Is The Xiaomi 14 A New Contender In The Flagship Smartphone Market? Here's Our Verdict
Here's our review of Xiaomi's latest flagship smartphone.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 20 Mar 2024, 05:22 PM
The Xiaomi 14 is finally here and we had the opportunity to try the Chinese tech company's latest flagship smartphone for ourselves
As the first smartphone powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and featuring Xiaomi's innovative HyperOS software, this device is touted for its impressive design, hardware and impeccable performance.
However, only the standard variant and the top-of-the-line Ultra model is available in Malaysia. The Xiaomi 14 Pro, remains a China-only exclusive, but things might change — who knows?
SAYS Tech had the opportunity to test out the Xiaomi 14 black edition for two weeks. Is it a serious contender in the competitive flagship smartphone market? Here's what I think about it.
Design-wise, the Xiaomi 14 exudes a premium feel with its sleek aluminium frame and glass back
That said, its substantial camera bump is a sticking point for me as it gives the device a top-heavy feel. But the smartphone more than makes up for it with its comfortable grip and impressive camera (more on this in a bit).
Alas, the glass back is prone to fingerprint smudges, which means you may have to invest in a smartphone case or cover.
The smartphone also comes in three colours: Black, White, and Jade Green.
The Xiaomi 14's 6.36-inch OLED display is a standout feature, but the quality of its speakers left us wanting more
The Xiaomi 14 impressed me with its sharp resolution, vibrant colours, and smooth 120Hz refresh rate. I found it ideal for both content consumption and outdoor use, thanks to its high brightness levels.
However, the audio quality from the stereo speakers, despite being Dolby Atmos-certified, did feel hollow and lacked depth. If you're someone who's a stickler for optimum sound quality, you might want to take note of this.
In terms of performance, the Xiaomi 14 offers a fast and responsive user experience
The credit goes to the smartphone's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which runs on Xiaomi's HyperOS.
While the HyperOS introduces subtle design tweaks, it largely resembles the MIUI, Xiaomi's last-generation mobile operating system.
Gaming performance was solid, although I noticed that the device tends to heat up during extended sessions. Also, the presence of preinstalled bloatware and the occasional bugs may disappoint some picky users.
Despite its modest 4,610mAh battery, the Xiaomi 14 delivers enough power to last an entire day with moderate usage
The inclusion of 90W HyperCharge fast-charging, capable of charging up to 100% in just 31 minutes and 50W HyperCharge wireless charging ensures quick battery top-ups, although power users may find the battery capacity lacking.
The Xiaomi 14 impressed me with its Leica camera setup, making it a good option for shutterbugs
Where the smartphone makes up for it, I believe, is in its partnership with Leica, which offers you the opportunity to capture stunning images with excellent detail and colour accuracy.
The main 50MP camera boasts three Leica lenses: a telephoto lens, and an ultra-wide angle lens, alongside the main lens.
The camera setup is a significant improvement from its predecessors and allows you the opportunity to play with beautiful bokeh effects. Portrait shots and close-ups are gorgeous.
The Xiaomi 14's Leica Summilux optical lens has an 80% increase in light intake compared to previous models.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYSWho is the Xiaomi 14 made for and is it worth the price?
The Xiaomi 14 is priced at RM3,499 for the 12GB + 256GB model, while the 12GB + 512GB will cost you RM3,799.
With competitive pricing, the Xiaomi 14 offers tremendous value compared to its rivals.
Despite minor drawbacks like audio quality and software polish, its premium design, stellar display, powerful performance, and exceptional camera capabilities make it a standout choice in the flagship smartphone market.
For Malaysian consumers seeking a feature-packed Android device without breaking the bank, the Xiaomi 14 is undoubtedly worth considering.
