Xiaomi officially launched the Xiaomi 14 internationally at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona after its debut in China, entering the high-end market controlled by Apple and Samsung.
The firm's new flagship, Xiaomi 14, is part of its product line expansion as its smartphone business is recovering despite fierce competition, with sales falling slower than in prior years, according to CNBC.
Xiaomi 14 Specs
Xiaomi, known for its affordable, high-spec handsets, has two versions of its Xiaomi 14 series: the regular and Ultra models. The latter has a breakthrough "quad" camera system created with Leica for professional photography and filmmaking, including a "movie mode" for cinematic experiences.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra emphasizes its cutting-edge camera technology, including Leica lenses and new capabilities to reinvent mobile photography. The primary camera has a huge one-inch sensor and variable aperture for excellent picture quality and adaptability.
(Photo : PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
Chinese President of Xiaomi Corp Lu Weibing holds the new Xiaomi 13 Pro during a press conference at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the telecom industry's biggest annual gathering, in Barcelona on February 26, 2023.
The partnership excited Leica Camera AG CEO Matthias Harsch, who called the Xiaomi 14 Ultra's optical system a mobile photography milestone.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra's Dolby Vision and HDR10+-enabled LTPO AMOLED display provide an immersive viewing experience, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and Xiaomi's HyperOS offer smooth performance for demanding workloads.
On the software front, the Xiaomi 14 comes pre-installed with Google apps and the Play Store but includes significant bloatware and defaults to several Xiaomi apps.
With its Longjing Glass front, glass or eco-leather back, and titanium or aluminum alloy frame, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is elegant and durable. Its stylish and durable exterior can sustain frequent use.
The device guarantees four years of Android updates and five years of security patches. While HyperOS enhances the user experience, users may need to customize settings to their preferences, especially given its default iOS-like style, making it a compelling choice for iPhone users transitioning to Android, according to Wired.
The price of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra starts at €1,499 ($1,624), while the Xiaomi 14 starts at €999 ($1,082).
Xiaomi Targets Becoming Top 5 EV Manufacturers
In addition to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi has announced a range of new products, including a tablet, the 6s Pro 12.4, the Redmi Book Pro 2024 laptop, and the Remi Monitor G Pro 27.
Xiaomi also introduced its electric vehicle (EV), the SU7 sedan, as previously reported by TechTimes. During the launching event, CEO Lei Jun outlined the company's ambitious goal of becoming one of the top five global automakers within the next two decades by manufacturing premium electric vehicles comparable to EV industry leaders like Porsche and Tesla.
Moreover, Xiaomi introduced customized color options for the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi Watch S3, aligning their aesthetics with the SU7 sedan.
Xiaomi's Hong Kong-traded shares rose 40% this year, indicating financial strength. The Chinese tech giant has allocated $10 billion for smart EV investment over the next decade, reflecting its commitment to shaping the future of the EV industry. Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently acknowledged the competitiveness of Chinese EV makers and noted that they could "demolish" their global competitors.
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