A Xiaomi 14 Ultra review grounded in a hands-on Galaxy S24 Ultra comparison: Leica cameras, ergonomics, HyperOS, thermal performance and battery life.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra's biggest selling point is also its most awkward design decision. Its enormous Leica camera module produces photographs the video reviewer often prefers to the Galaxy S24 Ultra's, but makes the Xiaomi top-heavy and harder to handle. That trade-off defines this 2024 comparison more clearly than either phone's specification sheet.
Belliste has not independently tested these phones. The observations and measurements below come from the supplied 2024 hands-on comparison.
The reviewer unboxes a protective case, USB cable, pre-applied screen protector and a 90W charger. This is more generous than the Galaxy S24 Ultra package he compares it against, although included accessories can differ by region.
The separate Photography Kit is the more interesting accessory. It combines a textured case with filter-mounting hardware and a USB-C-connected grip with physical camera controls. The reviewer also describes an additional 1,500mAh battery built into the grip. That accessory is not included with the standard phone, and its availability and specifications should be checked before purchase.
The leather-like rear finish feels secure in the reviewer's hand, and the centered camera module gives the phone a distinctive appearance. The problem is its size and mass. The phone feels top-heavy, and the reviewer finds himself adjusting his grip to counterbalance the camera bump.
That raised module also complicates wireless charging in his experience. He describes difficulty aligning the charging coils with some chargers and when attempting reverse wireless charging with another phone. The design is distinctive, but this is a real ergonomic cost rather than a cosmetic complaint.
The Photography Kit grip helps distribute the weight when taking pictures. It does not solve the bulk of the phone for people who want a slim everyday handset.
Xiaomi's subtly curved screen glass wraps toward all four edges. The reviewer appreciates the symmetrical appearance, especially compared with earlier Xiaomi designs, but finds edge gestures slightly less dependable on the curved surface.
Both displays are high-resolution panels with adaptive refresh rates, but Samsung's anti-reflective coating makes the S24 Ultra easier to read in the reviewer's real-world comparison. Xiaomi's higher advertised peak brightness does not overturn that observation; neither display received a controlled brightness measurement in the video.
For buyers who favor visual design, Xiaomi's screen has appeal. For those who use gestures constantly or read outdoors, the reviewer's preference is Samsung.
HyperOS replaces the MIUI branding, but the reviewer finds its overall visual language familiar. What improves is responsiveness: he reports consistently smooth animations, quick camera launches and little noticeable lag during the two weeks he used the phone.
Lock-screen customization, a tidier control center and gallery cutout tools are welcome changes. The animated status area is less useful because few apps supported it at the time.
The largest criticism is advertising and promotional material in parts of the software. The reviewer points to suggested apps, wallpaper content, news surfaces and notifications from Xiaomi apps. Many of these elements can be disabled, but their presence undermines the premium experience he expects. App availability, ad placement and system behavior may differ by market and software version.
He ultimately prefers Samsung's One UI for notification handling, haptics and customization through Good Lock. That is a usability judgment, not a claim that HyperOS lacks everyday features.
At the time of the comparison, the reviewer contrasts Xiaomi's four-year major Android update commitment with Samsung's seven-year promise for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This is a comparison of policies described at launch; prospective buyers in 2026 should check the remaining support period and their regional model's current update schedule.
The video also compares the AI tools available at the time. Samsung offers a broader collection of visible AI functions, while Xiaomi impresses the reviewer with an effect-tracking video editor that lets users attach visual effects to a moving subject. He demonstrates this as a local editing workflow and praises its simplicity.
Some Xiaomi features discussed in the original video were still upcoming when it was recorded. Their current availability cannot be established from this 2024 footage alone.
Both phones use Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-class hardware, with Samsung's Galaxy-specific chip variant tuned differently. The reviewer sees Samsung ahead in some CPU and graphics benchmarks, while Xiaomi's available RAM configurations can offer more headroom for keeping apps open.
Sustained performance tells a different story. In repeated 30-minute 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress tests, he reports indicated internal temperatures of 52°C for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and 44°C for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Xiaomi runs hotter, yet maintains a higher proportion of its performance through the test.
The 52°C and 44°C figures are reported internal readings, not exterior surface temperatures. They show Xiaomi running hotter while sustaining more performance in this test; they do not prove long-term battery or chip damage.
The two devices in the video have 5,000mAh batteries. Xiaomi supports up to 90W wired charging and 80W wireless charging, against the Samsung's 45W wired and 15W wireless specifications cited in the review. Xiaomi also offers reverse wireless charging.
Yet the reviewer reports that the Galaxy S24 Ultra lasts roughly 10–15% longer in his daily routine. This is an anecdotal comparison, not a standardized battery-life score. The video does not establish exact zero-to-full charging times for either device.
The choice depends on routine. People who charge overnight and need maximum unplugged endurance may prefer Samsung's result. People who can top up during the day may value Xiaomi's much higher charging ceiling. Compatible charging hardware matters.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra's rear system comprises four 50MP cameras with a large main sensor, ultrawide and dedicated telephoto options. The main camera also offers a variable aperture. The reviewer is drawn less to megapixel counts than to the way Xiaomi renders depth, color and transitions between lenses.
In his side-by-side examples, the Xiaomi switches focal lengths with little visible color shift. The Leica image profiles produce a softer, more film-like character than the sharper, more saturated Samsung processing he describes. Large sensors and telephoto optics also produce natural background separation in many shots.
That aesthetic is a preference, not a measurable guarantee of better photos. The reviewer explicitly credits Samsung with more reliable autofocus, which matters when subjects move or depth of field becomes shallow. He also praises Xiaomi's video detail, color and noise handling without providing a controlled lab score.
The variable aperture gives photographers another way to manage light and depth of field. For people who like deliberate image-making, it is a more meaningful distinction than extreme digital zoom.
The reviewer demonstrates AI-assisted zoom processing at very high magnifications, including an example around 120x. Some results appear surprisingly legible, but he also notices invented textures and inconsistent activation. These images should be understood as computational reconstructions rather than faithful optical capture of distant detail.
He finds Xiaomi's standard video quality convincing, although he rates Samsung's autofocus more highly. Xiaomi's dedicated movie mode is less flexible in the reviewed software because its output is limited to approximately 1920 × 800 pixels rather than 4K.
For frequent photographers, the optional grip changes the experience. Physical controls, a more camera-like hold and the supplementary battery are practical advantages. They also reinforce that the 14 Ultra is most appealing to someone willing to carry extra equipment for photography.
The video does not deliver a clean win for one phone. Xiaomi is the more interesting photographic tool to this reviewer, with Leica color choices, natural background blur, variable aperture and a dedicated grip. Samsung wins his preference for hand comfort, screen legibility, software polish, longer update support at launch and battery endurance.
Thermal behavior is another trade-off rather than a simple victory: Xiaomi maintains more of its performance under sustained load but runs hotter in the demonstrated test.
Prices have changed since the 2024 launch, and software has evolved. Anyone buying either model now should compare current local prices, battery condition, remaining updates and camera priorities rather than treating the original reviewer's scorecard as a present-day buying verdict.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the more compelling camera to carry and the less comfortable phone to carry it in. Leica-tuned rendering, large sensors, variable aperture and an optional physical grip give photographers genuine reasons to choose it over the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Those advantages come with a top-heavy body, awkward wireless charging alignment in the reviewer's experience and more heat under sustained load. HyperOS also exposed promotional content he did not expect from a flagship. Samsung lasted longer in his daily use and was easier to read outdoors.
Choose the Xiaomi if you regularly shoot portraits, experiment with focal lengths and value its photographic character. Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if you spend more time using your phone one-handed, outdoors or away from a charger. That judgment reflects the supplied 2024 comparison; today's prices and software support still need checking.
The reviewer prefers the Xiaomi 14 Ultra's Leica-style photos and natural background blur, but finds the Galaxy S24 Ultra more reliable for autofocus. This reflects his 2024 comparison.
The reviewer reports an internal temperature reading of 52°C on Xiaomi versus 44°C on Samsung during a 30-minute Wild Life Extreme stress test. These are not exterior surface measurements.
Yes. Its main camera has a variable aperture that can change light intake and depth of field.
The review cites 90W wired and 80W wireless charging, compared with 45W and 15W respectively for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Charging times were not measured in the supplied video.
In the reviewer's personal use, the Galaxy S24 Ultra lasted around 10–15% longer. This is not a standardized battery benchmark.
