As this article was written, the Xiaomi 14 has been my daily device for four weeks. But I want to save my in-depth usage experience until the launch in Malaysia in early March. Therefore, in this article I will share with you how to use this device during the trip in Barcelona for the global launch event of the Xiaomi 14 series and also the MWC Barcelona 2024 event.
SPECIFICATION AND DESIGN
6.36″ AMOLED screen, 2670 x 1200 pixels,
LTPO + AdaptiveSync Pro 1-120Hz,
Xiaomi C8 custom panel
3000-nit, Pro HDR, Dolby Vision
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (4nm)
1x 3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 chip
3x 3.2 GHz Cortex-A720
2x 3.0 GHz Cortex-A720
2x 2.3 GHz Cortex-A520
Adreno 750 Graphics Chip
RAM 12 GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage 256/512 GB UFS 4.0
Primary Camera 50MP f/1.6, Light Fusion 900, OIS (Wide Angle)
50/32 MP, f/2.0 (Telephoto)
50MP, f/2.2, 10cm Macro (Ultra Wide Angle)
LEICA VARIO-SUMMILUX
Leica Authentic & Leica Vibrant, Master-lens system
Xiaomi ProFocus, Portrait Night, 8K video,
Dolby Vision 4K60fps, Ultra Night Video
Front Camera 32MP, f/2.0, HDR
4610mAh battery
90W HyperCharge wired
50W HyperCharge wireless
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM Nano /5G
Stereo Audio, Dolby Atmos
WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth WiFi 7, Yes, 5.4
Infrared Yes, on the camera bump
Waterproof IP68
Fingerprint Scan System under the screen
Sale Price EUR (12/256 GB)
EUR (12/512 GB)
The Xiaomi 13 is my favorite compact flagship device. In fact I am still using this device until the Xiaomi 14 reaches my hands. Xiaomi's new generation compact flagship device once again won my heart because of its small but premium design in the hand and powerful enough to compete with more expensive competitors.
The screen of the device is a flat type, the bezel is thin and almost even, Xiaomi C8 self-designed AMOLED panel with Dolby Vision color, 3000-nit brightness and supports LTPO 1-120 Hz. The design of the device is also interesting because it is quite simple and elegant. All the physical buttons are on the right side, the top is also nothing like the left side because Xiaomi put the microphone hole and the infrared sensor on the camera bump. Below is the speaker grille, USB-C port, another microphone hole and SIM card slot.
The unit I'm using is Jade Green, where it uses a glossy finish and is very smooth. It's beautiful and looks sexy, but it's not suitable for me with sweaty palms. The device gets dirty easily and is difficult to operate. This forced me to use a protective frame and not be able to enjoy the beautiful design of this device.
USAGE – Xiaomi HyperOS, Android 14
I really hope that Xiaomi HyperOS on Xiaomi 14 will have various AI features that were announced when this operating system was launched in China last year. Too bad it's still not included. As such, using HyperOS on this device is more or less the same as other HyperOS devices and also MIUI.
Even so, HyperOS on Xiaomi 14 seems to be given a special touch because its use is more fun and comfortable than on Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13T or Poco X6 Pro. It's smoother, faster and consumes less power as the device can last a whole day of heavy use.
Here are my favorite features while waiting for the brand new HyperOS update;
Interesting lock screen customization.
Discard or switch back AI feature.
AI Erase feature that can remove shadows, foreign objects, distracting lines.
Art Framing, an alternative to watermarks on pictures that are neater and more beautiful.
Higher quality video recording capabilities.
What I still can't forgive is, a flagship device that may cost close to RM4000 still has ads. This time I realized, the ad is only displayed in vertical orientation. Others are less like in the Get Apps application or on the theme store only.
CAMERA TEST AROUND BARCELONA
I'm 100% very satisfied with the camera of Xiaomi 14. I'm not sure if it's because of the lighting and atmosphere in Barcelona or the camera of this device is really amazing. The most obvious thing that has changed is the quality of portraits that are getting neater and more beautiful. Sharp and detailed HDR and macro photos. Ultra wide angle and zoom can produce beautiful colors. Then the night mode which reminds me of the Pixel device's Night Sight.
SAMPLE VIDEO RECORDING
The Xiaomi 14 series also focuses on video recording. If this model is already beautiful, how about the Ultra model?
PERFORMANCE AND BENCHMARKS – SNAPDRAGON 8 GEN 3
If you think the Xiaomi 14 will have the same performance as the iQOO 12 or RedMagic 9 Pro you are wrong. Although all three devices use the same chip. The benchmark score of the Xiaomi 14 is only slightly higher than that of the Samsung Galaxy S24+. The benchmark tests I did were with AnTuTu 3D v10, Geekbench 6 and 3DMark.
Antutu 3D
Xiaomi 14 – 1,773,520
Honor Magic6 Pro – 1,366,519
iQOO 12 – 2,075,821
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – 1,768,765
ASUS ROG Phone 8 – 1,953,486
RedMagic 9 Pro – 2,114,787
Geekbench 6
Xiaomi 14 – 1741/6313
Honor Magic6 Pro – 1362/4677
iQOO 12 – 2181/6631
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – 2278/7016
ASUS ROG Phone 8 – 3032/6373
RedMagic 9 Pro – 2153/6775
3D Mark Wildlife Extreme
Xiaomi 14 – 4499
Honor Magic6 Pro – 2492
iQOO 12 – N/A / 30.22 FPS
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – 4657
ASUS ROG Phone 8 – 5236
RedMagic 9 Pro – 5231
3D Mark Solar Bay
Xiaomi 14 – 7722
Honor Magic6 Pro – N/A
iQOO 12 – 8528
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – 8564
ASUS ROG Phone 8 – 8710
RedMagic 9 Pro– 8704
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 still doesn't support some features well. For example Marvel Snap on iQOO 12 and Xiaomi 14 often closes by itself. But this is not the case with the Galaxy S24+. My theory is, on Xiaomi HyperOS with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – the software has not yet adapted to the newer processing chip. A new update will probably fix this problem. Then there is one more thing that I don't like about this device is that it heats up easily.
CONCLUSION
If you are a Xiaomi 12 and below user, the Xiaomi 14 is an excellent device to upgrade to. But if you're a Xiaomi 13 user, overall it's more or less the same except for video recording. The performance of this device is also good with good battery life. The performance is satisfactory, only the problem is heating and there are still some applications that do not work well. But this can be fixed with future updates. Compact device size, premium build, great screen and fast charging – Xiaomi 14 is up to the challenge with a Leica camera.
PRO
Compact, sexy and premium design.
Simple and smooth Xiaomi HyperOS.
The quality of Leica cameras is increasingly amazing.
Very beautiful and bright screen.
Good battery life.
CONS
The body is easily dirty with fingerprints.
The speaker is not loud enough.
HyperOS still has annoying ads.
The device heats up quickly.