Xiaomi has unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro, at a launch event in China on October 26. The new devices are the first to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the most advanced processor from Qualcomm, and HyperOS, a new operating system that replaces MIUI.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the world’s first 4nm chipset, which offers a significant improvement in performance and efficiency over the previous generation. According to Qualcomm, the new processor delivers up to 30% faster CPU performance, up to 40% faster GPU performance, and up to 50% lower power consumption compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also supports a range of advanced features, such as:
- 5G connectivity: The chipset supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave bands, as well as dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) and carrier aggregation. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for fast and reliable wireless connections.
- AI capabilities: The chipset features a Hexagon 801 AI engine, which can perform up to 36 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of AI computations. It also supports Tensor Accelerator Core (TAC), a dedicated hardware unit for machine learning tasks.
- Camera performance: The chipset features a Spectra 820 ISP (image signal processor), which can capture up to 200MP photos and up to 8K video at 30fps. It also supports HDR10+ video recording, multi-frame noise reduction, and computational photography.
- Display quality: The chipset supports up to QHD+ resolution (3,200 x 1,440 pixels) and up to 144Hz refresh rate for smooth and immersive visuals. It also supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for enhanced contrast and color accuracy.
HyperOS: A New Operating System for Xiaomi Devices
The Xiaomi 14 series is also the first to run on HyperOS, a new operating system that replaces MIUI, the custom Android skin that Xiaomi has been using for years. HyperOS is based on Android 14, the latest version of Google’s mobile platform, and offers a number of improvements and features, such as:
- Hyper Fluid Engine: This is a system-level optimization that ensures smooth performance and responsiveness across different scenarios and applications. It also reduces power consumption and memory usage by intelligently allocating resources.
- Hyper Privacy: This is a privacy protection feature that gives users more control over their personal data and app permissions. It also uses AI to detect and block malicious behavior and phishing attempts.
- Hyper Service: This is a service integration feature that allows users to access various functions and services from different platforms and devices. For example, users can make calls, send messages, and control smart home devices from their PC or tablet using Hyper Service.
- Hyper Theme: This is a customization feature that lets users personalize their device with various themes, wallpapers, icons, fonts, and animations. It also supports dynamic themes that change according to the time of day or the weather.
Xiaomi 14 Series: Specifications, Price, and Availability
The Xiaomi 14 series consists of two models: the Xiaomi 14 and the Xiaomi 14 Pro. Both devices share some common specifications, such as:
- Display: A 6.36-inch OLED display with QHD+ resolution (3,200 x 1,440 pixels), 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection, and an in-display fingerprint scanner.
- Processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with Adreno 730 GPU.
- Memory: Up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 3.1 storage.
- Battery: A 4,500mAh battery with support for 67W wired charging and wireless charging.
- Connectivity: Dual SIM support, 5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, IR blaster, USB Type-C port.
- Software: HyperOS based on Android 14.
The main differences between the two models are in the camera department and the design. The Xiaomi 14 Pro features a Leica-branded triple rear camera setup with a primary sensor of 50MP with f/1.6 aperture and OIS (optical image stabilization), a telephoto lens of 12MP with f/2.0 aperture and OIS for up to 3x optical zoom, and an ultra-wide lens of 16MP with f/2.2 aperture. The front camera is a 32MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture.
The Xiaomi 14, on the other hand, features a triple rear camera setup with a primary sensor of 48MP with f/1.8 aperture and OIS, a telephoto lens of 8MP with f/2.4 aperture and OIS for up to 3x optical zoom, and an ultra-wide lens of 13MP with f/2.4 aperture. The front camera is a 20MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture.
The Xiaomi 14 Pro also has a more premium design, with a titanium frame and a ceramic back. The Xiaomi 14 has an aluminum frame and a glass back. Both devices are IP68 rated for water and dust resistance.
The Xiaomi 14 series is currently available for pre-order in China, and will go on sale on November 1. The prices are as follows:
- Xiaomi 14 Pro: CNY 4,999 (roughly Rs. 56,500) for the 12GB + 256GB variant, CNY 5,499 (roughly Rs. 62,000) for the 16GB + 512GB variant, CNY 5,999 (roughly Rs. 68,200) for the 16GB + 1TB variant, and CNY 6,499 (roughly Rs. 74,000) for the special edition with satellite connectivity.
- Xiaomi 14: CNY 3,999 (roughly Rs. 50,000) for the 8GB + 256GB variant, CNY 4,299 (roughly Rs. 48,000) for the 12GB + 256GB variant, CNY 4,599 (roughly Rs. 52,000) for the 16GB + 512GB variant, and CNY 4,999 (roughly Rs. 56,000) for the 16GB + 1TB variant.
There is no official word on when the Xiaomi 14 series will launch in India or other markets.
