{"id":295,"date":"2024-10-25T09:49:24","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T09:49:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/?p=295"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:49:24","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T09:49:24","slug":"iphone-15-pro-max-vs-xiaomi-14-ultra-cameras-compared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/2024\/10\/25\/iphone-15-pro-max-vs-xiaomi-14-ultra-cameras-compared\/","title":{"rendered":"iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Cameras compared"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Although the latest iPhone is always likely to slot neatly into our list of the best smartphones for photographers, the competition at the moment is fiercer than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best models on the market right now is the Xiaomi 14 Ultra<\/a>, which comes packed with a host of photographic features that are very tempting to those who crave the very best camera on their smartphone. But can it beat the iPhone 15 Pro Max?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All signs point to yes during our individual reviews of the two models, but what happens when we put them head to head \u2013 let\u2019s find out\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>>>>BP51 Battery for Xiaomi 14 Ultra<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Camera specs<\/strong>
Both of these flagship models have excellent camera specifications for photographers, but it\u2019s fair to say that \u2013 on paper at least \u2013 the Xiaomi has a superlative set up thanks to its quadruple 50MP sensors fronted by Leica-branded lenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Not only that, but the main 1x camera (23mm equivalent) has a variable aperture of f\/1.6-4 (not something we usually see in smartphones) and also has a large 1-inch type sensor \u2013 something we also don\u2019t usually see in smartphones. It is joined by an ultrawide (12mm, f\/1.8), and two telephoto lenses (75mm, f\/1.8 and 120mm f\/2.5). All of the other sensors have a 1\/2.5\u201d sensor, while all of the lenses have Leica Summilux branding.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max\u2019s cameras look a little more pedestrian by comparison. There are just three cameras, with only one offering high resolution (48MP). This is the 1x \u2013 24mm equivalent \u2013 f\/1.8 lens. It is joined by two 12MP sensors, one with a 13mm f\/2.2 ultrawide lens and one with a 120mm f\/2.8 telephoto lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Both smartphones have selfie cameras \u2013 of course \u2013 with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra having a 32MP f\/2.0 selfie camera, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max having a 12MP selfie camera. While the Xiaomi 14 Ultra\u2019s is higher resolution, it doesn\u2019t have AF (the iPhone\u2019s does).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it\u2019s safe to say that here the Xiaomi is the overall winner, but what results will they deliver in real-world shooting\u2026?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>>>BP4R Battery for Xiaomi 14 Pro<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Camera apps and shooting modes<\/strong>
As with many other Android models, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a much more comprehensive native camera app than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with a standard shooting mode, there\u2019s an array of special modes. Some are fairly commonly found on most phones, such as \u201cNight\u201d mode for shooting in low light, but there are others which are a bit more unusual. The Portrait mode for example includes the ability to recreate the look of Leica lenses, rather than being a straightforward Portrait mode. It should be noted however that Leica recently introduced an app which allows the same for iPhone, so this is no longer strictly a unique selling point in the comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enthusiast photographers may wish to take advantage of the \u201cPro\u201d mode which gives you a range of different shooting parameters which you can change, such as white balance, ISO, focus mode, shutter speed and if you\u2019re shooting with the 1x lens, aperture. This is also where you can shoot in raw format if you wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max  Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contrast, the iPhone\u2019s native camera app has a little less going on. You still have a Portrait mode and various video options, but other things are missing. There is a Night mode, but it comes on automatically when low light is detected, it\u2019s not something you can select yourself. There is no Pro mode, but there is the option to switch on raw format shooting from the main Photo mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An interesting thing to note here is that as well as the dedicated Photo mode, when the phone detects that you\u2019re photographing a portrait subject (human, dog or cat), then it will automatically save the data needed to convert it into a portrait later on. This has been incredibly useful when quickly photographing such subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max  Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So do we have a clear-cut winner here? That largely depends on what you\u2019re priorities are. If you really want a Pro mode in your native app, then it\u2019s the Xiaomi that wins, but if you\u2019re happy enough to have a fairly simple app and download a more comprehensive one separately, then the iPhone is still a good shout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>>>BP4Q Battery for Xiaomi 14<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: General image quality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this scene, both look great, but I\u2019d say that the Xiaomi has more pleasing colours, while the iPhone shot has a slightly green cast. The same colour issue can be seen in the ultrawide shot too, although on the plus side at least the colours are matched between lenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detail is good from both models, though it\u2019s worth pointing out that the standard output from the iPhone is 24MP when using the standard lens, compared to 12MP from the Xiaomi, so there\u2019s a little more potentially for cropping with the iPhone. Exposures are well balanced with both models, with both demonstrating a good blend of highlights and shadows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When there\u2019s artificial lighting present in a scene, both do a pretty good job. Here, the Xiaomi has corrected what the scene actually looked like to produce a pleasing result. The iPhone has kept things more accurate \u2013 the light looked yellowish in real life, but it could be argued that therefore the result is slightly less pleasing to look at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve got a bit of a tie-break situation here, with both producing excellent images in everyday conditions. It might be easier to pick things apart when looking a bit more closely at specific shooting scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Macro<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


If you\u2019re into taking close-ups, both phones here have suitable modes to allow for that, and both put in great performance. It\u2019s only the Xiaomi however which has a floating telephoto which has been specifically designed to create good macro images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two ways to create macros using either phone. You can simply move your phone closer to the subject and the phone will automatically switch to the ultrawide lens. Or, if you want to fill the frame a bit more, you can also switch to the 5x lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my test, the iPhone puts in a reasonably good performance when shooting with the ultrawide after automatically switching to it, but the Xiaomi\u2019s is noticeably better, being cleaner and brighter. However, I have been extremely impressed by what the Xiaomi is capable of from the telephoto \u2013 here it blows the iPhone out of the water, producing an image which I think would be easy to pretend came from a \u201creal\u201d camera. It\u2019s crisp where it needs to be, has plenty of detail, but also has a beautifully blurred background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here I have to give top marks to the Xiaomi, if you regularly shoot close-ups, I\u2019d probably say it\u2019s worth buying the Xiaomi for that purpose alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Screen and Design<\/strong>
Both of these smartphones are pretty large, with both having a 6.7\u201d screen. The overall sizes of the phones are both reasonably close in size to each other, with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra measuring up at 161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2mm and 219.8g, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max coming in at 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm and 221g. If you\u2019re after a small phone, neither of these devices are going to be for you \u2013 but it\u2019s hard to deny these large screens are great for viewing your photos on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max  Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do want a smaller iPhone, you can opt for the iPhone 15 Pro (6.1\u201d screen), which has most of the same specifications as the Max version, but the telephoto lens is only 3x, rather than 5x. Similarly, you can also get a smaller Xiaomi, in the shape of the Xiaomi 14 (6.3\u201d screen), but here \u2013 among other things \u2013 you lose the fourth (telephoto) lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Size aside, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a 3200 x 1440 pixel screen with 3000 nits maximum brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes it higher resolution and brighter than the iPhone 15 Pro Max which has a 2796 x 1290 pixel screen with 2000 nits maximum brightness (it has the same 120Hz refresh rate). The difference isn\u2019t hugely noticeable in real-world usage though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both are IP68 rated, meaning that they can withstand water and dust exposure. The Xiaomi has \u201cXiaomi Shield\u201d for the screen, while the iPhone uses a \u201cCeramic Shield\u201d \u2013 it\u2019s hard to say exactly how these two compare, but either way, neither phone has succumbed to scratches while I have been using them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(Left: iPhone 15 Pro Max  Right: Xiaomi 14 Ultra)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of design, the Xiaomi make some slightly odd aesthetic choices \u2013 but it does look a bit more like a \u201creal\u201d camera, with its large ring around the four lenses. The iPhone looks like, well, an iPhone. Some people feel these are aesthetically pleasing \u2013 but they\u2019ve been a bit boring for a while now. Look at the pictures and decide for yourself which you prefer the look of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here I\u2019d say it\u2019s a bit of a tie when it comes to design. Both are large, both are high resolution, both have waterproofing. So, it might come down to which you personally feel is the more attractive of the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Battery life, charging and storage<\/strong>
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery and boasts both wireless charging and super quick charging (separate chargers will need to be bought, they don\u2019t come in the box). It uses a USB-C connection, as is standard now. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max also fast charging and wireless capabilities \u2013 again you will need to buy a charger for that capability. Apple doesn\u2019t disclose the size of its batteries but says that it is rated for 29 hours of video play back, which gives an indication that it\u2019s probably reasonably close in size to the Xiaomi\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, in real-world usage, both phones usually easily last a full day, even with reasonably heavy usage and spending a lot of time using the camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In terms of storage, the Xiaomi only has a 512GB option, which should be plenty for the average user. For the iPhone, you can go for a lower amount (256GB), or a higher amount (1TB), with price variations accordingly. For most photographers, the 256GB version is likely to be adequate \u2013 especially if you make use of cloud storage, but for content creators shooting video, the higher storage might be a better option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Verdict<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So after all that testing, what\u2019s the conclusion?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s safe to say that both these flagship models are excellent for photographers, and despite high prices for both of them, represent good value for money considering the quality you get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it has to be said that the overall trophy quite probably belongs to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. It does extremely well in all areas, beating the iPhone in most of them quite easily. There are some caveats depending on what you like to shoot and how you like your images to look. Some might prefer the warmer tones of the iPhone for example, but it\u2019s hard to deny that the Xiaomi keeps very close to accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019re into macro photography, the Xiaomi is nigh-on perfection, while in some low light conditions, the iPhone\u2019s inbuilt night mode seems to perform just a touch better than the Xiaomi\u2019s \u2013 so if either one of those things is your bag, then it might sway you in either direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there will be many who simply prefer the look of one or the other, and many more who prefer using iOS compared to Android (or vice versa). If that\u2019s you, then it\u2019s likely to be hard to push you one way or the other, but if you\u2019re OS agnostic, then certainly don\u2019t dismiss changing sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for cost \u2013 as mentioned, they are both expensive. However, like for like prices for both models when you consider storage makes the Xiaomi better value. That said, when it comes to resale, it\u2019s probably fair to say that an iPhone will almost certainly hold its value better than the Xiaomi, so that\u2019s something to consider too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end, the answer is \u2013 as is so often the case \u2013 a solid \u201cit depends\u201d, but, if pushed to make a final decision on which is the best smartphone for photographers, I\u2019d give it to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Although the latest iPhone is always likely to slot neatly into our list of the best smartphones for photographers, the competition at the moment is fiercer than ever. One of the best models on the market right now is the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which comes packed with a host of photographic features that are very … Continue reading iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Cameras compared<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-iphone"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=295"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":296,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295\/revisions\/296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}