Xiaomi 14 is likely one of the greatest examples of how collaborations ought to work. Right here, Xiaomi and Leica have labored collectively and we talked intimately about why this isn’t only a advertising partnership. 2024 is a vital 12 months for Xiaomi, not solely as a result of it ends 10 years of operations in India, but in addition as a result of this 12 months a number of Xiaomi units will probably be upgraded to HyperOS, the corporate’s subsequent large transfer to carry the human x automotive x dwelling sensible ecosystem a actuality. We are going to get into that later on this evaluation. The all-new Xiaomi 14 ticks all of the packing containers on paper that you simply anticipate from a brand new period flagship Android smartphone – a high processor, stable digicam system, wonderful display screen and cameras and a likeable and sensible design in each method.
Nonetheless, the model new Xiaomi 14 enters a value phase the place many manufacturers are preventing to get a share – from Samsung to Google to OnePlus. However how properly does the Xiaomi 14 fare in our in-depth evaluation? Let’s discover out.
Xiaomi 14 evaluation: Design that offers you confidence
At a time when smartphone manufacturers wish to provide the most important doable display screen on their units, Xiaomi in all probability took a extra hands-on method. With a 6.36-inch LTPO OLED display screen, the Xiaomi 14 sits completely between units with 6.7-inch and 6.1-inch screens. With 193 grams and eight.2 mm thickness, the Xiaomi 14 is designed for one-handed use. For a really very long time, we’ve got not reviewed a tool that’s sensible to make use of for on a regular basis duties, so by way of aesthetics, the Xiaomi 14 units a benchmark.
We like telephones with flat sides, and Xiaomi has gone a step additional by selecting a curved again for the Xiaomi 14. This appears and feels unusual at first, however you get used to it steadily. With out sharp edges, the telephone sinks completely into your palm. It supplies wonderful grip for on a regular basis use and may be very sensible for lengthy textual content writing and different duties. The truth is, we wrote most of our articles in regards to the Xiaomi 14 as a result of inside per week it grew to become our major gadget for many issues.
The aluminum body feels stable within the fingers and provides confidence in on a regular basis life. The minimal high bezel ensures minimal bezel and most show functionality. The Xiaomi 14’s weight distribution is so good that the big sq. digicam placement by no means felt pointless.
Xiaomi 14 is launched in matte black, jade inexperienced and traditional white. We received the black one, which has a matte end, making it appropriate to be used even with no case. Nonetheless, the identical can’t be stated for the Jade Inexperienced and White shade variants, as each are extraordinarily clean.
We beloved the eye to element on the 14, and longtime Xiaomi followers will respect that the corporate hasn’t forgotten in regards to the IR blaster on its premium gadget. The corporate has moved the IR blaster to the again and positioned it contained in the sq. digicam location.
The show panel of the Xiaomi 14 is vivid and presents a most brightness of 3000 nits. It has 460PPI pixel density and presents a display screen decision of 1200×2670 pixels. There’s a 120Hz adaptive refresh charge. Talking of real-world use, the Xiaomi 14’s show is great in any lighting situation – even underneath direct daylight. The viewing angles are additionally good and the colours are wealthy. To boost the multimedia expertise, Xiaomi has added Dolby Atmos with Dolby Imaginative and prescient, which provides to the general package deal. The entrance additionally has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and Xiaomi has added DC dimming to manage flicker. Xiaomi 14 comes with Widevine L1 safety degree for streaming prime quality movies on streaming providers.
Xiaomi 14 Assessment: Leica-ble Cameras!
The rear cameras are the largest spotlight of the Xiaomi 14, and that is after utilizing it extensively for nearly three weeks. The first 50-megapixel sensor with f/1.6 aperture can click on gorgeous photos – even when clicked in harsh lighting circumstances. The colours are on level and there’s a wealth of element in every picture. In some comparability photographs, we observed that the Xiaomi 14 photographs have extra pure colours than the iPhone 15 Professional Max, which regarded somewhat heat in tone whatever the lighting scenario.
Beneath are some examples that talk for themselves. If you happen to love utilizing your smartphone as a point-and-shoot digicam on the road, then the Xiaomi 14 is the most suitable choice.
One other spotlight is the 50 megapixel telephoto sensor. It may seize topics as shut as 10cm and we took an excellent shot in very difficult lighting circumstances. The 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor presents a 115-degree subject of view, a step up from what we noticed on the Xiaomi 13 Professional. All three rear sensors are leaps and bounds higher than any Xiaomi smartphone we have used.
Customers can select between the Leica Genuine or Vibrant kinds. We favored the genuine model of most of our samples. In comparison with the Vibrant model, the Leica Genuine captures photographs within the unique picture high quality, conserving the colours and particulars nearer to actuality.
Then there’s the Leica watermark that reveals the photographs you’re taking. The portrait is one other division the place the Xiaomi 14 takes the lead towards most of its rivals. You possibly can select between normal, documentary (35mm), swirly bokeh (50mm), portrait (90mm) and gentle focus (90mm). To additional boost your photographs, you may select from a variety of filters made in collaboration with Leica, comparable to Leica Pure, Leica Vivid, Leica Pure, Leica Sepia, Leica Black and White Excessive Distinction and Leica Black and White Pure. We had lots of enjoyable with the digicam through the evaluation.
There are tons of additives for movies, just like the model new film mode that comes with Dolby Imaginative and prescient recording in video mode.
The selfie digicam, for us, was the largest Achilles heel of the Xiaomi 14. The corporate added a lot to the cameras, together with Leica-tuned options, and we expect the selfie digicam ought to have gotten one thing. Daylight selfies have good element; nevertheless, low-light selfies had been a bit inconsistent.
Xiaomi 14 evaluation: Wonderful efficiency
Xiaomi and Leica haven’t solely made the 14 a camera-focused smartphone, however ensured that it’s an all-rounder in all different departments. Earlier than we dive into the efficiency, we must always add that the Xiaomi 14 is the corporate’s first in India to launch with HyperOS out-of-the-box. HyperOS is a time period you will hear loads about this 12 months as a result of it is half of a bigger technique for the model.
HyperOS appears acquainted excessive, so learn MIUI. Nonetheless, there are options that we completely beloved, like the brand new lock screens with tons of customization choices. HyperOS will play an important position for Xiaomi in connecting to dynamic networking throughout units the place customers do not should obtain separate apps for particular units like bands, Good Lights, CCTV cameras, air purifiers and extra.
Coming to the smartphone, the Xiaomi 14 feels sensible. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC ensures high efficiency in your fingers.
Not many might have observed, however we have steadily reached some extent the place it is getting more durable yearly to inform the distinction between flagship cell processors. Identical to in the actual world, Snapdragon Gen 2 is nearly as good because the processor for all duties, however Gen 3 improves effectivity. Anyway, again to the evaluation. We ran some artificial benchmarks and located that the Xiaomi 14 tops the record in comparison with different Gen 3-powered flagships this 12 months.
On AnTuTu, Xiaomi 14 scored a powerful 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 superb 2210 within the single-core take a look at and 6808 within the multi-core take a look at. In 3D Mark’s Wild Life Excessive take a look at, the 14 scored an honest 4818. After operating lots of these benchmarks, we realized that the Xiaomi 14 is among the many greatest telephones utilizing 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 implies customers will get assist for as much as an Android 18 replace till 2028. That is not unhealthy, contemplating that many smartphones launch with Android 13 and promise 4 updates, whereas Android 14 additionally counts.
The Xiaomi 14 could also be a compact-looking smartphone, nevertheless it has a loud stereo speaker setup that delivers crisp sound. The array of 4 microphones ensures that calls and audio recorded throughout movies are respectable. Twin-SIM Xiaomi 14 can assist a mixture of two nano-SIMs or one nano-SIM and one eSIM. Name high quality is high notch and we encountered no points through the evaluation interval.
The on-screen fingerprint scanner is quick. Nonetheless, the thumb placement is a bit on the decrease facet of the display screen, which can be an issue for some within the early days. After spending a day or two with the Xiaomi 14, we most well-liked the on-screen fingerprint over face unlock for comfort. Nonetheless, face unlock can also be dependable and has a quick processing. General, the Xiaomi 14 is a well-rounded smartphone contemplating efficiency metrics.
Xiaomi 14 evaluation: Battery that may final a day
The Xiaomi 14 comes with a 4610mAh battery, which on paper would not look large. However due to the corporate’s all-new HyperOS and Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, battery efficiency is spectacular. In the course of the evaluation interval, the Xiaomi 14, with all that recording, picture enhancing, gaming and searching, lasted a full day, which was spectacular. In our video loop take a look at, we received 11 hours and 20 minutes earlier than the telephone shut down, which is nice.
The Xiaomi 14 comes with a 90W charging adapter, the utmost charging pace we have seen on this value phase. From Apple to Samsung units, ship with no charging adapter and assist slower charging speeds. From 0 to 100%, the Xiaomi 14 can absolutely cost in 36 minutes – which we had been in a position to repeat twice through the evaluation course of. General, the battery efficiency on the Xiaomi 14 impresses, and there’s additionally 50W wi-fi turbo charging.
Xiaomi 14 evaluation: Score
Good issues are available in small packages – the place the Xiaomi 14 could also be compact, nevertheless it presents greater than the typical flagship smartphone, from best-in-class aesthetics, flagship efficiency and a flexible digicam that is laborious to beat in difficult lighting circumstances. Mockingly, we can’t get a Professional model this 12 months in India as a result of the Xiaomi 14 has essentially the most Professional options within the phase.
In brief, in order for you an Android gadget that may click on the absolute best photos on the go along with a Leica contact, presents constant efficiency, delivers respectable battery output and a design that makes you ask, why firms do not make telephones this measurement, then the Xiaomi 14 is for you. Sure, similar to, as they are saying, no person is ideal; 14 additionally has a number of points like bloatware, which may very well be unacceptable for some shoppers at this value. However with HyperOS, loads on the software program entrance is altering, and that is too good.
If you happen to’re searching for alternate options, the Google Pixel 8 ( evaluation ), which retails for round Rs 76,000, is an efficient possibility together with the Samsung Galaxy S24, priced round Rs 80,000. There’s additionally the OnePlus 12 (evaluation), which is identical value because the Xiaomi 14.