As we learnt upfront, Xiaomi has given the 14 sequence of smartphones a worldwide launch at MWC 2024 and I’ve ideas.
Xiaomi kindly despatched me an everyday Xiaomi 14, the entry-level choice beneath the 14 Professional and 14 Extremely and though I haven’t had it lengthy sufficient to deliver you a full evaluation listed below are my preliminary impressions.
After 24 hours, on the time of writing, there are a number of issues I observed concerning the Chinese language tech big’s newest flagship smartphone.
The Good
Let’s begin with the great as happily there are way more positives to say than negatives based mostly on my time with the Xiaomi 14 thus far:
It seems to be and feels luxurious
Let’s face it, smartphone design has been a tad boring for the previous couple of years. The Xiaomi 14 doesn’t rewrite the rulebook, however it’s obtained one thing about it that makes it stand out.
Not one particular factor, extra like general character. It’s obtained a shiny and polished end like a supercar, and it feels very effectively put collectively (other than one factor I’ll point out later).
The chromed end on the aluminium body is a bit bling for me however I like delicate particulars just like the textured rim across the glass of the digital camera module. It’s like a bezel on a luxurious wristwatch.
It’s considerably on the heavy aspect (188g for the lighter choice) for a flagship that’s extra compact than many however on this case, it provides to that craftsmanship, high-end really feel. Xiaomi followers will discover some similarities to final 12 months’s flagship.
Chris Martin / Foundry
It’s super-fast, in additional methods than one
In addition to wanting like a supercar, the Xiaomi 14 additionally impresses below the bonnet. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and at least 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
It feels extraordinarily zippy in use and could also be one of the vital powerfully specced telephones in the marketplace for an affordable value.
I gave it a run by way of Geekbench 6 and it achieved a rating of 6861, which is lower than 300 factors off the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. Needless to say the latter handset has an overclocked model of the identical chipset.
Extra (rather more) noticeable in actual life, is the quick charging on supply. Xiaomi ships the telephone with a 90W PD3.0 adapter which might supposedly get the telephone from lifeless to 100% in simply 31 minutes. I haven’t wanted to cost it but, however I don’t doubt that determine.
There’s additionally very spectacular 50W wi-fi charging with 10W reverse wi-fi charging, with all of those wattages eclipsing flagships from Apple and Samsung.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Cameras look wonderful
This one is a extra ‘on paper’ entry as we prefer to spend an excellent couple of weeks testing flagships with their array of cameras and applied sciences.
Nonetheless, the Xiaomi 14 seems to be like it is going to be up there among the many greatest telephones for images.
It’s obtained a trio of 50Mp rear cameras developed with Leica with some mouthwatering specs for individuals who know their apertures from focal lengths.
The primary shooter has a quick f/1.6 aperture with a big 1/1.31-inch sensor, twin pixel PDAF and optical picture stabilisation (OIS).
The f/2.0 telephoto lens additionally has OIS and gives as much as 3.2x optical zoom (barely greater than the Galaxy S24). The ultrawide may need a barely narrower 115-degree subject of view than the S24 and iPhone 15 however it’s a lot increased decision.
A 32Mp f.2.0 selfie digital camera rounds out the choices and on the video aspect, you possibly can shoot as much as 8K/24fps/HDR (on the primary rear digital camera that’s).
Xiaomi has numerous software program options happening together with a ‘Grasp-lens system’ which provides you a collection of lenses for various portrait results or you need to use a slider to regulate the aperture your self.
I like IR blasters on telephones
Okay, this one is area of interest however hear me out. Round a decade in the past, just about all telephones got here with IR (infrared blasters) so you would management units round your own home with out the devoted distant management.
Specifically TVs, it was a characteristic that not many individuals used. Gimmicky to many individuals maybe however I’ve just lately had just a few evaluation samples with one on and I’ve discovered it extremely helpful and for one key motive…
Having a 14-month-old toddler means distant controls are intentionally stored out of attain and really simply get misplaced. Having an IR blaster on my telephone arrange for numerous units round the home means I can shortly get the TV off when wanted as a substitute of tearing my hair out looking for it.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The dangerous
Okay, time for the dangerous. Fortunately, there isn’t a lot that irks me about this telephone thus far, other than one factor:
Knock knock, who’s there
I’ve been despatched the Jade Inexperienced colourway of the Xiaomi 14 and it’s beautiful. It’ll even be obtainable in Black or White if you happen to favor.
The difficulty right here is that, though I discussed earlier that the telephone could be very well-made and splendid, this explicit mannequin has a weak spot.
Give it just a little faucet in the midst of the again and also you’re greeted with a really hollow-sounding echo that makes the telephone really feel cheaper than it’s. This have to be the silicone polymer again whereas others have Gorilla Glass Victus.
It’s not an enormous downside, it doesn’t make the identical sound whenever you faucet close to the sting, however it nonetheless bothers me in the back of my head. The rear cowl I’ve additionally picks up fingerprints fairly badly, made apparent by its reflective shiny end.
I’ll little question be protecting up the stunning inexperienced color with the provided silicone case earlier than I jet off to MWC for Xiaomi’s launch occasion of the 14 sequence and different merchandise.