Xiaomi 14: A Flagship Contender with a Stellar Camera
Xiaomi has unveiled its latest flagship offerings at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona: the Xiaomi 14 and its top-tier sibling, the 14 Ultra. While I haven’t had the chance to experience the Ultra yet, I’ve spent a week with the “just” 14, and it has set a remarkable standard for its bigger brother and other contenders in the market.
A Standout Telephoto Lens
In a world where only “Pro” or “Ultra” models are typically equipped with a good zoom lens, the Xiaomi 14 breaks the mold. It boasts a 50-megapixel 77mm telephoto lens with a “floating lens” mechanism, allowing for adjustable minimum focus distance. This lens, paired with Leica glass, delivers exceptional image quality.
The 77mm focal length is a sweet spot for portraits and street photography, and the results are stunning. The details and sharpness are impressive, even at 3.2X zoom, and the natural bokeh adds a professional touch to your shots.
A Capable Main Camera
The main camera is no slouch either. It features a 50-megapixel sensor with pixel-stacking technology, capturing excellent dynamic range and strong bokeh despite its relatively small size.
A Compact and Stylish Design
The Xiaomi 14 sports a compact 6.36-inch OLED screen, a refreshing change from the growing trend of massive displays. The flat panel with wider aluminum frames provides a secure grip, and the screen itself delivers vibrant colors and exceptional brightness.
Powerful Performance and Battery Life
At the heart of the Xiaomi 14 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the top-of-the-line chip in the Android realm. It offers efficiency, power, and the ability to run on-device generative AI, although this feature is currently unavailable in the global version.
The smaller screen size contributes to the phone’s compact feel, and its weight of 193g makes it relatively lightweight compared to other 2024 flagships. However, the smaller 4,610 mAh battery may not suffice for heavy users who need all-day endurance.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 14 is already available in China for around $750, while the European market will see a higher price tag of around €999. In other Asian markets like Singapore, the phone is expected to fall somewhere between the China and European prices, likely in the $800-$850 range.
A Solid Flagship for Compact Phone Enthusiasts
While I eagerly await the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the Xiaomi 14 stands tall as a polished and capable flagship that ticks almost every box. For those who prefer compact phones or seek a flagship experience without breaking the bank, the Xiaomi 14 is a compelling choice. It sets a high bar for the Ultra to follow, and I can’t wait to see how the two compare.