Xiaomi 14 Ultra first look: Video monster

Merely ahead of MWC 2024, Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily to a worldwide viewers and I acquired to spend just a bit time with the latter. Not quite a few merchandise reside as a lot because the distinctive meaning of the phrase Extraordinarily (“previous”), nonetheless I’ll say the Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily goes previous what most people would anticipate and even want… a minimal of as regards to cameras.

It was ultra-obvious from Xiaomi’s press briefing that the company wants the Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily dialog to revolve spherical its video abilities. The event itself was held at an exact movie studio exterior of Barcelona, full with a digicam dolly, models, expert lighting, and loads of totally different pricey pro-grade instruments. The message was clear: the Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily can present clients many pro-level choices, with out the payment, bulk, or complexity often associated to expert cameras.

For example merely what the Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily can do, the company mounted the cellphone on a rig positioned on a dolly and used it to doc a quick scene. Then an skilled colorist took the video file and edited it, to showcase the Extraordinarily’s coping with of inauspicious lighting conditions.

It was undoubtedly a strong sight, notably for any person like myself who simply isn’t well-versed inside the truly technical options of taking footage pro-grade video. The highest consequence video was visibly superior in terms of dynamic differ and distinction and neatly illustrated what would have been in some other case incomprehensible technical jargon. 

Nonetheless, as my colleague Harley notes in our video, what was left unmentioned was the worth of all the expert instruments used inside the demo or the years of teaching the colorist had beneath their belt. To be clear, I’m not saying that Xiaomi did one thing incorrect, nonetheless comparatively that among the many present developments in smartphone imaging are above and previous what 99% of cellphone shoppers would ever ask from a smartphone digicam. And Xiaomi is way from the one cellphone maker using increasingly more esoteric imaging efficiency to market their models. 

Not your complete Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily’s digicam options require massive setups to understand — the benefits of choices like automated face monitoring or the stepless variable aperture system are far more obvious. The stepless variable aperture of the first digicam means the opening of the lens shutter will fluctuate between f/1.63 and f/4.0, allowing the cellphone to shortly adapt to fully totally different lighting conditions. Rely on greater low-light capabilities and further granular administration over bokeh outcomes whilst you combine this variable aperture with an enormous 1-inch sensor. 

As quickly as as soon as extra, Xiaomi has labored with legendary digicam producer Leica to design and tune the superior digicam system on the 14 Extraordinarily. Proper right here’s a breakdown of the 4 cameras on the once more:

• Ultrawide: 50MP, 0.5X, 122-degree FOV, f/1.8, 12mm equal focal measurement
• Main: 50MP, 1X, f/1.63-f/4.0, OIS, 23mm equal focal measurement
• Telephoto: 50MP, 3.2X, f/1.8, OIS, 75mm equal focal measurement
• Periscope telephoto: 50MP, 5X, f/2.5, OIS, 120mm equal focal measurement

Between the 4 cameras, the Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily is able to take care of most sorts of scenes, from macro pictures to long-range zoom, as a result of large collection of focal lengths. And naturally, there’s a smattering of AI  choices to benefit from all the data coming from the {{hardware}}.

And whether it is advisable get far more out of your 14 Extraordinarily’s cameras, Xiaomi moreover launched a model new mannequin of its digicam grip accent, that features an extra 1,500mAh battery, a shutter button, and even a zoom wheel.

What regarding the cellphone part of this digicam cellphone?

Whereas most of our consideration was dedicated to the digicam choices of the Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily, there’s masses to like regarding the exact cellphone. The design was launched in step with the present iPhone-inspired growth in route of flat edges, nonetheless we’ve nonetheless acquired curved glass edges for a better hand actually really feel. The 6.73-inch QHD+ OLED show display delivers almost all of the items you would possibly want from a present. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is in spite of everything present, as is Xiaomi’s fast-charging experience. It’s value highlighting the insanely fast wi-fi 80W charging, better than what many various top Android phones get by a charging cable. 

Sadly, Xiaomi hasn’t given the press lots time with its new flagship cellphone, so your complete talk about effectivity is theoretical for now. Nonetheless the Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily does seem to be an accurate monster that goes “extraordinarily” in all the acceptable areas — and in some a lot much less obvious ones. Whether or not or not all the video power is required for a lot of clients, that’s one different story.

The Xiaomi 14 Extraordinarily will go on sale for €1,499 (~$1,624), in each black or white, and the digicam grip accent may be one different €199 (~$216).