Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Release date, price, features and reviews

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The smartphone landscape is a battlefield, with established giants like Samsung and Apple constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation. However, a new challenger has emerged, and its name is the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Unveiled at MWC 2024, this flagship smartphone has sent ripples through the industry, particularly with its unveiling of a camera system co-developed with the legendary Leica.

This in-depth guide delves into the key features, specifications, and early impressions of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, helping you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

• Xiaomi 14 Ultra release date
• Xiaomi 14 Ultra price
• Features of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra
• Stellar camera system
• Early impressions and reviews of the 14 Ultra
• Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs. Xiaomi 14
• Pros and Cons

Xiaomi 14 Ultra release date

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra was launched on 25 February but is expected to ship in the UK and Europe on 19 March according to Xiaomi.

It was launched with its smaller sibling, the Xiaomi 14, which also ships at the end of March. At the moment, you can only buy these flagship phones direct from Xiaomi, until the launch event is over on 31 March. After this, you will be able to buy from other sellers, probably including Amazon and Currys.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra price

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is priced at a competitive £1299, this positions it strategically against other high-end Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Addressing a major criticism of its predecessor, Xiaomi is making the 14 Ultra available globally, including key markets like Europe and the UK. This wider availability allows more users to experience the phone’s capabilities.

With this in mind, it is worth pointing out that the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Ultra are already outselling the last iteration of the phone — the Xiaomi 13 series — probably due to its wider availability.

Features of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Powerful performance: The Xiaomi 14 Ultra packs a punch under the hood.

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor: This latest chipset ensures smooth performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
• 16GB RAM and 512GB Storage: This combination offers ample multitasking capabilities and storage space for photos, videos, and apps.

Display and Design: The 14 Ultra boasts a premium design and display

• Unique Design: The phone features a distinctive design with a prominent camera housing and a vegan leather finish, standing out from the crowd.
• Flat OLED Display: The 6.3-inch AMOLED display offers a high resolution, a variable refresh rate for smoother visuals, and peak brightness for excellent outdoor visibility.
• Redesigned Display: Unlike its predecessor, the 14 Ultra features a mostly flat display with minimal curves, improving usability and reducing glare.

Stellar camera system

The highlight of the 14 Ultra is undoubtedly its camera system. Co-developed with Leica, it boasts a quad-lens setup with impressive specifications:

• Main Sensor: A 1-inch LYT-900 sensor with a stepless variable aperture (f/1.63-f/4.0) promises exceptional low-light performance and versatility, potentially placing it among the top camera phones in the market.
• Additional Lenses: The phone features a 12mm ultrawide lens, two telephoto lenses (75mm and 120mm), and support for in-sensor cropping and zoom capabilities.
• Leica Partnership: The collaboration with Leica emphasises colour tuning and traditional photographic aesthetics, catering to photography enthusiasts.
• Video Focus: The 14 Ultra prioritises video capabilities as well, offering 8K video recording across all lenses and a new MasterCinema shooting mode for professional-looking video recording.
• Optional Camera Grip: An optional camera grip accessory enhances camera functionality by providing a physical shutter button, zoom lever, and dedicated video recording button. It also serves as an external battery bank, extending the phone’s life.

Early impressions and reviews of the 14 Ultra

Early reviews paint a positive picture of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, highlighting its impressive camera system, powerful performance, and unique design. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the user interface, as Xiaomi’s HyperOS Android skin deviates significantly from the standard Android experience.

Trusted Reviews suggests that its impressive camera, strong specs, and unique design could make it a top player in 2024’s smartphone market.

According to Stuff, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra camera’s Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant colour modes offer natural and vivid styles.

Whereas, Notebook Checker’s teardown of the phone reveals similarities with the previous Xiaomi 13 Ultra but also highlights component upgrades, such as the Sony Lytia 900 sensor with variable aperture.

https://youtu.be/WxJZOe-IKhQ

Xiaomi 14 Ultra vs. Xiaomi 14

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 are both trailblazers among smartphones, packing a substantial list of features and capabilities. Both devices are powered by Android 14, HyperOS, and offer generous inbuilt storage (256GB/512GB/1TB), but lack a card slot for expandable memory. Their camera resolutions are identical, with a 50MP main camera and a 32MP front camera. Moreover, the CPU and GPU specifications of these phones are identical.

Starting with the larger and more advanced Xiaomi 14 Ultra, released alongside the Xiaomi 14 on February 25, this device tips the scales at up to 229.5g and boasts slightly larger dimensions. Its splendid 6.73-inch screen is enhanced by a significantly higher resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, guaranteeing superior clarity and picture detail. Powered by a potent 5300 mAh battery, it also features a rapid charging system (90W wired/80W wireless) that quickly restores battery life, achieving 100% charge in roughly 35 minutes.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra stands out with a Quad 50 MP system for advanced imaging, alongside special features such as an under-display fingerprint sensor, two-way satellite communication, and an accelerometer. Additionally, it boasts IP68 dust/water resistance and hi-res audio. Pricing for this high-end device begins at £1,299.

In comparison, the Xiaomi 14 is slightly smaller and lighter, with a weight range of 188g to 193g and a 6.36″ screen size. While its resolution is a respectable 1200×2670 pixels, it’s lower than the Ultra version’s. It runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and comes with 8-16GB of RAM. Its power source is a 4610 mAh battery with support for 90W and 50W charging.

Additional features include the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection, and it’s available in an array of colours including Black, White, Jade Green, and Pink. Pricing for the Xiaomi 14 starts at £849 for the 256GB version and £899 for the 512GB version.

Feature	Xiaomi 14 Ultra	Xiaomi 14
Release Date	25 February, 2024	25 February, 2024
Weight	224.4g or 229.5g	188g or 193g
OS	Android 14, HyperOS	Android 14, HyperOS
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB, No Card Slot	256GB/512GB/1TB, No Card Slot
Screen/Resolution	6.73″ / 1440×3200 pixels	6.36″ / 1200×2670 pixels
Main Camera	Quad 50 MP system	50MP
Selfie Camera	32MP	32MP
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM	12/16GB	8-16GB
Battery	5300 mAh, non-removable, 90W wired, 80W wireless charging	4610 mAh, with 90W and 50W charging
SIM	Dual SIM	Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM
Network Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Display Protection	Xiaomi Longjing Glass	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Other Features	LTPO AMOLED Display, Adreno 750 GPU, Connectivity with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, Infrared, Two-way satellite communication, IP68 dust/water resistance	LTPO OLED Display, Adreno 750 GPU, Bluetooth 5.4, No memory card slot
Colours	Black, Blue, White, Titanium Gray	Black, White, Jade Green, Pink

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Outstanding camera system with a 1-inch main sensor and Leica collaboration
• Powerful performance with the latest Snapdragon processor and ample RAM
• Premium design with a unique aesthetic and high-quality materials
• Long battery life with support for fast charging

Cons:

• Non-standard user interface might require adaptation for some users
• Higher price point compared to some competitors

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra emerges as a compelling option for users seeking a top-tier Android smartphone with an exceptional camera system. It boasts impressive specifications, a unique design, and long battery life, making it a strong contender in the flagship smartphone market.

While the user interface might require some adjustment, the overall package offers excellent value for photography enthusiasts and power users seeking a feature-rich smartphone experience.

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