Xiaomi 14 Global Version Review: Almost Perfect?
Xiaomi 14 is here and it’s already shaking up the smartphone market. Rivaling ultra high-end players like the Samsung Galaxy S24, it really aims higher than ever before. But given its release price in Europe, does it live up to the hype, or misses some of the checkboxes it wants to tick?
Let’s inspect!
Summary
Pros
- Compact size
- Powerful and feature-rich
- Exceptional camera performance
- Extensive customization options with HyperOS
- Improved integration with Xiaomi devices
- Intelligent power management and fast charging capabilities.
Cons
- High launch price
- Not available in the US
- Challenges with unlocking the bootloader and installing third-party ROMs
- Lack of certain premium features
Xiaomi 14 – Price
As usual, starting with the price. This time, Xiaomi 14 launches close to $100 more expensive than its predecessor did, automatically placing itself in the world of high-end devices. However, I kind of justified the price bump once I saw the 256GB minimum internal storage.
Still, the phone remains more pricey than the Galaxy s24 and is not seeing a release in the United States.
Xiaomi 14 – Unboxing
The unboxing experience is not much different from what you would get out of the Poco and Redmi lines. Still, the box looked and felt quite nice.
Inside, you can find the smartphone itself, essential accessories, and a black case, which is a new addition by Xiaomi.
Appearance and Build Quality
Xiaomi 14 has a really beautiful design. This is coming from someone whose taste typically leans towards other brands. The device exudes elegance and durability, keeping some of the identity of the 13 series and still feeling excellent to the touch. I find the camera configuration a bit too large, but given the big image sensors and optics behind it, it’s no surprise.
Being a flagship, Xiaomi 14 delivers on all fronts. It is powered by the best Snapdragon chipset, has up to 16 gigs of RAM and offers up to 1TB internal storage. You get the latest connectivity standards, an awesome 50MP Leica-tuned main camera, as well as of the brightest displays ever made.
Display
Speaking of which, the display is indeed exceptionally bright and seriously improved over the previous generation. Featuring a Huaxing C8 panel, Xiaomi 14 features vivid colors, sharp details, and excellent contrast, providing an immersive viewing experience for users.
Technical Specifications
- Display: Huaxing C8 AMOLED, 3000nits peak brightness
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 series
- RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR5X
- OS: HyperOS
- Storage: Up to 1TB UFS4
- Connectivity: Latest standards, including Wifi 7
- Cameras: 50MP Leica-tuned main camera, 4K selfie camera
- Battery: Improved capacity with turbo charging
Xiaomi 14 – Software
Xiaomi 14 comes packed with a ton of improvements and amazing specifications, including new hardware components that set it apart from high-end competitors like the Galaxy S24.
HyperOS debuts with the Xiaomi 14, promising not only enhanced performance but also a seamless and intuitive user experience. While it retains the essence of MIUI, it introduces several noteworthy improvements and additions that elevate the overall software experience.
One of the standout features of HyperOS is its extensive customization options, allowing you to tailor your device to suit your preferences. From customizable themes and wallpapers to advanced gesture controls, Xiaomi 14 offers unparalleled flexibility, ensuring that every user can personalize their device to reflect their unique style and preferences.
Additionally, HyperOS includes an improved integration with Xiaomi’s ecosystem of devices, making it easier than ever to connect and interact with other smart devices. Whether it’s controlling smart home appliances, transferring files between devices, or sharing content seamlessly, HyperOS gives you a cohesive and interconnected experience across all of your Xiaomi devices.
Xiaomi 14 – Camera
Let’s dive into one of Xiaomi 14’s biggest assets – the camera. It really delivered in most of the shooting scenarios I tested it in.
Daytime Photography
In optimal lighting conditions, the camera can capture stunning images. Colors are rendered with remarkable accuracy, while the wide dynamic range ensures every detail is preserved.
Low-Light Performance
When the sun sets and light becomes scarce, Xiaomi 14’s camera continues to hold its ground. I was pleasantly surprised to see predominantly decent results. Thanks to its improved sensor intake, the camera excels in low-light photography, capturing clear and detailed images even in challenging conditions.
Telephoto Camera
Equipped with a versatile telephoto lens, Xiaomi 14 offers decent zoom capabilities. It allowed me to get close to subjects without sacrificing much of the image quality.
Ultrawide Camera
For wide-angle shots, Xiaomi 14’s ultrawide camera is a game-changer. The broad field of view allowed me to capture fantastic images with ease. It performed admirably even in low-light conditions!
Front Camera
Xiaomi 14’s front camera is nothing short of impressive. Capable of recording stunning 4K videos with image stabilization, it also ensures that every selfie is Instagram-worthy. The addition of a 4-mic array really complements the audio quality, so it was actually nice to do video calls and vlogs.
Additional Features
The impressions I listed are far from everything Xiaomi 14 offers. There are many other innovative camera features that can elevate your photography experience. Just to name a few: the dedicated cinematic mode, which ensures natural motion blur for cinematic-quality videos, as well as the object removal feature, which allows you to erase unwanted elements from your photos.
Battery Endurance
The physical battery of the device is really large, offering slightly more capacity than that of Xiaomi 13, but I’m afraid to say it didn’t deliver in the same magnitude on the internal side. Even though there are battery optimization mechanisms and features, the device is simply packed with more features than it can handle efficiently. Xiaomi promise to make more software optimizations so that their batteries can be used to their full potential.
Drawbacks
- Difficulty in unlocking the bootloader and installing third-party ROMs
- Higher price compared to its Chinese counterpart
Conclusion
If you want to learn more about Xiaomi 14, check out my YouTube video.
