Xiaomi has introduced the Xiaomi 14 to global markets, following its initial launch in China last year. Xiaomi is skipping a Pro model and instead offering the Xiaomi 14 Ultra globally, signaling a strategic move into the premium smartphone space. While our detailed review of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is in the works, let’s dive into our hands-on impressions of the base model, the Xiaomi 14.
Design
The Xiaomi stands out as one of the few Android flagships that’s comfortably sized for one-handed use. Taller than the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24 but notably shorter than the Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 Plus. This compact form factor makes handling a breeze. However, I found the in-display fingerprint sensor placement a bit awkward, though it’s something you can adapt to.
The phone features flat, aluminum edges and a slightly curved glass back on our review unit, making it ergonomic. However, the glass back does attract fingerprints, so you might want to slap on a case.
Xiaomi 14 : Display
With a 6.36-inch LTPO OLED screen boasting a 1.5K resolution and minimal bezels, the Xiaomi 14 offers a crisp and immersive viewing experience. The flat screen is a personal preference for me, as I’m not a fan of curved displays. The screen’s peak brightness of 3,000 nits for HDR content ensures vibrant and bright visuals, especially for HDR content. However, I’ll need more time to provide a comprehensive assessment.
Cameras
Xiaomi may not feature a one-inch main camera or a 5x periscope camera, its Leica-branded camera system is nothing short of impressive. With a 50MP Light Fusion 900 (Omnivision, 1/1.31-inch) main camera, a 50MP 3.2x tele camera, and a 50 MP ultra wide lens, the camera setup delivers vibrant, natural shots with excellent low-light performance and accurate highlights. Quality of these images can tentatively be compared to those taken on Google and Samsung phones, although the long-range zoom quality falls short of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
The phone supports 8K video recording, although 4K/60fps is considered the sweet spot. Video performance is solid, with vibrant colors, though stabilization can be a bit jittery.
Xiaomi 14 : Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the Xiaomi 14 delivers top-tier performance for everyday tasks. However, a more rigorous evaluation is needed for a definitive verdict.
Battery
With a 4,610mAh battery, the Xiaomi 14 offers at least all-day usage. However, further testing is required to confirm this claim. The device supports 90W wired charging for a full charge in approximately 30 minutes and 50W wireless charging for a full charge in 46 minutes.
Software
One potential drawback for users new to Xiaomi devices is the company’s Hyper OS Android skin, which may take some getting used to. For example, setting up the always-on display requires some effort, and screen-on time information is missing. Users transitioning from other Android skins or iOS should expect an adjustment period.
Xiaomi 14 : Hands-on Impressions
I find the device impressive, particularly due to its excellent cameras and compact size. However, the Hyper OS may require some acclimatization. Xiaomi offers four major OS updates and five years of security patches. Priced at £849 (~$1,076), the Xiaomi is slightly more expensive than the Galaxy S24 but offers more impressive hardware.
if you’re in the market for a compact phone with a stellar camera experience, the Xiaomi 14 is definitely worth considering.
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