Xiaomi 14T Pro review
The Xiaomi 14T Pro is the latest flagship from the company, building upon the success of its predecessor. This device boasts significant improvements in several areas, including photography, display, and performance. The camera setup has been upgraded with a new main camera featuring a 50-megapixel sensor, accompanied by a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 2.6 times zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. The results are impressive, with excellent sharpness, dynamic range, and color accuracy in both bright and low-light conditions. The display has also seen an upgrade, featuring a brighter OLED panel with a peak brightness of over 1,200 nits. This, combined with support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision video playback, makes it one of the most impressive displays on a Xiaomi device to date. Performance-wise, the 14T Pro is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 9300 Plus chipset, which delivers top-notch CPU performance and respectable graphics capabilities. However, thermal management could be improved, as we observed significant throttling during prolonged stress tests. The battery life is solid, with an overall active viewing time of around 12 hours and 32 minutes in our tests. Wireless charging has been upgraded to 50W fast wireless charging, making it a convenient feature for users. The phone's design has also undergone some changes, featuring a glass back with a matte metallic finish that curves into a matching colored aluminum frame. Overall, the Xiaomi 14T Pro is an excellent device that offers great cameras, top-notch performance, and a bright display, but its high price tag might make it less appealing to buyers until it settles down.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi 14T Pro's build quality and design have undergone notable changes compared to its predecessor. The phone now boasts a glass back with a matte metallic finish that curves into a matching colored aluminum frame, lending an elegant and unified metallic look. Smudges are no longer an issue with this finish, offering IP68-rated ingress protection against water submersion and dust. The design change marks a departure from the vegan leather option of last year's model. The glass back provides a premium feel, while the matte finish helps to prevent fingerprints. However, it's worth noting that this change in design may not appeal to fans of the previous aesthetic. One significant upgrade is the brightness of the screen, which now reaches over 560 nits with the manual slider and can boost to over 750 nits with sunlight mode. While not as bright as some other flagships on the market, it's still a notable improvement from last year's model. The camera housing also matches the colored aluminum frame, creating a cohesive look that exudes quality. The phone's dimensions remain unchanged, ensuring a comfortable fit in most hands. Overall, the Xiaomi 14T Pro's build quality and design have taken a step forward, offering a more premium feel while maintaining the same level of functionality as its predecessor. The glass back provides a solid foundation for the phone's other features, including the new main camera and selfie cam, which are discussed in separate sections. However, it's clear that the 14T Pro's design has been tweaked to better compete with other high-end devices on the market.
Battery Life
Battery Life: The battery life of the Xiaomi 14T Pro is solid, with an overall active view score of 12 hours and 32 minutes in our tests. This is a bit of an improvement over last year's 13T Pro. The phone features a 5,000mAh battery, which should provide ample power for most users. One notable change this year is the charging speed. Xiaomi has finally joined the trend by providing a proper 120W charger in the box. We were able to charge the phone from 0 to 74% in just 15 minutes, and a full charge took only 23 minutes. This is even faster than last year's model. Another new development this year is support for 50W fast wireless charging. While not as quick as the wired charger, it's still a convenient feature that can quickly top up the battery when you're in a hurry. In our testing, we found that the battery life was consistent and reliable, with minimal drain even when using demanding features like the camera or gaming apps. However, we did notice some thermal throttling during prolonged stress tests, which may affect battery performance in extreme scenarios. Nevertheless, overall, the Xiaomi 14T Pro's battery life is a major plus, making it an excellent choice for users who want a reliable and long-lasting device.
Display
The Xiaomi 14t Pro boasts an impressive display that sets the tone for its premium status. The high-end phone's screen is now brighter than ever, with a maximum output of over 560 nits in manual mode and up to 1,200 nits with automatic brightness. This is indeed a significant upgrade from last year's model. While not quite as bright as some other flagships on the market, the Xiaomi 14t Pro's display still delivers excellent visuals. With its OLED panel and 1220p resolution, colors are rich and vivid, making it an ideal choice for multimedia enthusiasts. The addition of a sunlight mode can boost brightness to over 750 nits, further enhancing the viewing experience. The screen also features a 144Hz refresh rate, which is only utilized by compatible apps and games. This results in smooth scrolling and swiping experiences when using supported content. Although not an LTPo (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline) screen, the Xiaomi 14t Pro's display will still dial down to 60Hz when idling, conserving energy. In terms of design, the phone features a sleek glass back with a matte metallic finish that curves into a matching colored aluminum frame. The camera housing is also made from the same material, creating an elegant and unified look. This design element not only adds visual appeal but also provides smudge resistance, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning. The Xiaomi 14t Pro's display may not be the most impressive on the market, but it still offers exceptional performance and visual quality. Its improved brightness and rich colors make it a great choice for anyone seeking an excellent multimedia experience from their smartphone.
Camera
The camera department is where the Xiaomi 14T Pro truly shines. This flagship device boasts a new 50-megapixel main camera, which takes impressive photos during the day. The colors are pleasant, with good dynamic range and sharpness that's hard to find in most mid-range devices. In addition to the primary camera, there's a 50-megapixel telephoto lens that offers up to 2.6 times optical zoom. This feature is particularly useful for capturing distant subjects or scenes without needing to physically move closer. The results are impressive, with excellent sharpness and definition. However, it's worth noting that this camera struggles with focusing on nearby subjects. The Leica Authentic mode provides a stylistic result with a darker exposure, some vignetting, and less saturated colors. It's not the most natural-looking mode, but it does offer an interesting aesthetic for those who want to experiment. Two times digital zoom from the main camera is decent, with enough detail and definition to be usable. At night, the main camera takes excellent photos, with great dynamic range, well-developed shadows, and preserved highlights. Colors are hard default, and the level of detail is impressive. The telephoto lens also delivers good results in low light conditions but can struggle with excessive contrast and harsh tonal extremes. The ultra-wide camera produces solid photos with decent sharpness, a wide dynamic range, and pleasing colors. However, it lacks autofocus, which limits its use in bright light. Despite this, the ultra-wide's ability to expose well and capture good dynamic range makes it useful for specific situations. Lastly, the 32-megapixel front-facing camera is decent but hardly exceptional. Selfies lack detail, and excessive sharpening detracts from their overall quality. Autofocus is also missing, putting it behind other flagships in this regard.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi 14T Pro is a powerhouse device that checks all the right boxes when it comes to performance, cameras, and features. However, its price tag raises some concerns about its value. At its current launch price, the 14T Pro aligns itself with the pricing of established flagship competitors. This makes it difficult for the phone to stand out in a crowded market where consumers are already spoiled for choice. While the device's impressive specs sheet and camera performance are undeniable, the question remains whether it justifies the premium price point. With some proven flagships offering similar or even better features at comparable prices, the 14T Pro struggles to justify its cost. The 14T Pro's bright OLED display, fast charging capabilities, and powerful Mediatek Dimensity 9300 Plus chipset are undeniably impressive. However, these features come with a price tag that may be too high for some users. In its current form, the Xiaomi 14T Pro is best suited for those who can get an early bird discount or wait until the price settles down. Until then, it's a tough sell to recommend this phone at its current price point. While we like the Xiaomi 14T Pro's performance and camera capabilities, we cannot in good conscience recommend it at its current price. If you're in the market for a new smartphone, consider alternatives that offer similar features at more competitive prices. Only when the price drops or an early bird discount becomes available will the 14T Pro become a compelling choice for those seeking a top-notch Android experience.
Performance
The Xiaomi 14T Pro is a powerhouse of a device, boasting impressive performance that's sure to satisfy even the most demanding users. The new Mediatech Dimensity 9300+ chipset takes center stage, providing a significant boost in CPU and GPU performance compared to its predecessor. In benchmarks, the 14T Pro consistently tops the charts, demonstrating exceptional raw power for gaming and other resource-intensive tasks. However, thermal management is an area where it falls short, with pronounced thermal throttling during prolonged stress tests. This results in the device becoming quite hot, a noticeable difference from last year's 13T Pro. Despite this, real-world gaming sessions remain smooth, with no issues detected. The phone also manages to deliver solid battery life, with an overall active time score of 12 hours and 32 minutes in our tests – a slight improvement over its predecessor. One of the most significant upgrades is the support for fast wireless charging, which can juice up the 5,000mAh battery from 0-74% in just 15 minutes. This is impressive, especially considering it's paired with a proper 120W charger that can fully charge the device in under 25 minutes. While the thermal management could be improved, the performance of the Xiaomi 14T Pro is undoubtedly one of its strongest suits. With exceptional CPU and GPU performance, it's well-equipped to handle demanding tasks and provides seamless gaming experiences. However, users should be aware of the potential heat issues that may arise during prolonged use.