewfinder (camera screen) is not what you get as an output. In short, there's no live view to see how the manual settings affect the image in live mode.

5) The skin colors look too pale when you take selfies from the front camera. Looks like the white balancing is a complete miss in the front camera.

6) Focus missed many times while recording video in low light.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] mohitkamat99:
How you used that Google Camera port?????
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] sooti:
Root your device and install it, it's in the guides forum
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] harFa:
Here is my short comparison video and photo quality :)

[youtube]fIZBvtrKi8k[/youtube]
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
Looks much better indeed, thanks for the video! How do you compare both with the HTC Camera app?

Cheers
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] birdie:
A very average performer overall. Not too bad but could be much better.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] cityle:
Have you tried with the gcam port on the Xiaomi? How it stacked up to the Nexus 6p?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Leong428:
I have not because I plan to keep my MI A1 unrooted for now.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] fun12892:
I'm a Nexus 5 user. In case this phone is broken, I'm confused whether to choose the Mi A1 or the Nexus 6P because the Nexus 6P has gotten cheaper. Do you think it's worth it? Because I've heard problems about SD 810, etc.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Leong428:
I have all 3 phones so you've asked the right man! ;)

I would say the Nexus 6P is an excellent media device - I still use it for most of my media consumption and have created wonderful photos and videos with it. The camera, screen, front facing stereo speakers all make for a wonderful media experience.

With that said, I do feel the Nexus 6P is too big for a daily driver. After having this device with me for 2 years now I still find it uncomfortable to have in my pocket all the time. Taking it out of my pocket while being seated is also a very awkward process. Despite the size, battery life is just average. I get about 3 hours SOT.

The Mi A1 on the other hand has replaced my Nexus 5 as my daily driver. It's an absolute beast of a work horse with 4.5 - 5 hours SOT. Ergonomics are great and I'm constantly delighted with the way this phone feels in my hand. The tapered/rounded edges and slightly smaller size make it very comfortable to hold and use all day long. The screen is also very well calibrated out of the box and is a pleasure to look at.

So it depends what you are after, but I would recommend the Mi As daily driver over the Nexus 6P
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] fun12892:
Thank you very much for your input. I really appreciate. Although it gets me more confused over the two lol. Because I like making videos, and the lack of stabilisation on the Mi A1 just kills it for me.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
I still have hope that Xiaomi releases an update which improves the camera quality since the ported Google Camera App is proof that it's possible.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] fun12892:
A software update might improve things, but it certainly doesn't add OIS which is hardware. Although EIS is possible but it crops the picture.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
Check this https://youtu.be/fIZBvtrKi8k
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] fun12892:
Yes but it crops the picture, doesn't it? That's what EIS does.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Crazy photographer:
I've been using the A1 for a month now and while buying my main concern was the battery life, as i was using a redmi note 3. But I'm continuously getting over 6-7 hours of SOT so the battery backup is awesome.

Coming to the camera, the portrait mode has been implemented very nicely. Overall the camera is good when you have good light, but as the light goes down, the camera gets crappy. But, if you know how to play with light and you use some editing apps, you can get great pictures in any light. Overall I'm happy with the camera.

The speakers are loud, the phone looks good, and music sounds awesome when you're using headphones. What more can you ask for in this price?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] GopalKaul:
Me too.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] PriPhaze:
Anyone have actual photos comparision besides that only video that is on YouTube? Mi A1 is still locked but i just wanna convice myself that going with the GCam Mod is the best.

I also have the redmi note 4 already with google cam and yes indeed the difference was a lot .
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Lupin The Third:
GcamMod could be the most convincing thing to unlock an root mi a1. You are just wasting time ??
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] PriPhaze:
Yea i feel like im wasting time but part of me is like.... "let the development of the device mature more" i can hold myself from doing many things even if i want them a lot lmo.

Just like when they first released and OREO build for mido (Redmi Note 4) but fingerprint goodix was not working so again i was like ..."let's wait until it works" and now yesterday they finally fixed it so it was a good feeling after all that time waiting; although i end up going back to nougat lol because oreo is far from stable still but at least i know we are getting there soon :)

Anyways let me ask you something... since i guess you have gcam on your mi a1 , is it true that if you install it and enable Camera2 Api it breaks the HDR and portrait mode with default MIUI camera? if so.. is there any workaround for that? i would like both cameras working if posible of course.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Lupin The Third:
No it doesn't break any of those in the stock camera.

Even if it was so, gcam has both features :angel:
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
So you are saying you rooted the phone, installed the APK Google Camera App ported from the Pixel (the one that gives you EIS) and both cameras work? That´s not what I read from every other user who did it...
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Lupin The Third:
Yes, that's what I did.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
What about the OTA updates?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Lupin The Third:
What about them?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
They stop working when you root
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Lupin The Third:
No if you root properly. Read the forum for guides.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
I am sorry but can you point us to the tutorial that shows how to root and flash the ported Google Camera without loosing the OTA updates and the secondary camera?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Lupin The Third:
You have plenty of guides in this very forum of a1.

Try to do some reading, it's not that hard...

And I use arnova's gcam, which is an apk not a flashable zip.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] nivost:
I use this port by B-S-G (MGCB_7.0H_C2API_Min_v.1.4.apk):

https://www.xda-developers.com/google-camera-updated-zero-shutter-lag-xiaomi/
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] sanctioned_k:
portrait mode works amazing in sunlight..........
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] billysam:
I am on Dec 01 2017 Update, and I have EIS on Mi A1, although the option appears in Google Photos gallery app. where you can stabilize almost any video. So yeah, It works for those who need.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
You are using stock camera app and you are not rooted?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] billysam:
Yes. Look for the Video Stabilizing option in Google photos app and not the camera app itself.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
I'm sorry but I can't find that setting. Can you please tell me where is it? Cheers
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] billysam:
Well I hope these pictures are enough for finding it out now. Cheers.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Badelhas:
They are. Thanks :)
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] mhdazhar:
Google Camera for Oreo ?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] MotoAnjney:
My phone seems to struggle a lot with focus in the portrait mode. I really have to work with the phone to get it to focus on the object and produce accurate bokeh, But when the phone actually focuses, The pics turn out great - https://photos.app.goo.gl/eBn3jzON78Xn1JkQ2
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] w20grippy:
over exposure is pretty much noticeable. Nobody has been able to beat Google, yet this another example Mi a1 couldn't produce proper color combination.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] MaPBe:
Has anyone already tried the portrait mode of the gcam on Oreo? Seems promising
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] hfour:
as I've read, camera quality on A1 is that great. It's still better than on Huawei P8 lite 2015, right?

Wanting to upgrade to A1 as I really want stock android experience.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] harshu0101:
In daylight its good but its disappointing in low light. But if you install GCam then its great.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] KenEddie:
Good day guys!

How can i remove the caption "shot on mi a1, mi dual camera" on the photo?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Fredoslaw:
Tap options, and the first switch on the top.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] KenEddie:
Thanks mate.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] fedakpeter:
Hi, I'm thinking to buy A1, currently using gcam on RMN4 and I'm very pleased. Just want to ask if you choose lens blur in left swipe menu in gcam on A1, do you still have to move phone up to get blur effect or is it done automatically using 2 lenses now? On RMN4 lens blur works the way you take picture and then it asks you to take short sequence of pics by pointing phone upward and then it processes blur. I just bought Huawei P10 for wife with dual lens and it's done automatically, no need for additional sequence. Thanks for reply.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] jjrojo:
Actually there is gcam con portrait mode for rear camera and they be trying portrait mode in front camera. I using one from redmi note 3 in mi max.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] fedakpeter:
I'd like to use gcam because of its hdr+, are you talking about xiaomi cam ported from note3 or gcam (on your max)?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] jjrojo:
I'm using redmi note 3 port, because same hardware.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Rajeev:
There is a perfect ported Gcam with front and back Portrait mod but its need root
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] The_Scrub:
What's the difference in low light with stock vs google camera in low light?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Roykooiman:
The difference is hugeee. Gcam it is :)
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] narshi shukla:
It dont need root nust install apk and its done
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Rajeev:
Hmm... Can u point me to the camera link those not needed root ? :D

All ported Google Camera with Portrait mod need root and Camera2 API enabled...

May be i am wrong so correct me with sharing Google Camera apk with Portrait mod that not needed Root.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] narshi shukla:
Its true that they need camera 2 api enabled and currently on z2 plus only validus 8.1 oreo build support dev added built in supports so no need to root.

Just install apk and its ready ti go.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Rajeev:
We are talking about A1 buddy.... :D
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] narshi shukla:
oh sorry

i was replying to someone on z2 plus forum so i thought u r also asking about same device.

well i think xiaomi devices dont support camera api 2 by default i heared somewhere about it.

however there is magisk module which can enable this but yes it requires root.

i tried running app but its crashing with black screen.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] Rajeev:
Yea u r correct... :good:
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] w20grippy:
I think honor 7x is better than mi A1. I just have bought one.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] narshi shukla:
honor 7x looks better on paper than mi a1
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] BonsaiGil:
Some photo samples

Thought I'd chime in.

You can see an Flickr Album of the Xiaomi Mi A1 Samples I took here: www.flickr.com/photos/review-hub/38223170195/in/album-72157661682499337

Full Review Here: www.review-hub.co.uk/xiaomi-mi-a1-review/
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] chmun77:
It's camera is pretty decent. Very challenging without OIS when taking night shots.
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] arczangel:
anyway we can get the stock shutter speed to go higher? like 16 seconds?
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] harshu0101:
Try it with FV-5 camera app. Its paid app though
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] tocadiscø:
Im using the camera2 api and the pixel 2 camera app on my Mi A1 and the photo quallity ups to another level

the frontam cam now can use the portrait mode and hdr+

i just love it!

Camera2 API and Pixel 2 cam app

https://photos.app.goo.gl/lxdfiwWNStpkAJa53

Stock Mi A1 Cam

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2AsvnJaj6ap4KEQ32

the photos are taked on the same position
[Xiaomi Mi A1 Real Life Review] harshu0101:
It says "Album is empty"