Xiaomi 14 Ultra falls way short of expectations in DxOMark camera analysis with huge weaknesses compared to Pixel 8 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra (curr. $1,499.99 on Amazon) cut a convincing figure in our recent review. Not only did were we impressed by its overall camera package, but it also scooped our Top Rated Award because of its LTPO AMOLED display, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, fast USB 3.2 Type-C port and 80 W wireless/90 W wired charging capabilities. For reference, Xiaomi equips its latest Ultra smartphone with the following camera hardware:

• Primary: 50 MP (1-inch optical format, f/1.6 – 4.0 variable aperture, 23 mm equivalent focal length, laser AF, OIS)
• Periscope telephoto: 50 MP (1/2.51-inch optical format, f/2.5 aperture, 120 mm equivalent focal length)
• Telephoto: 50 MP (1/2.51-inch optical format, f/1.8 aperture, 75 mm equivalent focal length, macro function)
• Ultra-wide: 50 MP (1/2.51-inch optical format, f/1.8 aperture, 12 mm equivalent focal length)

In short, few smartphones compete with the camera hardware that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra contains, at least on paper. However, DxOMark has found enough failings in its tests to award a total score that falls well short of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra's contemporaries. As the image below shows, the handset managed 149 points overall, a score that puts it 13th overall behind all other current-generation flagships like the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Likewise, all recent Huawei flagships surpass the Xiaomi 14 Ultra in this regard, including the Pura 70 Ultra.

On the one hand, DxOMark observed around a 500-millisecond shutter lag when taking photos with its unit. The large sensor and f/1.6 aperture do not help in this regard either, nor does the Xiaomi 14 Ultra's inability to automatically vary its primary camera's aperture as the Mate 60 Pro Plus can. As a result, people can look blurry in group shots, with image noise also visible in many areas. Unfortunately, the default camera app tends to not accurately represent what a final image will look like. Overall, it seems that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra simply has too many weaknesses in the camera department to overcome other modern flagships.