Xiaomi’s 13 Ultra redefined smartphone photography, but the relentless march of innovation never sleeps. Enter the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the next evolution in mobile imaging. This year’s “Ultra” boasts upgrades that promise to push the boundaries even further. We got our hands on this powerhouse, and here’s a first look at what it has to offer.
Quick Unboxing
Eschewing a dramatic redesign, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra arrives in a familiar black cardboard box. The minimalist presentation features only the Xiaomi logo and a Leica badge in a contrasting red, offering a subtle touch of elegance. Commendably, the internal packaging utilizes recyclable paper materials.
The included accessories comprise a 90W fast charger, consistent with the offering of the previous iteration. A USB-A-to-C cable is provided for compatibility with a wider range of devices. Xiaomi also includes a complimentary translucent polycarbonate snap-on case for immediate protection of the phone. While the case reflects a cost-conscious approach, its presence ensures some level of safeguarding until a more robust solution can be acquired. Notably, the phone itself is reported to boast enhanced durability compared to its predecessor.
Design
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra retains a familiar design language, distinguished by its unibody aluminum frame (now in a stronger 6M42 alloy) that seamlessly integrates with the rear panel.
While the overall form factor echoes its predecessor, the 14 Ultra features a more prominent camera module and a new “nano-tech” vegan leather back touted for exceptional wear resistance.
Xiaomi has also transitioned to its proprietary Xiaomi Shield Glass for the display, claiming a significant improvement in drop resistance.
Notably, the fingerprint sensor remains conveniently positioned for ease of use. The phone retains the industry-standard IP68 water resistance rating as well as the usual ports and buttons.
Display
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra carries over the impressive 6.73-inch, 1440 x 3200 OLED display from its predecessor, offering vibrant colors (12-bit panel with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision), smooth visuals (1-120Hz refresh rate), and excellent contrast. However, Xiaomi boasts a notable upgrade in peak brightness, reaching 3,000 nits for improved outdoor visibility. The display likely retains the 1920Hz PWM dimming and DC dimming combination for user comfort.
Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra embraces a modern design aesthetic with flat edges for a comfortable grip, while retaining subtly curved glass for visual appeal. The 6.73-inch QHD+ OLED display delivers exceptional image quality. Under the hood, the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor ensures peak performance, complemented by Xiaomi’s industry-leading 90W wireless fast charging technology. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers a comprehensive feature set and exceptional performance, making it a strong contender for the title of best cameraphone on the market.
