In this review, I will discuss how the Xiaomi 14T outshines its competitors, such as the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24, in terms of photo quality.
While both of these flagship devices have an excellent reputation in the smartphone world, the Xiaomi 14T, with its Leica lens and superior image processing, delivers more stunning results. Let’s dive deeper into this.
Xiaomi 14T vs iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S24: Why Xiaomi 14T is the Top Choice
Xiaomi 14T Delivers Better Photos with Leica
When comparing the Xiaomi 14T with the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 in terms of photo quality, the Xiaomi 14T stands out.
One of the main factors that differentiate the Xiaomi 14T from its two competitors is its collaboration with Leica, a legendary brand known for its unmatched optical quality.
Leica not only provides better lens design but also optimizes the photo results through two of its signature image processing profiles:
Leica Authentic Look and Leica Vibrant Look. This gives the Xiaomi 14T an edge in producing more vibrant colors and sharper details, which are essential in mobile photography.
The Leica Authentic Look profile provides a more natural and neutral result, while the Leica Vibrant Look adds brighter colors without making them appear oversaturated or exaggerated.
Personally, I prefer the Leica Vibrant Look for its lively yet natural colors. This is an advantage that neither the iPhone 16 nor the Galaxy S24 offers.
In various lighting conditions, the Xiaomi 14T handles sun flares and other bright lights much better, producing clearer and sharper photos.
Xiaomi 14T’s Telephoto Lens Surpasses iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24
One of the standout features of the Xiaomi 14T is its telephoto lens, which offers a significant advantage over the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24.
Many flagship phones skip the telephoto lens, including the iPhone 16 and Google Pixel 9, which rely solely on the main and ultra-wide lenses.
However, the Xiaomi 14T features a three-lens configuration, including a 2x telephoto lens that allows for optical zoom without sacrificing quality.
With the telephoto lens, the Xiaomi 14T captures more detailed images, especially of distant subjects.
For example, when I tried photographing distant mountain scenery, the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 struggled to capture details, especially in the background.
In contrast, the Xiaomi 14T clearly preserved the mountain details, resulting in sharper and more color-rich photos.
Why Image Processing Matters More in Mobile Photography
Small Lenses, Critical Image Processing
In mobile cameras, the difference in photo quality isn’t just about the lens; it’s also about the image processing that happens after the photo is taken.
While mobile phone lenses tend to be smaller than those on DSLR or mirrorless cameras, image processing is key to producing stunning photos.
Post-processing allows the phone to optimize the image, correct lens flaws, and enhance colors and contrast. This is why lower-end phones often fail to produce great photos, as they rely on poor image processing.
However, with the Xiaomi 14T, Leica has infused a professional touch into the image processing, resulting in photos with more vibrant colors, better contrast, and sharper details compared to the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24.
Though the Xiaomi 14T’s Sony IMX906 lens is not the most advanced, like the 1-inch sensor on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the combination of this lens and Leica’s image processing delivers outstanding results.
With the highly light-sensitive Sony lens and advanced Leica processing, the Xiaomi 14T captures better quality images, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Using Multiple Lenses for Better Photos
The Xiaomi 14T doesn’t rely only on the main lens for photography. It is equipped with three lenses—ultra-wide, wide, and 2x telephoto—providing greater flexibility in capturing images.
The advantage of using multiple lenses is that it allows you to take photos from different perspectives and zoom levels without losing detail.
The telephoto lens on the Xiaomi 14T is especially important for capturing distant objects, where the main or ultra-wide lenses cannot provide sharp results.
The Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16, despite having excellent ultra-wide lenses, cannot match the optical zoom capabilities of the Xiaomi 14T.
With the telephoto lens, the Xiaomi 14T captures details that are lost in photos taken by the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24, offering a major advantage for those who frequently photograph landscapes or distant objects.
Xiaomi 14T’s Advantage in Sunlight Photography and Overexposure
Xiaomi 14T Handles Flare Better
Flare, or sunlight glare, is one of the biggest challenges in mobile photography, especially when shooting in direct sunlight. Many phones, including the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24, struggle with flare, often resulting in blurry images or light leaks that degrade photo quality.
The Xiaomi 14T, with Leica’s image processing, handles flare exceptionally well. For instance, in photos I took under bright sunlight, the Xiaomi 14T managed to keep flare under control, preventing it from ruining the image. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 experienced light leaks, making the center of the photo too bright and losing detail around the subject.
This is a major advantage for those who enjoy outdoor photography, especially during times when the sunlight is intense. With the Xiaomi 14T, you can achieve sharp and clear photos even under very bright sunlight.
Better Contrast in Photos
Contrast is a crucial factor in creating visually appealing images. Thanks to Leica’s image processing, the Xiaomi 14T produces more balanced and natural contrast.
For example, in photos I took outdoors with varying lighting, the Xiaomi 14T was able to maintain optimal contrast between the bright and dark areas, while the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 tended to overexpose the bright areas and lose detail in the darker sections.
While the Galaxy S24 also produces excellent photos, the Xiaomi 14T excels in contrast and overall image processing.
The photo results from the Xiaomi 14T look more natural and detailed, with contrast that is not overly exaggerated but still creates a strong impression.
Xiaomi 14T’s Video: Cinematic Mode and Stability
Xiaomi 14T’s Engaging Film Mode
In addition to photo quality, the Xiaomi 14T also offers impressive video features. One of the standout video features is the cinematic mode, which provides a film-like aspect ratio, allowing users to create videos with a professional cinematic look.
In this mode, the colors produced by the Xiaomi 14T are also influenced by the Leica profile, providing more vibrant and cinematic hues.
While the video capabilities of the Xiaomi 14T still don’t quite match flagships like the iPhone 16 in terms of stabilization and overall video quality, this cinematic mode is a significant step in the right direction.
Xiaomi can continue to improve their video capabilities in the future, but for now, the video features they offer are quite impressive, especially for users who enjoy recording videos with a more professional look.
Video Stability and Comparison with iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24
Despite its intriguing cinematic mode, video stabilization remains an area for improvement on the Xiaomi 14T.
In some tests, I found that the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 had better video stabilization. However, the Xiaomi 14T still offers adequate stabilization for everyday use.
For those who don’t require ultra-high video stabilization, the Xiaomi 14T is still a solid choice.
Conclusion: Xiaomi 14T, the Best Choice for Photography and Video
If you’re looking for a phone with outstanding photo quality at a more affordable price, the Xiaomi 14T is definitely worth considering.
With its Leica lens and advanced image processing, the Xiaomi 14T beats the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 in terms of photo quality.
Additionally, the Xiaomi 14T’s video capabilities are also commendable, though there is room for improvement.
With standout features like cinematic mode and decent stabilization, the Xiaomi 14T is ready to deliver a satisfying photography and videography experience.
