Xiaomi recently launched its flagship Xiaomi 14 series to take on premium devices from Samsung, Apple and other rivals. I've been testing the Xiaomi 14 for about two weeks now and wanted to provide an in-depth review focusing on the key aspects like design, display quality, performance, camera and battery life.
The Xiaomi 14 starts at around $700, making it much more affordable than other flagships. Xiaomi manages to pack some seriously impressive hardware and innovations while keeping costs relatively low. After extensively using the Xiaomi 14, I’m going to break down how it fares as a flagship contender this year.
Key Features
| RAM | 8/12GB RAM |
| Camera | The rear setup consists of a massive 50MP Sony IMX989 1-inch wide sensor with OIS, along with a 50MP 2x telephoto and 12MP ultrawide camera |
| Operating System | MIUI 13 software based on Android 12 |
| Storage | 128GB and massive 512GB |
| Design and Display | 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 1440p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate |
Camera Performance
The Xiaomi 14 packs some phenomenal camera hardware that takes it to the same league as iPhone and Pixel. The rear setup consists of a massive 50MP Sony IMX989 1-inch wide sensor with OIS, along with a 50MP 2x telephoto and 12MP ultrawide camera. There is also dual-LED flash.
Daytime photos look absolutely stunning with pro-level details, dynamic range, colors and clarity across all three lenses. The primary sensor can capture an insane amount of light leading to bright, low-noise images even in very dim conditions. Night mode enhances this further for brilliant low light shots.
Portrait photos have highly-realistic background blur thanks to the lenses and algorithm separating the subject accurately. The 2x optical zoom telephoto takes crisp shots retaining fine details on faraway objects. Ultrawide captures sweeping landscapes and buildings. The 20MP selfie camera supports autofocus and shoots sharp, well-exposed selfies even against bright backdrops.
4K video recording is available at 60fps across all rear cameras and the front, with impressive quality and stabilization. Cinematic bokeh effect for video is also available along with a bevy of other settings to tinker with. For the camera gearheads, the Xiaomi 14 delivers an immensely versatile photography experience that can rival the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Design and Display
Right from first glance, the Xiaomi 14 looks and feels ultra-premium, especially in the stunning Flora Green color. The rear glass has a frosted matte texture that’s smooth to the touch. The phone feels slim at just 7.9mm and relatively lightweight at 195g. The rounded metal frame provides a comfortable and secure grip.
The front is dominated by a massive curved OLED display with tiny bezels and no distracting cutouts. The slim chin and forehead bezels give it an immersive all-screen aesthetic. On the back, the large circular camera island stands out while blending in seamlessly. The frosted glass hides fingerprints well. The Xiaomi 14 is IP53 dust and splash resistant.
It features a big 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 1440p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The sharp WQHD+ resolution provides ample screen real estate and detail for watching videos or gaming. Text and images look crisp, while animations are extremely fluid thanks to the fast refresh rate.
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The display gets incredibly bright at 900 nits peak making it easy to view under sunlight. It also has a 120Hz variable refresh rate for battery efficiency, much like the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Excellent 1500:1 contrast ratio delivers deep blacks. HDR10+ support further boosts vividness and dynamic range. The centered hole-punch is unobtrusive.
Performance and Hardware
Powering the Xiaomi 14 is the newest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile chipset. Along with 8GB or 12GB RAM, it provides blazing fast speed and responsive performance. Day to day usage is smooth and snappy whether gaming, multi-tasking or using camera. Heavy apps and games load almost instantly.
The phone scored 1226 in single-core and 3462 in multi-core tests on Geekbench 5, outperforming rivals. Gaming performance is fantastic with console-level graphics. Connectivity options include 5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC and IR blaster. The under-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock are both very quick.
Storage options include 128GB and massive 512GB. UFS 3.1 flash storage ensures incredibly fast read/write speeds. The stereo speakers provide loud and immersive audio with Dolby Atmos support. Battery capacity is 4500mAh which delivers excellent battery life, easily lasting 1.5 days with over 6 hours of screen time for me. 67W ultra-fast wired and 50W wireless charging capability lets you juice up quickly.
Software and New Features
The Xiaomi 14 runs the company’s MIUI 13 software based on Android 12. MIUI offers deep customization options via themes and tweaks while adding its own optimizations and features. The interface is responsive and easy to use even for beginners. Xiaomi promises 3 major Android version and 4 years of security updates.
There are always-on display capabilities for notifications, Edge light for alerts, Game Turbo for performance optimization, Liquid Storage to maintain read/write speeds, Multi-Control for syncing IoT devices and more. The Surge smart charging algorithms help prolong battery health while fast charging.
Xiaomi has packed clever camera innovations like Ultra Night Video mode for brighter and sharper videos at night. There is also Ultra HDR for capturing photos with a wider dynamic range by blending multiple exposures. Vlog templates make it easier to produce professional-looking content.
Conclusion
With top-notch hardware comprised of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 6.7-inch QHD+ 120Hz display, excellent triple camera system and long battery life, the Xiaomi 14 offers flagship performance without the excessive price tag. MIUI 13 brings plenty of customization along with unique software enhancements.
If you want pro-grade photography or silky smooth gaming performance in an elegantly designed phone, the Xiaomi 14 delivers on all fronts. It can go toe-to-toe with the best from Apple, Samsung and Google - a remarkable achievement considering the lower cost. For shoppers who want a premium flagship experience without breaking the bank, the Xiaomi 14 is an easy recommendation.
