Xiaomi 14 is among the finest examples of how collaborations ought to work. Right here, Xiaomi and Leica have labored collectively, and we talked in detail about why this is not just a marketing partnership. 2024 is a crucial 12 months for Xiaomi, not solely as a result of it completes 10 years of operations in India but additionally as a result of this 12 months, loads of Xiaomi devices will be upgraded to HyperOS, the corporate’s subsequent huge transfer to carry the human x automotive x residence sensible ecosystem a actuality. We’ll get into that later on this evaluate. The all-new Xiaomi 14 ticks all of the bins on paper that one expects from a new-age flagship Android smartphone – a high processor, strong digicam system, glorious show and cameras, and a likeable and sensible design in each approach.
Nevertheless, the all-new Xiaomi 14 enters a value phase the place many manufacturers struggle to get some share – from Samsung to Google to OnePlus. However how effectively does the Xiaomi 14 carry out in our in-depth evaluate? Let’s discover out.
Xiaomi 14 Evaluate: Design that provides you confidence
At a time when smartphone manufacturers wish to supply the largest attainable show on their units, Xiaomi in all probability took a extra sensible method. That includes a 6.36-inch LTPO OLED show, the Xiaomi 14 completely sits between units sporting 6.7-inch and 6.1-inch shows. At 193 grams and eight.2mm thickness, Xiaomi 14 is designed for one-hand use. In a really very long time, we’ve not reviewed a tool that is handy to make use of for on a regular basis duties, so in aesthetics, Xiaomi 14 units a benchmark.
We like telephones with flat sides, and Xiaomi has gone a step additional by choosing a curved again for the Xiaomi 14. This initially appears and feels odd, however you get used to it steadily. With no sharp edges, the cellphone completely sinks into your palm. It gives glorious grip for on a regular basis use and could be very handy for lengthy textual content typing and different duties. The truth is, we wrote most of our articles on the Xiaomi 14 as a result of, inside per week, it turned our major machine for many issues.
The aluminium body feels strong in arms and gives confidence in on a regular basis utilization. The minimal high body ensures minimal bezel and most display screen actual property. The Xiaomi 14’s weight distribution is so good that the big square-shaped digicam placement by no means felt pointless.
The Xiaomi 14 has launched in Matte Black, Jade Inexperienced, and Basic White. We obtained the Black one, which has a matte end, making it appropriate to be used even with out a case. Nevertheless, the identical can’t be stated for the Jade Inexperienced and White color variants, as each are extraordinarily slippery.
We cherished the eye to element on the 14, and long-time Xiaomi followers would admire that the corporate hasn’t forgotten the IR blaster on its premium machine. The corporate has moved the IR blaster to the again and positioned it contained in the squarish digicam placement.
The show panel on the Xiaomi 14 is brilliant and gives 3000nits peak brightness. It options 460PPI pixel density and gives a 1200×2670 pixels display screen decision. There is a 120Hz adaptive refresh price. Speaking about real-world utilization, the Xiaomi 14’s show is superb in any lighting situation – even beneath direct daylight. The viewing angles are additionally good, and the colors are wealthy. To reinforce the multimedia expertise, Xiaomi has added Dolby Atmos with Dolby Imaginative and prescient, which provides to the general package deal. The entrance additionally options Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and Xiaomi has added DC dimming to handle the flickering. The Xiaomi 14 comes with Widevine L1 safety degree for streaming high-quality movies on streaming providers.
Xiaomi 14 Evaluate: Leica-ble Cameras!
The rear cameras are the largest spotlight of the Xiaomi 14, and that is after extensively utilizing it for nearly three weeks. The first 50-megapixel sensor with f/1.6 aperture can click on wonderful pictures – even when clicking in harsh lighting situations. The colors are on level, and there are a ton of particulars in each shot. In some comparability pictures, we seen that the Xiaomi 14 photos have extra pure colors than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which appeared barely heat in tone whatever the gentle scenario.
Beneath are some samples that talk for themselves. For those who love to make use of your smartphone as a point-and-shoot digicam on the road, then the Xiaomi 14 is the best choice.
Shot utilizing Xiaomi 14 major digicam
Shot utilizing Xiaomi 14 major digicam
Shot utilizing Xiaomi 14 major digicam
Shot utilizing Xiaomi 14 ultra-wide digicam
Shot utilizing Xiaomi 14’s telephoto digicam
Shot utilizing Xiaomi 14’s telephoto digicam
Xiaomi 14’s lengthy publicity possibility Neon Trails in play
One other spotlight is the 50-megapixel telephoto sensor. It will possibly seize topics as shut as 10cm, and we captured one implausible shot in very difficult lighting situations. The 50-megapixel extremely wide-angle sensor gives a 115-degree area of view, a step up from the one we noticed on the Xiaomi 13 Professional. All three rear sensors are leaps and bounds higher than any Xiaomi smartphone now we have used.
Xiaomi 14’s Leica BW filter used
Shot utilizing Xiaomi 14’s 75mm portrait mode
Xiaomi 14’s 35mm Documentary portrait mode, together with the BW filter used right here
Customers can select between the Leica Genuine or Vibrant kinds. We preferred the Genuine model of most of our samples. In comparison with the Vibrant model, the Leica Genuine captures photos within the authentic picture high quality, preserving the colors and particulars nearer to actuality.
Then, there’s the Leica watermark to flaunt the pictures you are taking. The portrait is one other division the place Xiaomi 14 takes the lead towards most of its rivals. You may select between customary, documentary (35mm), swirly bokeh (50mm), portrait (90mm), and delicate focus (90mm). To boost your pictures additional, you may select from an array of filters made in collaboration with Leica, like Leica Pure, Leica Vivid, Leica Pure, Leica Sepia, Leica Black and White Excessive Distinction, and Leica Black and White Pure. We had a variety of enjoyable with the digicam throughout the evaluate.
There are tons of additives for movies, just like the all-new Film Mode, which comes with Dolby Imaginative and prescient Recording in Video Mode.
The selfie digicam, for us, was the largest Achilles heel of Xiaomi 14. The corporate added a lot to the cameras, together with Leica-tuned options, and we imagine the selfie digicam ought to have gotten one thing. The daylight selfies have good particulars; nonetheless, the low-light selfies have been barely inconsistent.
Xiaomi 14 Evaluate: Wonderful efficiency
Xiaomi and Leica have not simply made the 14 a camera-focused smartphone solely however ensured that it’s an all-rounder in each different division. Earlier than diving into the efficiency, we should add that Xiaomi 14 is the corporate’s first in India to launch with HyperOS out-of-the-box. HyperOS is a time period you’ll hear so much about this 12 months as a result of it is a part of an even bigger technique for the model.
HyperOS appears acquainted excessive, so learn MIUI. Nevertheless, there are options that we completely cherished, like the brand new lock screens with tons of customisation choices. HyperOS will play an important position for Xiaomi in interconnectivity for cross-device dynamic networking, the place customers will not be required to obtain separate apps for particular units like bands, Good Lights, CCTV Cameras, Air purifiers, and extra.
Coming to the smartphone, the Xiaomi 14 feels snappy. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC ensures top-notch efficiency in your arms.
Not many individuals could have seen, however now we have steadily reached a degree the place differentiating between flagship processors on mobiles is getting more durable yearly. Like in real-world utilization, the Snapdragon Gen 2 is nearly as good because the processor for all duties, however the Gen 3 improves effectivity. Anyhow, again to the evaluate. We ran some artificial benchmarks and located that Xiaomi 14 is up on the checklist in comparison with different Gen 3-powered flagships this 12 months.
On AnTuTu, the Xiaomi 14 scored a formidable 1973937, whereas in GFX Bench, it scored 121fps in T-Rex and 121fps in Manhattan 3.1 assessments. On GeekBench 6, the 14 scores a great 2210 in single-core assessments and 6808 in multi-core assessments. In 3D Mark’s Wild Life Excessive check, 14 scored a good 4818. After operating a bunch of those benchmarks, we realised that the Xiaomi 14 is among the many high telephones utilising the very best of the Gen 3 chipset.
Xiaomi guarantees 4 main software program updates and 5 years of safety patches. The Xiaomi 14 will get Android 14 out of the field, which suggests customers will get help for as much as an Android 18 replace till 2028. That is not unhealthy, contemplating many smartphones launch with Android 13 and promise 4 updates, whereas Android 14 can be counted.
Xiaomi 14 could also be a compact-looking smartphone, however it packs a loud stereo speaker setup that delivers crisp audio. The four-mic array ensures that calls and audio recorded throughout movies are respectable. The twin-SIM Xiaomi 14 can help a mixture of two nano SIMs or a nano SIM and an eSIM. The decision high quality is top-notch, and we encountered no points throughout the evaluate interval.
The in-display fingerprint scanner is fast. Nevertheless, the thumb placement is barely on the decrease facet of the display screen, which might be a problem for some throughout the preliminary days. After spending one or two days with the Xiaomi 14, we most well-liked the in-display fingerprint over face unlock for comfort. Nevertheless, face unlock can be dependable and has a fast turnaround. General, the Xiaomi 14 is a well-rounded smartphone contemplating efficiency metrics.
Xiaomi 14 Evaluate: Battery that may final a day
Xiaomi 14 ships with a 4610mAh battery, which, on paper, does not look large. However, because of the corporate’s all-new HyperOS and Qualcomm’s flagship-grade Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the battery efficiency does impress. Throughout the evaluate interval, the Xiaomi 14, with all that taking pictures, enhancing photos, gaming, and searching, lasted for a full day, which was spectacular. In our video loop check, we obtained 11 hours and 20 minutes earlier than the cellphone powered down, which is implausible.
The Xiaomi 14 ships with a 90W charging adapter, the utmost charging pace now we have seen on this value phase. From Apple to Samsung units, ship with out a charging adapter and help decrease charging speeds. From 0 to 100%, the Xiaomi 14 can totally cost in 36 minutes – which we may replicate twice throughout the evaluate course of. General, the battery efficiency of the Xiaomi 14 impresses, and there is additionally 50W wi-fi turbo charging help.
Xiaomi 14 Evaluate: Verdict
Good issues are available small packages – the place Xiaomi 14 could also be compact, however it gives greater than a daily flagship smartphone, from best-in-class aesthetics, flagship efficiency, and a flexible digicam that is arduous to beat in difficult lighting situations. Mockingly, we aren’t getting a Professional model this 12 months in India as a result of Xiaomi 14 has essentially the most Professional options within the phase.
Lengthy factor quick, if you would like an Android machine that may click on the absolute best pictures whereas on the go along with a Leica contact, gives constant efficiency, delivers respectable battery output, and a design that may make you ask why corporations do not make telephones this dimension, then Xiaomi 14 is for you. Sure, very like, as they are saying, no person is ideal; the 14 additionally has just a few points like bloatware, which might be unacceptable to some shoppers at this value. However, with HyperOS, so much on the software program entrance is about to alter, and that is for good.
For those who’re on the lookout for options, the Google Pixel 8 (Review), retailing round Rs 76,000, is an effective possibility, alongside the Samsung Galaxy S24, priced round Rs 80,000. There’s additionally the OnePlus 12 (Review), which is identical value because the Xiaomi 14.
