Watch: First Mobile 8K HDR Video Capture
Watch: First Mobile 8K HDR Video Capture

Watch: First Mobile 8K HDR Video Capture

2022-05-09
2 mins read

Qualcomm has published a video captured by Xiaomi 12 which is the world’s first smartphone capable of shooting 8K HDR footage. This ability is achieved by utilizing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform technology implemented in the Xiaomi 12. Watch this 8K HDR footage below.

Xiaomi 12: 8K HDR footage (screengrab).
Xiaomi 12: 8K HDR footage (screengrab).

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

Qualcomm claims that its mobile platforms can transform smartphones into professional-quality cameras. Moreover, the company states that smartphones powered by the new flagship mobile platform —Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, are the first smartphones capable of 8K HDR video capture. Here’re the main video features of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform:

  1. Camera: 8K HDR (30 FPS), and 4K (120 FPS)
  2. Up to 108 MP single camera 30 FPS with Zero Shutter Lag
  3. Rec. 2020 color gamut photo and video capture
  4. Up to 10-bit color depth photo and video capture
  5. 8K HDR Video Capture + 64 MP Photo Capture
  6. 10-bit HEIF: HEIC photo capture, HEVC video capture
  7. Video Capture Formats: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG,
  8. Dolby Vision
  9. Slow-mo video capture at 720p 960 FPS
  10. ‘Bokeh Engine’ for Video Capture
  11. Multi-frame Noise Reduction (MFNR)
  12. Multi-Frame and triple exposure staggered/digital overlap HDR dual-sensor support
  13. AI-based face detection, auto-focus, and auto-exposure

Make sure to read our article which elaborates a bit more about the features of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and its special capabilities (Meet ‘Bokeh Engine’: Android’s Answer to iPhone’s ‘Cinematic Mode’).

The Xiaomi 12 camera
The Xiaomi 12 camera

8K HDR video from a mobile device

Hence, Qualcomm has published footage captured from  Xiaomi 12, which is the world’s first smartphone capable of 8K HDR video capture. As stated by Qualcomm:  “As this video shows, scenes shot on Snapdragon-powered phones are crystal clear and saturated in rich, vibrant colors. This 8K HDR video, captured on the Xiaomi 12, displays the beautiful coastlines of Oregon, Washington, and California, with images so clear you can almost reach forward and touch the waves. And with the help of Snapdragon Sound and Bluetooth LE Audio, you can clearly hear the waves gently crash on the shore, take in the birds chirping over the beach, and listen to the crickets at night as you gaze at the city lights”. Check out the video below (you can watch it in 8K resolution): 

Xiaomi 12: World’s first smartphone capable of shooting 8K HDR

Xiaomi is launching the 12 series in China and Europe (not the U.S for the moment), which is the latest set of its flagship. The prices range from $750 (12 models) to $1000 (for the Pro model). As explained, Xiaomi 12 is armed with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, has a rear camera of 50MP, 1/1.56” sensor size, and is capable of shooting up to 8K 7680×4320 at 24fps, and 4K 3840×2160 at 60fps. The Xiaomi 12 series is going to compete with the forthcoming iPhone 14 which, as rumored, will be focused on 8K imagery (Read: 2022: The Year of ‘8K Smartphones’).

The Xiaomi 12 camera
The Xiaomi 12 camera

Do we really need 8K smartphones?

No, we do not. So why bother to invent something so niche? Let’s suppose iPhone 14 Pro will be capable of shooting 8K HDR ProRes. Do you see yourself using it? On the other hand, it might become handy in production when ultra-high-res imagery is needed, quick and dirty. A new era of high-end smartphones is on its way—for sure. So who knows? BTW, what do you think about the 8K HDR video of the Xiaomi 12?

Yossy is a filmmaker who specializes mainly in action sports cinematography. Yossy also lectures about the art of independent filmmaking in leading educational institutes, academic programs, and festivals, and his independent films have garnered international awards and recognition.
Yossy is the founder of Y.M.Cinema Magazine.

6 Comments

  1. Quite deceiving or my expectations where to high after reading the specs. On the demo video you find on interner the quality is quite bad.

  2. Blowing past the unstatisfatory image quality of the Xiaomi 12 and its truthfully depressing HDR capabilities, I will never say that there isn’t a time and place for this technology but in my outside opinion, for the average consumer, this is frankly idiotic to put a feature like this that will only ever get used either the first time someone buys the device or when someone who is specifically seeking a 50MP 1/1.56” sensored, 8k capable device. Which from my fairly limited knowledge is almost never a requirment on reasonable situation. I still struggle to understand the “hype” around small photo site sensors that have unreasonable amount of megapixels crammed in it. But hey, only once opinion.

  3. Let’s suppose iPhone 14 Pro will be cable of shooting 8K HDR ProRes. Typo “cable” should be capable

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