Xiaomi 14 review

 

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Introduction and Specifications:

This year, the Xiaomi 14 stands alone as the flagship representation of the company's numeric lineup, with the Pro model remaining exclusive to China. However, this places the Xiaomi 14 in a pivotal position as the torchbearer for Xiaomi's flagship offerings until the arrival of the 14 Ultra, which, based on historical patterns, might also have limited availability outside of China. Nonetheless, the Xiaomi 14 distinguishes itself from being a mere iteration or incremental upgrade by introducing substantial enhancements across various aspects. Notably, it boasts a superior display featuring LTPO technology, a more potent processor, doubled storage capacity, and a revamped camera system.

Of these improvements, the revamped camera setup emerges as a standout feature, offering a photography experience akin to that of the Xiaomi 13 Pro but within a compact form factor. This enhancement addresses a longstanding concern among enthusiasts of compact flagship devices, eliminating the need to compromise on camera quality for the sake of size.

Here's a concise overview of the Xiaomi 14's specifications:

• Design: The device measures 152.8x71.5x8.2mm, weighing 188g, featuring a glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), with options for a glass back or silicone polymer back, encased in an aluminum frame. It boasts IP68 dust and water resistance up to 1.5m for 30 minutes.
• Display: The Xiaomi 14 sports a 6.36" LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and an impressive peak brightness of 3000 nits. The resolution is 1200x2670 pixels, offering a 20.03:9 aspect ratio and 460ppi.
• Processor: Powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process. It features an octa-core CPU configuration, including Cortex-X4, Cortex-A720, and Cortex-A520 cores, coupled with an Adreno 750 GPU.
• Memory: Available configurations include 256GB storage with 8GB or 12GB RAM, 512GB storage with 12GB or 16GB RAM, and 1TB storage with 16GB RAM, utilizing UFS 4.0 technology.
• Operating System/Software: Runs on Android 14 with the HyperOS skin.
• Camera: The rear camera setup comprises a 50MP wide, a 50MP telephoto with 3.2x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide lens. The front camera is a 32MP sensor.
• Battery: Equipped with a 4610mAh battery supporting 90W wired charging, promising a full charge in 31 minutes, and 50W wireless charging with a full charge in 46 minutes. Additionally, it supports 10W reverse wireless charging.
• Connectivity: Supports 5G, eSIM, dual SIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX HD and aptX Adaptive, NFC, and an infrared port. It also features a fingerprint reader (under display, optical) and stereo speakers.

In summary, the Xiaomi 14 distinguishes itself with significant improvements in its camera system, display technology, and charging capabilities, promising a compelling experience in the compact flagship segment. Evaluating its performance against its limited competition will undoubtedly be an intriguing endeavor.

Unboxing the Xiaomi 14:

Upon unboxing, the Xiaomi 14 presents itself in a standard retail package, including user manuals, a compatible 90-watt charger, and a USB-A to USB-C cable for charging and data transfer purposes. Additionally, a silicone case is included in the box, providing immediate protection and enhancing grip for the device.