The smartphone market in 2024 is fiercely competitive, with top brands like Xiaomi and Samsung vying for the crown of the best flagship device. This year, Xiaomi has thrown down the gauntlet with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, a phone that promises to reinvent the brand with a powerful spec sheet, innovative AI features, and a next-gen operating system called Hyper OS. But how does it compare to Samsung’s best, the Galaxy S24 Ultra—a phone that I’ve been using daily since its launch? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison, breaking down everything from unboxing to performance, software, and camera capabilities.
The unboxing experience is where Xiaomi takes an early lead over Samsung, setting the tone with several thoughtful inclusions. When you open the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s box, you’re greeted with not just the phone and a charging cable, but also:
Additionally, Xiaomi offers a separate Photography Kit, which includes a premium leather case, a mount for attaching physical filters, and even a grip that plugs into the USB-C port to provide hardware camera controls. This kit is a bit excessive for most users, but it adds a level of customization and functionality that camera enthusiasts will appreciate.
Verdict: Xiaomi’s unboxing experience is far superior, offering more value right out of the box. This gives the Xiaomi 14 Ultra an early point over the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
When you first hold the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, it’s clear that Xiaomi has made some bold design choices. The phone features a leather-like finish that feels clean and grippy, with a centrally located, symmetrical camera module that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing. However, there’s a significant downside: the camera module is massive, deep, and heavy. This leads to the phone feeling top-heavy, making it somewhat uncomfortable to hold for extended periods.
In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a masterclass in balance and design. Samsung has managed to create a phone that feels great in the hand, with a more subtle camera bump that doesn’t interfere with usability. The S24 Ultra’s design is sleek, and its weight distribution is much better, making it easier to use without feeling like it might slip out of your hand.
One major drawback of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s design is its impact on wireless charging. The large camera module lifts the phone off the charging pad, making it difficult to establish a consistent connection. This is especially problematic when using reverse wireless charging, where precise alignment is crucial. In contrast, Samsung’s design allows for seamless wireless charging without any such issues.
Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins in terms of design and usability, making it more user-friendly for everyday use. This ties the score at 1-1.
The display is a crucial aspect of any smartphone, and both Xiaomi and Samsung have brought their A-game. Xiaomi’s new All-Around Liquid Display on the 14 Ultra is a significant upgrade from its previous models. The display melts into the edges and corners, creating a visually stunning effect that feels futuristic. The lack of a thicker bottom bezel and the elimination of those “bunny rabbit” corners result in a display that’s more immersive and aesthetically pleasing than ever before.
However, while the Xiaomi display is undoubtedly impressive, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra still has the edge in practical usage. Samsung’s display might not have the same “wow” factor as Xiaomi’s liquid display, but it excels in brightness and usability. The S24 Ultra’s screen includes an anti-reflective coating that makes it easier to read in bright sunlight, and its flat design ensures that gestures are more reliably recognized compared to Xiaomi’s curved edges.
Verdict: Although Xiaomi’s display is more visually appealing, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins for its superior usability and brightness, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Samsung leads with a 2-1 score.
Xiaomi has made a significant shift with the introduction of Hyper OS, its new operating system designed to replace the old MIUI. This OS promises better efficiency, new animations, and a suite of new features that are particularly well-integrated with other Xiaomi products. However, despite the hype, my first impression of Hyper OS was somewhat underwhelming. It doesn’t look drastically different from MIUI, and the user experience still feels like a less refined version of iOS, but with a less consistent design.
One major downside of Hyper OS is the presence of built-in ads. Even though these can be disabled, their presence detracts from the premium feel that a flagship device should offer. The ads in the app store, lock screen, and notifications are intrusive and leave a bad taste in the mouth, making it clear that Xiaomi is still monetizing its software through ads, even on its top-tier devices.
On the other hand, Samsung’s One UI is polished and mature. It strikes a perfect balance between functionality and customization, with intuitive gestures, extensive personalization options through Samsung’s Good Lock suite, and a lack of intrusive ads. One UI also benefits from better integration with Samsung’s ecosystem, making it easier to use across multiple devices.
Verdict: While Hyper OS is a step in the right direction, Samsung’s One UI remains the superior software experience, especially for those who value a clean, ad-free interface. Samsung extends its lead to 3-1.
When it comes to software support, Samsung has made huge strides in recent years. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is guaranteed to receive seven years of Android OS updates, ensuring it will stay current until Android version 21. This level of support is unmatched in the Android world and provides incredible value for users who plan to keep their devices for several years.
Xiaomi, on the other hand, offers four years of updates for the 14 Ultra, which is decent but not on par with Samsung’s commitment. While Xiaomi has improved in this area, it still lags behind Samsung, especially considering that many of Xiaomi’s past flagship phones were left without long-term support.
Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins again, thanks to its industry-leading software support, bringing the score to 4-1.
AI is becoming increasingly important in smartphones, and both Xiaomi and Samsung have integrated advanced AI features into their latest flagships. The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes packed with AI features that enhance everything from camera performance to daily usability. Samsung’s AI is more mature, with features like enhanced photo editing, AI-driven battery optimization, and intelligent app suggestions that improve the overall user experience.
Xiaomi’s Hyper OS is built around AI, with features like Hypermind, an AI system that understands user needs and automates tasks across all Xiaomi devices. However, Hypermind is not yet fully operational, and the AI features that are available don’t quite match the breadth or depth of Samsung’s offerings.
One standout feature of Xiaomi’s AI is its video effects, which allow users to apply complex effects to videos with just a tap. This is an impressive capability that was previously only possible with advanced video editing software. However, while this feature is powerful, it doesn’t yet make up for the broader, more integrated AI experience offered by Samsung.
Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes the AI crown, further increasing its lead to 5-1.
Both the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, with Xiaomi offering up to 16GB of RAM compared to Samsung’s 12GB. On paper, Xiaomi has a slight edge in terms of raw specifications. However, real-world performance reveals a different story.
While Xiaomi’s higher RAM allows for better multitasking, its thermal management leaves much to be desired. In stress tests, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra heats up significantly more than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, with internal temperatures reaching 52°C compared to Samsung’s 44°C. This higher temperature not only makes the phone uncomfortable to hold but could also impact long-term performance and battery health.
Interestingly, despite the higher temperatures, Xiaomi manages to maintain higher performance levels during extended use, which suggests it’s pushing the hardware harder at the expense of thermal efficiency. Samsung, on the other hand, takes a more conservative approach, balancing performance with better heat management, which could result in a longer lifespan for the device.
Verdict: Performance is a draw, with Xiaomi offering higher sustained performance but at the cost of higher temperatures. Score remains 5-1.
When it comes to battery life, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has some impressive stats on paper. It features a 5000 mAh battery with 90W wired charging and 80W wireless charging, which is significantly faster than Samsung’s 45W wired and 15W wireless charging speeds. Xiaomi also offers 10W reverse wireless charging, which is higher than Samsung’s 4.5W.
However, despite these impressive charging capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra still outlasts the Xiaomi 14 Ultra in everyday use. The S24 Ultra consistently delivers 10-15% better battery life, which is crucial for users who need their phone to last all day without needing a top-up. Fast charging is great, but it doesn’t compensate for having to charge more frequently.
Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins for overall battery life, bringing the score to 6-1.
The camera system is where Xiaomi has staked its claim to fame with the 14 Ultra. It features a massive, state-of-the-art camera setup with 50MP sensors across the board, larger sensors than those found on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. These larger sensors should, in theory, allow for better low-light performance, improved depth of field, and overall higher image quality.
Xiaomi’s camera system is impressive, offering seamless transitions between lenses and maintaining color accuracy across all focal lengths. The Leica collaboration adds a distinct style to photos, giving them a unique aesthetic that’s reminiscent of professional Leica cameras. This makes the Xiaomi 14 Ultra particularly fun to shoot with, offering a level of creative control that’s rare in smartphones.
The AI-powered video effects on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra are also a game-changer, allowing for advanced editing directly on the phone, something that would have taken hours on traditional software. Xiaomi’s camera system is, without a doubt, one of the most advanced on the market, and it outshines Samsung in certain areas, particularly in creative photography.
However, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra still holds its ground with excellent all-around camera performance, particularly in focus accuracy and consistency. Samsung’s camera system might not have the same artistic flair as Xiaomi’s, but it delivers reliable, high-quality results across a wide range of conditions.
Verdict: The Xiaomi 14 Ultra finally takes a point for its innovative and powerful camera system, bringing the score to 6-2.
After comparing these two flagships across various categories, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes out on top with a score of 6-2. Samsung’s consistency across design, software, battery life, and overall usability makes it the better choice for most users. While the Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers some compelling features, particularly in its camera system, it falls short in other critical areas like software experience, thermal management, and battery life.
Conclusion: If you’re looking for a smartphone that excels in almost every category, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the clear winner. However, if you’re a photography enthusiast who values creative control and advanced camera features, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra might be worth considering—just be prepared to make some compromises in other areas.
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