Introducing Xiaomi’s latest flagship, the 14 Ultra, which marks a significant departure from their traditional MIUI software after nearly 14 years. Packed with cutting-edge features, including groundbreaking AI functionalities, and powered by the innovative NextGen Hyper OS, it boasts one of the most advanced camera systems on the market. How does Xiaomi’s top contender stack up against Samsung’s flagship, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, in today’s competitive smartphone landscape?
Let’s dive into the unboxing experience, where Xiaomi takes the lead by a significant margin for three key reasons. Firstly, nestled atop the packaging is an insert housing essentials like the SIM ejector tool, but more notably, a practical frosted plastic hard shell case. While simple, it’s a thoughtful addition, assuming users will invest in a quality case later on, saving both money and reducing environmental impact.
Secondly, Xiaomi raises the bar with a 90W charging brick, doubling Samsung’s maximum charging capability. And finally, upon unwrapping the device, users are greeted with a pre-installed screen protector, a thoughtful touch absent in Samsung’s offerings. While screen protectors are inexpensive, having it factory-installed ensures a higher quality application, sparing users the hassle of doing it themselves.
In summary, Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra not only delivers impressive performance and features but also enhances the overall user experience with thoughtful additions and innovations, setting a new standard in the fiercely competitive smartphone market.
“We’re not quite done yet. There’s actually a whole separate photography kit that comes with it, a pretty fancy package that includes a sleek textured case. This case is made of leather and has a special coating that’s really good at keeping bacteria and dirt away. It even has a mount where you can attach physical filters, and it looks like there’s a slot for a lanyard too. It might be a bit over-the-top for most people, but you’ve gotta admit, it’s pretty cool. There are even these two decorative camera rings included, so you can jazz up your funky phone-camera combo however you like. Plus, there’s a grip for the case that plugs into your USB-C port, giving you proper hardware camera controls and three other neat features we’ll talk about later. Oh, and don’t forget about the lanyard!”
Setting aside all the photography gear considerations for now, let’s just focus on what comes in the box. And when it comes to that, Xiaomi’s offering clearly outshines Samsung’s. So, Xiaomi gets a point, while Samsung gets none. But let me tell you, when I got my hands on that Xiaomi, it honestly made me chuckle. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s something to be said about Xiaomi’s design. I really dig those leather-like finishes; they feel sleek, grippy, and hassle-free. And having a centrally located symmetrical camera? That’s pretty practical, especially if you’re someone who likes using their phone flat on a surface. But here’s the kicker—the cameras on this thing have gotten so darn big, deep, and heavy that they almost seem to take over the whole phone experience. Nearly everyone I’ve handed it to has pointed it out right away, and it’s a major buzzkill for them, especially when you compare it to Samsung’s sleek integration of their cameras. As one of my teammates, Joseph, put it, holding the Xiaomi feels like you’re holding one piece of tech stuck onto another piece of tech. Now, I can deal with it—I’m all for using the latest and greatest tech, even if it means a little discomfort—but here’s where things get tricky. This phone feels like it’s tipping over all the time. I’m constantly having to grip it tighter just to keep it from slipping out of my hands. And every time I pick it up, I find myself instinctively trying to hold it higher to balance out the weight, but the camera sticks out too much for that. It’s a constant worry, knowing that one wrong move could spell disaster. And on top of all that, the camera messes with wireless charging too. It lifts the phone up so high that it doesn’t even make proper contact with the charger, or with other phones if you’re trying to use reverse wireless charging. Last week, when I was traveling and my Samsung was on its last legs, I tried using this feature to give it a boost. But after about an hour of trying to position both phones just right to avoid that massive camera bump, I was seriously tempted to just chop the thing off.
You know, that bezel on the back? It’s a total eyesore for me. Xiaomi’s decision to go thin on the top and thick on the sides feels intentional, but honestly, it just looks like they randomly stuck on a leather strip. So, when it comes to build and usability, Samsung clearly takes the cake, making it one-nil for them. But here’s the twist: when you flip those phones over, Xiaomi’s got something pretty slick going on with the screen. I’ve always griped about their chunky bottom bezel and those weird, bunny ear corners, but now they’ve fixed both and then some. They’re calling it an “all-around liquid display,” which seems like a fancy way of saying they’ve run out of creative names for glass and pixels. Still, the way the panel seamlessly blends into the edges and corners in every direction is a subtle yet seriously cool effect. It’s like those futuristic phone sketches we used to doodle a decade ago. Compared to Samsung’s flat screen, it’s definitely got more flair, more personality. But here’s the kicker: just because it’s unique doesn’t automatically make it better. Both screens are top-notch—bright, with super-high refresh rates and ultra-sharp resolutions. But if I had to pick, I’d lean towards Samsung. Why? Well, for one, with Xiaomi, those edge gestures require reaching all the way to the curved part of the screen, making them less reliable. Plus, despite Samsung technically having a lower max brightness rating, in my tests, it actually seems brighter in most lighting conditions. Brightness is a funny thing to measure these days. And the final nail in the coffin? Samsung’s got this killer anti-reflective coating on the S24 Ultra. It’s so good that it practically cancels out surrounding light, making the screen way easier to read without draining your battery like crazy. So, all things considered, Samsung’s in the lead, two to one.
Year after year, the battle for the top smartphone spot is increasingly about software innovation rather than just hardware prowess. So, let’s delve into that discussion. Given the vastness of this arena, let’s break it down into four key segments: AI, performance, software, and camera.
Let’s start with AI. This phone comes packed with what they call “next-gen AI” features, but to be honest, it’s mostly just a bunch of fancy terms. However, there are a few genuinely useful implementations. For instance, real-time translation is a game-changer. Then there’s the “next-gen fast charge AI,” which essentially means the phone is smart enough to charge the battery rapidly while keeping it healthy. Another standout feature is its ability to adjust performance based on surface temperature to prevent overheating. But not everything hits the mark. AI Beauty 8.0, for example, is so subtle that it’s hard to even notice the changes, even when turned off. And the AI Bot, which is supposed to adapt to your preferences, seems to do more harm than good for now, especially with autocorrects. Overall, it’s a mixed bag compared to Samsung’s outdated AI 2.0, making Xiaomi the clear winner in this category.
The performance from both phones is as good as you’d expect—lightning-fast. But when it comes to software, I have to admit, I’m leaning towards Samsung’s One UI. Xiaomi’s software has been completely revamped, and it’s packed with some really cool ideas. However, it feels a bit all over the place. The combo of the control center and notification shade feels like a poor copy of iOS. Plus, some features, like the NextGen Hyper OS and automatic profiles, sound great in theory but lack the polish needed for everyday use.
What really impresses me is how quickly Samsung addresses issues. For instance, when my phone throttled its charging speed because it wrongly thought it was overheating, I fixed it by tweaking some settings.
But let’s talk about the camera software. Samsung offers all the expected features and then some. And there are two features that I absolutely can’t do without: pro video mode and an instant gallery. On Xiaomi, accessing the gallery takes forever.
So, while both phones perform similarly in AI, speed, and camera quality, Samsung clinches the win for me because of its smoother software experience and richer feature set.
When it comes to the cameras, that’s what really draws people to a phone like this. Let’s dive into it. Both phones have solid camera setups, but Xiaomi takes it up a notch. Let’s start with regular photos. They both boast 108 megapixels and do a good job in good lighting. But when it’s dim, Samsung tends to smooth things out with noise reduction, giving photos a somewhat artificial, painterly look. Xiaomi, though, impresses with a night mode that works almost twice as fast.
Now, onto zoom. Samsung tops out at three times optical zoom before relying on software. Xiaomi, however, goes up to 10 times optically using a periscope lens, offering better zoom overall.
Xiaomi’s wide-angle lens is notably wider and less distorted, with consistent color and exposure across lenses. Plus, its macro lens outshines Samsung’s in focusing, resolution, and color accuracy.
In telephoto, Samsung’s eight-megapixel lens offers 10 times optical zoom but falters at max zoom. Xiaomi matches the megapixel count but maintains superb quality even at maximum optical zoom. Even with its periscope lens, Xiaomi retains better quality and flexibility in zoom range.
So, in the camera game, Xiaomi takes the crown, providing unmatched versatility and quality across various shooting conditions.
“In the end, the score stands at three to two. Is Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra superior to Samsung’s S24 Ultra? Indeed. However, when factoring in the price, is the additional $200 justifiable? Frankly, it’s doubtful.”