The Xiaomi 14 series, recently unveiled in China, is poised to revolutionize the Android landscape upon its global release later this year. With the unveiling of the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro, prepare for a paradigm shift in smartphone technology.
Boasting unparalleled features, including a remarkably bright display, Qualcomm’s latest flagship processor, innovative camera capabilities, rapid charging, and an exclusive titanium option for the Pro model, these devices are set to redefine excellence in the mobile world.
Design
The design of a smartphone plays a crucial role in shaping a user’s initial perception and overall satisfaction with the device. In the case of the Xiaomi 14, the design receives mixed reviews. While the phone brings significant improvements in various aspects, the design leaves much to be desired.
The camera module stands out as a noticeable eyesore, resembling budget smartphones attempting to mimic a camera setup they lack. The placement of the Leica logo further adds to the sense of disjointed aesthetics. This design choice is particularly disappointing when considering the other improvements Xiaomi has introduced with this model.
On the other hand, the Xiaomi 14 Pro takes a different approach to design, offering a more premium and appealing exterior. It features a metal frame and a glass back, exuding a premium feel. While the glass back is prone to picking up fingerprints and smudges, it provides an elegant and modern look.
The inclusion of an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance adds to the phone’s durability. The Xiaomi 14 Pro’s design is clean, practical, and offers options for users who prefer different colors, including a titanium edition. Overall, the Xiaomi 14 Pro excels in terms of design when compared to the Xiaomi 14.
Unique Feature: Ultra Space vs. Display Quality
The Xiaomi 14 series introduces a unique feature called “Ultra Space”, which optimizes storage space by reducing over-provisioned space, providing users with more storage. While it’s an interesting addition, it comes with a caveat – it is only available on specific versions of the phone. Users who accidentally purchase a variant with a higher storage capacity will not have access to this bonus feature.
In contrast, the Xiaomi 14 Pro focuses on enhancing the display quality. Its standout feature is the impressive 6.7-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and Quad HD Plus resolution. This display is protected by Xiaomi ceramic glass, ensuring impressive drop and scratch resistance.
It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision and can reach a brightness of up to 3,000 nits, making it suitable for outdoor use even in bright sunlight. While Ultra Space is an interesting feature, the Xiaomi 14 Pro’s superior display quality takes the lead in this comparison.
Performance:
Performance is a crucial aspect of any smartphone, and both the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro have impressive chips under the hood. Both are equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which is one of the most powerful phone processors available. It outperforms its predecessor in benchmark scores and offers exceptional processing power.
Gaming performance is particularly noteworthy, with the ability to maintain high frame rates even in demanding games like PUBG Mobile. The 1200p resolution support further enhances the gaming experience with 14 models, while the Pro model comes with A resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of around 522 PPI.
The Xiaomi 14 Pro, is paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to a terabyte of UFS 4.0 storage, resulting in benchmark numbers that are off the charts.
While the powerful hardware specifications make them a potential powerhouse for various applications, however, it’s worth noting that the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro, face challenges with sustained performance and overheating during extreme stress tests, which requires further investigation to assess their real-world impact.
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Camera: Same Impressive Leica Mode Setup
Xiaomi has made a name for itself with its camera innovations, and both the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro aim to deliver notable improvements in this department.
The Xiaomi 14 series introduces the “Leica mode,” which offers varying Leica color profiles. Positioned between the 13 Ultra and 13 Standard models, the Xiaomi 14 provides intensified colors, higher contrast, and additional options in Pro mode, catering to photography enthusiasts.
Notable improvements are seen in the telephoto and ultra-wide lenses, delivering sharper photos in low-light conditions and enhancing overall image quality, including sharpness, noise control, and color accuracy. The front-facing camera also receives attention with improved skin tones and the ability to record 4K 60 FPS videos with EIS support.
In contrast, the Xiaomi 14 Pro boasts an impressive camera setup, featuring a 350-megapixel sensor with a variable aperture lens, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 75mm equivalent lens for 3.2x zoom. The primary camera captures stunning images with good dynamic range, and the 8K video recording is top-notch, offering no exposure changes or lens breathing issues.
The 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor excels in low-light performance. The 3.2x zoom lens is perfect for portrait shots, and the 4K support for the selfie camera ensures crisp and detailed selfies with great dynamic range. The Xiaomi 14 Pro’s camera system is versatile and capable of delivering impressive results, surpassing the Xiaomi 14 in camera capabilities.
Battery and Charging: Xiaomi 14 vs. Xiaomi 14 Pro
The battery life and charging capabilities of a smartphone significantly impact the overall user experience. The Xiaomi 14 features a 90W wired charging capability, which may appear to be a significant upgrade. However, it still uses a USB-A port for charging, which is surprising given the advancements in other aspects of the phone.
The battery life sees slight improvements due to a larger battery and the power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. While the Xiaomi 14 can comfortably last a day with regular use, heavy camera usage can reduce battery life.
In contrast, the Xiaomi 14 Pro offers an extraordinary charging system, supporting USB Type-C with USB 3.2 Gen 2, allowing for speeds of up to 10 Gbps. With the provided 120W charger, the Xiaomi 14 Pro can charge from 0 to 100 percent in just 18 minutes, offering one of the fastest charging experiences in the smartphone market.
Additionally, the phone supports wireless hypercharge at speeds of up to 50W, ensuring a full charge in approximately 40 minutes. The Xiaomi 14 Pro‘s robust battery design and exceptional charging capabilities make it a standout choice for users seeking swift and efficient power solutions. Pros, Cons, and reasons to buy on the NEXT PAGE…
- Buying links:
- Xiaomi 14 Pro
- Xiaomi 14
