The Xiaomi 14T Pro represents a bold step forward for Xiaomi, blending a unique design with powerful features that make it competitive in today’s mid-range smartphone market. With a price tag of around £650 for the base model, Xiaomi has positioned the 14T Pro as an affordable device without sacrificing the capabilities and design polish users expect from higher-end smartphones. This review dives into the Xiaomi 14T Pro’s design, display, performance, camera capabilities, software experience, and battery life, offering a comprehensive look at why it could be a smart option for both regular consumers and tech experts.
Design: Premium Aesthetics
Xiaomi has made some significant design improvements with the 14T Pro, including a new aluminum alloy frame and a sleek 3D-curved back. The aluminum frame adds a premium feel, giving the phone a solid weight that feels comfortable and sturdy. Available in three classy colors—Titan Gray, Titan Blue, and Titan Black—the Xiaomi 14T Pro feels luxurious despite its price. Although early rumors suggested the use of titanium, Xiaomi opted to focus on the 14T Pro’s build quality and durability without bumping up costs unnecessarily.
The camera module, traditionally bulky on Xiaomi models, has been scaled down. Now it’s sleeker, more integrated into the design, and color-matched to the device’s body. This redesign means that users no longer have to worry about the unsightly black protrusions that marred previous Xiaomi models, making the phone look elegant from every angle.
However, there’s a slight drawback: the back panel attracts fingerprints, which might frustrate users who want their devices looking pristine. Using the included case can mitigate this, but for those who prefer a case-free experience, occasional wiping will be needed.
Display
The 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display on the Xiaomi 14T Pro is one of its most impressive features. With a 2712 x 1220 resolution, it sits comfortably between FHD and QHD, offering vibrant visuals and sharp clarity. The adaptive refresh rate of up to 144Hz ensures a fluid experience, whether scrolling through social media or gaming. Xiaomi has also equipped the display with a peak brightness of 4000 nits, ensuring clear viewing even in direct sunlight, which is often overlooked by competitors like Samsung in their Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Despite the display’s quality, there is one minor limitation: some apps are unable to fully utilize its unique aspect ratio, resulting in black bars when viewing content in landscape mode. While not a dealbreaker, it’s worth noting for users who frequently watch video content.
Performance: Smooth Sailing with Dimensity 9300+
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 14T Pro packs a punch thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor. In benchmarking tests, it nearly matches the performance of flagship devices like Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is impressive for a mid-range device. With 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM (expandable with an additional 12GB of virtual RAM), the device handles multitasking and gaming smoothly, even with intensive applications running simultaneously.
In testing with graphics-heavy games like Call of Duty Mobile and Mortal Kombat, the Xiaomi 14T Pro showed no sign of stutter or lag, maintaining high settings and consistently smooth frame rates. Although the device does run slightly warm during intense gaming, reaching temperatures of around 38-40°C, performance remained stable.
Software and AI
The Xiaomi 14T Pro debuts HyperOS based on Android 14, offering a clean and user-friendly experience. Unlike other brands that integrate extensive AI features, Xiaomi takes a more cautious, refined approach. Features like Google Gemini (the device’s primary digital assistant) and the anticipated Circle to Search show Xiaomi’s focus on AI where it can enhance daily user experience without overwhelming them.
One minor complaint is the presence of pre-installed apps like AliExpress, TikTok, and WPS Office. Although these can be uninstalled, their presence detracts from the otherwise clean UI experience that HyperOS strives to deliver.
Despite the pre-loaded apps, HyperOS shines through features like AI Subtitles (still in beta) that translate conversations in real-time, a feature that’s especially handy for users in multilingual environments.
Xiaomi’s Gallery Best Take feature, which selects the most visually appealing shot from a burst of similar photos, is another example of useful, subtle AI integration.
Camera Capabilities
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the 50MP main camera, 50MP telephoto lens, and 12MP ultra-wide camera, which benefit from Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica. This collaboration introduces two distinct shooting styles: Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant. Authentic mode keeps colors true-to-life, while Vibrant mode accentuates saturation for visually striking images.
Close-up shots are particularly impressive, capturing intricate details and colors. However, the camera’s portrait mode can sometimes be inconsistent, with occasional focus and exposure issues that lead users to prefer the standard camera mode for better results.
Night photography is another area where the Xiaomi 14T Pro shines, producing crisp images with vivid colors even in low light, largely thanks to its effective AI-assisted night mode. The camera software, while powerful, could benefit from simplification. Some advanced features, like Master Cinema mode, lack in-app explanations, requiring users to search online for details.
Battery and Charging
Battery life and charging speed are two of the Xiaomi 14T Pro’s strongest points. With a 5000mAh battery, it easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy use. More notably, Xiaomi’s 120W HyperCharge technology allows for a complete charge in roughly 20 minutes. For those who prefer wireless charging, the device supports 50W wireless charging, a first for Xiaomi’s T series and a feature that outperforms competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which offers only 15W wireless charging.
Under regular use, the Xiaomi 14T Pro can last multiple days, and during heavy gaming sessions, it still maintains a reasonable battery drain of around 10% per hour.
Verdict
The Xiaomi 14T Pro is an excellent choice for users seeking a mid-range smartphone with flagship-level features. Xiaomi’s decision to maintain an affordable price point while integrating premium materials, a vibrant display, and fast-charging technology makes the 14T Pro an outstanding value.
While the limited availability in certain markets, including the US, may frustrate potential buyers, the 14T Pro offers an impressive experience in the regions where it is available. Xiaomi’s cautious, thoughtful approach to AI, coupled with its continued collaboration with Leica, ensures the device feels advanced yet accessible.
In summary, the Xiaomi 14T Pro combines performance, design, and affordability, making it a compelling option in the mid-range smartphone category.
