Xiaomi 14T Overview: Magnificence over brains?

We had been genuinely impressed with the Xiaomi 14T Professional (try the assessment), however the T-series has one further mannequin, a trimmed-down model with out the “Professional” moniker. As we speak, we’ll examine what has been misplaced together with that, and is the Xiaomi 14T nonetheless a superb deal, and extra importantly, a superb telephone?In fact, this technique is nothing new; Xiaomi has been segregating its smartphone collection into many alternative classes for years, and the T-series isn’t any exception. The Xiaomi 14T retains among the cool options of the Professional mannequin whereas slicing some corners right here and there, and that is mirrored within the $599 price ticket.

Let’s examine what you are getting for that type of cash.

UPDATE: The Xiaomi 15 collection already launched in China with some spectacular specs and a problem to take the Android crown subsequent 12 months, when the the telephones come outdoors China. You’ll be able to try our Xiaomi 15 Professional preview, and keep tuned for a full assessment quickly. 

Xiaomi 14T Design and Show

Like a Professional!

Design-wise, the Xiaomi 14T is nearly an identical to the Professional model, which is an effective factor. We had hassle telling which is which from a distance; the dimensions and weight are nearly the identical. One of many key variations is that the common Xiaomi 14T mannequin has a totally flat again, whereas the Professional is barely curved.

The digicam bump on the vanilla mannequin stands proud much less, and it is ever so barely smaller. However we’re speaking fractions of the millimeter right here. The Xiaomi 14T can be 0.4mm thinner and 14 grams lighter than the Professional model.

The identical metallic aesthetic is current right here; the telephone is on the market in the identical Titan Grey, Titan Blue, and Titan Black hues, and the Titan Grey is unquestionably our favourite. The facility button is once more textured and has a pleasant really feel to it.

PhoneArena Show Measurements:

In our show check, the Xiaomi 14T was in a position to go above the 1,000-nit threshold, outperforming even the Professional mannequin within the brightness division. The opposite elements of the panel are on par with the competitors, however the Pixel 8a remains to be head and shoulders forward by way of show goodness per greenback.

The identical optical fingerprint scanner from the Professional mannequin is on obligation beneath the display, and for probably the most half it really works as meant. There’s additionally facial recognition, however as soon as once more, it depends on a single entrance digicam, so it is not very safe.

Xiaomi 14T Digicam

Leica-infused

Important Digicam

The identical goes for night time pictures. The samples are balanced, in all probability a bit on the softer aspect, as a result of noise-reduction algorithms kick in. The dynamic vary remains to be respectable, and there are no large artifacts from point-like gentle sources. General, fairly respectable job.

Ultrawide Digicam

At 12MP the ultrawide digicam contained in the Xiaomi 14T is a mediocre affair. It will get the job completed however with out fanfares. It lacks autofocus, identical to the one on the Professional mannequin, so should you attempt to body objects which are at a distinct distance you might run into focusing points. The great factor is that coloration replica is uniform and the general tonality is similar to the pictures from the principle digicam. That being stated, the shortage of element is apparent.

Zoom High quality

The zoom digicam can be totally different to the one discovered on the Professional mode. Right here we now have 50mm focal size equal or 2x if we depend from the principle digicam. The standard is reasonably good, particulars are lots, and the colours look pure. The dynamic vary suffers a bit and pictures are inclined to look a bit flat generally. Additionally, at this magnification, the existence of a separate telephoto digicam is mind-boggling, as the identical or very shut outcomes may be achieved utilizing 2x crops from the principle sensor. However it’s what it’s.

Selfies

The 32MP selfie digicam would not have autofocus, and there is not a lot you may regulate within the settings, you’ll get an honest shot, however nothing too particular. The sweetness mode is disconcerting, it is like a personality editor in Skyrim, you may be whoever you want. One other unusual determination (identical to with the Professional mannequin) is to not pixel-bin the consequence and supply 32MP selfies pictures. They are not tremendous detailed both.

Video High quality

Xiaomi 14T Efficiency & Benchmarks

Sacrifices

One of many largest sacrifices (alongside the shortage of wi-fi charging) is the Dimensity 8300 Extremely contained in the Xiaomi 14T. Do not let the title idiot you, it is a midrange chipset that depends on one efficiency Cortex-A715 core clocked at 3.35 GHz, three of the identical A715 cores at 3.20GHz, and 4 Cortex-A510 environment friendly cores working at 2.20 GHz. It would not sound like a very highly effective combo, however let us take a look at some artificial benchmarks and see the place this chipset really stands.

We would not name the Xiaomi 14T gradual, in artificial benchmarks the telephone trades blows with the Pixel 8a and the Tensor G3, which is now getting previous and never pace champion both. There’s additionally a slight hesitation every now and then whenever you ask the telephone to carry out one thing demanding, and total, there is a midrange really feel to the expertise. We won’t ask an excessive amount of out of a way more inexpensive telephone (in comparison with the Xiaomi 14T Professional), however this sacrifice is one that you may really feel, and it type of spoils the celebration a bit.

The telephone’s interface is constructed on Android 14, with Xiaomi’s customized HyperOS UI on high. It presents some intensive customization choices, permitting customers to decide on between a inventory Android look or a extra MIUI-like really feel (which is harking back to iOS to some extent).

On this AI-driven period, we will not dwell with out the necessary massive language mannequin magic. As an alternative of creating its personal AI, Xiaomi has partnered with Google to combine Gemini contained in the Xiaomi 14T and we predict this was the best name. Options embrace Circle to Search, AI Picture Enhancing, AI Notes, and an AI Recorder with real-time translation, speaker identification, and abstract technology capabilities. A few of them are because of arrive later this month (October) whereas others are available. 

One aspect word, Gemini nonetheless lies like loopy. We requested it to change to a feminine voice within the dwell model and it pretended it did, solely to make use of the identical voice. “Yeah, I can completely change my voice to feminine,” stated the AI. You’ll be able to see the way it responds once we immediate the identical request by way of textual content.

The Xiaomi 14T guarantees 4 years of main OS updates and 5 years of safety patches. Whereas that is lower than the seven years supplied by Google and Samsung, it nonetheless gives an affordable replace cycle.

Xiaomi 14T Battery

It is okay

The Xiaomi 14T comes with the identical 5,000mAh battery as its Professional sibling onboard, which in 2024 passes as an honest capability. Given the underpowered chipset, we anticipated a battery champion, however issues turned out a lot a lot totally different.

PhoneArena Battery Check Outcomes:

PhoneArena Charging Check Outcomes:

Must you purchase it?