Emir BardakçıCamera autofocus has become almost the norm in contemporary smartphones, especially in today’s environment where camera functions have been crucial for doing QR scans for payment and scanning other documents. However, the question has been posed even today, where users want to know if there are phones today whose primary camera does not have autofocus? This question becomes more interesting, especially considering the past timeline associated with Xiaomi and Redmi, who have been associated with introducing AI-related technologies in more affordable categories.
Fixed-Focus Cameras in Contemporary Smartphone Industry
However, despite the rapid advancements in hardware technology, fixed focus main cameras are still present, albeit only in a very narrow market, mainly Android Go devices available below $80 USD. Such devices are intended for mere communication, not for photography.
Why Fixed Focus Still Lingers On
Fixed-focus camera modules eliminate the presence of moving parts or mechanisms. Such modules make manufacturing relatively inexpensive and calibration of the production line quite simple. Fixed focus can be quite useful in lower-end devices and may result in lower bills of materials even with compromised image definition at longer distances.
Nevertheless, this design does come with some limitations.
- Things closer than about 50-60 cm cannot be sharp
- QR codes and documents are not easily scanned
- Macro photography is impossible
- Because of such limitations, fixed focus is inappropriate for common smartphone use in 2025.
Current Smartphones Without Autofocus
By now, only a few smartphones have fixed-focus primary sensors:
- Alcatel 1 (2021) – 5 MP fixed focus camera, Android Go operating system
- ZTE Blade L9: This is probably fixed focus, given official specs and tech class
These are still available in certain regions but are becoming increasingly hard to find. Many others in the same class, such as Nokia entry-level phones and the Samsung range, have autofocus.
Xiaomi and Redmi: Taking a Different Path from Day One
On examining Xiaomi’s past smartphones, one crucial point emerges. Xiaomi has always had autofocus in their smartphones, and this was not even in their budget smartphones in the beginning.
Redmi Series & autofocus timeline
- Xiaomi Redmi 1 (2013): The device started out with an 8 MP autofocus lens.
- Redmi 2 / 2A: continued to use autofocus despite lower prices
- Redmi 4A and 5A: Contrast-detection autofocus – slower but with phase AF accuracy.
- Redmi Go (2019): came with autofocus functionality even on Android Go devices
- Redmi A1, A2, and A3 (from 2022 to 2024)
This proves an essential fact: there is not a single mainstream Redmi device with a fixed focus primary camera. Xiaomi was always focused on usability, especially QR code scanning, which is crucial in the digital payment system in China.
Devices Often Confused With Fixed Focus
Certain confusion is caused by the secondary or niche products in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
Qin (Duoqin)
- The Qin 1s+ model employed a very simple fixed focus camera
- Qin F22 (non-Pro) lacks a camera altogether
These devices are not part of the Redmi brand, targeting people who follow minimalistic designs or who are conscious about security. These devices are not indicative of Xiaomi’s overall smartphone offerings.
Why Autofocus Matters More Than Ever
In 2025, focus means more than better picture quality.
- QR payments need close range acuity
- Document scanning and OCR require clear edges of the scanned text
- Banking and identification verification fail in blurred photographs
This accounts for why even entry-level models such as Redmi feature focus adjustment, though fixed-focus solutions remain limited to outdated ultra-budget models.
Looking at it from a Xiaomi perspective, the answer to this question is clearer
No mainstream Xiaomi or RedMi smartphone has ever been released with a fixed focus main camera. Autofocus has been an essential specification right from the start of the RedMi smartphones in 2013. In fact, from the perspective of those who are planning to purchase an entry-level smartphone today, taking into account the Redmi A-series brand in the market means obtaining autofocus capabilities in the rear camera, which was not possible before at this low cost.
