Tech Blog #159 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra - Ultra Goes Global..

Most Xiaomi smartphones that are released in China won't get a Global release. I don't know why but it happens a lot, not only in Xiaomi but in most Chinese Brands. But surprises happen at big events like MWC. And Xiaomi delivered it with the release of Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a sleek and premium design, with a metal frame for rigidity and a high-quality faux leather texture on the back for added grip and a luxurious feel. The phone's thickness is 9.2 mm, making it a substantial device that feels dense and solid in the hand. Despite its size, Xiaomi has done an excellent job with the phone's ergonomics, ensuring that it is comfortable to hold. The middle frame's corners and backside are rounded, resulting in a snug fit in the hand. The phone is available in three colors: black and white with faux leather backs, and a blue version with Dragon Crystal on the back.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra sports a stunning 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display. With a refresh rate of 120 Hz, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ support, the display provides smooth and vibrant visuals ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming. The panel can also achieve a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, providing excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Xiaomi has introduced Shield Glass for added protection, which boasts ten times the drop resistance and improved clarity. The display's slightly curved edges contribute to the phone's aesthetic appeal and ergonomic design, allowing for a smooth viewing experience.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which is built on the 4nm node. This powerful chipset includes an octa-core CPU with a maximum clock speed of 2.84 GHz, which delivers exceptional performance for multitasking, gaming, and productivity tasks. The phone has a generous 16 GB of RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and app switching. It also has 512 GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for your apps, games, photos, videos, and other files.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has an impressive quad-camera setup that includes a 50 MP main camera, a 0.5x ultra-wide-angle camera, a 3.2x telephoto camera, and a 5x periscope telephoto camera. The main camera has a large 1-inch sensor and a variable aperture that ranges from f/1.63 to f/4.0, allowing for better low-light performance. The telephoto cameras have versatile zoom capabilities, with the 3.2x telephoto camera capable of focusing as close as 10cm and the 5x periscope telephoto camera offering a minimum focusing distance of 30cm. All these sensors can capture macro shots which is impressive even to exist on paper. Overall, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra's camera system provides exceptional image quality and versatility, making it an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra comes with a large 5,000 mAh battery that should last you a full day of use. It supports 80W fast charging, allowing you to quickly recharge your device as needed. The phone's battery and charging capabilities are further enhanced by the inclusion of a large vapor chamber for cooling, which keeps the device cool and efficient during extended use.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is priced at €1,499 for the 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage variant, which provides a premium experience at a premium cost. With its emphasis on photography, the device boasts impressive camera capabilities, such as a quad-camera setup with a 1-inch main sensor and variable aperture. Overall, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is an excellent choice for those looking for top-tier performance and photography capabilities, albeit at a high price.