Xiaomi 14 Review: A Camera Phone That Challenges Giants

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Xiaomi 14 review: A Camera Phone That Challenges Giants

Xiaomi’s latest compact flagship is here, the Xiaomi 14, and let me tell you, it’s got a lot of expectations riding on it. This phone is Xiaomi’s attempt to gain traction in the premium market segment in India. Xiaomi has been making flagships for years now but somehow failed to capture dominance by Samsung, Apple, OnePlus, and Vivo.

While the number might not be favoring Xiaomi, the brand has upped its flagship camera game ever since it teamed up with Leica. Xiaomi 14 also gets a camera setup co-engineered with Leica. Apart from Optics, Xiaomi has packed its flagship with top-notch hardware along with its hyperOS. Will Xiaomi 14 be able to make a mark among Indian buyers? Let’s find out in this Xiaomi 14 review:

Xiaomi 14 Review - Design

Alright, let’s discuss the Xiaomi 14’s design and build. First, it is a compact smartphone with flat edges all around. On the back, you get a chunky rectangular camera island hanging out at the top left corner. And yeah, it’s sporting a triple camera setup with LED flash and LEICA branding.

The unit I received for review is the Jade green option which looks more premium compared to the plain old black. It has this sleek glass finish that’s a total fingerprint magnet. And let me tell you, it’s super slippery.

Flip it over, and you’re greeted with a 6.36-inch screen surrounded by ultra-thin bezels. Unlike the curvy back, Xiaomi went for a flat design upfront. Oh, and they slapped on some Gorilla Glass Victus to keep that display safe and sound.

One neat feature is the in-display fingerprint sensor. It’s quick and accurate, but you might have to do a little finger gymnastics to reach it comfortably.

Xiaomi has done something with its placement of an IR blaster. Can you guess? Let me tell you, it’s placed inside the camera module. That’s right, to control your TV or AC with Xiaomi 14’s IR blaster you will have to point your phone in a vertical orientation.

The weight is 193 grams, which is not too hefty, and that’s pretty standard nowadays. And hey, Xiaomi’s got your back with some dust and water resistance, boasting that shiny IP68 certification.

Xiaomi 14 Review - Display

As I mentioned earlier, the Xiaomi 14 features a 6.36-inch flat OLED screen, a departure from its predecessor’s curved screen. This means you no longer have to worry about accidental touches.

The Xiaomi 14’s OLED panel offers a resolution of 2670 x 1200 and a pixel density of 460 PPI, ensuring sharp images and text. What’s more, it strikes a perfect balance between visual fidelity and vibrant yet natural Colors.

The display can achieve a peak brightness of 3000nits (as the company claims). While we cannot attest to that claim, we can confidently say that it’s bright enough to be visible in any outdoor setting.

Xiaomi has taken a DRM L1 certification which, which is essential for HD streaming. Xiaomi has ensured Dolby Vision support, which means you can stream high-definition HDR content, which is a treat for the eyes. We can confirm that it supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision standards on Netflix and other platforms.

The intelligent refresh rate management allows the display to dynamically scale between 10Hz and 120Hz, depending on the content. It can do 24Hz, 30Hz, and 60Hz to match 24fps, 30fps and 60fps videos, respectively. As for sound, the dual speaker system pumps loud and crisp audio.

Xiaomi 14 Review: Camera

When it comes to photography, Xiaomi is flexing its muscles with the 14. Let’s break it down. The main rear camera here is a 50MP primary shooter, co-engineered with Leica and boasting a Light Fusion 900 sensor. With its wide f/1.6 aperture lens and optical image stabilization, it can handle tricky lighting like a champ, delivering shots with impressive dynamic range and spot-on colors.

During the day, this main camera pulls out all the stops—sharpness, detail, and excellent dynamic range. And when the lights go down, it doesn’t disappoint either. Thanks to that big sensor and wide aperture, low-light shots come out bright and clear, with hardly any noise. Plus, there’s also a night mode that kicks in automatically for even better detail in low-light conditions.

Backing up the main shooter is a 50MP ultra-wide lens and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.2x optical zoom. Both of these cameras inherit the same image processing and color science of the primary camera, resulting in crisp, vibrant shots, whether you’re capturing expansive landscapes or zooming in for a portrait.

Speaking of portraits, the telephoto lens really shines here. With its Leica glass and “floating lens” technology, it nails those close-up shots with stunning detail and creamy background blur. Plus, there’s this cool “Master-lens system” that lets you switch between different focal lengths, giving you the flexibility to capture exactly the shot you want.

Xiaomi 14 ultra wide camera sample

And let’s not forget about the selfie cam – a solid 32MP performer in its own right. Detailed self-portraits with good dynamic range? Check. Adjustable bokeh for that dreamy background blur? Double check.

Oh, and did I mention the video? The Xiaomi 14 can shoot in 4K at up to 60 frames per second across all three rear cameras, with HDR support using Dolby Vision. So whether you’re snapping pics or shooting video, this phone’s got you covered.

Overall, Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica really shines through in the camera department, delivering shots with depth, richness, and just the right amount of pop. It’s like having a pro-grade camera in your pocket, ready to capture every moment in stunning detail.

Xiaomi 14: Software and Performance

The Xiaomi 14 is one of the few devices that come out of the box running on the much-hyped Hyper OS. Looks-wise, the user interface (UI) has that familiar MIUI vibe. There are a few new additions, especially to the widget department.

During our review period, the Hyper OS on the Xiaomi 14 was stable and bug-free. It gives several customization options, like themes, wallpapers, ringtones, etc.

The new Hyper OS does have some bloatware, like Facebook and LinkedIn, though it only dominates the experience a little. You can also uninstall it if you want.

The MIUI successor also has Game Turbo mode, which will appeal to gamers as it reallocates resources to ensure a better gaming experience. What about updates? Well, Xiaomi promises to offer 4 major software updates and 5 years of security updates.

When it comes to performance, the Xiaomi 14 really shines. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, backed up with a hefty 12 gigs of RAM and a whopping 512GB of storage. In India, that’s their only storage option for now.

It performs well and handles heavy-duty apps and games with ease. Even pushing it, it stays calm — relatively cool, anyway. On benchmarks, it scores well, too. Gamers will notice some phone surfaces warming up when you play games for an extended session.

Xiaomi 14 - Battery life and Charging

Xiaomi has packed a 4,610mAh battery. It might not seem like much, but don’t let that fool you. With moderate usage, it easily powers through a whole day without breaking a sweat.

Xiaomi hasn’t compromised on charging, as it comes with 90W wired charging. It’s lightning-fast. Seriously, you’ll be at 50% in less than 15 minutes, 80% in about 25, and fully charged in around 35, give or take a few minutes.
And if you’re into wireless charging, you’re in luck. The Xiaomi 14 has 50W wireless charging supports, so you can juice up without cables. There’s even 10W reverse wireless charging, so you can be on your other supported devices.

Should You Buy Xiaomi 14?

First reviewed in April 2024.