Xiaomi Smart Camera C500 launches worldwide, combining 3.5K UHD video with night vision – Automated Home

Xiaomi has officially rolled out its latest Smart Camera C500 for global markets, introducing what it calls a “3.5K UHD imaging smart home guardian.” With upgraded optics, stealth night vision, and smart home integration powered by HyperOS Connect, the new model blends power, design, and intelligence in one compact device.

The C500 represents Xiaomi’s ongoing push to make smart home security accessible, connected, and effortless, transforming how users monitor their homes, families, and pets from anywhere in the world.

A new era in smart home surveillance

Smart home devices have rapidly evolved from simple convenience tools to integral parts of everyday safety. Xiaomi’s expansion of the C-series cameras follows that trend, introducing professional-grade imaging and smarter automation.

The Smart Camera C500 builds upon the brand’s success with models like the C300 and complements the higher-end C500 Pro by offering a balance of performance and affordability, creating a camera aimed at broader international markets.

Why the global launch matters

Until recently, Xiaomi’s C500 series has had more limited regional availability, primarily in certain Asian markets.

With this global release, Xiaomi is bringing its AI-driven camera technology to new regions across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. This aligns Xiaomi’s ecosystem with competitors like Google Nest, TP-Link Tapo, and Eufy, while offering its own unique blend of privacy-first features and AI-driven automation.

3.5K UHD imaging, clear, crisp, and confident

At the heart of the Xiaomi Smart Camera C500 is its 3.5K UHD video recording with an impressive 3,200 × 1,800-pixel resolution that captures even minute details in your environment.

Powered by a 6MP professional-grade lens with a wide f/1.6 aperture, the camera ensures crisp clarity even in low-light conditions. This makes it easier to recognize faces, pets, or objects without distortion or blur.

Bidirectional gimbal

The camera uses a bidirectional gimbal, offering wide horizontal and vertical coverage (exact rotation ranges not publicly disclosed). This helps reduce blind spots, giving you full situational awareness whether placed in a living room, nursery, or small office.

Combined with Xiaomi’s proprietary stabilization system, the camera pans smoothly and quietly, ensuring steady footage during automatic movement tracking.

Optimized low-light sensor

The C500 employs a 1/2.45-inch image sensor, significantly larger than typical webcam sensors. This allows for improved color depth, better dynamic range, and enhanced low-light visibility, which is essential for accurate nighttime security footage.

Stealth night vision that doesn’t disturb

Unlike older infrared systems that emit a faint red glow, the C500’s eight 940 nm infrared LEDs operate completely invisibly to the human eye. This allows discreet 24-hour monitoring, ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, or any environment where visible light would be intrusive.

Even in pitch-black rooms, the C500 maintains sharp grayscale visibility, ensuring your footage remains useful for identification or review purposes.

No more light pollution

This subtle approach to night vision not only maintains privacy but also prevents disruption, particularly valuable for parents monitoring sleeping infants or pet owners checking late-night movement.

AI motion tracking that thinks for itself

Beyond clarity, the C500’s intelligence is one of its defining features.

Using AI-based motion detection, it can distinguish between humans, pets, and general movement, reducing false alerts from lighting changes or curtains swaying. The bidirectional gimbal mount automatically follows a moving subject, then returns to its default view once the scene stabilizes.

Every movement triggers instant notifications through the Xiaomi Home app, letting you view or respond in real time. This system is particularly effective for users who want proactive alerts rather than passive recording.

Built-in two-way communication

Security isn’t just about seeing; it’s about interacting.

The Smart Camera C500 includes two-way audio, allowing users to speak and listen simultaneously through the Xiaomi Home app. This feature is invaluable for welcoming visitors, instructing delivery personnel, or calming pets remotely.

Its noise-reduction microphone ensures clarity even in large or echo-prone spaces.

Privacy reinforced

Xiaomi places strong emphasis on privacy. A physical privacy shutter can be manually or automatically closed when recording isn’t needed. Unlike purely software-based controls, this hardware solution guarantees peace of mind because when the shutter is down, recording truly stops.

MJA1 security chipset, safety at the core

At the hardware level, the camera runs on Xiaomi’s MJA1 security chipset, designed to enforce industry-level encryption and secure data transmissions. It protects both live streams and stored data using advanced encryption algorithms similar to those in online banking systems.

This ensures that even if footage is transmitted to the cloud, it remains secure and inaccessible to unauthorized users.

H.265 video compression for efficiency

For storage, the camera employs H.265 compression technology, which cuts file size nearly in half without compromising clarity. This efficiency allows longer recording periods on limited storage, whether you use a microSD card (up to 256GB), encrypted cloud storage, or NAS solutions.

Connectivity: fast, reliable, and future-proof

The dual-band Wi-Fi 6 support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) ensures a stable, low-latency connection that can handle 3.5K streaming without frame drops. Combined with Bluetooth 5.0, setup is quick and pairing with other Xiaomi devices is effortless.

For users in large homes or offices, Wi-Fi 6 compatibility means better signal integrity even when multiple devices share the same network.

Smart home integration via HyperOS Connect

As part of Xiaomi’s expanding HyperOS Connect ecosystem, the C500 can coordinate with other smart devices. For instance, it can automatically turn on smart lights when motion is detected or send alerts to your smartphone and smart display simultaneously.

This synergy transforms individual devices into a cohesive system that responds intelligently to your environment.

Hands-free control

The C500 also works seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing users to stream live video feeds or issue voice commands like “Show me the living room camera” directly from a smart speaker or display.

Design: elegant, compact, and versatile

Xiaomi has designed the C500 to blend naturally into any space. Measuring 79 × 79 × 119 mm, the camera features a sleek, matte-white body with a minimalist finish.

It can be placed on shelves, tables, or ceiling-mounted using the included base, perfect for both renters and homeowners. Despite its compact size, it conceals a robust mechanical motor for smooth rotation and long-term durability.

Form meets function

The minimalist design isn’t just aesthetic. Xiaomi’s engineers have optimized ventilation and motor placement for quieter operation, ensuring near-silent movement that’s essential for discreet monitoring.

Availability and expected pricing

Xiaomi has not yet disclosed a global price or official release date.

Following its global announcement, wider availability across Europe and Asia is expected to begin in the coming months. However, Xiaomi has not confirmed any MSRP or discounts at this time.

Smart security done right

The Xiaomi Smart Camera C500 is more than a high-resolution camera; it’s a complete security solution built on intelligence, privacy, and connectivity. With 3.5K UHD video, Wi-Fi 6, AI tracking, and HyperOS automation, it delivers exceptional performance for its price bracket.

As Xiaomi continues expanding its smart home lineup, the C500 stands out as a prime example of how technology can simplify safety without sacrificing control. It’s smart, silent, and secure the perfect guardian for modern homes.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.