REVIEW: Xiaomi 14T has incredible cameras and raises Xiaomi's potential

O Xiaomi 14t arrived in Brazil in early October 2024 with the proposal of being an affordable premium smartphone, despite having a suggested starting price of R$6. In addition to an elegant design, it stands out for having Leica cameras on its back and front, but its AI features are also interesting. See our review.

Design

With an official weight of 195 grams, the Xiaomi 14t is available in two colors: Titan Grey e Titan Black. Here, we received the black variant, which makes it intimate and elegant at the same time. The model has a more rectangular shape, which helps with everyday grip and also allows you to use it for hours without discomfort.

The grip is very comfortable on a daily basis and the back with a glass with a matte layer prevents the device from slipping if you use the model without the case, which is included in the box. Its audio also fills the entire room where the smartphone is placed, even though it does not support Dolby Atmos.

The protective cover, which isn't the most resistant, may end up covering the entire design, but it's worth sacrificing a bit of beauty for the sake of resistance. Speaking of which, the Xiaomi 14T has an IP68 certification, making it resistant to water, splashes, and dust. This also allows it to be submerged in up to 2 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes.

There are only three buttons: two to change the volume and one more to turn the screen on and off. Charging is done via USB-C connection and there is no 3,5mm headphone jack.

Fabric

Moving on to the screen, the AMOLED type display of the Xiaomi 14t measures 6,67 inches, something close to my everyday smartphone, a realme 12 Pro +. This screen has a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, which I recommend leaving the adaptive setting always activated, especially because the system can identify the necessary amount of hertz and thus brings that battery saving that makes a difference at the end of the day.

Regarding outdoor use, this screen has a peak brightness of 4.000 nits and, despite not having an anti-glare layer, it is great for outdoor use. I am a person who prefers to use apps in dark mode and even when I was outdoors, I had a good experience using WhatsApp, Twitter and even when accessing Showmetech.

There are some AI features on the screen that I will talk about later in this review, but even without them, I use it on a daily basis to watch videos on YouTube was very assertive.

Processor

A Xiaomi chose to place the processor Mediatek Dimensity 8300-Ultra with four-nanometer architecture, aimed precisely at premium smartphones that reaches overclocking of up to 3,20 GHz and has a generative AI NPU that was well used by Xiaomi.

This processor is capable of handling even the most demanding users: even when I had several applications open at the same time, I didn't experience any performance issues or crashes. Half an hour after playing Asphalt 9, I noticed the device heating up slightly, but of course this was expected, especially since the game was running at maximum performance.

Moving on to Benchmark testing, the Mediatek Dimensity 8300-Ultra It scored 1319 points in Single Core and 4009 points in the Multi-Core test. This puts it above only the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but the model still falls short of the standard Galaxy S22.

However, when it is placed to run several activities simultaneously, the Xiaomi 14t ended up beating the standard Galaxy S22, but fell below the Xiaomi Poco F5, which even has a processor aimed at mid-range smartphones.

In everyday use, you'll have access to a very complete processor that will handle a variety of tasks, even if it's running many at the same time. It's interesting to note that, despite achieving lower scores than premium smartphones from previous years, it still delivered the same high-quality performance seen in these models.

System and interface

A Xiaomi took advantage of his new smartphone to debut the HyperOS 2.0, based on Android 14. I really like interfaces from Chinese companies, especially because companies like realme and Oppo have done a very assertive job. But that's not what happened with the OS from Xiaomi.

Starting with the notifications/functions bar, you have the option to see only one of them when you lower the bar, and you have to choose through the settings or see the notifications. Many companies choose to leave all of this on the same screen and here, there is no need to reinvent the wheel or change a winning team. To make the change, you need to swipe down or to the side of the screen and this will not always work.

The Settings menu is also a bit more organized, making everything much easier to use on a daily basis. The AI ​​features are well integrated into the operating system and everything works very well. However, it took me almost two days to get used to using this notification bar and having it use similar to what I use on my everyday smartphone.

A Xiaomi Samsung promises four years of OS updates for this model, which means it will get up to Android 18. And there are an additional five years of security updates sent to all buyers. That's still not as good as Samsung's latest models, which will get updates for seven years, but it's still better than the Motorola, which offers three years.

Artificial Intelligence

I have a habit of saying that the Samsung shook up the smartphone market by launching the Galaxy AI earlier this year and companies like Apple, Motorola and now Xiaomi had to run after it.

I tested two models with Galaxy AI this year (the Galaxy z flip6 and the Galaxy S24FE), plus two devices with Moto AI (Moto Edge 50 Ultra e Moto Razr 50 Ultra), so there is no way not to compare the previous experience when using the Xiaomi 14T.

starting with Circle To Search or Circle to Search, this is one of the great successes of Xiaomi on this device. The ability to not have to take a screenshot and then activate Google Lens in Google Photos saves time and helps a lot in everyday life. The model also supports Google Gemini natively.

Xiaomi also took advantage of the processor with generative AI to put some native functions: the notepad Xiaomi 14t can make summaries, create texts through simple commands and also organize ideas, all natively and quite assertively. But it is worth remembering that it is necessary to download the AI ​​plugin and have an internet connection.

The Gallery also has three features: AI Expansion creates scenarios based on a photo and has mixed results: sometimes it gets it right, but sometimes it gets things wrong. A system update could make this better.

O Erase with AI Pro It also comes close to what Samsung's AI does, but it still needs some improvement. There have been situations where an object simply cannot be erased from a photo and it basically tells us to be content with that. Check it out below:

But when it does recognize items, AI Erase Pro does its job masterfully. It's important to understand that it won't always get it right, but it can be a good editing tool for everyday use. An update that allows it to recognize more items would make the user experience even more interesting.

And there is also the AI Movie, which is basically a “Xiaomi CapCut” integrated into the gallery. You select some photos and videos, send a text command and wait for a result. I liked that, even after the AI ​​editing is done, you can change the aspect ratio of the videos so that they can be posted without cropping on different social networks.

And there are also templates that include transitions and copyright-free music. But there was no tool to turn normal-speed videos into slow motion, something seen on Samsung smartphones and tablets.

Xiaomi also promised that Voice Recorder has a transcription feature, but I was unable to use the functionality, even though the app was updated. Who knows, maybe this will be released in the future.

Communication tools are also available: there's an AI interpreter tool that the Chinese company says can help people who speak different languages. Finally, there's AI Captioning, which promises to perform real-time translated transcription, but that wasn't available at the time of this review.

Digging deeper into the settings, I found some interesting features for those who like to consume content, which Xiaomi calls AI Image Engine. It can enhance videos, increase HDR and also include additional frames in videos for a better visual experience.

That said, you can see that the Xiaomi understood that artificial intelligence resources necessarily need to add value to the daily lives of its users. I had better use of the functions in relation to the Moto AI, but it is still not better than the Galaxy AI.

A major update could put Samsung and Xiaomi's options head-to-head, so the future looks bright.

Memory and storage

Xiaomi didn't skimp when it came to storage: there's 512 GB of internal storage and 12 GB of RAM, which is more than enough for many types of users. The company also provides an additional 6 GB of virtual RAM for even more performance in everyday use.

Connectivity

With support for 5G networks, it will be possible to use up to two YES of the nano type on the device, but it also supports the activation of eSIMs. It will also be possible to connect to Wi-Fi 6E points.

The Bluetooth antenna follows the 5.4 standard and will allow connection to headphones with Hi-Res resolution and high range. All the most advanced available here.

Accessories

Xiaomi has prepared a very complete kit in the box. Check it out:

• 67W charger
• USB-C cable
• protective cape
• Instruction manual
• Chip tray opening key
• Screen film (already applied)

Battery and charging

The model we received has a 5.000 mAh battery. When I reviewed the Xiaomi 14T for two weeks and took it off the charger around 09 am, I only needed to recharge the Xiaomi 14T when I went to bed, around 01 am. I used it for a whole day without any problems.

Charging via the 67W power brick provided in the box took just 45 minutes to complete. I really like this for situations where I need to leave the house and want to have my smartphone with a full battery.

However, there is a lack of optimizations: even with the screen off, the battery consumption for about eight hours, when I did not put the model to recharge, there was a loss of 15%. This with the smartphone only connected to Wi-Fi and receiving notifications.

A possible update could be a lifesaver for times when, even when it is idle and with energy saving disabled, energy consumption is not so high.

Cameras

We come to the big attraction. The 50 MP main lens with aperture f / 1.7 It’s a Leica Summilux (via the Sony IMX906 IMX sensor developed in partnership with the two companies) that delivers vibrant colors and exceptional detail, even in low light. A 50MP telephoto lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens, both made by Leica, round out the game on the back.

During the launch event, the Leica-branded nighttime content capture was heavily highlighted. And I understood this when I tested it, both with my dog ​​and when taking photos of buildings at night with my smartphone with Leica cameras.

The main lens managed to capture great details even in low light conditions. And the high resolution mode arrives to make everything with even higher quality. Check out some photos of the Xiaomi 14T in low light:

The telephoto lens also performed well during testing and the optical zoom of up to 4x delivers great results. The photo below was taken at 2x, but it can also reach up to 20x using digital zoom.

Finally, there is the ultrawide lens, which achieves great captures using a wider field of view. I highlight here the excellent HDR correction in post-processing, providing improvements in contrast and stronger tones.

In addition to the Leica quality, there are two modes that stand out for making photos even better: Vibrant and Authentic. The first one gives even greater emphasis to colors, while the second one preserves the “raw” capture. This is interesting to have because, if you are a person who likes to post a lot of content on social media, you will certainly have great tools to be successful.

Speaking of the front lens, also developed by Xiaomi in partnership with Leica, it takes photos in 32 MP, being of the wide type with aperture f / 2.0 with focal length equivalent to 25 mm.

I really like photos with a blurred background and it's worth mentioning the excellent detail capture of selfies that, even when zoomed in, look excellent. You can also remove or increase the background blur in the photo as soon as you access the gallery.

In addition to taking photos with a blurred background, the front lens can record videos in 4K quality at 30 frames per second, for the first time in the Xiaomi line. The same quality can also be seen on the rear lenses, complemented by the possibility of recording slow-motion videos with up to 960 frames per second.

Content capture can be complemented with special modes. The one called Short Video which allows you to use effects (which need to be downloaded) in up to a minute, so you can send them directly to your Stories or horizontal Instagram videos, but 4K quality cannot be used here, so you need to choose between 1080p (FHD) or 720p (HD).

There is also a dual recording mode that allows the front and rear cameras to work simultaneously. It is that addition that can make a difference in your day-to-day life and is good to have on a daily basis.

By far, the Xiaomi 14T has one of the best camera sets available on the Brazilian market. The capture of details, both in photos and videos, using Leica's expertise, was extremely successful. You can see that every detail was thought out with a focus on adding value to the user's daily life. And, at the end of the day, that's what matters.

Price and availability

O Xiaomi 14t arrived in Brazil with a suggested price of R$5.999. While this review was closed, the model could be found in the following stores:

• R $ 5.298 on Pix via Magalu (global version)
• R$ 3.940 na Amazon
• R$ 3.888 No. Mercado Livre

Looking at the options on the Brazilian market, the model is the competitor of the Galaxy S24+ and the Moto Edge 50 Ultra, already costing a little cheaper even after about a month since its official launch in Brazil.

Conclusion

I come to the end of the Xiaomi 14T review with the thought that the device is one of the best smartphones of the year. Its camera system captures great photos and videos through Leica's expertise.

It's worth noting that it's not perfect: it would be quite interesting to see more AI features, but Xiaomi did its homework and delivered a first version of its artificial intelligence platform that already brings that change to everyday life.

The model's battery also needs optimizations so that the energy consumption in idle mode is not so high. These are small points that will make the device even better.

As for the price, it's definitely not worth R$5.999, but we all know that smartphones drop in price a lot over time. I'd say that the price of R$3.500 is more in line with what it delivers, especially considering that models like the Galaxy S24 FE and Moto Edge 50 Ultra should reach this price range in the coming months.

The purchase recommendation is showmetech at a time of more promotions.

Technical specifications

Mark	Xiaomi
Model	Xiaomi 14t
Colors	Titan Gray and Titan Black
Fabric	Next-gen 144Hz AI display Material: AMOLED Resolution: 2.712 x 1.220, 446 ppi Refresh rate: Up to 144Hz Touch sampling rate: Up to 480 Hz Color Gamut: DCI-P3 Color Depth: 68 billion colors Peak brightness: 4.000 nits Dimming: Up to 3.840 PWM Dark mode Automatic brightness TrueColor Display Original Color Pro Adaptive colors reading mode Pro HDR Display AI Image Engine HDR10 + Dolby Vision Flicker-free, certified by TÜV Rheinland Circadian-friendly certified by TÜV Rheinland
Shot Put	195 grams
Camera	Leica main camera 50 MP Sony IMX906 image sensor 4-in-1 Super Pixel 2,0μmƒ/1,7OIS Focal length equivalent to 23 mm Leica telephoto camera 50 MPƒ/1,9 Focal length equivalent to 50 mm Leica ultra wide-angle camera 12 MP f/2.2 Focal length equivalent to 15 mm FOV 120º Rear Camera Photography Features Two Leica photographic styles (Leica Authentic, Leica Vibrant) Leica FiltersClassic Leica shutter sound Leica watermark Master Lens System (35mm Documentary Lens, 50mm Spiral Bokeh Lens, 75mm Portrait Lens, and 90mm Soft Focus Lens) Xiaomi ProFocus (Motion Tracking Focus, Eye Tracking Focus and Motion Capture) Xiaomi ProCutLightning shot Night mode (wide/ultra-wide/telephoto) Portrait mode (Leica portrait style, master portrait style) Digital zoom up to 20x HDR in 50 MP Mode (wide/telephoto) AI Camera Panorama Slow motion Long exposure Documents Pro mode Captured image formats: DNG, HEIF, JPEGRAW mode Rear Camera Video Features FilmMaster Mode Cinema HDR10+ video recording ShootSteady Short video Dual Video Time-lapse Ultra Night Videos Director Mode Professional video mode Video record format Video recording with the rear camera 4K (3.840 x 2.160) video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps 1080p HD video recording (1.920 x 1.080) at 30 fps, 60 fps 720p HD video recording (1.280 x 720) at 30 fpsSlow-motion video: 720p 120 fps, 240 fps, 960 fps 1080p 120 fps, 240 fps, 960 fps
Frontal camera	32MP in-display selfie camera 32 MPƒ/2,080,8˚FOV Front Camera Photography Features Night ModeHDR Portrait mode Gesture shutter Voice Shutter Scheduled firing Selfie TimerScreen Flashlight HDR10+ video recording Front Camera Video Features Video Teleprompter Slow motion selfie Selfie time-lapse Video recording with the front camera 4K (3.840 x 2.160) video recording at 30 fps 1080p HD video recording (1.920 x 1.080) at 30 fps, 60 fps 720p HD video recording (1.280 x 720) at 30 fps
Processor	MediaTek Dimension 8300-Ultra CPU: 1x Cortex-A715, up to 3,35Ghz3x Cortex-A715, up to 3,2Ghz4x Cortex-A510, up to 2,2GHz GPU: Arm Mali-G615 MC6 AI: MediaTek NPU 780
AI resources	Circle to Search with Google Google Gemini AI Interpreter AI Annotations AI Recorder AI Captions AI Movie AI Image Editing Portrait with AI
Memory and Storage	12 GB + 512 GB
Battery	Capacity: 5.000 mAh 67W fast charging Compatible with PD3.0, PD2.0 and Mi-FC 2.0 USB Type-C charging port
Operating System (OS)	Android 14 via HyperOS
Network and Connectivity	5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v5.4 Requires optimal 5G network connection
Water Resistance	IP68 Rating: Water resistant in up to 1,5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes and protected against dust, dirt and sand.
Price	R$5.298 on Pix via Magalu (global version) R$ 3.940 at Amazon R$ 3.888 in the Free Market
Availability in Brazil	As of October 02, 2024

See also other features

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How to restore Xiaomi cell phone to factory defaults (Hard Reset/Factory Reset)

Text proofread by: Daniel Coutinho in 08 / 11 / 2024