Xiaomi’s New Flagship Phone: The Xiaomi 14 Ultra
3 min read
Xiaomi, the Chinese technology company, has recently unveiled its latest flagship phone, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. This phone marks a significant leap forward for Xiaomi in the smartphone market, as it is the first device from the company to feature Sony’s second-generation 1-inch mobile camera sensor, the LYT-900. This sensor is also found in Oppo’s Hasselblad-tuned Find X7 Ultra, making Xiaomi the second major player in the market to adopt this advanced imaging technology.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s main camera has a variable aperture that can reach up to f/1.63, which is faster than the Find X7 Ultra’s f/1.8. This improvement in aperture size is expected to result in better low-light performance and improved image quality. The remaining three Summilux rear cameras are powered by a Sony IMX858 sensor each and have almost identical specifications to the previous set. However, the new Xiaomi AISP neural chip is a significant addition to the device. This chip is the world’s first AI large-model computational platform for photography and leverages four large models – “FusionLM,” “ToneLM,” “ColorLM,” and “PortraitLM” – to fine-tune results, especially with digital zoom at 30x or more.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra also boasts several improvements in the battery, durability, and connectivity categories. The device is Xiaomi’s first candybar to adopt silicon carbon cell technology, which allows for a 5,300mAh battery to be packed into a smaller space. This battery upgrade is claimed to provide 17-percent more stamina compared to the previous model. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra supports both 90W of wired fast charging and 80W of wireless fast charging, which take 12.5 minutes and 20 minutes, respectively, to reach 50-percent charge.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s “Dragon Armor” structure is claimed to have double the bending resistance, thanks to its special 6M42 aluminum alloy mid-frame. This part is also supposedly crafted with a better grip. The device’s “Dragon Crystal” glass, which shields the 6.73-inch AMOLED screen, is claimed to have 10 times more drop resistance. Xiaomi also touts its new vegan leather material, which has been certified by SGS to have six times more wear resistance, has more dirt resistance, and is less prone to yellowing due to ultraviolet rays. The device is also available in a blue “Dragon Crystal” ceramic flavor, which resembles ceramic but isn’t as heavy.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra runs on Xiaomi’s Android-based HyperOS and is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. This processor is cooled by a dual-loop vapor chamber, which also sucks heat out of the camera modules. The Surge T1, Xiaomi’s new proprietary chip, is also present in the device and is claimed to boost cellular connectivity by up to 37 percent, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections by up to 16 percent.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra supports two-way satellite calling and texting, with 60-percent faster satellite locking and 29-percent faster satellite connection. This feature allows users to send their location data along with vital signs from their wearable device when they are lost. However, these satellite features are likely limited to China for now.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is available for pre-order in China, with the vegan leather and ceramic variants starting from 6,499 yuan ($900) for the 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage configuration, and maxing out at 7,799 yuan ($1,080) with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The titanium version with dark gray vegan leather is based on the top configuration but costs an extra 1,000 yuan ($140), and it won’t be available until March 12. The optional photography kit, which includes a shutter button grip and a customizable jog dial, is available for 699 yuan ($100) as a bundle with the phone.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a significant leap forward for Xiaomi in the smartphone market. With its advanced imaging technology, improved battery life, enhanced durability, and cutting-edge connectivity features, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is poised to compete with the best flagship phones in the market. The device’s affordable pricing, coupled with its impressive specifications, makes it an attractive option for consumers looking for a high-performance smartphone without breaking the bank.
