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Android smartphones are usually seen with larger displays but not everyone wants them. Some people prefer compact devices which are easier to carry around and convenient for one-handed usage. When we talk about Android phones that are not only compact but also offer flagship performance, the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Xiaomi 14 will be among the top names.
If you are confused about which of these two phones to pick, we are here to help. Let us have a closer look.
Design and Display
Both Xiaomi and Samsung have opted for their well-established design languages for the two smartphones. The Galaxy S24 has a vertically aligned triple camera setup on the back where each sensor has a separate ring around it. There is no camera module to house these cameras like we see on many other devices. You get aluminum side frames, Corning Gorilla Glass 2 Victus back glass protection, and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
The Xiaomi 14 has the company’s signature back panel design featuring a square-shaped camera module. It houses all three camera sensors and also boasts Leica branding. The back panel has undisclosed glass protection, aluminum frames, and an IP68 rating. Both phones have a centered punch-hole on the front side for a selfie camera.
While it will be up to you to choose what design you prefer, do note that the Xiaomi 14 is relatively thicker and heavier as compared to the Galaxy S24. It has around 8.3 mm thickness and weighs around 190 grams as compared to the 7.6 mm and about 168 grams weight of the Samsung flagship.
The Xiaomi 14 sports a 6.36-inch LTPO OLED display with 1200 x 2670 pixels resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The Galaxy S24 comes with a 6.2-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution and Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It supports HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate, and 2,600 nits peak brightness. The unique thing is it offers Always On Display if you prefer that.
Performance
Both Xiaomi 14 and Samsung Galaxy S24 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with Adreno 750 GPU. Here is the difference in clock speeds of CPU cores:
- Cortex-X4 at 3.3GHz, 3 Cortex-A720 at 3.2GHz, 2 Cortex-A720 at 3GHz, and 2 Cortex-A520 at 2.3GHz
- Cortex-X4 at 3.39GHz, 3 Cortex-A720 at 3.1GHz, 2 Cortex-A720 at 2.9GHz, and 2 Cortex-A520 at 2.2GHz
It means you should not see a major difference in the performance of these smartphones, be it everyday or extensive tasks like gaming and editing.
You will get up to 16GB of RAM options with the Xiaomi 14 and up to 12GB of RAM with the Galaxy S24. The onboard storage options are available up to 1TB and 512GB respectively. Do note that the 128GB variant of the Galaxy S24 comes with UFS 3.1 storage. All other options are available with significantly faster UFS 4.0 storage.
Cameras
The Xiaomi 14 has a triple camera setup featuring a 50MP wide-angle sensor with f/1.6 aperture, a 50MP telephoto sensor with f/2.0 aperture and 3.2x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture. There is PDAF and OIS support available on the first two sensors. You do get Leica-tuned cameras with significant improvement in camera performance.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 also has triple rear cameras including a 50MP wide-angle sensor with f/1.8 aperture, a 10MP telephoto sensor with f/2.4 aperture and 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture. It also offers PDAF and OIS support through the first two sensors.
You will not be disappointed with the camera performance of either of these smartphones.
Software
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra boots HyperOS based on Android 14. It is the new custom Android skin seen as an evolution of the well-known MIUI. It is smoother, more fluidic, and well-optimized than before. It will receive four major OS upgrades and five years of security patches.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 offers OneUI 6.1 based on Android 14. It is the typical Samsung software experience which we have seen improve in the last few years. You do get a good mix of AI features and S Pen capabilities that enhance the overall user experience. Samsung further offers seven years of OS upgrades and security updates.
Battery
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is packed with a 4,000mAh battery. It supports 25W wired fast charging (50% charge in 30 minutes), 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
The Xiaomi 14 has a 4,610mAh battery but with a much faster charging speed. It offers 90W wired fast charging (100% in 31 minutes), 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is an Android flagship that offers everything you have come to expect from the company. It has gotten better with time and also become smarter with Galaxy AI. If you have previously used a Samsung flagship, you will enjoy using the phone.
The Xiaomi 14 is a smartphone that shows Xiaomi is not just about entry-level and budget smartphones. The company offers a package featuring premium specifications and features. The only thing is it is not available in the United States officially. You will need to get it imported and consider if the pricing is worth spending.
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