Xiaomi 14 Ultra (16GB + 512GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The Amateur Photographer review highlights the Xiaomi 14 Ultra as a "camera first" device, setting a new benchmark with its one-inch main sensor and stepless variable aperture. It is praised for its Leica-branded color modes, offering a natural, less processed aesthetic compared to rivals. The phone features four 50MP lenses, covering 12mm to 120mm with excellent macro capabilities. Technically robust, the device boasts a versatile lens setup and superior,,, close-up photography, significantly enhanced by the optional, physical Photography Kit, which turns the device into a compact camera. However, the review highlights drawbacks, including a high £1,299 price tag and the bulky, top-heavy design that necessitates two-handed operation. Additionally, the HyperOS interface is criticized for being overbearing, with bloatware and complex user navigation.

The PetaPixel review positions the Xiaomi 14 Ultra as a "camera first, phone second" device, setting a new mobile photography benchmark with its 1-inch main sensor, stepless variable aperture, and consistent quad-lens Leica system. Pros include exceptional RAW image quality, a versatile periscope telephoto lens, and the optional Photography Kit accessory that provides physical controls for a camera-like experience. However, cons include poor handling of direct light sources, significant edge degradation on the ultra-wide lens, and, in some cases, excessive noise in shadows. While boasting a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and a vibrant AMOLED display, the device has limitations, such as the lack of eSIM support in global variants and the inability to use custom styles in 14-bit Ultra RAW mode. The 5,000mAh battery is solid, but the attached Photography Kit grip can cause unexpected battery drain, the review notes. Despite some hit-or-miss AI features, the 14 Ultra is highlighted as a serious, non-gimmicky tool for photography enthusiasts.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a premium camera-centric smartphone featuring a versatile quad 50-megapixel camera system with a Leica variable aperture, capable of producing exceptional, professional-grade images. Key hardware highlights include 90W fast charging and a high-quality display, offering, in expert hands, superior photographic performance to competitors like the iPhone. However, Mashable notes the device suffers from a top-heavy design, inconsistent "point-and-shoot" results without manual adjustment, and underwhelming battery life. Additionally, the phone is plagued with pre-installed bloatware, making it a better fit for enthusiasts than average consumers. Despite its photography prowess, the high cost makes it difficult to recommend over rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for most users.

The Amateur Photographer review highlights the Xiaomi 14 Ultra as a top-tier camera-centric smartphone, featuring a 1-inch main sensor with a stepless variable aperture (f/1.63 to f/4.0) that offers genuine optical control. Key advantages include its "blazingly good" autofocus, exceptional macro capabilities across multiple lenses, and a 3,000-nit, detailed display. Furthermore, the optional Photography Kit transforms the device with a physical shutter button and extra battery power, significantly enhancing the shooting experience. Conversely, the device faces limitations regarding limited global availability and lower brand recognition in certain markets. Performance-wise, users must manage potential blown highlights in bright, direct sunlight. Additionally, the phone features a large, divisive camera bump and commands a high flagship price of approximately £1,299, necessitating a firm commitment to serious mobile photography.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, as reviewed by PhoneArena, is a top-tier camera-focused flagship boasting a 6.73-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display and a premium, balanced build. It features a versatile quad-camera system with a 1-inch main sensor that excels in detail, though the selfie camera is underwhelming. Pros include blazing 90W/80W charging, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and excellent build quality, while cons involve sub-par battery life for daily tasks and a steep learning curve for the HyperOS software.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra stands out with a premium Leica-powered quad-camera system featuring a 50MP main sensor with a 1-inch, stepless variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0), and versatile telephoto/ultrawide lenses. It delivers top-tier performance with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a 6.73-inch 3000-nit LTPO AMOLED display, and fast 90W wired/80W wireless charging. Despite these strengths, the device suffers from below-average battery life, an mediocre selfie camera lacking autofocus, a high €1,500 price point, and potential lens fogging issues.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a photography-focused, "technological marvel" featuring a quad-camera system with four 50-megapixel sensors and a variable aperture Leica lens, producing professional-grade bokeh. While offering top-tier performance with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 90W charging, the device shines with its optional Photography Kit, which adds a physical shutter button and grip. Conversely, the phone is top-heavy, has underwhelming battery life, and requires manual,, "pro" mode adjustments to outperform rivals, making it a niche device with a steep learning curve.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is highlighted as a premium, photography-focused smartphone with a top-tier Leica quad-camera system, including impressive macro and zoom capabilities. It features high-end hardware like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a quality AMOLED display, and fast 90W wired charging, supported by an optional Photography Kit. Downsides include a large camera bump, pre-installed software bloat, shorter OS update commitment, lack of eSIM support, and a high price point, making it best suited for photography enthusiasts despite being potentially the "best camera phone" available.

TechRadar’s review describes the Xiaomi 14 Ultra as potentially the best camera phone available due to its advanced hardware, Leica collaboration, and outstanding photo and video quality. However, its high price, a significant and heavy camera bump design flaw, cluttered HyperOS software with bloatware, and limited availability outside specific regions temper its appeal as a flawless everyday device. The camera system, featuring four 50MP sensors with a main 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor and variable aperture, earned a perfect score in the review and excels in detailed, low-light photography, outperforming rivals in some tests.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra achieved a DXOMARK camera score of 149, ranking as Xiaomi's best-performing phone at the time of testing due to its exceptional tele-zoom and strong video quality. However, the review noted drawbacks including shutter lag, inconsistent automatic variable aperture usage leading to limited depth of field in group portraits, occasional low-light color inaccuracies, and slightly softer textures compared to some competitors. Despite these issues and lesser performance in ultra-wide and bokeh modes, it remains a versatile option, particularly for zoom and Pro mode users.

According to a PetaPixel review, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is designed as a camera-first phone for serious photography enthusiasts, featuring a Leica-engineered quad-camera system with a 1-inch Sony LYT-900 main sensor that offers a variable aperture from f/1.63 to f/4.0. Pros include its ability to produce professional-grade images with excellent detail, especially using Leica profiles, and an optional Photography Kit that enhances tactile camera handling. Cons involve issues with direct light sources, sharpness decline in hybrid zoom beyond 20x, inconsistent AI editing features, and limitations in Pro mode like the inability to use custom Leica styles with 14-bit Ultra RAW. Battery life is also noted as only "OK," particularly under heavy camera use. For more details, visit PetaPixel.

According to a Forbes review, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra excels as a camera phone, featuring Leica-tuned optics, a versatile quad-camera system with a 1-inch main sensor, and superior night photography capabilities. However, the device suffers from notable shutter lag when photographing moving subjects and experienced overheating during extended use in high temperatures. Beyond the cameras, the phone offers a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a 6.73-inch AMOLED display, a 5,000mAh battery with 90W fast charging, but includes disliked notifications within its HyperOS.

T3's review of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra positions it as an exceptional smartphone for photography enthusiasts due to its versatile, co-engineered Leica camera system with a one-inch main sensor and variable aperture, delivering class-leading photo quality and manual controls despite requiring some Pro mode adjustments for optimal results. While the phone boasts a premium design, top-tier performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a vibrant WQHD+ AMOLED display, and fast charging, it faces drawbacks including a high price, lack of eSIM support, bloatware in HyperOS, and a bulky camera bump.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is presented as a flagship device aimed at photography enthusiasts, featuring a 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor with a variable aperture and a Leica-engineered quad 50MP camera array that excels in low light. While it boasts a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a 3,000-nit LTPO AMOLED display, and rapid charging, its design is noted as bulky due to a large camera bump, making one-handed use difficult. Drawbacks include a cluttered HyperOS software with bloatware, average battery life compared to rivals, a high price point, and shorter software support than competitors.

CNET identifies the Xiaomi 14 Ultra as a top choice for mobile photographers due to its 1-inch type main sensor and Leica-engineered optics, offering exceptional detail and dynamic range especially when shooting in RAW format. While it features a high-performance Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and a bright 6.73-inch OLED display, the user experience is hampered by significant preinstalled bloatware. Drawbacks include a high price, lack of US availability, only "good enough" battery life compared to rivals, and shorter software support than competitors.

According to Android Central, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a premier camera phone in 2024, featuring a quad 50MP rear camera system with a 1-inch main sensor and stepless variable aperture for exceptional bokeh and low-light performance. The device boasts a strong hardware build with an IP68 rating, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 16GB RAM, a vibrant 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display, and fast wired and wireless charging capabilities. While praised for its camera and design, the phone's new HyperOS software is criticized for an unintuitive notification pane and bloatware. The review also notes potential overheating issues under stress and points out the high global price and limited availability of the titanium model as drawbacks.