With the current international launch of the Xiaomi 14 Extremely, these on a quest for the last word cameraphone are introduced with another choice. Coming from a lineage of digital camera excellence, the Xiaomi builds on it with seemingly minor however, the truth is, tangible enhancements within the telephoto capabilities.
Additionally within the zoom division is the place the most recent top-end Samsung made its most important generational change. The Galaxy S24 Extremely changed the outdated mannequin’s 10x zoom unit with a larger-sensor 5x one, making a comparability with the Xiaomi all of the extra pure.
The Galaxy is sort of presumably essentially the most smartphone you possibly can have to start with, camera-centric or in any other case, so the Xiaomi must do extra than simply be an superior picture-taking machine as a way to compete. Let’s have a look at the way it stacks up.
Desk of Contents:
For starters, you possibly can compare the complete specs sheets or instantly proceed with our editor’s evaluation within the following textual content.
Measurement comparability
Each of those are very massive telephones, however they take totally different approaches to dimension, proportions, and styling. The Xiaomi has extra fluid shapes – its corners are extra rounded, the show has a slight curvature round its whole perimeter, and the body flows into the again – general, it does quite a bit to masks its dimension. There is not any masking that digital camera bump although – the large circle could also be there out of necessity to suit all of the {hardware}, however Xiaomi’s embraced that and turned it right into a stylistic factor too.
The Galaxy, however, has about all of the styling of a concrete tile. It is massive, sure, but it surely’s additionally flat on either side and has sharp corners making you’re feeling each little bit of its dimension and weight. The comparatively extra modest digital camera {hardware} would not want fairly as a lot thickness and also you get thinner separate lens rings.
Each handsets are IP68 rated for mud and water resistance, however neither goes past the IPX8’s commonplace requirement (1.5m, half-hour) – solely iPhones provide extra.
Whereas the sealing must be pretty much as good on each, the supplies used are totally different. Samsung has a titanium uncovered body (and an aluminum skeleton beneath), whereas Xiaomi makes use of simply aluminum. There is a titanium body model of the 14 Extremely too, however that is China-only.
Not all glass is created equal both. The Galaxy S24 Extremely makes use of Corning’s newest Gorilla Armor (to this point completely) on each the show and the again panel. This unique glass has another additional advantage apart from its improved sturdiness, however extra on that within the subsequent part.
The Xiaomi’s show is protected by a proprietary answer referred to as Xiaomi Defend Glass, which they are saying presents 10 occasions higher drop resistance than the Xiaomi 13 Professional (Gorilla Glass Victus).
Every of our Ultras has a singular accent that units it aside from the opposite one, but additionally from some other competing choices. The Galaxy S24 Extremely, in true Galaxy Be aware trend, comes with an S Pen inside that can be utilized for taking notes and as a distant shutter launch. All S24 Ultras have that.
The Xiaomi Images Equipment, however, is an non-obligatory merchandise that comes at an additional value (€200). It provides a couple of bodily controls, a hand grip, and a few additional battery, and the entire ensemble seems and seems like an precise digital camera – at the least as shut as you will get to that with a smartphone.
Show comparability
You would not anticipate something apart from greatness from these two shows and that is what you would be getting. Each provide a excessive decision (1440p) and a excessive refresh price (120Hz most, very adaptive), in addition to brightness to spare. The Galaxy was brighter in our testing (1,447nits vs. 1,281nits in auto, 755 vs. 710 in guide), although it should not be a readily observable distinction in the true world.
What’s pretty evident is the decreased reflectivity of the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s show glass. One of many two main developments ushered in by Gorilla Armor, the much less reflective facade ought to assist scale back the brightness wanted to attain the identical perceived ‘readability’ and thus perhaps contribute to higher endurance.
The Galaxy’s show is not flawless although, and at very low brightness it reveals a really fantastic graininess because the totally different coloured subpixels cannot be made to mild up uniformly at these very low ranges. We’d certainly not name it a dealbreaker, however in case you typically use your telephone in darkish environments (and thus at low brightness ranges) and also you wish to fixate on imperfections, chances are you’ll discover it exhausting to completely benefit from the S24 Extremely.
Battery life
Each telephones have 5,000mAh capability batteries, and with the identical chipset inside and comparable show specs, you’d anticipate comparable battery life. The fact is totally different although, and the Xiaomi is not as environment friendly at changing capability into longevity.
Whereas the 14 Extremely lasted nearly exactly so long as the S24 Extremely in our internet looking take a look at, the Galaxy was notably higher within the different three disciplines, with an nearly 40% benefit in gaming and almost 30% longer video runtime. The 25% benefit in voice calls is much less necessary, but it surely’s there too.
Charging velocity
The Xiaomi is fast to strike again and scores a victory for charging velocity – it might not final as lengthy but it surely expenses nearly twice as quick. A half-hour charging session from flat will get you to 93% on the 14 Extremely, when utilizing its equipped adapter.
The Galaxy, however, can be at 70-ish % on the 30-minute checkpoint, if you utilize the Samsung 45W adapter, which is offered individually. Some other adapter can be slower, and in our expertise that features even good third-party USB Energy Supply choices (not quite a bit slower with these, however slower nonetheless).
The Xiaomi may also win in a wi-fi charging velocity race although we have not actually examined that to let you know numbers from expertise. Xiaomi says 46 minutes with their “80W Adaptive Wi-fi Charging Stand” and now we have cause to imagine that the true quantity will not be too far off from their claims. The Samsung, in the meantime, is capped at 15W.
Each telephones are capable of cost different gadgets both wirelessly or over a cable.
Speaker take a look at
Each telephones characteristic stereo speaker setups with slight variations of their implementation. A backside firing ‘essential’ speaker is joined by a second one which additionally serves as an earpiece – however whereas the Xiaomi may also ship among the reverse channel to every speaker, the Galaxy will strictly keep separation.
In our testing, the numbers assigned a ‘Very Good’ score for loudness to each telephones. Each sound nice to our ears, however the Galaxy has the higher hand with a livelier midrange and a bit extra bass.
Efficiency
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powers every of those telephones, as is to be anticipated from 2024 Android flagships. The Galaxy’s storage choices begin at 256GB and go as much as 1TB, with all of them having 12GB of RAM. The Xiaomi is simply obtainable globally in a 16GB/512GB configuration (12GB/256GB model in addition to a 16GB/1TB one are offered in China).
Benchmark efficiency
Benchmark efficiency may be very comparable between the 2 and each put up predictably excessive numbers – neither is an underachiever.
The Xiaomi is notably higher at dealing with sustained load, although – in our testing it obtained a 68% vs. 48% stability score within the 3DMark Wild Life Stress take a look at and likewise confirmed markedly higher ends in the CPU Throttling take a look at.
Sustained load outcomes: Xiaomi 14 Extremely • Galaxy S24 Extremely
Alternatively, the Galaxy may rating some factors for its software program. Samsung guarantees 7 years of main OS updates in addition to safety patches for a similar interval. Xiaomi says the 14 Extremely will get 4 OS releases and an additional 12 months on prime of that for safety patches.
Moreover, Samsung’s shut collaboration with Google means the Galaxy is getting innovative AI options and performance. Xiaomi’s HyperOS also needs to be becoming a member of the AI bandwagon, no matter that entails, however we have not but seen the promised options carried out.
One other apparent benefit for the Galaxy is its S Pen. The unmatched stylus expertise might be cause sufficient to choose the S24 Extremely because of its advantages for productiveness, inventive pursiuts, or distant operation.
Digicam comparability
There is a pretty pronounced distinction in approaches with regards to imaging between these two. Xiaomi has been on the forefront with {hardware} and was among the many early adopters of ‘one-inch’ sensors, and that is now their third Extremely with a sensor this massive. For this iteration they’ve added a constantly variable aperture on the principle digital camera to steadiness issues between mild gathering and depth of area. Additionally new this time round are the lenses for his or her telephotos (identical sensors as final 12 months), which are actually able to some extraordinarily shut focusing. Level being that Xiaomi cameras have some industry-leading {hardware}.
Xiaomi 14 Extremely digital camera specs
- Extensive (essential): 50MP Sony LYT-900 (1″, 1.6µm – 3.2µm), f/1.63-f/4.0, 23mm, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS; 4K@120fps
- Ultrawide: 50MP Sony IMX858 (1/2.51″, 0.7µm-1.4µm), f/1.8, 12mm, PDAF; 4K@60fps
- Telephoto 1, 3.2x: 50MP Sony IMX858 (1/2.51″, 0.7µm-1.4µm), f/1.8, 75mm, PDAF (10cm – ∞), OIS; 4K@60fps
- Telephoto 1, 5x: 50MP Sony IMX858 (1/2.51″, 0.7µm-1.4µm), f/1.8, 120mm, PDAF (30cm – ∞), OIS; 4K@60fps
- Entrance digital camera: 32MP OmniVision OV32B40 (1/3.14″, 0.7µm-1.4µm), f/2.0, 22mm, fastened focus; 4K@60fps
Samsung has some succesful {hardware} in its Extremely too, in fact, but it surely does really feel slightly stale (or merely unexciting?). The principle digital camera has been reused from the earlier technology, and its sensor is on the small aspect for a 2024 cameraphone. The above applies to the ultrawide and the 3x telephoto as effectively, solely they’re now three years outdated, not two. The one new piece of equipment is the 5x telephoto that roughly matches Xiaomi’s 5x, going by the numbers.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely digital camera specs
- Extensive (essential): 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP2 (1/1.3″, 0.6µm-2.4µm), f/1.7, 23mm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps
- Ultrawide: 12MP Sony IMX563 (1/2.55″, 1.4µm), f/2.2, twin pixel PDAF; 4K@60fps
- Telephoto 1, 3x: 12MP Sony IMX754 (1/3.52″, 1.12µm), f/2.2, 67mm, PDAF, OIS; 4K@60fps
- Telephoto 2, 5x: 50MP Sony IMX854 (1/2.52″, 0.7-1.4µm), f/3.4, 111mm, PDAF, OIS; 4K@60fps
- Entrance digital camera: 12MP Samsung ISOCELL S5K3LU (1/3.2″, 1.12µm), f/2.2, 26mm, twin pixel PDAF; 4K@60fps
Picture high quality
Regardless of all of the variations in {hardware}, the 2 telephones truly produce fairly comparable finish outcomes, broadly talking. In daylight, there is no definitive winner with regards to sharpness and element when photographs from the ultrawides or the first cameras. Perhaps, simply perhaps, the three.2x telephoto is barely crispier on the 14 than the 3x is on the 24, but it surely’s hardly a deciding issue. Equally, the 5x could possibly be perceived as sharper on the Xiaomi, however we might pin that on the additional distinction, somewhat than precise element benefit.
Certainly, there are delicate variations in shade rendition and distinction on the opposite cameras. The Xiaomi tends to provide barely extra expressive photographs, with a tiny bit extra distinction and saturation, but it surely’s not essentially an goal benefit for one or the opposite.
Xiaomi 14 Extremely daylight photograph samples: 0.5x • 1x • 3.2x • 5x
Galaxy S24 Extremely daylight photograph samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x • 5x
Xiaomi 14 Extremely daylight photograph samples: 0.5x • 1x • 3.2x • 5x
Galaxy S24 Extremely daylight photograph samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x • 5x
In relation to the “made-up” focal lengths, we might say that the Xiaomi has the higher hand on the 2x zoom stage – the Galaxy’s 200MP sensor would not seem to shine right here both.
2x samples: Xiaomi 14 Extremely • Galaxy S24 Extremely
At 10x the Xiaomi additionally has a minor edge, although it could possibly be the additional distinction talking, somewhat than precise additional element.
10x samples: Xiaomi 14 Extremely • Galaxy S24 Extremely
Each telephones provide good close-up taking pictures capabilities, whether or not it is with the ultrawide cameras or the telephotos. The telephotos, specifically, are most fascinating, although, as a result of they allow you to seize fantastic element in small topics with out getting your telephone up in them, throwing shadows or disturbing critters.
The Xiaomi is the undisputed winner at 3x, providing a better focusing distance and the next replica ratio, but additionally general a lot better high quality.
At 5x, the 2 telephones have the same minimal focusing distance, whereas the Galaxy has a barely increased replica ratio. Nonetheless, we might say Xiaomi’s picture high quality is a bit increased on this state of affairs.
Shut-up samples: Xiaomi 14 Extremely 3x • Galaxy S24 Extremely 3x • Xiaomi 14 Extremely 5x • Galaxy S24 Extremely 5x
The Galaxy is the higher possibility for selfies, we reckon. The Xiaomi’s 32MP selfie digital camera solely works at nominal decision and even in case you downscale the photographs your self to 12MP, it nonetheless would not fairly match the Samsung’s sharpness and element. The Galaxy additionally has a livelier shade output, and its autofocusing functionality lets you shoot weirder angles. The 14 Extremely does have a noticeably wider area of view although, which can be your factor.
Selfie samples: Xiaomi 14 Extremely • Galaxy S24 Extremely
In low mild, each telephones will get you nice footage, however as soon as once more, there can be variations in strategy. The Galaxy opts for slightly extra grain, which comes with higher element, whereas the Xiaomi tends to provide smoother photographs – cleaner, however with that little bit much less fantastic texture. Considerably surprisingly, the Xiaomi cannot beat the Galaxy at 3x, the place it has a big sensor dimension benefit. Dynamic vary is superb on each, although the Galaxy will are typically extra desirous to protect highlights than the Xiaomi.
Xiaomi 14 Extremely low-light photograph samples: 0.5x • 1x • 3.2x • 5x
Galaxy S24 Extremely low-light photograph samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x • 5x
Xiaomi 14 Extremely low-light photograph samples: 0.5x • 1x • 3.2x • 5x
Galaxy S24 Extremely low-light photograph samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x • 5x
Video high quality
Each telephones are competent video cameras as effectively. Each will get you 4K at 24, 30 and 60fps from all cameras (minus 4K24 on the Xiaomi’s selfie digital camera), and each essential rear cameras also can do 4K120. The Galaxy can report in 8K too, at 24 and 30fps, with its essential digital camera and its 5x telephoto – a functionality that the Xiaomi matches, but additionally extends to the three.2x and the ultrawide.
Daylight video high quality is superb on each, with little to separate them when it comes to high quality. Stabilization can be exhausting to fault on both telephone.
Xiaomi 14 Extremely daylight video samples: 0.5x • 1x • 3.2x • 5x
Galaxy S24 Extremely daylight video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x • 5x
In low-light, the Galaxy’s ultrawide has the higher hand, providing higher dynamic vary and noise discount. The Xiaomi counters with superior telephoto footage at each zoom ranges.
Xiaomi 14 Extremely low-light video samples: 0.5x • 1x • 3.2x • 5x
Galaxy S24 Extremely low-light video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x • 5x
Verdict
One could be forgiven for initially pondering that this dilemma can be selected the cameras, however in the long run, it seems that is not going to be the case. Or, somewhat, the rear cameras of the 2 telephones are so carefully matched of their efficiency (if fairly totally different in {hardware}), that in case you’re wanting solely from an imaging standpoint, choosing one over the opposite is not fully an goal choice. Certain, there are a few standout variations that may assist – the Xiaomi is notably higher at closeups with its telephoto cameras, whereas the Galaxy has the higher hand within the selfie division – however general, these are remarkably succesful picture- and video-taking gadgets, each of them.
The perfect cameraphones are additionally typically the most effective telephones altogether, and nowhere is that this more true than within the case of the Galaxy S24 Extremely. Versatile past comparability, the most recent top-tier Galaxy stays the one moderately viable possibility with a stylus, and the S Pen is not simply good as a result of it has no competitors – it is good as a result of it presents true utility for work and play.
Samsung’s One UI is indubitably essentially the most feature-packed tackle Android and in case you’re one to carry on to your handset for so long as it would final, the most recent technology’s 7-year replace coverage can be a serious promoting level. The Galaxy also needs to provide longer battery life than the Xiaomi, presumably because of a extra frugal show.
The 14 Extremely is not with out its personal benefits, although. What it lacks in longevity, it makes up for in charging velocity, each on a cable and wirelessly. It additionally aced out thermal testing benchmarks, an space the place the Galaxy wasn’t almost as steady.
And the place the Galaxy has the S Pen, the Xiaomi has the Images equipment. You would possibly scoff at this €200 additional buy, however after the picture high quality tie, it is like a successful objective in additional time. We reckon that if it provides additional enjoyment to the method of taking equally nice footage, it seems like an attractive proposition.
All issues thought-about, the Galaxy S24 Extremely feels just like the extra well-rounded providing and a greater worth for cash. By present market charges, the 2 are about the identical value (once you match the Xiaomi’s 512GB storage on the Galaxy) and also you simply get extra outright with the Samsung. You could possibly even save slightly by choosing the bottom 256GB spec. However we might perceive in case you’d favor the Xiaomi.
- Top-of-the-line digital camera programs available on the market.
- The superior close-ups with the zoom cameras.
- The Images Equipment.
- The extra pocket-friendly shapes.
- The sooner charging.
- The higher thermal dealing with.
Get the Xiaomi 14 Extremely for: