Xiaomi 14 Ultra Review After 1 Year

is the Xiaomi 14 Ultra still a phone I’d recommend?  Is it holding up?  Are there downsides that maybe we didn’t notice in the initial excitement?

Well, let’s dive into it together, And as always, let me know in the comments what your experiences are if you’ve used this phone, or if you’re thinking about getting one even now.  Your opinions are what make this community awesome.

Hey everyone, welcome back! It’s The Everyday Tech here, and you know me – always trying to give it to you straight, no fluff, just honest tech talk.  And today, we’re doing something a little different.

You know, phones come and go, hype trains roll in and out faster than ever.  But sometimes, you get a phone that really…sticks with you.  And that’s what I wanted to chat about today. We’re taking a look back at the Xiaomi 14 Ultra – it’s been out for a year now internationally, and I thought, “Hey, let’s pretend I’ve been using this as my daily driver for a whole year.”  Let’s see if the magic is still there, or if the shine has worn off.

When this phone first dropped, everyone was talking about that camera. And rightly so!  Xiaomi promised top-tier photography, and honestly, out of the box, it delivered.  Stunning detail, vibrant colors, those Pro and Movie modes…  photography nerds like myself were in heaven.  Plus, the battery life seemed solid, and the performance?  Snappy as anything.

But a year is a long time in the phone world, right? New phones are constantly launching, pushing the boundaries.  So, the question is, after a year of ‘use’ –  is the Xiaomi 14 Ultra still a phone I’d recommend?  Is it holding up?  Are there downsides that maybe we didn’t notice in the initial excitement?

Well, let’s dive into it together, And as always, let me know in the comments what your experiences are if you’ve used this phone, or if you’re thinking about getting one even now.  Your opinions are what make this community awesome.

Design

Okay, let’s kick things off with the design.  Now, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra… it’s got a look.  Let’s be honest, it’s going for that camera aesthetic, right?  That big, bold camera bump – it’s definitely making a statement.

Some people love it, some might find it a bit… chunky.  Personally, I appreciate it.  It’s different, it stands out.  And that faux leather back?  It actually feels really nice in the hand.  Grippy, comfortable, and yeah, it does give off that camera vibe.  They say it’s vegan leather, tear-resistant… and in my… pretend year of use, it’s held up pretty well, no major scratches or anything.

The aluminum frame, they say it’s from a single block, for extra durability.  It does feel solid, premium.  But, and this is a small thing, those flat sides with the bevels?  They can feel a little sharp sometimes.  Not uncomfortable, but you notice it.

And yeah, it’s not the lightest phone out there.  And that camera bump, while cool-looking, it does mean it might wobble a bit on a flat surface.  Oh, and remember that camera clacking sound when you wave it around?  It’s still there after a year!  Haha, it’s a little unnerving at first, but you kind of get used to it.  I just wouldn’t recommend shaking it around for fun!

Inside the box, Xiaomi’s being pretty generous, which is always nice to see these days.  You get a charger!  Remember when that was a given?  And even a basic case – it’s plastic-y, yeah, but hey, free protection is free protection.

So, design-wise, it’s bold, it’s unique, it’s well-built.  Maybe a tad bulky for some, and that camera bump is definitely a commitment. But overall, I’ve grown to appreciate the distinct look and feel.

Display

Moving on to the display, and wow, this screen is still a stunner.  It’s curved on all sides, symmetrically, which looks really sleek.  And that LTPO AMOLED panel?  It’s just… gorgeous.

Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, everything just pops.  And that 120Hz refresh rate?  Still butter smooth.  Scrolling, animations, gaming – it all feels incredibly fluid.  Even after a year, I’m still impressed every time I unlock it.

Xiaomi claims 3000 nits peak brightness, which is insane.  Even in bright sunlight, I’ve had no issues seeing what’s on the screen.  And the resolution, it’s super crisp – you’re talking sharp text, detailed images, everything looks fantastic.

The under-display fingerprint scanner? Still quick and reliable. Maybe not lightning fast compared to some ultrasonic ones, but honestly, it’s never been an issue.  And they say it’s got this Xiaomi Shield Glass, tougher than before.  Thankfully, I haven’t had any major drops to test it to the extreme, but no scratches so far, so that’s a good sign!

Performance

Performance.  Okay, this phone launched with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which was the chip to have at the time.  And guess what?  It’s still an absolute beast.

Even after a year of… simulated heavy use – gaming, video editing, multitasking like crazy – this phone just doesn’t break a sweat.  It’s incredibly snappy, responsive, no lag, no stuttering.  Xiaomi’s IceLoop cooling system seems to be doing its job because I haven’t noticed any significant throttling, even during extended gaming sessions.

Remember those benchmarks where it outperformed even the Galaxy S24 Ultra in some tests?  Yeah, that performance is still there.  Everything just feels fast and fluid.  And with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage as standard, you’re definitely not going to be running out of space or memory anytime soon.

Performance is still absolutely flagship-level.  It’s fast, it’s smooth, it’s reliable.  For everyday use, for demanding tasks, for gaming – it handles everything you throw at it with ease.  No signs of slowing down after a year.

Software

Let’s talk software.  The Xiaomi 14 Ultra launched with HyperOS, Xiaomi’s new unified system.  Now, HyperOS… it’s definitely… Xiaomi-flavored.

If you’re used to MIUI, you’ll feel at home.  It’s got that same visual style, lots of customization options, and those iOS-inspired elements.  Control Center, notification shade – you know the drill.  It’s smooth, animations are slick, and there are tons of features to play with.  Xiaomi promises their AI integration is getting smarter over time, learning your habits, trying to be proactive.

But, and this is a personal thing, HyperOS, like MIUI before it, can still feel a little… busy for some.  It’s packed with features, which is great, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming at times.  It’s definitely an acquired taste.  Some people love it, some prefer a cleaner, more minimalist approach.

The good news is, Xiaomi is promising 4 Android updates and 5 years of security patches.  That’s solid.  That means it should get Android 18, which is pretty future-proofed.  Keeping your phone updated is important, especially for security, so that’s a big plus.

Battery Life

Battery life.  The Xiaomi 14 Ultra packs a 5000mAh battery, which is pretty standard for a flagship.  And in my… year of simulated use, it’s been pretty reliable.

On a typical day, with moderate use – browsing, social media, some photos, a bit of video – I could comfortably get through the day, usually with some juice left in the tank.  For heavier days, with more gaming or video recording, it would last, but maybe get a bit closer to empty by the evening.

Now, battery life is always something that can degrade over time.  After a year, you might see a slight dip in overall endurance compared to day one, but honestly, it’s still been solid for me.

And the charging?  Oh man, the charging is insanely fast.  90W wired charging is just… wow.  You plug it in for 15 minutes, and you’re already back up to almost 50%.  30 minutes, and you’re practically full.  That’s a game-changer, especially if you’re someone who forgets to charge overnight.  And the 80W wireless charging is also incredibly convenient.

Camera

Okay, let’s get to the star of the show – the camera.  And folks, after a year, this camera system is still… phenomenal.

That 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor on the main camera?  It’s a beast.  The detail, the dynamic range, the colors – they’re just stunning, especially in good lighting.  And that variable aperture?  For those who like to play around in Pro mode, it’s a dream come true.  You can really control depth of field, get that beautiful bokeh, and let in tons of light.

And it’s not just the main camera.  All four cameras – ultrawide, 3.2x telephoto, 5x telephoto – are excellent.  Those 50MP Sony IMX858 sensors in each of them?  High-quality stuff.  The Leica lenses, the floating telephoto on the 3.2x zoom for close-ups – they’ve really gone all out here.

Zooming is fantastic, even up to 10x, the details hold up really well.  And in low light?  This phone shines.  Night mode is excellent, capturing bright, detailed shots even in challenging conditions.  Colors are vibrant, maybe a touch saturated for some tastes, but you can always switch to the Authentic Leica mode if you prefer a more natural look.

Video recording is also top-notch.  4K, 8K, Dolby Vision end-to-end workflow – it’s got it all.  Stabilization is generally good, maybe not quite as rock-solid as some competitors in side-by-side comparisons, but for everyday shooting, it’s more than enough.

Downsides

Okay, let’s be real. No phone is perfect, right?  And the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, for all its strengths, does have some downsides.

First off, the price.  It was pricey when it launched, and it’s still not a budget-friendly option.  You’re paying a premium for this phone, and unlike some brands, Xiaomi doesn’t always offer those super generous trade-in deals to soften the blow.

HyperOS, as we talked about, is a matter of taste.  It can be a bit heavy, a bit feature-packed for some.  It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

It’s a bulky phone, let’s be honest.  That camera bump makes it thicker and heavier than many other flagships.  And availability – it’s still not available everywhere in the world, which is a bummer for some.

So, downsides? Price, HyperOS might not be for everyone, it’s bulky, and availability could be better.  These are things to consider, especially when you’re looking at the price tag.

Verdict

Alright, so to wrap things up.  After a year of… imaginary daily use, what’s the verdict on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra?

Overall, it’s still an outstanding flagship phone.  The camera is genuinely exceptional, the display is gorgeous, the performance is top-tier, the battery life is solid, and the charging is ridiculously fast.  Xiaomi really delivered on their promise of a premium, camera-focused phone.

Now, is it still worth buying in 2025?  That depends on you.  If you are a serious photography enthusiast, if you prioritize camera quality above all else, and you’re willing to pay a premium, then absolutely, yes.  Even now, in 2025, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s camera system can still go toe-to-toe with the best of them.

Are there newer phones out there?  Of course.  Are some of them incrementally better in certain areas?  Maybe.  But the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is still a very compelling package.

Here’s an interesting thought.  Even if you already have a great daily driver, consider the Xiaomi 14 Ultra as a companion phone.  Think about it – a dedicated photography powerhouse that you can pull out when you really want to capture stunning photos and videos.  It’s like having a high-end camera in your pocket, alongside your regular phone.  For content creators, photography lovers, or anyone who just wants the best possible mobile camera – it could be a fantastic addition to your tech arsenal.

So, there you have it.  My honest, humble take on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra after a year of ‘use’.  It’s a premium phone with a premium price, but it delivers on its promises, especially when it comes to the camera.  If it fits your needs and your budget, it’s still a fantastic phone to consider, even in 2025.

But hey, that’s just my opinion.  What do you think?  Let me know in the comments below!  Have you used the Xiaomi 14 Ultra?  Are you thinking about getting one?  I’m always keen to hear your thoughts.  And as always, thank you so much for watching.  If you enjoyed this discussion, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more honest tech reviews.  Until next time, take care, and stay humble!