Xiaomi 14 Ultra Professional Photography Kit debuts to add powerful grip to new Android super-flagship

Xiaomi has unleashed its latest flagship as the smartphone touted to come as close to a Leica DLSR as possible, rated for example to grab a shot in Instant Capture mode in as little as 0.7 seconds without the need to focus. However, the OEM also hints that it will do better in demanding, highly detailed use-cases such as street shots with the 14 Ultra's Professional Photography Kit.

Like its 13 Ultra-specific predecessor, it is an innovative grip adapter that goes intuitively with the smartphone's huge round camera hump. It also confers a a new video button and physical dial, located to either side of its main shutter button, on the smartphone.

The button can be re-mapped to different camera app shortcuts, whereas the dial can be set to adjust values such as exposure, white balance, ISO or aperture size in the 14 Ultra's Pro Mode. In addition, the 2nd-gen grip upgrades to integrate a 1,500mAh battery as predicted.

It charges via the same 90W HyperCharge tech as its compatible flagship, and is rated to wait until the smartphone's battery level is at 80% or less to start delivering its ancillary power...which is, however, capped at 1,500mAh in typical capacity.

That also means the 14 Ultra's new custom accessory connects via USB-C rather than Bluetooth as with its predecessor, and as such is rated to cut the latency of the smartphone's response to its buttons by up to 53%. The new Professional Photography Kit comes in a box with a "decorative" black or white lens-ring cover as well as a 67mm adapter as well as a wrist-strap. 

It is priced at 999 yuan (~$139), although Xiaomi is offering a 300 yuan (~$42) discount to those who also pre-order a 14 Ultra at its launch.

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