I all the time loved utilizing Xiaomi’s T collection units due to the worth they supplied, and the model did an honest job lately in making a differentiated product line. Xiaomi hasn’t shied away from introducing new options on its T units forward of its flagships, and that allowed the likes of the 12T Pro to face out towards the Xiaomi 12 and even Xiaomi 13.
Xiaomi blurred that line final 12 months by bringing Leica tuning to the T collection, considerably upgrading the cameras. This is not a novel technique; Vivo did the identical with the V30 and now the V40 Pro, and with these units breaking out of the mid-range and inching nearer to worth flagship territory, it is apparent that they get highly effective cameras.
With the 14T Pro, Xiaomi is continuous that momentum by providing even higher cameras, however that is not probably the most noteworthy function of the brand new machine. The cellphone sees the return of a metallic chassis, and the design is rather more elegant than earlier years. Of course, you get the same old {hardware} and battery upgrades, however the adjustments to the cameras and aesthetics is the place the 14T Pro actually differentiates itself from its predecessor.
Xiaomi 14T Pro: Pricing and availability
Xiaomi unveiled the 14T and 14T Pro at a world launch occasion on September 26, and the units are actually on sale in choose markets.
The cellphone is obtainable in 12GB/256GB, 16GB/512GB, and 16GB/1TB variants, however not all fashions might be offered in all areas. In the U.Ok., the 12GB/256GB variant of the 14T Pro prices £649 ($867), with the 12GB/512GB mannequin out there for £699 ($934) and the 12GB/1TB mannequin retailing at £799 ($1,067).
To incentivize the launch, Xiaomi is bundling the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro with the 12GB/1TB mannequin within the U.Ok., and the Xiaomi Pad 6 with all different orders — the deal is legitimate till October 31.
In Germany, the 12GB/256GB mannequin is debuting at €799 ($891), with the 12GB/512GB version at €899 ($1,003) and the 12GB/1TB mannequin out there for €999 ($1,114).
India is Xiaomi’s largest abroad market, however the model has been unwilling to deliver all of its units to the area. The Xiaomi 13T and 13T Pro did not debut within the nation, and it would not seem like the 14T collection might be out there both. I’ll replace the put up ought to that change, however given Xiaomi’s positioning within the nation, it is unlikely the 14T collection will debut in India.
Xiaomi 14T Pro: Design
Xiaomi would not have a definite design language; it continuously adjustments the design of its telephones on a yearly foundation, and whereas I often grumble in regards to the lack of a cohesive design technique, it labored out for the most effective this time round. The 14T Pro has a metallic design with an aluminum mid-frame and a “metallic Deco” design on the again, and it seems to be considerably higher than the 13T Pro.
Metal telephones are making a comeback as producers as soon as once more combine antenna bands into the perimeters, and the 14T Pro has the identical daring look because the OnePlus Nord 4. It is a lot better to carry and use, and as there is not a glass pane on the again, it’s rather more sturdy. Xiaomi is providing three colour variants — Titan Gray, Titan Blue, and Titan Black — and the grey mannequin I’m utilizing seems to be nice in its personal proper.
While the perimeters are largely flat, it has beveled edges that makes it simpler to carry and use, and the general design is noticeably cleaner than earlier years. A whole lot of that’s all the way down to the digicam housing on the again; I did not just like the digicam island final 12 months, and fortunately, Xiaomi is utilizing a minimalist design this time that provides the 14T Pro a a lot better look.
Basically, the island itself is made out of metallic, and the cameras are housed inside particular person rings. The design feels cohesive in a method that we simply have not seen from Xiaomi lately, and the 14T Pro is without doubt one of the best-looking Xiaomi telephones I used. Because the digicam island would not jut out from the physique, there is no wobble when utilizing the cellphone on a desk.
The textured energy button ensures you do not confuse it with the quantity rocker, and whereas the 14T Pro is heavier than its predecessor, the burden stability is right, and the cellphone is not unwieldy within the least. Xiaomi mainstays just like the IR blaster are intact, and whereas I often advocate instances, I do not suppose you want one with the 14T Pro.
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I’m glad to see metallic telephones making a comeback, and the 14T Pro combines a sturdy chassis with a chic design, and it would not miss out on the fundamentals. You get IP68 mud and water resistance as normal, and after two weeks of intense use involving loads of tumbles, the 14T Pro nonetheless seems to be pristine.
Xiaomi 14T Pro: Screen
Xiaomi did not change the display screen measurement of the 14T Pro, and as such you get a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with the identical 2712 x 1220 decision as final 12 months. What’s completely different is that the panel now goes as much as 4000 nits in HDR content material, and whereas that’s significantly greater than final 12 months, the place you will truly discover the distinction is in every day use, with the 14T Pro holding up a lot better beneath harsh daylight.
Oddly sufficient, Xiaomi makes use of the Original color Pro because the default colour scheme, and whereas it renders colours precisely, I do not like its tonal stability. I switched it to the Vivid possibility as that is what I like on Xiaomi telephones, however for those who favor a special colour scheme, there’s loads of configurability on this space.
In the Vivid mode, colours are saturated and have good vibrancy, and the cellphone does an important job with streaming content material — I did not have any points on this space. Xiaomi not presents equivalent stereo channels on its units, however the sound on the 14T Pro is loud and detailed sufficient to be serviceable.=
Like all different Xiaomi telephones, the 14T Pro is about to 60Hz refresh out of the field — Xiaomi does this to ship the most effective battery life — so you will want to enter the settings to allow 144Hz or use auto mode. Now, whereas the cellphone has 144Hz refresh, there aren’t many use instances the place you can leverage it; most video games are nonetheless locked to 60fps, and apart from navigating the UI, you do not see the advantages of upper refresh.
What would have made a distinction is dynamic refresh, however Xiaomi limits LTPO tech to its flagships, and whereas the 14T Pro is pricier than its predecessors, I suppose we’ll want to attend one other 12 months to see the tech make its method to this collection. The cellphone has 3840Hz PWM dimming, and also you get the same old customization options which are normal on most mid-range and high-end Xiaomi telephones.
Xiaomi 14T Pro: Performance and battery
Hardware is not an space the place Xiaomi wants to alter issues; the model continues to ship highly effective {hardware} packages on its units, and that is true of the 14T Pro as effectively. The cellphone is powered by MediaTek’s newest Dimensity 9300+ platform, and it has a Cortex X4 core going as much as 3.4GHz, three Cortex X4 cores at 2.85GHz, and a further 4 Cortex A720 cores that handle to go as much as 2.0GHz.
The use of the A720 because the default small core permits the 9300+ to realize a bonus over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and that is evident in Geekbench’s multi-core outcomes. The machine has 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and begins with 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage, going as much as 16GB RAM and 1TB. I’m utilizing the 16GB/1TB mannequin, and it’s simply on par with the Xiaomi 14 by way of {hardware}.
There aren’t any slowdowns by any means in every day use, and gaming on the cellphone has been a delight; it handles demanding titles with none points. There is a few overheating, however not as a lot as its predecessors, and the machine did not get uncomfortable even after prolonged gaming periods.
On the connectivity aspect of issues, the 14T Pro has Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and dual-band Location Services. I did not run into any points with sign high quality or name connectivity in common use, and Xiaomi is utilizing a brand new vibration motor that delivers higher suggestions. It’s nonetheless not fairly on the identical degree because the Xiaomi 14 or the 14 Ultra, however it’s higher than earlier years, and you’ll modify the depth of the motor.
The 14T Pro has the identical 5000mAh battery and 120W charging tech as final 12 months, and the machine manages to final effectively over a day with ease. I averaged a day and a half of use between costs, and whereas Xiaomi continues to be aggressive with background reminiscence administration, it is not wherever as excessive as earlier years. A notable addition is inclusion of 50W wi-fi charging, and this inches the 14T Pro nearer to the most effective Xiaomi telephones with regards to charging.
Controversially, Xiaomi is not bundling a charger with the bundle. While I get that Google and Samsung do not accomplish that on their units, they use normal USB PD protocol and do not go over 45W, so it is simple to cost these units with any charger. That is not the case with the 14T Pro; whereas it makes use of the identical PD energy profiles till 65W, you possibly can’t get 120W charging except you purchase Xiaomi’s customized charger.
It’s annoying that Xiaomi is not bundling a charger, and I do not wish to see different Chinese manufacturers emulating this transfer. Other than that, there aren’t any points with the battery aspect of issues. Using Xiaomi’s 120W charger takes beneath half-hour to cost the machine, and it is advisable to allow enhance charging to unlock the complete charging potential.
Xiaomi 14T Pro: Cameras
Xiaomi delivered first rate cameras on T collection units, however the 14T Pro takes issues to an entire new degree. The machine encompasses a 50MP OmniVision OV50H module with the Light Fusion 900 imaging sensor, and it is joined by a 50MP Samsung JN1 telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 12MP OmniVision OV13B wide-angle lens.
Like final 12 months, the Leica partnership is on the coronary heart of what makes the 14T Pro stand out. You get plenty of the identical capturing modes as Xiaomi flagships, and also you get to decide on between Leica Vibrant or Leica Authentic types when taking images. Xiaomi is bringing Ultra HDR integration, and also you’re in a position to view images and movies in HDR.
You can shoot 4K 60fps content material, however annoyingly, not all cameras have this function — the wide-angle lens solely does 4K at 30fps. There’s HDR recording as effectively, and Xiaomi’s MasterCinema mode is obtainable on the machine, providing you with the power to shoot 10-bit movies.
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Shots in daylight circumstances are predictably nice, with good colour rendition and white stability. The upgraded tuning and imaging module makes the 14T Pro take standout photographs at evening as effectively, and that is the place it stands out probably the most towards the 13T Pro. It manages shadows and highlights a lot better, eking out element in difficult conditions. This was a specific subject with the 13T Pro, and I’m glad to see Xiaomi make amends.
The wide-angle lens is sweet in its personal proper, nevertheless it is not fairly on the identical degree as true flagships. It takes first rate sufficient photographs through the day, however there may be seen noise at evening, and it would not measure up with regards to video recording. The telephoto lens is equally restricted, and whereas it does a wonderful job as much as 2.6x, it would not fairly supply the identical degree of versatility because the Xiaomi 14.
The 14T Pro does an excellent job with portraits as effectively, and also you get to decide on between 4 focal lengths. But once more, the resultant photographs aren’t on the identical caliber because the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Ultra, and whereas I admit that these units price extra, that gulf is not as vast as earlier years. Xiaomi is charging near flagship costs, and whereas the primary digicam comes near the Xiaomi 14, the auxiliary cameras aren’t nearly as good.
Xiaomi 14T Pro: Software
Like each different cellphone producer, Xiaomi is popping to AI to inject some pleasure into its software program. And like most manufacturers, most of those options aren’t out there out of the field and might be rolled out by way of a later OTA. Xiaomi teamed up with Google to deliver Circle to Search and Gemini Live to the 14T Pro, however they don’t seem to be out there at launch.
The model is including a quartet of AI utilities: AI Interpreter facilitates real-time translations, AI Notes offers notes summaries, AI Recorder transcribes recordings, and AI Subtitles has real-time translation of movies. Xiaomi hasn’t launched these options but, and the one one that you would be able to even see inside settings is AI Subtitles — and that’s in beta testing in the mean time. There’s no point out of when these may go stay, and notably, all options want an web connection; there is no on-device AI.
The interface itself is equivalent to all Xiaomi telephones I utilized in 2024. The 14T Pro relies on Android 14, and the UI is fluid in every day use and has loads of customizability. I do not just like the break up notification pane that Xiaomi mandates as of late, and the interface is in want of a visible refresh. But exterior of that, there aren’t any issues with the fundamentals.
Xiaomi ensures 4 years of Android updates to the 14T Pro, and that is in step with what most Chinese producers supply as of late. Of course, Xiaomi lags behind its rivals on this space, and it is unlikely the 14T Pro will swap to Android 15 earlier than the top of the 12 months.
Honestly, for those who want a cellphone with first rate AI options, your finest guess is to get the Pixel 9 Pro XL; Google’s AI efforts are the most effective within the business, and whereas the machine would not have the most effective {hardware}, it has AI utilities you will truly find yourself utilizing.
Xiaomi 14T Pro: The alternate options
If you are utilizing a Xiaomi machine and wish to keep within the ecosystem, the Xiaomi 14 continues to be a unbelievable selection. I just like the sizing of the machine, and the smaller 6.36-inch OLED panel is great to make use of. You get superb cameras on the again, all of the extras you want, and the battery lasts a day with ease. It is costlier than the 14T Pro, however you’re getting a greater digicam bundle.
I just like the OnePlus 12 quite a bit; it has standout cameras and a beautiful design, and the {hardware} is on par with what Xiaomi is providing. It is costlier, however with the upcoming debut of the OnePlus 13, it ought to get a sizeable low cost.
Xiaomi 14T Pro: Should you purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You want a cellphone that appears good and is comfy to carry
- You need a vibrant AMOLED panel
- You want highly effective {hardware}
- You need cameras that take nice images and movies in any state of affairs
- You want two-day battery life and ultra-fast charging
You should not purchase this if:
- You need larger versatility with zoom lenses
- You want well timed software program updates
- You need a charger within the field
- You want a cellphone with good AI options
The 14T Pro has appreciable upgrades over its predecessor, and I just like the adjustments to the design. It’s an excessive amount of to imagine that Xiaomi would retain an analogous aesthetic subsequent 12 months, however the metallic chassis has a distinctiveness that you do not get with different units on this class.
There’s lots to love in different areas as effectively; the AMOLED panel will get brighter, the {hardware} is among the many finest round, and the primary digicam on the again is unbelievable. The software program feels a lot better than earlier years, and whereas you do not get any AI options out of the field, that is sure to alter over the approaching months.
Xiaomi nonetheless must do higher with its auxiliary cameras; they don’t seem to be fairly on par with the Xiaomi 14, and that takes the shine off the 14T Pro to an extent. There’s no charger within the field both, and that simply feels just like the model is shortchanging potential prospects.
Ultimately, it is all the way down to pricing. The 14T Pro is nearer to Xiaomi’s flagships than ever earlier than, and it not is within the worth flagship phase. The adjustments to the design and cameras replicate that, and the 14T Pro is a reputable different to the Xiaomi 14. If that is what you are after, then sure, there’s a lot to love with the machine. But for those who want a mid-ranger with the most effective {hardware}, this is not the cellphone to get.
