Excitement is in the air for smartphone photography enthusiasts as Xiaomi unveils its latest offerings – the Xiaomi 14 and the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. These devices, which have just been launched globally, promise to redefine the standards of mobile photography with their advanced features and specifications. Let’s delve into the details of what these smartphones have in store for you.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra: The pinnacle of smartphone innovation
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the showpiece of Xiaomi’s latest lineup, debuted at MWC 2024 and has garnered considerable attention. Although the Xiaomi 14 had its moment when it launched in China, the Ultra model is stealing the spotlight. This flagship smartphone is a powerhouse, boasting the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a massive 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and offers up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. In terms of design, it resembles its predecessor, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, particularly noticeable in the distinctive and sizable circular camera bump on its rear.
The camera setup is where the Xiaomi 14 Ultra truly shines. It features four 50MP cameras from Leica, marking the fruition of Xiaomi’s collaboration with the iconic camera manufacturer. The primary camera has seen a significant upgrade, now equipped with a 50MP Sony LYT-900 sensor and a groundbreaking step-less variable aperture that ranges from f/1.63 to f/4.0, outperforming the previous model’s f/1.9 to f/4.0 range. The lens configuration has also been enhanced from the previous Leica Vario-Summicron to the new Leica Vario-Summilux lens.
Advanced photography capabilities and cooling technology
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra doesn’t just stop at an improved primary camera. It also features a dual telephoto lens setup, which includes a 75mm floating telephoto camera and a 120mm periscope camera. The ultra-wide camera remains a formidable 50MP unit with a 122-degree field view. In a significant advancement for photography enthusiasts, the device now supports 16-bit UltraRAW shots, offering unprecedented detail and colour depth in images. The Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant looks and filters, popular among users, continue to be available in this model.
Xiaomi has innovated with a new Dual-Channel IceLoop liquid cooling system to address the heat generated during intense photography sessions. This system includes a dedicated thermal loop specifically for the cameras, ensuring the device maintains optimal performance even during extended use.
Enhanced battery and charging features
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra maintains a robust 5,000mAh battery capacity. However, Xiaomi has taken wireless charging to the next level by increasing the speed to an impressive 80W, a significant upgrade from the previous 50W. The wired charging speed remains consistent at a rapid 90W. The device also features a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, ensuring fast data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps.
Expectations are high, with the global launch set to reach Singapore on March 8, 2024. While we await more information on local availability and pricing, the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Ultra are already creating a buzz in the smartphone world, promising to bring a new era of mobile photography to consumers worldwide.
