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Xiaomi and Leica announce the new 14T and 14T Pro smartphones featuring Leica-branded lenses
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The Xiaomi 14T Pro includes a triple-camera system co-engineered with Leica featuring Summilux-branded lenses. Image: Xiaomi/Leica |
Xiaomi has announced its newest smartphones co-engineered with Leica, the Xiaomi 14T and 14T Pro. It also announced that the Mix Flip, a foldable phone announced earlier this year, will be introduced to the "global market." (We are seeking clarification about whether this includes North America.) All three models feature camera systems with Leica-branded Summilux lenses.
Xiaomi 14T Pro
The Xiaomi 14T Pro features a triple-camera system. Its main camera is built around a 23mm equivalent F1.6 lens in front of a 50MP Type 1/1.31 sensor (9.2 x 7.8mm). It includes optical image stabilization. The companies call this a "4-in-1 Super Pixel" sensor, which we're assuming is their branding for the QuadBayer/TetraCell concept.
According to Leica and Xiaomi, the main camera captures 32% more light than its predecessor. This is despite a slight reduction in sensor size and comes from the move from an F1.9 lens on the 13T Pro to an F1.6 lens on the new camera.
The 14T Pro's other camera modules include a 15mm equiv. ultra-wide F2.2 camera with 12MP resolution and a 60mm equiv. F2 telephoto camera with a 50MP 'Super Pixel' 4.9 x 4.2mm sensor. Despite the longest lens being 60mm equivalent, the companies claim the camera system delivers "five different focal lengths from 15mm to 120mm."
Interestingly, the companies name the combined camera systems as if they were a single lens, giving the "LEICA VARIO-SUMMILUX 1:1.6-2.2/15-60 ASPH."
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The Xiaomi 14T Image: Xiaomi/Leica |
Xiaomi 14T
The Xiaomi 14T also features a triple-camera system with a 23mm equiv. main camera module. Like the 14T Pro, it has a 50MP Super Pixel design but uses a smaller Type 1/1.56 sensor (7.7 x 6.5mm) and has a slightly slower F1.7 aperture. It also includes optical image stabilization.
The other camera modules on the 14T include a 15mm equiv. ultra-wide F2.2 camera with 12MP resolution and a 50mm equiv. F1.9 telephoto camera with a 50MP Super Pixel sensor. The companies claim the 14T's camera system delivers "five different focal lengths from 15mm to 100mm."
Again, the combined capability of the system is named in traditional Leica style, as if it were a single lens: LEICA VARIO-SUMMILUX 1:1.7-2.2/15-50 ASPH.
Both 14T models include 6.67" AMOLED displays with a refresh rate of 144Hz, 100% DCI-P3 coverage and a peak brightness of 4000 Nits. They can capture video up to 8K/30p or 4K/60p and include 10-bit HDR support using the Rec. 2020 color space and Log video capture.
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The Xiaomi Mix Flip, introduced earlier this year, will now be available "globally," according to the company. Image: Xiaomi/Leica |
The Mix Flip is Xiaomi's first vertically foldable phone co-engineered with Leica and includes a dual-camera system. Its main camera consists of a 23mm equiv. F1.7 lens and a 50mm Super Pixel Type 1/1.55 sensor (7.7 x 6.5mm). A telephoto camera features a 47mm equiv. 'floating' lens that facilitates focus as close as 9cm (3.5"); the telephoto camera uses a 50mm Type 1/2.61 Super Pixel sensor (4.7 x 4.0mm).
According to Xiaomi, the 14T will retail for €649 and the 14T Pro for €799. The Mix Flip has a retail price of €1299. The company says the Mix Flip will be available "globally," but no details are given about availability in the US.
Press release:
Xiaomi and Leica Camera AG present the Xiaomi 14T series with Leica optics
With the Xiaomi Mix Flip, their first co-engineered foldable smartphone is coming to Europe
Wetzlar, Germany, September 26th, 2024 – Xiaomi and Leica Camera AG are introducing the newest member of their co-engineered family today: the Xiaomi 14T series. It is made up of two models, the Xiaomi 14T and the more powerful Xiaomi 14T Pro, each of which is designed to fulfil different user requirements. Both have a triple camera system with Summilux lenses, which have been developed in collaboration with Leica. Also, with the Xiaomi Mix Flip, the first co-engineered foldable smartphone is being launched on the European market. The Xiaomi 14T series and the Xiaomi Mix Flip are available to buy today in Europe.
The Leica Summilux lens for the Xiaomi 14T series features a large aperture and offers excellent optical performance. It creates captivating images thanks to its excellent color rendering, strong contrast and high resolution, whereby the most minute details can be captured even in difficult lighting conditions.
The ideal camera to meet any demand
The Xiaomi 14T Pro is equipped with a versatile triple camera system sporting five different focal lengths from 15 mm to 120 mm. It has a 50-megapixel Leica main lens, a 50-megapixel Leica telephoto lens and a 12-megapixel Leica ultra wide-angle camera. The advanced 50- megapixel main camera amazes with its fast ƒ/1.6 Leica Summilux optics. This sensor, which captures 32 percent more light than its predecessor, ensures brilliant, detailed shots with a high dynamic range even in difficult lighting conditions. The five focal lengths provide
maximum flexibility in response to a variety of photographic challenges – from portraiture to panoramic shots. This makes the Xiaomi 14T Pro the ideal tool for discerning users who refuse to compromise on picture quality.
The Xiaomi 14T is the ideal choice for anyone who is looking for first-class camera performance in a compact and more affordable device. Equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera, co- engineered with Leica, the Xiaomi 14T captures impressive photos in all lighting conditions. While the ƒ/1.7 aperture and IMX906 sensor ensure sharp, vibrant images, the triple camera system with focal lengths from 15 to 100 mm offers a wide range of options for snapping perfect pictures.
The Xiaomi 14T series doesn’t only put in a convincing photographic performance, it also features many professional video functions. In combination with Leica lens technology, the advanced video modes enable film-like recordings with effects like cinematic blur and rack focus. The 10-bit Rec. 2020 format provides HDR support, ensuring excellent resolution of details and an extensive dynamic range.
Peak performance
In addition to the advanced camera features, the Xiaomi 14T and Xiaomi 14T Pro also boast impressive technical specifications. Both devices are equipped with a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display reaching 1.5k resolution (2712 × 1220) and a maximum refresh rate of 144 Hz. This display will take your breath away with its brilliant, precise colors thanks to 100% DCI-P3 color space as well as a maximum brightness of 4000 Nits, which enables excellent visual rendering both indoors and outdoors.
Inside the Xiaomi 14T Pro, the performance of the multicore CPU has been improved by 37 percent and GPU by 44 percent compared to its predecessor thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor. This makes it ideal for users expecting top performance across all areas, be it gaming, multimedia or demanding AI applications. The Xiaomi 14T is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra processor, which effectively balances performance with energy efficiency. Thanks to a CPU that is 20 percent more powerful than its predecessor and a GPU that is 60 percent more powerful, it provides a seamless user experience.
Both models feature a high-performance 5000 mAh rechargeable battery, which enables fast charging. With 120 W HyperCharge, the Xiaomi 14T Pro can go from zero to maximum power in just 19 minutes. It is also the first T-model to support wireless charging at up to 50 W. The Xiaomi 14T is also enabled for 67W HyperCharge, so it can be charged in next to no time, too.
Xiaomi Mix Flip: The first Leica Summilux lens in a foldable format
The Xiaomi Mix Flip is the company’s first vertical foldable format to be co-engineered with Leica. Equipped with a Leica Summilux lens and the Light Fusion 800 sensor, the main camera also features the world’s first Leica 47mm floating telephoto lens on a flip smartphone. This innovative telephoto lens moves a group of lens elements within the camera to enable a focus range from 9 cm to infinity, making it ideal for breathtaking close-ups as well as longshots. The camera’s telephoto-macro capabilities can be used to reveal impressive details in the smallest of spaces. The second camera is a 50-megapixel telephoto zoom camera with a lens that is equipped with 2x lossless magnification.
The compact design, ample outer display and foldable format open new possibilities for photography: even when closed, photos can be captured and videos created thanks to its large outer display and two Leica lenses. The “hover mode” means you can leave your tripod at home and is ideal for group photos, videos and time lapse photography.
