Xiaomi 14 Ultra: The Phone Made For Photographers

The Xiaomi team reached out for a paid partnership to take their new 14 Ultra on a test drive. After 3 weeks, I've put together my thoughts on the best features and experiences with this new smartphone.
00:00 The Intro
01:59 Leica Image Profiles
02:52 Leica Filters
03:12 UltraRAW Mode
03:31 The Leica Influence
04:30 More Cameras
05:45 The Camera Kit
07:13 Video Features
07:55 Favourite Features
09:09 Final Thoughts
11:34 The Outro
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#Xiaomi #Xiaomi14ultra #Leica

[@frankartale1026]

This is what every camera manufacturer should have been doing for years. I've said this for a longtime. Fuji/canon/Nikon etc... should all pair up with a cell company just like Leica did.

[@thepathofbri]

Just picked up mine yesterday and have to say, took it out last night and had a wonderful experience. Agree with you that we should use it for what it is, and all the negative people that have commented just need to lighten up. It is not a "camera to end all cameras". It is a great tool that has a lot of features that will inspire a photographer to "create". I am a photographer, I have worked in this industry for a long time and shoot Sony and Leica combined with GM lenses, and full range of vintage glass. But this Xaomi is just fun to walk around with, be able to flip from 12 mm to tele, play with the filters (and yes the HC BNW is awesome). Enjoyed your perspective and genuine feedback on the device. Pretty much sums up why I got one and I too look forward to "having it around for awhile".

[@diegoskt5]

I have an iphone 15 pro max and now bought Xiaomi 14 Ultra. I'm doing some tests but tending to prefer the Xiaomi's photos more.

[@GajanBalan]

I found that to be the case time and time again.

[@nnh2584]

From what I heard Xiaomi often have problem on some apps functions whenever there is a system updates …

[@itzzkundan]

Watching on Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Best smartphone, no any problems, no regret! ​@@nnh2584

[@azuki2919]

And thats just because the Xiaomi is miles ahead of the 15

[@chromaticvisuelle]

Xiaomi should send me one, I would do great work with it :)

[@mikerana3241]

👍🏼 amazing review. Definitely will yake a look at this in the future for buying purposes.

[@GajanBalan]

Thanks for watching brother 🙏🏾

[@khayazikhali9340]

I own this now for 2 months, I'm no main photographer but I have done a lot of family photoshoot using portrait mode.....and results are the best

[@jasonbowen2835]

I'm excited for this haven't gotten mine as yet waiting on my order, photography kit will have to wait a few months to get

[@GajanBalan]

Congrats. Enjoy the journey ✌🏾

[@REMY.C.]

I try to always have a camera on me. The last phone I bought was supposed to be my camera when I couldn't take proper one but I was very disappointed by the quality from the get go. My next phone (I tend to keep them for years) need to be a photography and video tool with good enough quality. The phone you presented is a step towards being a great tool.

[@williamsdimetri]

This is actually incredible….wow!😳

[@GajanBalan]

Thanks for watching brother✌🏾

[@CaviteTechnology]

Love those shots

[@GajanBalan]

Thanks for watching ✌🏾

[@barclayjb]

The grip with the shutter release looks fantastic. I have a Pixel phone and a Ulanzi CapGrip. It is a good feel but only adds a shutter release. The other features on the Xiaomi look great. And it is a good looking device. The Ulanzi only costs a few bucks and it looks like it costs about three bucks.

[@adrianobanak2824]

Looks very interesting! I have Leica Q2 camera and it would be great to have a smartphone that can produce images that look very similar to it (in regards of that Leica micro contrast) and not like typical, over saturated smartphone images with almost perfect, but un-natural exposure.

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

Once iMessage and Android start communicating efficiently, there really won’t be so much of a problem for one type of a device versus another. This device seems like a wonderful experience when one doesn’t want to bring their SL/M/Q or insert other X camera body here. Nicely explained brother.

[@GajanBalan]

If iMessage ever comes to Android, there’s gonna be a massive shift in what people use as their daily driver. Thanks for watching ✌🏾

[@richa2495]

This is wonderful idea. I use apple products. And shoot photos with the m10. If Apple decides to partner with Leica, that would be great.

[@itzzkundan]

Watching on Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Best decision, No regret! (I had Xiaomi 13 Pro last year also)

[@-grey]

Idk. I love the idea, and I even went to buy one with the shutter grip, but stopped when I realised it's pricier than a Ricoh GRIII, has less features than a ZV1 or G7X 1" compact. And at the end of the day it's still a phone which comes with the negatives of no real optical zoom, no built-in ND, no physical dials to make choices quickly even when the camera is off, no flip screen to use the best lens for family/vacation selfies, and they'll update it to kill the battery and performance in about 10 months time to ramp up marketing for the 15 Ultra at another $1.2k. Honestly, even just the super basic ZV1 or old RX100 would be better value. This is too much money for too little camera, especially because the rest of the daily productivity tasks can be easily done with a ~$200 entry level phone, so the extra grand is going to be for that 1" sensor camera. That said: If I had money to burn, I'd get one just for the sake of it. Cool idea, nice images. Fun way to approach a phone, and I love the grip. Terrible value if you want a good camera, or just want a good phone - Unless you're an iPhone user and accustomed to the price point x product lifecycle. It's giving Patek Phillipe clock in a Honda dash, but priced like a Ferrari for the exquisite time piece. 😂

[@GajanBalan]

I mean, yea. When you start comparing this to cameras, the value proposition starts to fall apart. The positioning here is that this is a smartphone that behaves more like a camera. Not a camera trying to replace a camera, if that makes sense. Not for everyone, but cool tech.

[@WestVillage-vv3hg]

The more I look at this, the more interesting it becomes for me. The 1" sensor + fast lens is really a big deal. I wish at least one of the other lenses had a 1/1.7" lens, but 1/2.5" is still competitive or better than most other phones. The grip plugs into the USB-C port, so, in theory, it should have less lag than a bluetooth grip like the Fjorden. Plus, you have the quality of life improvements, like being able to 'easily' zone focus with the pre-set distances. The problem for me is that it will have to be purchased as a dedicated camera, not as a phone camera. I am not quite ready to jump to Android yet. Looked at that way, it becomes a tougher sell vs something like a Sony ZV-1 (which can be had for half the price of this phone or an RX100/G7X or other 1-inch compact cameras. But, it is still intriguing.

[@GajanBalan]

Well said. And I’m right there with you. Thanks for watching ✌🏾

[@sultanabran1]

it's a shame Leica partners up with xiaomi instead of google. this is great, but i've had xiaomi phones before. the software does my head in. if this was on a pixel, woo wee this would be perfect. as an owner of the Nokia 1020, the camera grip is brilliant.

[@REMY.C.]

Just a question, how is the camera handle secured on the phone? Is it just by being plugged to the USB? Is that enough to be secured so the phone doesn't get detached?

[@GajanBalan]

There’s the grip but also a lock that you switch. It’s secure.

[@greger589]

OnePlus 12 Is great to

[@santamariamarvy]

Release it global!

[@peterhanley8773]

You’ve addressed some compelling arguments. My technology universe is Apple. I’m curious on why Apple hasn’t collaborated with Leica?

[@GajanBalan]

I imagine it’s just about verticality and branding. Apple would rather own the supply chain and be known for their innovations than share it with someone else. At least, that’s my guess.

[@drwatsonismine]

Where do you get one in USA?

[@GajanBalan]

Right now it still seems tricky. You have to find an online retailer that sells it, and just make sure you’re shopping for the model that supports North American networks.

[@drwatsonismine]

@@GajanBalan yes.. thanks, very difficult unfortunately.. I appreciate your help.

[@jeffsturgess2530]

So very tempted but all my tech is apple.

[@GajanBalan]

Same.

[@wrk4mines]

☝🏾. Best I can do 🤣🤣🤣

[@GajanBalan]

😂

[@nnh2584]

I still using my S21Ultra 😅 for work for all social media shots 😅…too many n rapid on all these new models

[@GajanBalan]

Nice!

[@REMY.C.]

Revisit the biases by being biased by a sponsor. Made me laugh 😂

[@GajanBalan]

Leaning in 😂

[@REMY.C.]

@@GajanBalan oh you know what they say, combat evil with evil 😂

[@angela-r]

🖕😂 I’ve been waiting a long time for Apple to do something like this. I really like it, but I just can’t leave the Apple ecosystem yet. That’s the only issue keeping me from buying. 😞 (And I don’t want 2 mobile devices). Thanks for this review!

[@GajanBalan]

Thanks for watching Angela 🖕🏾😂 And yea, that’s the biggest thing. If you live in an iOS world, hard to fracture that.

[@REMY.C.]

🖕 I always watch to the end 😂

[@GajanBalan]

Haha! Appreciate you, thanks for watching 🖕🏾😂

[@REMY.C.]

@@GajanBalan thanks for giving me the finger back, appreciate it 😆

[@PotatosPotatoes]

This is a commercial.

[@GajanBalan]

11:34

[@danc7939]

Just a pity about the data security and privacy issues.

[@kmahadev8243]

I wouldn't invest a lakh over this dumb brand and product whose lens are condensing. I guess they needed more test runs to launch this. Right now I see I see it as a bad choice when we see the price. Not worth it.

[@hayabusaTravels]

If you want photo, you buy a camera and a lens and NOT spend 1300$ on phone with Leica or not Leica!!! The Xiaomi only has a one inch sensor for that 50 MP, f/1.6-f/4.0, 23mm (wide), the rest is 1/2.51"!!! Even the 300$ phones from 2017 had 1.22"! Stop with the Leica this, Leica that! We are not all that stupid! And YOU KNOW what I mean!

[@GajanBalan]

Are you alright?