Xiaomi 14T Pro First Impressions: Impressive Hardware Meets Quirky Software

After unveiling its 14 series, including the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February, Xiaomi is back with the 14T Pro and 14T models. These devices are considered the fall editions of the brand, featuring Leica optics and Mediatek processors instead of Qualcomm chips.

In a move to enhance user experience, Xiaomi has integrated Google’s latest features, Circle to Search and the Gemini Assistant, into its new offerings. This marks the company’s first foray into utilizing these tools, following similar integrations in Samsung and Google’s devices. However, some aspects of the software may leave users confused.

Xiaomi 14T Pro: Bold Design and Robust Features

A look at the back of the Xiaomi 14T Pro. (Photo: WebSearchNews)

The Xiaomi 14T Pro showcases an angular aluminum body and a back made of unspecified hardened glass. The camera module, characterized by four distinct rings, offers a rugged aesthetic that seems less modern compared to the spring iteration, the Xiaomi 14. Weighing in at 209 grams, the device is heavier than the Galaxy S24 Plus, which has a similar size.

Like the Galaxy S24 Plus, the 14T Pro features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a remarkable refresh rate of 144 Hertz. Xiaomi claims that the screen can reach a peak brightness of 4,000 nits, surpassing current flagship models from Apple and Samsung, which peak at around 2,700 nits.

Front view of the Xiaomi 14T Pro. (Photo: WebSearchNews)

While peak brightness is impressive, it’s vital to note that it primarily reflects the display’s performance during HDR video playback. In practice, the 14T Pro’s screen feels vibrant and well-illuminated, yet it does not significantly outshine the displays of its competitors, such as the Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro.

Performance with Mediatek’s Latest Chip and Fast Charging Capabilities

In a departure from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in its spring counterpart, Xiaomi has opted for the new Mediatek Dimensity SoC in the 14T Pro. While the Dimensity 9300 Plus falls slightly short in benchmark scores compared to Qualcomm’s offerings, it excels in multi-core performance due to its higher number of performance cores. Overall, the device operates smoothly and efficiently.

Xiaomi 14T Pro benchmark results. (Photo: WebSearchNews)

Battery life, however, does not seem to benefit from the additional performance cores. In the PC Mark battery test, the device achieved 13 hours and 35 minutes, which is decent, yet it lags behind competitors like the Galaxy Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Ultra, despite sharing a 5,000 milliamp-hour battery capacity.

Software Experience: Android 14 with a Unique Twist

The Xiaomi 14T Pro runs on HyperOS, built atop Android 14. While the user interface sports a new name, it bears a striking resemblance to the previous MIUI design. Features like the notification bar and quick settings mimic Apple’s iOS, which may appeal to some users but feels slightly outdated to others. Personally, I find the UI to be less intuitive compared to that of Samsung or Google’s devices, although this can be subjective.

Moreover, the interface sometimes appears hastily constructed, with translations in some areas lacking polish. For instance, the text in the gallery editing feature looks cramped, and the update section for system apps can be unclear due to truncated content. Uniquely, a cookie consent banner appears when first accessing the system cleanup app, indicating potential data sharing with up to 230 advertising partners—an unusual addition for an operating system.

New Features: Gemini and Circle to Search Integration

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Xiaomi 14T Pro is its integration of Google’s Gemini and Circle to Search functionalities. Gemini, along with the live feature, progressively replaces the traditional Google Assistant on Android devices, making its debut on the Pixel 9.

Circle to Search allows users to circle content on their screen, facilitating searches for products or translations of text. This functionality is expected to roll out as an update starting October 6, 2023. Despite promising additional AI capabilities, Xiaomi’s initial offerings seemed absent even after downloading a sizeable update package.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi 14T Pro presents a mixed bag of features. While it boasts impressive build quality, display performance, and processing power, the design feels somewhat dated, and the software experience could benefit from refinement. The camera capabilities are promising but require further evaluation. Priced at approximately 800 euros for the variant with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it competes directly with devices like Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Plus and Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, which occasionally retail for less than 700 euros. Additionally, Xiaomi has introduced a more affordable 14T model and a foldable Mix Flip, aiming to cater to various market segments, with the 14T starting at 650 euros and the Mix Flip at 1,300 euros.