Taking photos at night or being able to capture what is most human can be quite challenging but incredibly interesting. Night scenes often evoke a sense of mystery and calmness amidst the solitude, while genuine human moments evoke strong emotions that keep us engaged and intrigued. These moments, fleeting most of the time, when captured make photography so captivating especially when using the Xiaomi 14T.
The Xiaomi 14T is a flagship mid-ranger that harmoniously blends high-end flagship features with the affordability of a mid-range phone. Distinguished by its 6.67-inch 144Hz AMOLED display and Titan design, the Xiaomi 14T boasts a robust aluminum alloy frame with a slim and classy silhouette. However, what truly makes the 14T captivating is its seamless integration of camera features and AI capabilities.
Co-engineered with Leica, the Xiaomi 14T at its rear features a triple camera system: a 50MP Leica main camera, a 50MP Leica telephoto camera and a 12MP, Leica ultra-wide camera, all equipped with Summilux lenses. It also features a 32MP front camera that supports up to 4K 30fps video recording.
Summilux lenses are known for their ability to take great photos in various situations, whether it's everyday photography, landscapes, or capturing distant subjects. This versatility is made possible by their large or wide apertures, which are excellent for low-light photography. They are capable of producing clear images without too much noise which means sharp and clear photos without graininess.
Here is how it works: Imagine the pupil of your eye. When it opens wide, it lets in more light, and when it closes down, less light gets in. The aperture is like our pupil. So, when a camera has a larger aperture, the lens can capture more light. In the case of the Xiaomi 14T, its 50MP main camera has a f/1.7 large aperture, letting in more light, which is especially good in challenging light conditions. This creates a shallow depth of field, making the background artistically blurred (bokeh) while keeping the subject in focus. This is crucial, especially if you want to reveal true emotions. This makes images feel more human and relatable.
Sony IMX906 image sensor and Xiaomi AISP
Apart from the large and versatile aperture, the Xiaomi 14T's 50MP Leica main camera also features a Sony IMX906 image sensor with OIS. This sensor, with its size of 1/1.56 inches, can capture more light. It can also capture a wider range of light and dark areas, leading to images with better contrast and detail. This makes the images not only clearer and more distinct; but also livelier. Colors appear more accurate and realistic.
A valuable feature in smartphones is the inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization or OIS. This helps eliminate the effects of shaky, unsteady hands, which is a common issue for many people. I know, it is one of mine; but this feature is heaven-sent as it ensures my photos and videos come out clear and sharp and not at all blurry or dizzy.
As mentioned previously, one of the outstanding features of the Xiaomi 14T is the seamless integration of AI capabilities into this one good-looking device. The Xiaomi AISP or Artificial Intelligence Super Photography is a distinct Xiaomi feature that makes photos genuinely amazing. How? AI automatically improves pictures by adjusting brightness, color and sharpness in any situation - whether it is taking a fast-moving subject, or taking photos at a distance or in situations where light conditions are challenging - AI will automatically adjust. Best of all, it works in real-time. This means AI works as you are taking the photo. No need to edit for later.
One great thing about Xiaomi AISP is how it handles digital zoom. Normally, one would prefer optical zoom as it retains the quality of the image. Similar to binoculars, optical zoom works with the lens physically moving to zoom in. Digital zoom, on the other hand, just enlarges the image relying on the software to make it appear closer. This just makes the image look grainy or blurry. But with Xiaomi AISP, even when you use digital zoom up to 30X, the AI enhancements will help keep the images clear and detailed. You still get the benefits of zooming in without actually losing image quality.
Apart from the AI-enhanced sensor zoom technology, Xiaomi AISP also excels in low-light conditions. It is also capable of capturing vibrant images with very minimal noise and this is exactly what the Xiaomi XT Series stands out for - exceptional night photography.
As you can see, with the capabilities of the Summilux lens, Sony IMX906 image sensor and Xiaomi AISP, I was able to produce (unprofessional as I am) quite stunning night scenes.
I am not fond of taking videos. Videos I recorded often felt a bit shaky, making it hard to focus on the moving subjects. Surprisingly, using the Xiaomi 14T felt different. There were no sudden, spasmodic hand movements, and no bumpy or wobbly footages. Changing focus from one subject to another was smooth and more polished, resulting in a smooth focus transition and high-resolution output. The 4K at 60fps video recording features really helped an amateur like me. Being able to capture more frames per second made fast movements appear smooth and fluid. I was quite pleased when I watched my son play basketball on video. The video was sharp and clear.
The Xiaomi 14T functions like a well oiled machine, with all its premium features working seamlessly together. We have marveled at how amazing its triple camera system is. Now, let us get to the heart of the device - its Mediatek Dimensity 8300 Ultra processor.
As MediaTek's next-generation 5G mobile processor, the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra ensures everything runs smoothly and efficiently. This includes lag-free app launches, seamless mutitasking and efficient power management.
MediaTek 8300 Ultra is equipped with NPU 780 next-generation AI processor. This dedicated Neural Processing Unit efficiently handles AI tasks like Circle to Search with Google, Google Gemini, Magic Compose, AI Interpreter, AI Notes, AI Recorder, AI Subtitles, AI Film, AI Image Editing and AI Portraits efficiently. Together with the Xiaomi HyperOS operating systems, all these functions and capabilities run smoothly, providing a seamless and efficient user experience.
The Xiaomi 14T is a great choice for those looking for a smartphone that blends flagship features and affordability. Its exceptional camera system co-engineered with Leica effortlessly transforms mundane moments to something meaningful and extraordinary by capturing emotions in detail. Fleeting as it may be, these emotions turn into stunning visuals. But beyond this, the Xiaomi 14T is a device that offers remarkable user experience made possible by its powerful processor, intelligent AI features, advanced heat dissipation technology (Xiaomi IceLoop system), long battery life (5000mAh) and 67W HyperCharge capability. With all these and more, the Xiaomi 14T provides users with the tools to be creative, productive and to see the world in detail.