Xiaomi revealed its newest flagship smartphone series, the Xiaomi 14, a day before Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress. While three models debuted in China, global consumers must choose between two devices.
The Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro were originally unveiled in October 2023, marking the debut of the first phones with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. This launch was limited to China, allowing competitors like Samsung and OnePlus the chance to introduce similar flagship performance in other regions. However, Xiaomi’s Lens to Legend event in Barcelona has shifted the landscape slightly.
On 22 February this year, Xiaomi expanded the 14 Series in China by introducing the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Now, this ultra-premium device has launched internationally alongside the standard Xiaomi 14. However, the Xiaomi 14 Pro hasn’t appeared outside of China.
Xiaomi hasn’t officially explained why the 14 Pro isn’t available internationally. However, considering the features of each device and the competition in different markets, it’s clear that the distinctions between the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Ultra strengthen the product line. Unlike last year’s models, the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro this year offer similar camera setups, with both featuring impressive 50MP rear camera sensors.
The 14 Ultra shares the same screen size and resolution as the Pro but adds a fourth rear 50MP camera with greater telephoto reach and an improved main sensor, a feature absent in the standard 14. Despite similar chipset and RAM, the Ultra boasts a larger battery and faster wireless charging.
| Specifications | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Xiaomi 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 4,610mAh |
| Weight | 219.8 grams | 193 grams |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2mm | 152.8 x 71.5 x 8.2mm |
| OS | HyperOS (Android 14) | Xiaomi HyperOS (Android 14) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM | 16GB (LPDDR5X) | 12GB (LPDDR5X) |
| Storage | 512GB (UFS 4.0) | 256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0) |
| Pricing | £1,299 | £849 (256GB), £899 (512GB) |
| Charging | 90W wired, 80W wireless | 90W wired, 50W wireless |
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Jade Green |
| Telephoto camera | 50MP, f/1.8 w/ OIS | 50MP (32MP effective), f/2.0 w/ OIS |
| Front camera | 32MP, f/2.0, 89.6º FoV | 32MP, f/2.0, 89.6º FoV |
| Secondary telephoto | 50MP, f/2.5 w/ OIS | N/A |
| Ultra-wide camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 122º FoV | 50MP, f/2.2, 112º FoV |
| Primary camera | 50MP, f/1.6 to f/4.0 variable aperture, 8P lens w/ OIS | 50MP, f/1.6, 7P lens w/ OIS |
Expanding Beyond the 14 Series
Although there wasn’t a Xiaomi 14 Lite at this year’s international launch (noteworthy since Xiaomi unveiled the 13 Lite last year), the company introduced additional products, including the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4, Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, and Xiaomi Watch S3 and Watch 2.
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro is a formidable iPad competitor, featuring a 12.4-inch 144Hz 3:2 3K display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and seamless integration with other Xiaomi HyperOS devices like the 14 series. Through the Director Mode on the 14 series, you can even use the Pad 6S Pro as a wireless monitor while shooting with the phone’s cameras. Xiaomi also offers a keyboard accessory and the Xiaomi Focus Pen with 8192 pressure sensitivity levels and 240Hz sampling rate for low latency.
With standout features like a 10,000mAh battery supporting 120W fast charging, it sets a new standard, and its pricing (starting at £599 / €699) positions it competitively against rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and the current iPad Air (2022).
