The Xiaomi 14 might very properly be the form of cellphone most ought to expertise, partly as a result of it brings the Leica camera hardware and software to the fore. Beforehand, Xiaomi solely included all Leica options in its Professional or Extremely fashions, however has now achieved it for this, the smallest of the bunch. This time, the 14 Professional is a Chinese language market unique, leaving the 14 and 14 Extremely as the 2 world choices.
A cellphone with a 6.3-inch OLED show doesn’t sound “small,” but the Xiaomi 14 feels prefer it belongs in a more recent class of what will be thought of extra compact units. Consider the Samsung Galaxy S24, Google Pixel 8, or iPhone 15 in the identical vein. The distinction is Xiaomi desires this cellphone to face out as the most effective in its class for cellular pictures and past.
Design and Construct
I by no means obtained to strive the Xiaomi 13, having targeted extra on the 13 Professional, however the shift on this cellphone is a big transfer for a few causes. Often, smaller telephones include compromises within the rear digital camera array and different {hardware} parts, so Xiaomi made some thrilling modifications to deal with that with this cellphone.
The Xiaomi 14 is similar to its predecessor in look and measurement. The 14 is similar measurement and weight with a barely higher OLED panel (2670 x 1200) that can also be flat.
Essentially the most important change comes from the digital camera array, which is analogous to the one the corporate geared up within the 13 Professional, save for a distinct picture sensor and lenses. The massive bump housing the module within the again is outstanding, as are the fingerprints you inevitably get with the shiny end for the white or jade inexperienced variants (the black one has a matte end). Fortunately, Xiaomi features a silicone case within the field to guard the machine.
The Xiaomi 14 stretches the parameters of what will be thought of a compact or smaller cellphone, but it surely’s nonetheless smaller than flagships are typically. Very similar to the way it falls someplace within the center in measurement, it additionally does in worth, making this cellphone a novel proposition in additional methods than one. To sweeten the deal, Xiaomi equips the cellphone with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor — a flagship chipset — and begins at 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which you’ll be able to improve to 512 GB.
Digicam Options
It’s in all probability not stunning Xiaomi selected to improve the cameras this fashion, particularly since the more affordable Xiaomi 13T and 13T Pro already obtained the Leica remedy in 2023. The Xiaomi 14 is a carryover from the 13 Extremely and solely makes use of a 50-megapixel OmniVision OVX9000 picture sensor (23mm equal), what Xiaomi and Leica name Mild Fusion 900 as a result of it was purportedly made only for this cellphone. It’s obtained a Kind 1 sensor measuring 1/1.31 inches with an f/1.6 aperture, phase-detection autofocus, and optical picture stabilization (OIS). By default, this digital camera captures 12.5-megapixel photographs through pixel binning, however you possibly can take full-resolution 50-megapixel pictures utilizing the 50MP mode or RAW in Professional mode.
Each the telephoto and ultra-wide lenses are 50-megapixel sensors. The telephoto is a 75mm equal with an f/2.2 aperture, whereas the ultra-wide is a 14mm equal with a 122-degree discipline of view and f/2.0 aperture. They maintain the Samsung Isocell JN1 sensors used within the 13 Professional, optical picture stabilization, and dual-pixel section detection autofocus.
What’s completely different throughout the board is that each one three lenses are Leica Summilux reasonably than Summicron glass. The coating can also be completely different, particularly in comparison with the earlier 13T fashions, which struggled with lens flare underneath sure circumstances. As well as, Xiaomi claims its imaging engine applies equally throughout all three rear cameras, so tonality, white steadiness, and colour ought to seem constant.
Software program Options
By now, Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica has confirmed its value. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless good to see neither firm reducing corners on software program regardless of the Xiaomi 14 not having a “Professional” or “Extremely” moniker hooked up to it. The Leica Genuine and Vibrant types are the premise for the default look and apply to most obtainable modes. Professional and 50MP modes are outliers as a result of they’ll solely shoot in Vibrant. We’re ready to listen to from Xiaomi about why that’s the case.
In most cases, manufacturers pare down their digital camera options for his or her smaller flagships. The Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 are good examples as a result of they’re lacking choices their Extremely or Professional counterparts are likely to have. The Xiaomi 14 could also be lacking the variable aperture its Professional and Extremely siblings have, however for nonetheless photographs, it’s very a lot the identical software program bundle.
That additionally goes for the in depth enhancing suite Xiaomi has been quietly bettering with every iteration. One among my favourite options inside it’s the capability to use any one of many Leica filters to a photograph afterward within the Gallery app. Whereas that doesn’t imply you possibly can merely change from Genuine to Vibrant (or vice versa), you might have options in Leica Vivid and Pure emulating their respective tonalities. Different movie simulations and distinctive filters spherical out an in depth record, a number of of that are fascinating to strive.
Picture High quality
Fundamental Digicam
Pretty much as good because the dynamic vary usually is with the Xiaomi 14, it’s not as efficient with highlights, the place outcomes can generally dangerously flirt with clipping. I seen this whereas additionally testing the Vivo X100 Pro on the identical time, which proved more proficient at dealing with brighter highlights. That is about how the software program stacks and renders photographs, primarily as a result of it applies to different Xiaomi telephones. Nonetheless, there’s an inclination to extend brightness and cut back distinction with each picture. Therefore, it’s worthwhile to regulate the publicity slider first. I don’t need to disparage the machine an excessive amount of when it could seize such spectacular photographs; it simply seems like a practical level that Xiaomi and Leica ought to work on.
The 14 proves a reliable shooter able to capturing just about any scene with good dynamic vary, whether or not in broad daylight or low-light ambiance. Evening mode is offered throughout the common Picture mode, although I’m undecided the 2 aren’t only one and the identical at this level. HDR is elective always throughout the interface. As regular, each Leica Genuine and Vibrant produce good outcomes, however the filters are additionally value experimenting with to see what sort of compositions you possibly can develop.
Photographs come out the way in which you see them as stay previews within the interface. That is all of the extra motive to regulate publicity and pull out some element within the highlights since this cellphone affords extra flexibility within the shadows. What impresses me additional is how properly photographs reply to edits within the Gallery and on apps like Lightroom.
Telephoto and Extremely-Large
The Xiaomi 14 has a 2x zoom as a crop of the principle sensor and a 3.2x optical zoom for the telephoto lens itself. The latter is value utilizing extra usually, primarily as a result of photographs come out sharper with tones and colours matching what you get with the principle lens. The telephoto lens additionally performs an important function within the numerous focal equivalents obtainable in Portrait mode. Tremendous Macro can also be energetic in all three lenses, together with telephoto, which is handy for getting near a topic with out casting a shadow over it. Xiaomi turns off HDR robotically when going into macro, however you may also use the Leica profiles or filters.
This is likely one of the higher telephoto lenses I’ve used, notably for various circumstances. Even low-light photographs retain sharp element and noise discount, solely including confidence in utilizing the lens to get nearer. I don’t know that they appear significantly better than the Xiaomi 13 Professional, however a slight enchancment is straightforward to understand when the outcomes have been already good anyway.
It’s the same story with the ultra-wide digital camera, the place particulars and colours look good most often. Dynamic vary is a extra important problem with this lens over others, particularly in high-contrast scenes with a mixture of darker shadows and brighter highlights. A superb instance is the picture of the cathedral roof, which I captured by putting the cellphone facedown on the ground on a timer. I attempted adjusting publicity a number of occasions to gauge outcomes, however ultimately, the most suitable choice was to shoot in RAW and cope with the steadiness in submit, which is why it appears the way in which it does right here.
Portrait Mode
The Xiaomi 14 doesn’t have the variable aperture the Professional and Extremely have, however as all the time, you possibly can select how a lot bokeh you need (between f/1 and f/16) both earlier than or after you’ve snapped the picture. That additionally applies no matter which focal size you need. You possibly can redo the bokeh as many occasions as you need, and if you’re achieved, you need to use any edits or filters you need non-destructively by simply saving it as a replica.
Particular Modes and Enhancing Instruments
Xiaomi affords loads of instruments, and Lengthy Publicity continues to be the most effective of the bunch for me. I’d wish to see extra granular management over capturing the scene, together with an possibility for tripods that may ramp down among the results, particularly in Transferring Crowd, Neon Trails, and Mild Portray.
Not like the 14 Extremely, there is no such thing as a Fastshot mode to seize quick motion, so you must get inventive with the 14, both through the use of the Professional mode to set the shutter and ISO you need or attempting Movement monitoring focus within the settings to remain on a topic. It’s alright, however as a result of it’s based mostly on face detection, it could lose focus rapidly when somebody turns, or one thing will get in the way in which. Doing this in Picture mode allows you to shoot in burst, however you possibly can’t try this in Professional or 50MP, so if you wish to freeze motion with the very best attainable decision, you’ll need to rely by yourself fast hand-eye coordination.
Professional and 50MP
It’s all the time a pleasure to seize photographs in RAW at full decision, and that’s no exception right here. It’s a function you primarily discover in bigger flagships, save for just a few smaller ones. Xiaomi affords each 10-bit and 14-bit RAW choices, each of which work on the full 50-megapixel decision. Set the guide controls, and off you go. As I discussed, RAW defaults to Leica Vibrant, ostensibly as a result of a RAW picture is already nearer to Genuine, however Xiaomi nonetheless has to clarify its reasoning. You might select the Leica Pure filter for those who don’t need the identical colour saturation, however even for those who forgot or uncared for to do it, it’s a straightforward repair within the Gallery app editor afterward.
I routinely used Professional and the 50MP mode simply to get the additional particulars and to deal with any distinction points, and I used to be impressed at how properly 50MP JPEGs responded to edits in Lightroom. Xiaomi additionally properly consists of data on what all of the guide controls do and why customers might need to use them. For these studying as they go, it’s a useful useful resource and reminder of what the cellphone can do. Issues like focus peaking, publicity verification, and histogram aren’t on by default, and the flexibility to separate focus from publicity metering is a kind of issues that even seasoned cellular photographers overlook to do.
Video Options
I didn’t spend as a lot time trying out the video options, given the main focus was on nonetheless photographs, however Xiaomi is prioritizing footage simply as a lot. The 14 Extremely takes the most important strides, whereas the 14 takes good steps ahead. You possibly can shoot in the identical 4K and 1080p resolutions at 24, 30, or 60fps. For 8K, you’re nonetheless restricted to 24fps. Curiously, the common Video mode doesn’t allow you to select between the Leica types, although it does offer you entry to all of the filters obtainable. Movement monitoring focus works in video the identical method it does for stills. Teleprompter additionally returns, letting you run a script onscreen to learn as you shoot video with the 32-megapixel entrance digital camera or whereas narrating a scene you’re recording off-camera.
Director mode is cool as a result of it allows you to join a number of Xiaomi telephones collectively to seize a scene from completely different angles. I didn’t get to completely check it out, so I don’t know the way efficient it may be. Both method, you will want a very good 5GHz Wi-Fi community to attach all of the parts to allow them to talk with the grasp machine.
Onerous to Beat in Measurement
The Xiaomi 14 packs a digital camera bundle that’s arduous to beat for its measurement. That’s a relative level, in fact, however the gist is that this cellphone is very able to outdoing essentially the most established manufacturers frequent in North America. If I have been handed a Galaxy S24, Pixel 8, iPhone 15 Professional, or Xiaomi 14 to exit and take photographs for a day, I’d select this cellphone just because it’s simply as simple to pocket, doesn’t take away many options, and is very versatile.
There’s simply one thing in regards to the Leica flavoring in Xiaomi’s cameras that makes them stand out. I’m nonetheless not loopy in regards to the Xiaomi Hyper OS and would gladly select inventory Android over what’s included right here, but it surely’s arduous to place the 14 away as a dependable digital camera.
Are There Options?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the smallest of the S24 flagship trio and is similar as the center baby Galaxy S24+. Being the child of the household means Samsung cuts out sure options and makes use of completely different picture sensors that may’t match what Xiaomi can do. Google neutered the Pixel 8 in a lot the identical method, excluding the guide controls from the digital camera, although software program computation is in any other case the identical in comparison with the Professional mannequin. Apple hasn’t left a lot out from the iPhone 15 Professional, so there is no such thing as a fault there, however the digital camera app is comparatively quick on controls and choices.
Ought to You Purchase It?
Sure, as a result of it is likely one of the greatest “small” cellphone cameras. Pricing might hover in and across the $900-$1,000 USD mark to start out, and whereas powerful to seek out proper now, that may doubtless change within the coming months from on-line retailers completely happy to ship to North America.
