The Xiaomi 14: Powerhouse Performance with a Few Catches
Calling all tech enthusiasts in India and subcontinent! Xiaomi’s latest flagship, the Xiaomi 14, is here to take your mobile experience to the next level. But before you hit pre-order, let’s dive deep into its features, pros, cons, and whether it’s the right phone for you.
Features Galore:
- Display to Die For: Immerse yourself in a stunning 6.36-inch QHD+ (1200 x 2670 pixels) display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for incredible visuals and responsiveness.
- Blazing-Fast Performance: Experience the power of the world’s first Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, handling anything you throw at it with ease. Xiaomi’s Loop LiquidCool technology keeps things cool even under heavy use.
- Masterful Photography: Capture breath-taking shots with the versatile triple-camera system on the rear: three 50-megapixel sensors (wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and telephoto with 3.2x optical zoom) for stunning photos and videos in any lighting condition. The 32-megapixel front camera ensures selfie perfection.
- Innovation at Your Fingertips: Enjoy crystal-clear audio recording with the 4-mic array and immersive sound with Dolby Atmos® stereo speakers. The high-vibration X-axis linear motor provides a satisfying typing experience.
- Never Get Stuck on Empty: The 4610mAh battery offers long-lasting power, while Xiaomi’s Surge charging technology ensures incredibly fast wired and wireless charging.
Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra prices
- The Xiaomi 14 global price starts at EUR 999 (around Rs 89,700). It is available in Black, White, and Jade Green colour options in two variants of 12GB/256GB and 12GB/512GB.
- The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is available for EUR 1,499 (around Rs 1.3 lakh) in Black or White in a 16GB/512GB storage variant.
Pros:
- Top-Tier Performance: The Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 makes the Xiaomi 14 a powerhouse for gamers, creators, and multitaskers.
- Exceptional Camera: Capture stunning photos and videos with the versatile triple-camera system.
- Fast Charging and Battery Life: Never worry about running out of juice with the fast charging and long-lasting battery.
- Beautiful Display: Enjoy a vibrant and smooth viewing experience with the QHD+ display and 120Hz refresh rate.
- Innovative Features: Experience a symphony of innovations with features like the 4-mic array, Dolby Atmos® speakers, and high-vibration motor.
Cons:
- Potential Software Issues: Early reports suggest some inconsistencies with Xiaomi’s new HyperOS 1.0, so keep an eye on updates.
- Price Point: The Xiaomi 14 might not be the most budget-friendly option compared to some competitors.
- Heating Concerns: While the Loop LiquidCool technology exists, some users have reported thermal throttling during extended heavy use.
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Announced | 2023, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November 01 |
| Dimensions | 152.8 x 71.5 x 8.2 mm or 8.3 mm |
| Weight | 188 g or 193 g (6.63 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or silicone polymer back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (typ), 3000 nits (peak) |
| Size | 6.36 inches, 97.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2670 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| OS | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 |
| Card slot | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 4.0 | |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS |
| 50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), OIS, 3.2x optical zoom | |
| 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide) | |
| Features | Leica lens, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 0.7µm |
| Features | HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res & Hi-Res wireless audio | |
| Snapdragon Sound | |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| NFC | Yes |
| Infrared port | Yes |
| Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer, color spectrum |
| Type | Li-Po 4610 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 90W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 31 min (advertised) |
| 50W wireless, 100% in 46 min (advertised) | |
| 10W reverse wireless | |
| Colors | Black, White, Jade Green, Pink |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -25.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery (new) | Active use score 13:56h |
Should You Buy Xiaomi 14?
If you’re a tech enthusiast looking for the absolute best performance and camera in an Android phone, the Xiaomi 14 is a strong contender. However, consider rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S24 if a lower price tag or a more refined software experience are priorities. The Xiaomi 14 faces stiff competition in India, where budget often plays a bigger role. If raw performance and camera are paramount, the Xiaomi 14 is an option. But for a more value-oriented choice, consider waiting for reviews to see how it stacks up against competitors.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your needs and budget. If you prioritize cutting-edge performance and camera capabilities and are comfortable with a potentially higher price point, the Xiaomi 14 could be your perfect mobile companion. However, if software stability, a more competitive price, or brand loyalty are factors, it might be wise to explore other options in the market.
