Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: The best camera phone ever?

I’m a little bit of a shutterbug and nonetheless yearn for a smartphone that convinces me to depart my mirrorless at house. The newest iPhones, Galaxys, and Pixels, whereas all stable choices, simply aren’t constant or, dare I say, attention-grabbing sufficient for my significantly choosy tastes. With a quad-camera array, computational pictures smarts, and all of the choices and dials you would ever need, the Xiaomi 14 Extremely seems to be the digital camera cellphone of my desires, however can it stay as much as that in actuality? Properly… sure.

Beginning with the {hardware}, the big 1-inch 50MP Sony LYT-900 primary digital camera comes with a switchable aperture lens for better mild seize and bokeh management. That is flanked by three extra 50MP 1/2.51-inch Sony IMX 855 sensors; a 75mm (3.2x zoom) telephoto, 120mm (5x) telephoto, and 12mm ultrawide with a 122-degree subject of view. It’s uncommon to see similarities throughout the {hardware}, and this pays dividends by way of constant picture high quality and options throughout lenses, as we’ll see.

Earlier than we even get into the images, it’s value appreciating the sheer vary of choices Xiaomi presents in its digital camera app. You’re greeted with two Leica profiles (vivid and traditional) to select from, together with two choices for portrait bokeh blur and lighting too. I opted for Leica Basic and Leica Portrait for many of my pictures, because the previews matched my tastes.

You’ll discover an enormous array of handbook controls right here, even with out resorting to the Professional mode (which incorporates shutter velocity, ISO, aperture, and different choices). The principle digital camera comes with 4 aperture modes to regulate depth of subject (you possibly can go away this set to auto too), an excellent macro mode, tilt-shift blur modes, movement focus monitoring, burst mode, and extra. There are extra options right here than on most mirrorless cameras; the sheer quantity of toggles is daunting.

Video choices are equally strong. The Xiaomi 14 Extremely can shoot 4K 120fps from the first digital camera, 8K 30fps video throughout all rear cameras, and even 4K 60fps video throughout all cameras. Film mode additionally offers adjustable ranges of software program bokeh for auto-tracking, coloration grading filters, and auto zoom capabilities. The underside line is that the 14 Extremely is an fanatic’s piece of equipment.

Talking of, Xiaomi additionally sells a further Images Equipment (pictured prime) for £179 that can assist you make much more out of the pictures expertise. The snap-on case comes with three ornament rings from which to decide on. The attachable grip includes a 1,500mAh to increase the cellphone’s battery life for longer capturing classes, a two-stage shutter, a zoom leveler, and a customized dial that may be set to any handbook management you favor. It’s a wonderful accent for critical photographers, although it does make this already massive cellphone even bulkier to port round.

Let’s get into some photos (full-res samples obtainable on this Drive folder), which had been taken with a mixture of auto and handbook controls. As you’d anticipate from a digital camera at this worth, publicity, coloration, HDR, and element are good, particularly from the primary digital camera. Colours are vibrant (even in Leica Basic mode) however not so overly saturated as to supply jarring pop. Total, I’m a fan of Xiamoi’s coloration science.

Xiaomi’s photos are sometimes a little bit heavier on shadow distinction than different telephones, and sometimes clips highlights. The looks is arguably extra true to life than the ultra-heavy HDR utilized by rivals and produces extra dynamic-looking outcomes. Nonetheless, there’s a surprisingly excessive stage of element captured within the shadows, due to that giant sensor’s mild seize capabilities. That stated, it’s a glance not everybody might be accustomed to by trendy requirements.

The Xiaomi 14 Extremely is excellent in low mild, too, boasting wonderful publicity, distinction, and loads of coloration. Outcomes are shiny with out wanting too unlifelike, although you would possibly discover the publicity a tad excessive in very darkish mild. That bigger sensor actually stacks up favorably towards the Galaxy S24 Extremely when the solar goes down.

With 3.5x and 5x telephoto cameras onboard, you’re nicely lined for versatility. I’m a giant fan of narrower focal lengths for framing pictures. Xiaomi’s alternative of 75mm and 120mm is usually a little tight, however there’s no denying that they supply a beautiful pure depth of subject for macro and portrait pictures. Element and dynamic vary are stable for landscapes too, and the excessive decision, 1/2.51-inch picture sensors maintain up at lengthy distances.

10x and even 20x zoom are fairly usable in daylight, so long as you don’t pixel peep too carefully. In comparison with the Pixel 8 Professional above, the 14 Extremely’s 10x shot is way heavier on the picture cleanup, with much more denoise and sharpening current. Each photos have execs and cons, however Xiaomi’s picture presents a little bit extra element when seen at full body nevertheless it does seem closely processed.

For portraits, the Xiaomi 14 Extremely properly makes use of its additional cameras and defaults to the 75mm (3.5x zoom) lens by default. This produces a lot nicer face shapes than the 24mm main lens whereas introducing a pure smooth bokeh blur. Xiaomi’s software program preserves pores and skin textures with out oversharpening, and pure pores and skin tones assist disguise undesirable blemishes. This can be a critically top-drawer portrait setup.

Selfies are a little bit noisier with indoor lighting, however you’re handled to a equally high-quality method to pores and skin tones and textures. Nevertheless, the entrance digital camera has an unlimited 22m focal size. It’s nice for becoming extra individuals in however narrows face form barely too. Xiaomi features a vary of beautification options, however I didn’t contact any of these settings.

There are just a few choosy criticisms to stage on the digital camera package deal, however they’re honest points given the worth tag. Whereas the very broad apertures are nice for mild seize and depth of subject, there’s a distortion trade-off. Xiaomi’s software program does an inexpensive job at defringing, however you’ll nonetheless see the occasional inexperienced and purple halo. Equally, the portrait mode’s faux spotlight bokeh mild circles are excessive, and the digital camera’s increased distinction look doesn’t all the time work for faces.

There’s extra to the Xiaomi 14 Extremely than only a digital camera, in fact. Prime-end {hardware} features a strong IP68 score, luxurious 6.74-inch AMOLED show, and as much as 80W wi-fi charging. The package deal is each bit as aggressive and presumably even higher than different ultra-premium smartphones at this worth. If there’s one space you would possibly accuse the cellphone of cheaping out on, it’s that the design is just about unchanged from 2023’s Xiaomi 13 Extremely, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a reasonably distinctive and great-looking cellphone. The textured again is way nicer and extra sensible than slippery glass.

As you’d anticipate from a Xiaomi flagship, the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor is top-of-the-line. This is without doubt one of the best-performing implementations we’ve seen, guaranteeing the cellphone flies via all the pieces. Nevertheless, this flat-out efficiency comes with a trade-off in warmth and battery life after we put it via our stress take a look at, maxing out round an uncomfortable 50°C. Whereas extra demanding than most video games, it’s value noting how scorching and power-hungry the most recent Snapdragon can get when unleashed.

You’ll discover acquainted Xiaomi flagship staples right here too. 90W quick charging takes the cellphone from empty to full in 43 minutes and 75% in below half an hour. You’ll be grateful for these fast-charging capabilities as a result of, regardless of a big 5,000mAh battery, the cellphone sips down the juice quicker for day by day duties than different massive flagship telephones, in response to our benchmarks. You’ll be able to nonetheless make it via a day on a full tank, however these with out an in a single day charging routine would possibly undergo eventual battery nervousness.

If you happen to misplace your Xiaomi plug, you’ll be joyful to notice that the cellphone costs at as much as 27W with common USB PPS as nicely. That takes quite a bit longer to fill the cellphone, nevertheless it means journey adapters and energy banks are supported with a average charging velocity. Nevertheless, it is going to take over an hour to fill the cellphone at this tempo.

On the software program facet, the rebranded Hyper OS (primarily based on Android 14) stays one of many heavier Android skins in the marketplace and nabs some inspiration from iOS. If you happen to’re coming from one other model, the left/proper notification/setting swipe-down shade takes some getting used to, as does the sheer variety of settings yow will discover tucked away in all the pieces from the optionally available app drawer to a spread of show options. I’d hardly name most of the layouts intuitive. Nonetheless, Hyper OS will get the job completed and extra, when you’ve mastered the UI.

Sadly, there’s an unholy quantity of pre-installed software program on the 14 Extremely. Between the acquainted Google apps, Xiaomi’s instruments like Mi Distant, a few shops, and sensible house apps, to outright bloat like AliExpress, Reserving.com, and LinkedIn, I’m glad this mannequin has 512GB of inside storage. On the plus facet, 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of safety patches is a stable long-term pledge, even when it doesn’t fairly match the seven years promised by Google and Samsung flagships.

Prime to toe, the Xiaomi 14 Extremely is full of a few of the greatest know-how and options yow will discover within the smartphone area. Whereas probably overkill for a lot of, cellular and pictures fanatics might be hard-pressed to discover a extra feature-packed flagship.

Clearly, the Xiaomi 14 Extremely is a no-holds-barred flagship smartphone. £1,299 / €1,499 is a good chunk of change for any handset and there are many compelling choices from the largest names within the sport at this worth, and infrequently barely cheaper.

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely ($1419.99 at Amazon): In terms of Ultras, Samsung’s is the sport to beat. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely presents an exquisite construct, long-term software program updates, and swanky new Galaxy AI options that give the dated design a brand new lease of life. The Xiaomi 14 Extremely has a stronger digital camera setup, although, quicker charging, and a extra trendy look. That’s not unhealthy when you think about there’s little or no between the 2’s European costs.
• Google Pixel 8 Professional ($999 at Amazon): We will’t speak about one of the best telephones for pictures with out mentioning Google’s newest and best. The Pixel 8 Professional is broadly thought-about one of the vital constant shooters within the enterprise and comes with AI extras, akin to Video Increase, that aid you benefit from your captures. It’s actually not a {hardware} showcase just like the Xiaomi 14 Extremely, nonetheless, and its triple digital camera setup and video recording choices aren’t fairly as versatile.
• Apple iPhone 15 Professional Max ($1199 at Amazon): If you happen to’re after a gargantuan cellphone and have cash to burn, the iPhone 15 Professional Max sits proper close to the highest of the market. An immaculate construct, blazing quick efficiency, and iOS software program smarts (Xiaomi’s long-running inspiration) are laborious to fault. Nevertheless, the digital camera is nowhere close to in the identical league as Xiaomi’s greatest, although, and the 14 Extremely even presents videographers options you gained’t discover on Apple’s ultra-premium cellphone.