Flagship smartphones are getting bigger, but the Xiaomi 14 stands out by opting for a compact screen size and portability. If you prefer more compact devices, there aren’t many options these days – even the latest Asus Zenfone was quite large.
The Xiaomi 14 is a true flagship in a more compact body. Its direct competitor is the Samsung Galaxy S24, which has similar dimensions and top-end specs.
The QUACK team has prepared a review of the top flagship – the Xiaomi 14.
The Xiaomi 14 retains a similar design to the previous Xiaomi 13 model, except that the camera module has grown significantly, hinting at its improved capabilities.
The design of the Xiaomi 14 is clearly inspired by the iPhone with its flat aluminum frames. Visually, the smartphone looks high-quality, and it fits comfortably in the hand.
The Black and White versions of the Xiaomi 14 have a matte back panel, while the Jade Green version has a glossy, almost mirror-like surface. The matte finish is, of course, more practical. The aluminum frames still have a mirror-polished finish. The
square-shaped camera housing has a new frame around the perimeter, which seems to be inspired by the design of high-end watches. It is quite thin and adds elegance to the smartphone compared to the previous model.
Xiaomi 14 has an IP68 protection standard, which guarantees its resistance to dust and complete waterproofness at a depth of up to 1.5 meters.
Display
Most modern flagship smartphones usually have displays around 6.7 inches, while the Xiaomi 14 has a 6.39-inch screen, which is the “golden mean” – it is quite compact and convenient. However, this size is probably not suitable for those who need a smartphone for gaming.
Fortunately, Xiaomi did not sacrifice the characteristics due to the smaller screen size. The display has a high WQHD + resolution, supports a variable refresh rate from 1 Hz to 120 Hz, and has support for Dolby Vision and HDR10 + technologies. It is very bright, capable of producing up to 3000 nits at maximum brightness.
You can additionally adjust the color gamut, saturation, contrast, shades, white balance and much more.
Performance and Software
The Xiaomi 14 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which gives it outstanding performance. With 12GB of RAM and fast UFS 4.0 storage of 256GB or 512GB, this device always remains fast, even when running multiple apps at once. It opens apps with ease, delivering smooth animations.
The Xiaomi 14 is also a great gaming device. It runs almost any game from the Play Store with ease, running at maximum graphics settings and with a consistent frame rate. The cooling of the device is impressive, especially considering its compact size.
HyperOS on the Xiaomi 14 provides a built-in gaming menu. It offers a variety of options, such as prioritizing game performance, clearing cache, blocking calls, recording gameplay, and more. Although it is not as detailed as the menu on dedicated gaming phones, it has more options than most regular devices.
The Xiaomi 14 runs on HyperOS, which is based on Android 14. This new system developed by Xiaomi is largely reminiscent of the old MIUI operating system, although there are some aesthetic changes. HyperOS looks more refined compared to previous versions of MIUI, which is certainly an improvement. For example, the new style of quick settings gives the system a cleaner, more minimalist look, although some users may find it difficult to understand the icons without text.
Xiaomi’s software is heavily inspired by iOS, so there are some quirks, such as the separation of quick settings and notification shades. However, the system can be customized to suit your needs, making it more similar to other versions of Android.
Xiaomi promises four years of operating system updates and five years of security updates for the Xiaomi 14. This is generally good, but does not compare to the long-term support that Google and Samsung offer for their flagship devices, which span up to seven years.
Battery
The Xiaomi 14 has a 4610 mAh battery, which is a bit smaller than most flagship devices, which usually have a capacity of around 5000 mAh. However, it performs well in use. The smartphone holds its charge throughout the day, often leaving 30% or even more of its remaining capacity, even with active use.
Naturally, real results may vary. If you play games for hours or use navigation a lot, then the battery will be drained faster. However, for most users, it will be easy to get through the day without needing to recharge.
If you really need to quickly charge the device, then you have a great option. The Xiaomi 14 comes with a 90 W network adapter, which allows you to fully charge the device in just half an hour. Even if you only need to charge 50%, this can be achieved in less than 15 minutes.
It is also worth noting that the device supports 50 W wireless charging. However, to use this feature, you will need a compatible wireless charger that can provide such a high charging speed.
In addition, the Xiaomi 14 supports 10W reverse wireless charging, which can be very convenient if you need to charge a friend’s device or charge wireless headphones.
Camera
The partnership with the famous brand Leica hints that the Xiaomi 14 camera will be of exquisite quality. And it is indeed. The Xiaomi 14 is a true camera phone.
There is now a triple camera setup on the back of the device with a resolution of 50 MP, replacing the weaker additional lenses we saw on previous models. The new OmniVision OVX900 sensor, which Xiaomi refers to as Light Fusion 900, stands out in particular.
This sensor is 1 / 1.3 inches in size, which is larger than those of major competitors like the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S24, which allows for shorter shutter speeds in low light conditions and the ability to create natural bokeh without using portrait mode. The new sensor also allows for higher ISO levels, which helps when shooting in dark conditions.
Although all the rear cameras are 50 MP, the main camera stands out the most. It provides maximum image clarity and detail, and has good stabilization when moving in low light conditions. The large sensor produces a beautiful bokeh effect for close-ups, and there’s a great portrait mode for those who like a softer background.
The 3x telephoto lens also comes in handy, especially for portraits and distant subjects. It can be a little soft in night-time situations, but works well during the day.
The ultra-wide lens has an impressively wide field of view, but the lack of autofocus is a downside for close-ups.
The front-facing camera takes solid photos, but the lack of autofocus makes it a bit less advanced than the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Video recording is available at up to 4K at 60 fps on all rear cameras, and up to 8K at 24 fps. However, you’re limited to the main camera when recording in 8K. You also get a full set of manual control modes, and even a LOG mode for color grading.
Verdict
The Xiaomi 14 is a joy to use. It’s powerful, has a great display, a great camera setup, and offers fast wired and wireless charging. Crucially, it maintains its compact size, making it an attractive choice for those who prefer a more manageable phone size.
However, the Xiaomi 14 faces some serious competition, particularly from the Samsung Galaxy S24. Samsung’s device is slightly smaller and a bit more affordable, but still offers plenty of power and great camera quality.
The Xiaomi has its advantages, especially in low-light photography, charging speeds, and gaming performance (compared to the Exynos-powered S24). However, many users may prefer Samsung’s software and the extra features its AI tools offer.
Overall, the Xiaomi 14 is a great compact flagship that we definitely recommend. If you want all the cutting-edge features and modern hardware in a compact form factor, this is definitely one of the best options.
Key features of the Xiaomi 14:
1. Comfortable, compact design. The Xiaomi 14 is a compact smartphone by modern standards, and it’s very comfortable to use.
2. Great cameras. The Leica co-branded camera system impresses with great color reproduction, crisp images, and plenty of effects to play with.
3. Powerful performance. With a flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor built in, the Xiaomi 14 can handle everything you throw at it. It’s fast, responsive, and great for gaming.
