The Xiaomi 14 Ultra captures some of the best photos ever taken by a smartphone, but its features go beyond just photography. While it may not be as polished as its direct competitors, Xiaomi’s ultra-premium handset is a dream for photographers and tech enthusiasts alike.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: At a glance
What is it? The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a top-of-the-line mobile technology offering from one of China’s leading brands, known for its focus on photography and high specifications.
What is the price? The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is priced at £1,299 (~$1,631) / €1,499 for the variant with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, the only option available outside of China.
Where can you buy it? Xiaomi is not releasing its latest flagship in the US, but it will be available in the UK, select European markets, and China. The phone can be purchased from Xiaomi’s Mi store and Amazon.
How did we test it? The Xiaomi 14 Ultra was tested for five days, with a review unit provided by Xiaomi.
Is it worth it? From stunning portraits to impressive low-light photos, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra lives up to its reputation as one of the best camera phones on the market. Along with top-notch specs, a fantastic display, fast performance, and quick charging capabilities, this phone comes at a premium price but delivers exceptional quality for enthusiasts looking for a top-tier device.
With a quad-camera setup, computational photography features, and a multitude of manual controls, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers a comprehensive photography experience. The main 50MP Sony LYT-900 camera, along with additional telephoto and ultrawide lenses, provides versatile shooting options. The camera app offers various profiles and settings, making it suitable for a range of photography styles.
In low-light conditions, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra excels, capturing detailed and vibrant images with excellent exposure and contrast. The telephoto lenses offer versatility for different shooting scenarios, producing impressive results from macro shots to long distances. The phone’s portrait mode shines with natural bokeh effects and accurate skin tones, making it ideal for capturing portraits and selfies.
Despite some minor drawbacks such as distortion from wide apertures and over-the-top portrait mode effects, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra delivers a fantastic camera experience overall. Along with its high-end hardware, including an IP68 rating, AMOLED display, and fast wireless charging, this flagship device competes strongly in the ultra-premium smartphone market.