Latest Xiaomi Mi 9T/Redmi K20 MIUI 12 update disables camera watermark for improved imaging speed

Just about every smartphone vendor has added the watermark feature in their camera applications giving users the option to highlight the device the image was captured on.

Most OEMs have the watermark feature enabled by default. Therefore, when a user captures an image on their device without tweaking the settings, it will be watermarked.

Not only is this a useful feature for users, but it’s basically free advertising space for the OEM since these watermarked images are also shared online.

That said, Xiaomi implemented the watermark feature in its camera app a while back and it is turned on by default on all recent Xiaomi devices.

However, it seems that the OEM might be reconsidering its decision to keep the watermark feature enabled by default on some phones, if not all.

This is because in the release notes of the new MIUI 12 closed beta version 20.11.10, it’s mentioned that the update disables the device/model watermark in the camera by default in order to improve the speed of image processing.

Update log
Camera
– Optimization | The model watermark is turned off by default to improve the speed of camera imaging
– Adaptation model: Redmi K20
(Source)

This new change is being implemented for the Redmi K20, aka the Mi 9T. Thus, users who install the update will find the watermark feature turned off by default.

It’s uncertain what sort of impact the watermark feature has on the processing speed, however, it’s clear that it’s enough for Xiaomi to consider disabling it by default.

Of course, it’s worth noting that the feature has not been completely removed. It can be turned on manually via the settings in the Camera app.

Therefore, those who don’t mind an ever so slight delay when capturing images can still turn on the camera watermark feature and use it as usual.

But the question that comes to mind now is whether Xiaomi will disable the watermark feature on all devices by default via an upcoming MIUI 12 update or not.

It’s possible that the feature may be disabled by default on devices with lower-end specifications to speed up the image processing.

Devices with high-end specifications are unlikely to be affected with the camera watermark feature turned on, however, we will have to wait and see what Xiaomi decides to do.

Nonetheless, Xiaomi’s camera app has seen a number of new features and improvements over the months such as the Magic Clone feature which has been well received by fans who are now demanding Xiaomi to release the feature on a wider scale.

Xiaomi has also brought the new camera VLOG mode features to a bunch of phones such as the Xiaomi Mi Note 10, Mi 9, Mi 10 series, and more.

So it’s clear that the company isn’t done refining and improving the user experience on MIUI 12.

At present, there’s no information regarding if and when the changes will be implemented through the stable channel.

We will continue to track the situation and will post an update once new details emerge regarding the MIUI 12 camera watermark feature on Xiaomi phones.

As for software updates, the Redmi K20 is in line to get the update to Android 11. The Android 11 closed beta update was released last month for the device.

Thus, we can expect to see the stable update go live sooner rather than later for the Redmi K20/Mi 9T. You can track all the details regarding the release of Android 11 on Xiaomi phones by heading here.

Also, feel free to let us know your thoughts about the decision by Xiaomi to disable the camera watermark feature by default on devices with upcoming MIUI 12 updates.

NOTE: There are more such stories in our dedicated Xiaomi section so be sure to go through it as well.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.