Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G, a highly anticipated smartphone, was released on November 1, 2023, marking another milestone for the Chinese tech giant. Since its launch, the device has garnered significant attention, with 601 user opinions already shared as of March 18, 2024, reflecting the strong interest in this latest offering from Xiaomi .
Currently, the Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G is only available in China, leaving many wondering about its potential global release, particularly for the European market . In this comprehensive Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G review, we will delve into the key aspects of this smartphone, including its design, display, software, camera capabilities, performance, battery life, and overall value for money, to help you make an informed decision about whether the Xiaomi 14 Pro is the right device for you.
Design and Build Quality
The Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G showcases a sleek and modern design, available in a range of attractive colors including Black, White, Jade Green, and Pink. The device features a curved display on the sides, giving it a stealthy and premium look, particularly in the matte black variant . The back of the phone is made of a synthetic leather-like material, which Xiaomi claims is six times more wear-resistant than the previous model. This unique material choice not only enhances durability but also provides a comfortable grip.
The device’s frame seamlessly flows from the sides into the back, creating a distinctive and eye-catching design that likely contributes to its overall durability. The Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G is available in two versions: a glass back version for the global market and a vegan leather option for the Chinese market . The phone features an aluminum frame and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, ensuring protection against the elements .
Other notable design features include:
Display Performance
The Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G boasts a stunning 6.36-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,670 x 1,200 pixels, delivering an impressive 460 pixels per inch (PPI) for sharp and detailed visuals . The display supports a dynamic refresh rate ranging from 1 Hz to 120 Hz, ensuring smooth animations and scrolling while optimizing battery life when necessary . With a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, the device excels in displaying highlights and supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for an immersive viewing experience .
The Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G’s display performed well in various tests, ranking 58th in the global ranking for the display category. The device effectively managed brightness, particularly in low-light conditions, and showed improvements in artifacts management compared to its predecessor, the Xiaomi 13. However, some issues were noted, such as a high level of flicker in default mode and strong aliasing during gaming .
Key display features:
Software and User Experience
The Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G runs on the company’s proprietary HyperOS, a hybrid of Linux and Vela systems, visually similar to MIUI . While the device comes with Google apps and the Play Store pre-installed, it also includes a significant amount of bloatware . HyperOS is an improvement over MIUI but may still require customization to suit individual preferences.
Key features of the software experience include:
Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G is powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, an octa-core CPU, and an Adreno 750 GPU . It runs on Android 14 with HyperOS 1.0 and is available with 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage . Xiaomi has committed to providing four years of Android updates and five years of security patches for the device , ensuring a long-lasting and secure user experience.
Xiaomi 14 specs overview:
Xiaomi 14 specifications
Camera Capabilities
The Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G boasts an impressive triple camera setup, each featuring a 50 MP sensor. The main camera includes a 50 MP primary sensor with a variable aperture raging from f/1.42 to f/4.0, a 50 MP ultrawide angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 50 MP telephoto lens with an f/2.0 aperture and 3.2x optical zoom . The primary sensor is equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper images and smoother video footage .
While the main sensor has been downgraded from a 1-inch sensor to an unspecified size compared to the previous model, and the Leica tuning has been slightly reduced , the camera system still delivers impressive results. The device supports advanced video recording capabilities, including:
- 8K video recording at 24fps
- 4K video recording at up to 60fps
- 720p slow-motion video at 1920fps.
The front-facing camera has also received a significant upgrade, now featuring a 32 MP sensor capable of recording 4K video at 60 fps . Additionally, the Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G camera supports 12-bit color depth, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HGL , ensuring vibrant and detailed images and videos.
Performance and Battery Life
Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 12GB of DDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage . This powerful combination ensures smooth performance and efficient multitasking. The device also features the Qualcomm Adreno 750 GPU, delivering impressive graphics performance for gaming and multimedia experiences .
Connectivity options on the Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G include:
- 5G support with 16 LTE bands (Chinese version lacks support for LTE Band 20).
- WiFi 7 for fast and stable wireless connections
- Bluetooth 5.4
- Dual-SIM functionality (lacks eSIM support in the Chinese version)
Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G is equipped with a 4,610mAh battery, slightly larger than its predecessor . The device supports multiple charging options:
In terms of battery life, the Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G demonstrates excellent endurance, with an Active Use Score of almost 14 hours . The device performs particularly well in web browsing and video playback categories, ensuring that users can enjoy their favorite content without worrying about frequent charging.
Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G unboxing
It comes with all the usual user manuals, a 90-watt charger, and a USB-A to USB-C cable for charging and data transfer.
Silicone case is also included in the box.
Price and Value for Money
The Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G is priced competitively, considering its high-end specifications and features. In the UK and Europe, the device is available for £849 / €999 with 256GB of storage and £899 / €1099 with 512GB . The Chinese version of the Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G is priced at approximately 650 EUR , while import prices for the base version with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB flash storage start from 790 Euros (~$839) .
Note
It is important to note that the Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G will not be released globally, and only the Xiaomi 14 Ultra will be available outside of China . In India, the device is expected to be priced at Rs. 56,890 with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage
The Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G offers excellent value for money, considering its:
The Chinese version of the device includes a 12-month warranty and comes with a 120-Watt charger, a cable for data and charging, a protective cover, a SIM tool, and a quick-start manual in the box, adding to its overall value proposition.
