[Review] Xiaomi 14: A Compact Powerhouse with Impressive Features Including Leica Collaboration

The Xiaomi 14 emerges as a strong contender in the compact flagship smartphone market, offering impressive hardware and performance that rival the latest from Apple and Samsung.

Despite its slightly larger size compared to the iPhone 15/16 and Samsung Galaxy S24, the Xiaomi 14 packs a punch with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a robust camera system developed in collaboration with Leica, and a sizable battery with rapid 90W charging capabilities.

Design and Display

The Xiaomi 14 retains a familiar design with a prominent square camera bump reminiscent of its predecessor, the Xiaomi 13. While the overall design may appear functional rather than striking, it is well-built with Gorilla Glass Victus and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Available in black, white, and Jade Green, the phone’s aesthetic is straightforward yet refined, although the glossy finishes can attract fingerprints.

The 6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED display is a key highlight, offering a higher resolution of 2670 x 1200 pixels and a dynamic 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is impressively bright, with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making it easily readable even in direct sunlight. Additionally, it supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, enhancing the viewing experience for movies and games.

Performance and Battery Life

Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM, the Xiaomi 14 delivers top-tier performance, handling multitasking and demanding applications with ease. The HyperOS, Xiaomi’s new interface based on Android 14, runs smoothly, although it retains some of the convoluted elements from the previous MIUI, which might require users to spend time familiarising themselves with the system.

Battery life is another highlight, with the 4,610mAh battery offering around 8.5 hours of screen-on time, making it one of the best in its class. The 90W wired charging and 50W wireless charging capabilities mean that the phone can go from 0 to 50% in just 15 minutes, and a full charge takes about 40 minutes.

Camera Performance

The camera system is where the Xiaomi 14 is truly a cut above others.

It features a trio of 50MP sensors: a main sensor with a wider aperture for better light capture, an ultra-wide sensor, and a 3.2x telephoto sensor. The collaboration with Leica brings Leica Vivid and Classic color profiles, offering vibrant and detailed photos with excellent dynamic range and color accuracy.

The AI features, although still in beta, promise exciting enhancements such as AI-generated portraits and semantic search in the gallery app. These features, once fully developed, could significantly elevate the user experience.

Check out some of the images we snapped using the Xiaomi 14:

Testing out the zoom feature, powered by the Leica 75mm floating telephoto lens. The latter pushes spatial limitations allowing the lens to shift within the camera. This allows the focus to range from 10cm to infinity, amazing for both close-up and long-distance shots.

Additionally, the phone’s telemacro photography allows users to capture up-close in stunning detail. Check out this close-up shot of a mouse whereby you can even see the dust specks on it:

Software and Usability

HyperOS introduces some fresh features and optimizations, though it still inherits some of MIUI’s complexity. The absence of an app drawer by default and the presence of multiple pre-installed apps might be off-putting to some users. However, the system is highly customisable, allowing users to tailor their experience to their preferences.

Overall, the Xiaomi 14 is a compelling choice for those seeking a compact flagship with powerful performance, an excellent camera system, and impressive battery life. While it may not appeal to those looking for a stylish design or a simplified user interface, its robust feature set and competitive pricing make it a strong contender in the current smartphone market.

Availability

Priced at approximately S$1,029.00 for the 256GB model, the Xiaomi 14 is competitively positioned against the iPhone 15/16 and Samsung Galaxy S24. However, its superior storage capacity and rapid charging capabilities offer excellent value for money.