Tech Blog #129 | Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro: Raising the Bar with Design, Cameras, and Performance

Xiaomi has once again showcased its technological prowess with the launch of the Xiaomi 14 series, including the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro, packed with impressive features that make them stand out in the highly competitive smartphone market.

The Xiaomi 14 series introduces a fresh design approach with a flat metal frame, diverging from its predecessor's curved edges. The frame, with its glossy mirrored finish, adds a touch of elegance to the device. Xiaomi has beautifully crafted a symmetrical design, and the glass panels gracefully taper at the edges. Notably, the camera island stands out, featuring a metal bezel with a Parisian hobnail texture. The Xiaomi 14 Pro is available in various color options, including black, white, rock green, and an exclusive Titanium Special Edition. The Titanium Special Edition features a matte titanium alloy frame that adds a touch of luxury.

Both phones are aesthetically engaging, but the Xiaomi 14 Pro takes the lead with its larger 6.73-inch 12-bit LTPO OLED display, boasting a remarkable 1440x3200 pixel resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Notably, this display achieves a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits, one of the highest levels recorded, and is protected by Xiaomi Longjing Glass. Thin bezels surround the display, providing an immersive viewing experience.

The Xiaomi 14 series boasts the brand-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, fabricated on TSMC's 4nm process, guaranteeing exceptional performance. Users can select from configurations that include 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, coupled with 256GB, 512GB, or a whopping 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. This powerful combination ensures seamless multitasking, quick app launches, and smooth gaming experiences.

Xiaomi has collaborated with Leica to rebuild the camera systems of both the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro. The Xiaomi 14 Pro bids farewell to the 1-inch type sensor and introduces the "Light Hunter 900" sensor, bragging a 50MP resolution, 1.2μm pixel size, and an impressive 13.5 EV dynamic range. The variable aperture on the Leica Summilux lens ranges from f/1.42 to f/4.0, allowing for adaptable photography in various lighting conditions. Despite the sensor's reduced size, the new lens enhances light-gathering capabilities, promising remarkable low-light performance.

The Xiaomi 14 Pro equips a 75mm f/2.0 floating telephoto camera, ideal for close-up photography at just 10cm. It captures 40MP regular photos and 50MP portrait images. The ultrawide camera is a 50MP f/2.2 14mm snapper with the added ability to shoot macros at 5cm. The regular Xiaomi 14 also has 3 50MP sensors. All the sensors are the same. So is the Telephoto camera. But there are subtle changes in the Ultrawide lens and lens in the main camera.

One of the big things that Xiaomi struggled with is the front-facing camera. Its video recording resolution was 1080p for a long time. God knows why didn't they pay attention to it. Seems like they've been paying attention to it. And this time around they've added 4k @30fps and 4k@60fps recording capabilities to both versions.

In terms of battery life, the Xiaomi 14 Pro packs a 4,880mAh battery, designed to provide extended usage. It supports both 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. The vanilla version packs a tad smaller 4610mAh battery with 90W wired fast charging and the same wireless charging capability. Battery capacities are more than enough to power up throughout the day. And fast charging is there for quick top-ups.

The Xiaomi 14 series arrives at competitive pricing, making it accessible to a broader range of users. The Xiaomi 14 Pro, available for pre-order in China, comes in multiple configurations: 12GB/256GB, 16GB/512GB, and 16GB/1TB, with prices starting at CNY 4,999 (approximately €650 or INR 57,000). Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 14 series ensures there's an option for everyone, with a variety of configurations, starting at CNY 3,999 (about €520 or INR 45,800).

The Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro showcase the brand's commitment to innovation, design, and performance. Their elegant design, remarkable camera system, cutting-edge processor, impressive fast charging, and competitive pricing make these smartphones attractive options in the ever-evolving world of mobile technology. Xiaomi has yet again demonstrated its ability to raise the bar and offer devices that cater to diverse user needs.