Chinese tech giant Xiaomi held the biggest launch event at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 so far, with a series of different devices unveiled to the world.
Some of these had already been announced in China, so this was a global/international launch for products like the Xiaomi 14 series smartphones.
Still, there was plenty to see beyond phones, with Xiaomi bringing everything a mobile enthusiast could need, including phones, a tablet, and a trio of wearables.
Here’s everything we saw at the big Xiaomi show in Barcelona:
Xiaomi 14 Series
The least shocking announcement, since Xiaomi did not shy away from it before the keynote, was the launch of its new flagship range of smartphones: the Xiaomi 14 series.
There are two models launching in the UK – the regular 14 and 14 Ultra – which means we’re missing out on the Xiaomi 14 Pro. But they are still two excellent phones.
Starting with the classic Xiaomi 14, it’s something of a pocket rocket with a compact chassis but high-end specs, including a 50MP triple rear camera array co-designed with Leica. You get a standard main camera, an ultra-wide telephoto lens, and 3.2x optical zoom.
It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and no less than 12 GB of RAM with 256 or 512 GB of storage. There’s also a 6.36-inch 1.5K CrystalRes AMOLED display that can reach 3,000 nits of brightness, according to Xiaomi.
It will be available in black, white and jade green. Check out our first impressions of the Xiaomi 14 after 24 hours with the phone.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra really goes all out, starting with its “Xiaomi Guardian Structure,” which features a nano-tech vegan leather back, Xiaomi Shield Glass, and an aluminum frame made from a single block. There is also an “IceLoop” cooling system.
It’s powered by the same processor as the standard 14, but has 16GB of RAM. However, photography is a key focus here with a “professional quad-camera setup” with focal lengths of 12-120mm.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The four rear cameras are 50MP, again developed with Leica, comprising a 1-inch main sensor with variable aperture (f/1.63-f/4.0), ultra-wide, periscope and floating telephoto lens. There are also plenty of camera-focused software features, including a new “Master Portrait” mode.
A special photography kit for the 14 Ultra gives you a dedicated grip and case if you’re willing to spend more. Turning it into a full-fledged camera, you get a two-stage shutter release, a zoom lever, a customizable video record button, and an additional custom dial. As a bonus, a 1,500 mAh battery will allow you to film for longer.
Other specifications include a 6.73-inch WQHD+ CrystalRes AMOLED display, along with 90W wired charging and super-fast 80W wireless HyperCharge. It comes in black or white finishes.
Here are the prices and models of the Xiaomi 14 for the range. They are available immediately with pre-order freebies also detailed below.
- Xiaomi 14 – 12/256GB – from £849/$999 – Xiaomi Pad 6 and Xiaomi Band 8 Pro free.
- Xiaomi 14 – 12/512GB – £899 – Free Xiaomi Pad 6
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra – 16/512GB) – £1,299/$1,499 – free camera kit and £300 to spend on Xiaomi ecosystem products
Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 complements the flagship Xiaomi 14 ecosystem. This large tablet is ideal for streaming, as it has a 12.4-inch 3K display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3048 resolution x 2032, giving it an aspect ratio of 3:2.
Xiaomi
If you want to use this tablet for work and creative tasks, you’re covered. The Pad 6S Pro is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and can be paired with 8 or 12 GB of RAM alongside the 256 GB of storage.
You can also purchase the ‘Xiaomi Focus Pen’ and ‘Touchpad Keyboard’ (both optional), giving you the ability to take digital notes and/or replicate a classic laptop setup.
Xiaomi strives to reward users who purchase multiple products from its lineup. “Home Screen+” offers users the ability to respond to messages and calls from Xiaomi smartphones directly on the tablet interface.
“Xiaomi Smart Hub” lets you connect up to seven devices at once, while “Cross-Device Notes” gives you the ability to add images from your phone to your tablet.
All of these features are backed by a hefty 10,000mAh battery and 120W fast charging. We were big fans of the Pad 6, which is one of the best mid-range tablets you can buy. It remains to be seen whether the 6S Pro will be able to compete against more high-end competitors.
Unlike the phones, the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 only comes in one color, Graphite Grey, and costs either £599 for the 8GB variant or £699 for the 12GB version.
Xiaomi Watch 2
Google fans, rejoice. After the Watch 2 Pro in 2023, Xiaomi is launching its next device with Wear OS, so you can get your hands on popular apps like Google Maps, Spotify, WhatsApp and many more.
32GB of storage also means there’s plenty of room for apps and downloadable content.
Xiaomi
The Xiaomi Watch 2 is equipped with a Snapdragon W5+Gen 1 wearable chip, as well as a 495 mAh cell that is said to provide up to 65 hours of battery life under “typical use” conditions.
Made from an aluminum alloy (with a choice of black or silver straps), the Xiaomi Watch 2 has a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen and is relatively lightweight (37g). It also supports over 160 different sports modes, including exercise tracking dedicated to skiing and other winter sports.
The 12-channel heart rate monitoring module provides data on blood oxygen and respiration during sleep and can generate a “sleeping pet” based on a user’s data.
The Xiaomi Watch 2 starts from £169.99 and is available to pre-order from today. Customers can get £20 off the usual price if they purchase the smartwatch before March 18, 2024.
Xiaomi Watch S3
If you want a smartwatch that’s both a little more affordable and customizable – and you don’t mind forgoing Wear OS – then the Xiaomi Watch S3 might be for you.
It instead runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS system, which now supports new hand gestures for specific tasks. For example, you can flip your wrist to reject calls.
Xiaomi
Hardware-wise, the Xiaomi Watch S3 has interchangeable bezels and straps, so you can change the look to suit your taste. It also has a 1.43 AMOLED display and an aluminum alloy body.
The watch has more than 150 exercise tracking modes, including the same winter sports tracking found in the Watch 2, as well as the same health monitoring features. It can also last up to 15 days on a single charge.
The Xiaomi Watch 2 costs £129.99 and is available to pre-order now. If you buy before March 18, you can get £10 off and a free interchangeable bezel.
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro
If all you want is a fitness tracker rather than a full-fledged smartwatch, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro has a lot to offer.
This laptop is ultra-thin and lightweight, measuring 9.99mm thick and weighing 22.5g.
It features a 1.74-inch rectangular AMOLED display, protected by Corning’s rugged Gorilla Glass Victus. It comes in black or silver, although users can get plenty of extra straps to easily change them since the strap supports a quick release.
Xiaomi
There is tracking for over 150 different sports, with a dedicated smart running feature that encourages wearers to stick to a specific pace during their workout. There are 10 running courses available on the group and animations to help users warm up and stretch before and after training.
Under the hood, the Smart Band 8 Pro has a 4-channel heart rate monitor, along with a 298mAh battery that’s claimed to provide up to an impressive 14 days of typical use. It also comes equipped with a 5ATM water resistance rating, making it perfectly suitable for swimming.
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro is the cheapest wearable the brand is offering at MWC 2024, priced at just £59.99. If users pre-order before March 18, they can get £5 off.
Related Articles
Table of Contents
