Xiaomi 14 CIVI Review: A Camera-Centric Flagship with a Premium Design

The Xiaomi 14 CIVI is the latest addition to the Xiaomi 14 series in India, and it’s a camera-centric smartphone that packs a punch. Priced starting at ₹42,999, it’s an affordable flagship option that offers a lot of value for its price. In this review, we’ll dive deeper into the features and performance of the Xiaomi 14 CIVI to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

The Xiaomi 14 CIVI’s design is one of its strongest suits.

Design and Display

The Xiaomi 14 CIVI’s design is one of its strongest suits. The device comes in three color options - Cruise Blue, Matcha Green, and Shadow Black - and I tested the Matcha Green variant. The vegan leather finish on the back of the device gives it a unique look and feel, and the brushed aluminum frame adds to its premium appeal. The device is slim and lightweight, making it easy to use with one hand.

The display on the Xiaomi 14 CIVI is a 6.55-inch 1.5K OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. It’s a quad-curved display that offers a great viewing experience, and the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support make it perfect for watching movies and shows.

The Xiaomi 14 CIVI’s display is perfect for watching movies and shows.

Software and Performance

The Xiaomi 14 CIVI runs on Android 14 out of the box, with the company’s HyperOS on top. The device will get three years of Android updates and four years of security updates, which is decent but not as good as what some other manufacturers offer. HyperOS offers a lot of customization options, but it also comes with some bloatware and occasional ads.

The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which is a powerful processor that can handle most tasks with ease. However, it does heat up during extended gaming sessions, which might be a concern for serious gamers.

The Xiaomi 14 CIVI’s performance is great, but it does heat up during gaming sessions.

Camera

The Xiaomi 14 CIVI features a triple camera setup at the back, consisting of a 50MP primary camera with Light Fusion 800 sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 50MP 2x telephoto camera. The camera app is feature-rich, with options like Leica tuning, Master Portrait, and Swirly bokeh.

The camera performance is great, with the device capturing images with good detail and accurate color reproduction in daylight conditions. The portraits come out well, with good edge detection and subject focus. The device also performs well in low-light conditions, capturing images with minimal noise.

The Xiaomi 14 CIVI’s camera is one of its strongest suits.

Verdict

The Xiaomi 14 CIVI is a great option for those looking for a sleek smartphone with a premium design and good cameras. The device’s vibrant display and powerful chipset are a bonus, but it does miss out on a bigger battery and proper heat management, which might be an issue for gamers.