Prioritized and affordable

Review: Xiaomi 14T - Sufficient

Autumn is the time for affordable phones. Now the stripped-down versions of spring's top models are being released, and the clearest example is probably this Xiaomi 14T for just under 8000 SEK.

Erik Mörner

Published 22 October 2024 - 22:22 Modified 24 January 2025 - 16:57

When I start testing the Xiaomi 14T, I do so alongside its sister model, the 2000 kronor more expensive 14T Pro (test on this one). To keep track of which is which, I have to mark one with a unique wallpaper, as they are so similar in both appearance and function.

When I use the two phones side by side, I can sense which one is faster, and when it comes to the cameras, I can see that one has better optical zoom and handles low-light photos better, but the differences are not significant.

Just like the sister model, the Xiaomi 14T Pro has a wide-angle, main camera, and telephoto lens with optical zoom, as well as camera collaboration with Leica, which seems to contribute to fine color reproduction and an unusually nice portrait mode.

Under 8000

The price tag for the Xiaomi 14T is currently 7990 kronor, and for that, you get a phone that stands out in photography and maintains many other features well enough for everyday use to flow smoothly without obstacles. In theoretical terms, when I perform performance tests, I see significant differences between this phone and more expensive flagships, but the difference is smaller when I compare the actual experience, as long as it doesn't involve more clearly demanding games, for example.

In pure numbers, the Xiaomi 14T performs like a several-year-old flagship phone in some performance measurements, but given how relatively modest technological development has been lately, it is more than enough in many cases for those who don't require that little extra.

We still get some "extra." The cameras are among the better ones in this price range, and even though they are worse than the Pro model, especially in lower light and at longer distances, I get many good pictures. The portrait and video mode, where you can achieve nice natural depth of field, stands out particularly.

AI package with Google's and own

I get the same AI services as in the sister model, and even if they are not so useful that it becomes decisive, they may develop and over time add real added value. Today, it's about various generative image editing tools, in both Google Photos and Xiaomi's own image app, direct translation of conversations, summarization and transcription of voice recordings, and the ability to generate AI portraits of yourself in different environments, to name a few. Xiaomi 14 also has Google's Circle to Search, which was first released in the Samsung Galaxy S24 at the beginning of 2024 and is now coming to more and more other manufacturers' models. This means you can hold down the home button on the screen and then circle something displayed on the screen to directly search for information about it, instead of switching between different apps as you would otherwise.

Otherwise, the Xiaomi 14T delivers a good foundation. You get a bright OLED screen with a fast refresh rate and support for an active lock screen. The phone offers charging up to 67 W, nothing extreme but sufficient. However, a charger is not included, so you will need to purchase one if you don't already have a suitable one. The keyword here is sufficient, meaning Xiaomi has made a good balance between price and the features they prioritized. A high minimum level.

Questions and answers:

How is Xiaomi's Hyper OS?

It now contributes with some of its own AI services, but fundamentally it is very similar to MIUI which preceded it, and the name change was mostly superficial. The system is still quite cluttered and doesn't add much of value.

No charger?

No, now Xiaomi, which has often profiled itself with super-fast charging and therefore included a charger that delivers it, has joined the many manufacturers who for environmental reasons skip including a charger. So you have to buy one separately or use a compatible one if you already have one.

How many updates?

Four years of Android updates and five years of security updates, not the best in class but acceptable.

An alternative:

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is Samsung's interpretation on the same theme and Samsung is a step ahead with its AI services and overall in software and added value beyond what you get in basic Android.