Imagine you are a tech enthusiast who wants flagship features without paying Samsung or Apple prices. You have heard about Xiaomi’s Ultra series – cameras that rival dedicated point-and-shoots, lightning-fast charging, and a sleek design.
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| Xiaomi 14 Ultra Full Review: Is It the Ultimate Camera Phone? |
But is the hype real? This Xiaomi 14 Ultra review will give you an honest, hands-on look at Xiaomi’s 2026 super-flagship. We tested the camera, battery, performance, and software to see if it can compete with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung S24 Ultra. Let’s find out if this phone deserves a spot in your pocket.
If you are comparing it to other flagships, read our iPhone vs Samsung comparison to see how the Xiaomi stacks up.
Design and Build: Premium Feel with a Bold Camera Bump
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra sports a striking design. The back is available in vegan leather (black or white) or ceramic (limited edition). The vegan leather version feels grippy and resists fingerprints – a welcome change from glass-backed phones. The aluminum frame is polished, and the phone feels dense and premium. However, the circular camera bump is massive, taking up nearly a third of the back. It protrudes significantly, making the phone wobble when placed on a flat surface. A case is almost mandatory.
The phone measures 9.2mm thick (excluding the camera bump) and weighs 220 grams. It is not light, but it feels balanced in hand. IP68 dust/water resistance gives peace of mind. The stereo speakers are loud and clear, with decent bass for a phone. The under-display optical fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. Overall, the build quality is flagship-grade – comparable to the Samsung S24 Ultra.
Display: A 120Hz WQHD+ Delight
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra features a 6.73-inch AMOLED display with WQHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz), and peak brightness of 3000 nits. In practice, the screen is stunning. Colors are vibrant but can be adjusted to more natural tones in settings. HDR content on Netflix and YouTube looks brilliant, with deep blacks and bright highlights. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth.
One downside: the curved edges are still present, leading to accidental touches for some users. However, Xiaomi’s palm rejection has improved. For outdoor visibility, the 3000 nits peak brightness means you can easily read the screen under direct sunlight. This is one of the best displays on any smartphone in 2026.
Camera System: The Star of the Show
The camera is where the Xiaomi 14 Ultra truly shines – and where it justifies its “Ultra” name. The quad-camera setup, co-engineered with Leica, includes:
- 50MP main (Sony LYT-900, 1-inch sensor, f/1.6-f/4.0 variable aperture)
- 50MP ultra-wide (122° field of view, f/1.8)
- 50MP telephoto (3.2x optical zoom, f/1.8)
- 50MP periscope (5x optical zoom, 10x lossless, up to 120x digital, f/2.5)
In our testing, the main camera produces images with incredible dynamic range, natural colors (Leica Authentic mode), and exceptional low-light performance thanks to the 1-inch sensor. The variable aperture is a game-changer: f/1.6 for bokeh portraits and low light, f/4.0 for landscape shots where you need everything in focus. The telephoto lenses capture sharp details even at 10x hybrid zoom. The 120x digital zoom is a gimmick – images look soft and watercolor-like – but up to 30x is usable.
Video recording goes up to 8K at 24fps and 4K at 120fps. Stabilization is excellent, and the Leica color science gives footage a cinematic look. The front-facing 32MP camera takes sharp selfies with natural skin tones. Overall, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra camera competes head-to-head with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra, and even surpasses them in low-light detail and natural bokeh.
Let’s compare the camera specs with its main rivals:
| Feature | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main sensor size | 1-inch | 1/1.28-inch | 1/1.3-inch |
| Variable aperture | Yes (f/1.6-f/4.0) | No | No |
| Optical zoom (max) | 5x | 5x | 10x |
| Video max resolution | 8K/24fps | 4K/60fps (ProRes) | 8K/30fps |
Notice the difference: the Xiaomi’s 1-inch sensor and variable aperture give it a unique advantage for photography enthusiasts.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at Its Best
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 4.0 storage. In benchmarks, it scores around 1.6 million in AnTuTu and 2,200 single-core / 7,200 multi-core in Geekbench 6. Real-world performance is flawless – apps open instantly, gaming is smooth at max settings, and multitasking with split-screen apps shows no lag. The phone runs cool thanks to a large vapor chamber, though sustained gaming (30 minutes of Genshin Impact) raised temperatures to 42°C – warm but not uncomfortable.
For power users, the 16GB RAM version keeps dozens of apps in memory. The UFS 4.0 storage loads games and large files incredibly fast. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is easily one of the fastest Android phones in 2026.
Battery and Charging: Lightning-Fast Wired and Wireless
The phone packs a 5,000 mAh battery. In our battery test (web browsing, social media, video streaming, and camera use), it lasted 8.5 hours of screen-on time – enough for a full day of heavy use. But the real magic is charging: 90W wired HyperCharge fills the battery from 0 to 100% in just 35 minutes. A 10-minute charge gives you over 50% battery, which is incredible for emergencies. Wireless charging is 50W with the proprietary Xiaomi charger (sold separately), reaching 100% in about 45 minutes. Reverse wireless charging at 10W can top up your earbuds or another phone.
Note: The 90W charger is included in the box (unlike Apple and Samsung). This is a massive win for Xiaomi.
Software: HyperOS – Cleaner but Still with Ads
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra runs HyperOS (based on Android 15). HyperOS is a significant improvement over MIUI – animations are smoother, the interface is less cluttered, and system apps are more consistent. However, it still includes some bloatware and ads in system apps (like the file manager and security app). You can disable most ads in settings, but it is annoying that they exist on a $1,200+ phone.
Xiaomi promises 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches – decent but behind Samsung’s 7-year promise. Features like split-screen, floating windows, and second space are present and work well. The always-on display is customizable. If you are a stock Android purist, HyperOS will feel heavy, but it is far better than older MIUI versions.
Connectivity and Extras
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra supports 5G (all major bands), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and an IR blaster (rare and useful for controlling TVs/ACs). The in-display fingerprint sensor is optical (not ultrasonic) – it works well but is slightly slower than Samsung’s ultrasonic. There is no 3.5mm headphone jack, but stereo speakers are good. The vibration motor is haptic and feels premium. An important note: the global version has eSIM support, but some regions still rely on physical SIMs.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra starts at €1,299 / £1,099 for the 12GB/256GB model. The 16GB/512GB version is €1,399. This is significantly cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro Max (starting €1,449) and Samsung S24 Ultra (€1,399). However, Xiaomi’s availability in the US is limited to importers, with no official warranty. In Europe, India, and Southeast Asia, it is widely available. For the price, you get exceptional hardware – but you must accept software quirks and limited support in some regions.
For current deals, check TechRadar for regional pricing.
If you are also interested in other high-end Android phones, read our Best Smartphones for Freelancers guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Xiaomi 14 Ultra available globally?
Yes, it is available in Europe, India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. In the US, you can only buy imported units with no official warranty, and some 5G bands may be missing.
How does the camera compare to the Samsung S24 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a larger 1-inch sensor and variable aperture, giving it better low-light performance and natural bokeh. Samsung wins on zoom (10x optical vs 5x) and video stabilization. Both are excellent; choose based on your priorities.
Does the Xiaomi 14 Ultra have wireless charging?
Yes, it supports 50W wireless charging (with Xiaomi’s proprietary charger) and standard 15W Qi charging.
Is the phone water resistant?
Yes, it has IP68 dust/water resistance, meaning it can survive submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.
How is HyperOS compared to MIUI?
HyperOS is smoother, less bloated, and has better animations. However, it still includes some ads and pre-installed apps. It is a step in the right direction but not as clean as stock Android.
Conclusion: A Camera Beast with Few Compromises
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is an impressive flagship that excels in photography, charging speed, and raw performance. Its 1-inch camera sensor, variable aperture, and Leica tuning produce some of the best mobile photos you can take. The 90W charging is ridiculously fast, and the display is gorgeous. On the downside, HyperOS still has bloatware and ads, the curved screen may annoy some, and availability is limited in North America.
If you are a photography enthusiast who wants a phone that rivals dedicated cameras, and you live in a region where Xiaomi offers official support, the 14 Ultra is an easy recommendation. It undercuts the iPhone and Samsung on price while delivering comparable or better hardware. Just be prepared to tweak a few settings to remove ads.
Ready to capture stunning photos? Check the latest price on Xiaomi’s official store or Amazon. And don’t forget to browse our best mid-range phones if you want to save more.
