Did you buy a used smartphone or want to check whether the stated camera parameters correspond to the real ones? Or maybe you’re just wondering what opportunities your Xiaomi, Samsung or Google Pixelhides? Camera characteristics are one of the key factors when choosing a phone, but manufacturers do not always honestly indicate them in the specifications. In this article, we’ll look at how to independently find out matrix resolution, pixel size, aperturesupport HDR or Night Mode —and why sometimes the data in the phone settings does not match reality.

Spoiler: not all parameters can be checked through the standard Android menus. For example, physical sensor size or autofocus type (laser, phase, contrast) are often hidden from the user. But we will show workarounds - from analyzing EXIF ​​tags of photos to using engineering codes and third-party utilities. We’ll also explain why on some Chinese smartphones, the actual camera resolution can be 2-3 times lower than stated (for example, 12 MP instead of 48 MP) and how to check it.

1. Standard Android settings: what you can find out without applications

Start with the simplest thing - check the camera information in the phone settings menu. This method does not require the installation of additional apps, but will only show basic data.

Open the application Camera on your smartphone. In most firmwares (for example MIUI, One UI, ColorOS) you need to:

  1. Tap on the gear icon (⚙️) or swipe to the right to open the settings.
  2. Find the section Information about the camera, About the app or Specifications (the name depends on the manufacturer).
  3. The following may be displayed here:
    • 📸 Main camera resolution (for example, 48 MP, 108 MP).
    • 🔍 Lens type (wide-angle, telephoto, macro).
    • 🎥 Maximum video resolution (for example, 4K@30fps).

However, be careful: some brands (especially little-known Chinese ones) indicate here interpolated resolution —that is, it is programmatically increased, not real. For example, a 12 MP camera can be produced as 48 MP due to the algorithm Pixel Binning.

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If there is no section with specifications in the camera settings, try holding your finger on the preview screen - sometimes a pop-up window with technical data appears there.

⚠️ Attention: On smartphones with custom firmware (for example LineageOS) or rooted devices, the standard camera menu may not display the correct information. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

2. Analysis of EXIF ​​data of photos: hidden parameters of pictures

Each photo taken on a smartphone contains EXIF marks - service information about shooting parameters. In them you can find data about the camera that the Android interface does not show. For example:

  • 📏 Focal length (in mm).
  • 🔘 Aperture number (aperture, for example, f/1.8).
  • 📱 Camera model (for example S5KGM1 for a Samsung sensor).
  • 🔧 Shooting modes (HDR, night mode, portrait).

To view EXIF:

  1. Take a test photo (preferably in Pro or Manualmode, if available).
  2. Send the photo to your computer or use one of the applications on your phone:
    • 📱 EXIF Viewer (free, without excess water).
    • 🖼️ Photo EXIF Editor (shows extended data).
    • 🌐 Online services like exif.viewer (upload photo via browser).
  • Look for fields Make (sensor manufacturer), Model (camera model), Focal Length (focal length), Aperture (aperture).

    • Example of EXIF data with Google Pixel 6 Pro:

    Parameter Value What does it mean
    Camera Model S5KGN1 Samsung sensor with a resolution of 50 megapixels
    Aperture f/1.85 Lens aperture (the lower the number, the better shooting in the dark)
    Focal Length 4.4 mm Equivalent to ~25 mm 35mm format (wide-angle lens)
    ISO 123 Sensor sensitivity to light (automatic mode)
    ⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Huawei or Oppo) clear EXIF data from sensor information. In this case, the field Camera Model may be empty or contain only the phone name.
    📊 How often do you check the EXIF data of your photos?
    I have never heard of EXIF
    Sometimes, out of interest
    Regularly, to analyze the shooting
    Only if you need to prove the authenticity of the photo

    3. Engineering menu and hidden codes: data for advanced users

    If standard methods do not produce results, you can turn to Engineering menu Android. This is a hidden section with technical information, including details about the camera. Caution: Incorrect actions here can disrupt the operation of the phone!

    Instructions for most smartphones:

    1. Open the application Phone.
    2. Enter the code: 
      ##4636##

      or for the camera:

      ##34971539##
    3. In the menu that appears, select Camera Information or Hardware Info.
    4. Look for blocks with the following inscriptions:
      • 📷 Camera ID — module identifier (0 — main camera, 1 — front camera).
      • 🔢 Sensor Resolution — real sensor resolution (for example, 4000×3000 = 12 MP).
      • 🔍 Lens Info — lens data (aperture, focal distance).

    On some phones (for example, Samsung) the engineering menu is opened with the code #0#. After entering, a test menu will appear where you need to select Camera or Mega Cam.

    What to do if the engineering menu does not open?

    On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14+) engineering codes are disabled. An alternative is to use applications like MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Service Menu (for Snapdragon).

    ⚠️ Attention: Do not change the parameters in the engineering menu if you do not understand their meaning! For example, resetting the camera settings (Camera Reset) may result in loss of autofocus calibration.

    4. Specialized applications: in-depth camera analysis

    If you need maximum accurate data from sensor pixel size to RAW format support, install one of these applications:

    • 📊 Camera2 API Probe - shows all camera capabilities supported at the Android API level (for example Manual Sensor, RAW Capture). You can download in Google Play or APKMirror.
    • 🔬 DevCheck - displays the sensor model, pixel size, supported video and photo resolutions. There is a version Pro with extended data.
    • 📸 AIDA64 - a universal utility for diagnosing hardware. The section Devices → Cameras shows the number of cameras, their resolution and lens parameters.

    Example data from Camera2 API Probe for OnePlus 9 Pro:

    

    Camera ID: 0 (Back Wide)
    

    Sensor Size: 1/1.43" (7.44 mm)
    

    Pixel Size: 1.12 µm
    

    Max Resolution: 5000x3750 (18.75 MP)
    

    Supported Formats: JPEG, RAW10, RAW12

    Pay attention to the parameter Sensor Size is physical sensor size. The larger it is (for example, 1/1.3" versus 1/2.8"), the better the camera copes with detail and shooting in low light.

    Camera ID|Sensor Size|Max Resolution|RAW support (RAW Capture)|Available focus modes (AF Modes)-->

    5. Checking via ADB: for developers and enthusiasts

    If you are ready to dive into technical details, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool that provides complete information about the camera, including undocumented parameters.

    Instructions:

    1. Install ADB on your computer (instructions are on the website Android Developers).
    2. Connect your phone via USB and enable debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return to System → For developers).
    3. In the command line, enter: 
      adb shell dumpsys media.camera

      or for a specific camera (for example, rear):

      adb shell dumpsys media.camera --list-cameras
    4. Look for blocks with static characteristics (static characteristics) and dynamic characteristics (dynamic).

    Example output for Pixel 7:

    

    Camera 0 (Back):
    

    Sensor: IMX787 (50.3 MP)
    

    Pixel Array: 8192x6144
    

    Physical Size: 1/1.31" (8.4 mm)
    

    Lens: f/1.85, 25mm equiv.
    

    AF Modes: CONTRAST, PHASE, LASER

    This method will show even those parameters that are not displayed in EXIF or the engineering menu, for example, autofocus type (laser, phase) or optical stabilization (OIS).

    ⚠️ Attention: ADB commands require USB debugging to be enabled, which may be unsafe. Do not connect the phone to untrusted computers to avoid data leakage.

    6. Comparison with official specifications: why the data may not match

    Have you checked all the parameters, but they do not match those indicated on the manufacturer’s website? This is why this happens:

    • 🔄 Pixel Binning: Pixel combining technology (for example, 4 in). 1), when the camera physically has 48 megapixels, but produces 12 megapixel images for better quality.
    • 📱 Multi-camera: Some phones use several modules (main + telephoto + wide-angle), and the specifications indicate the total resolution.
    • 🤖 Software interpolation: Cheap smartphones can artificially increase the resolution (for example, from 5 MP to 13 MP) due to algorithms.
    • 🔧 Firmware updates: After the update, supported modes may change (for example, adding 8K video or Night Mode).

    To check the honesty of the manufacturer:

    1. Compare the data from Camera2 API Probe or ADB with the official specifications on the brand website.
    2. Please note by sensor size (for example, 1/2.55" vs 1/1.3"). The larger it is, the better the quality.
    3. Check real resolution in EXIF or the engineering menu If it is 2-4 times smaller than stated, rather. in total, real resolution is used Pixel Binning.

    Example: Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has a 108 MP camera, but shoots at 12 MP by default (9 pixels are combined into 1). data-i="212">If the actual sensor resolution (from EXIF or ADB) matches the declared one, but the photos are worse than those of competitors, it is not the megapixels that are to blame, but the size of the matrix, optical characteristics or processing algorithms.

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    If the actual sensor resolution (from EXIF ​​or ADB) matches the declared one, but the photos turn out worse than those of competitors, it’s not the megapixels that are to blame, but the matrix size, optical characteristics or processing algorithms.

    7. Frequent mistakes and myths about camera characteristics

    When checking camera parameters, users often encounter misconceptions. Let's look at the most common ones:

    • 📵 Myth 1: "The more megapixels, the better the camera" → In practice pixel size and sensor size more important. For example, 12 MP with a 1.4 µm pixel is better than 48 MP with a 0.8 µm pixel.
    • 🔍 Myth 2: “The f/1.8 aperture is better than f/2.2” → Yes, a larger aperture (smaller number) lets in more light, but it affects the depth of field and can degrade detail edges.
    • 🎥 Myth 3: “4K video is better than 1080p” → Resolution is important, but no less critical bitrate, stabilization i codecs (for example, H.265 vs H.264).
    • 🤖 Myth 4: “AI improves the camera” → Algorithms (for example, Google Night Sight) can improve pictures, but they are not a substitute for good optics and a large sensor.

    Another common mistake is to confuse video resolution and photo resolution. For example, a camera can shoot video in 4K (3840×2160), but take photos only in 12 MP (4000×3000). This is normal, since video and photos are processed by different modules.

    ⚠️ Attention: Some camera tests (for example, c DxOMark) evaluate not only hardware, but also software processing. Therefore, a smartphone with a mediocre camera can receive a high rating due to aggressive noise reduction or color enhancement.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    🔍 How find out if my phone has optical stabilization (OIS)?

    Check the specifications on the manufacturer's website or use Camera2 API Probe. In the section Capabilities look for OPTICAL_IMAGE_STABILIZATIONYou can also do a test: turn on video recording in 4K and slightly shake the phone - if the picture is visible. smooth, most likely there is OIS.

    📸 Why does my 48 MP camera take photos at 12 MP?

    This is a technology Pixel Binningwhen 4 pixels are combined into 1 to improve aperture and reduce noise. In most smartphones (for example, Xiaomi, Realme) 12 MP mode is enabled by default, but in the camera settings you can force 48 MP (quality may deteriorate in poor lighting).

    🔧 Is it possible to improve the camera programmatically if the hardware is weak?

    Yes, but within limited limits Install applications with manual settings. (Open Camera, GCam) - they allow you to manually set ISO, shutter speed and white balance. Shooting in RAW with subsequent processing in Lightroom or Snapseedwill also help. However, physical limitations. (small sensor, bad optics) this will not fix it.

    📱 How to check the front camera?

    All methods from the article work for the front camera. data-i="263">it is usually designated as Camera2 API Probe it is usually denoted as Camera ID 1. Pay attention to the parameter Facing - it should be FRONT. In the EXIF of the front camera there is often no information about the aperture (since it is fixed, for example, f/2.0).

    ⚡ Why in In the engineering menu, the camera shows a resolution of 8000x6000 (48 MP), and in EXIF - 4000x3000 (12 MP)?

    This is normal: the engineering menu shows physical resolution of the sensor, and EXIF - resolution of the final fileIf it is enabled in the camera settings. mode 12 MP (with Pixel Binning), then the pictures will be exactly this size, despite the fact that the sensor is capable of 48 megapixels.