This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
When Google began its aggressive campaign against the big dogs (Apple and Samsung) with the launch of the 2021 Pixel 6 series, I predicted that the successors to the $600/€600 Pixel 6 and $900/€900 Pixel 6 Pro won’t be as affordable for too long.
Not to toot my own horn, but in 2024, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro start at $800, going up to $1,200 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. These prices seem even higher in the EU - starting at €900 and going up to €1,300.
Long story short, what this means is that Google has firmly left the aggressive pricing in the past and now directly competes with Samsung and Apple - regardless if you’re in the US, the EU, or the UK.
And while there are few alternatives to Apple and Samsung flagships in the US, that’s not the case in other markets.
Which is where the new Xiaomi 14T and Xiaomi 14T Pro come into the picture - if you live in Europe or the UK (amongst other places).
Xiaomi has firmly taken over Google’s role as the best-value Apple and Samsung alternative in Europe and the UK
The only difference in the design is that the Xiaomi 14T is completely flat, while the Pro model is curved on the back, which should make it easier to hold.
The more affordable Xiaomi 14T flagship starts at just €650£550 in Europe and the UK, while the “pro-per” Xiaomi 14T Pro flagship is €800/£650.
To add to the competitive pricing, Xiaomi is currently giving away a Redmi Pad Pro (worth €300), and running numerous special offers on top of that like a €50/€100 voucher for new Xiaomi users, a 15% student discount (the highest in the industry), and generous trade-in bonuses.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s a trick out of Google’s book. For example, when I bought my Pixel 6 Pro back in 2021, Google gave me a pair of flagship Bose headphones (worth €350).
All of this sends the overall value proposition of the Xiaomi 14T series through the roof. And that’s before taking into account the fact that these are some solid flagship phones even without the special gifts.
Unbelievable feature set and offers help Xiaomi 14T and Xiaomi 14T Pro put iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra to shame
Photos courtesy of Mark Linsangen on X.
Somewhat surprisngly, the Xiaomi 14T series are the first phones in the world that get Google’s AI feature pack, which was (and right now, still is) exclusive to Pixel and Galaxy flagships. This means you get the super-handy Circle to Search feature, Generative AI photo editing features, and even Gemini Live - Google’s next-gen “Live” AI assistant.
But that’s not the most important part. The important part is that the Xiaomi 14T and Xiaomi 14T Pro are solid flagship phones.
For example, the processors used in the Xiaomi 14T (Dimensity 8300 Ultra) and Xiaomi 14T Pro (Dimensity 9300+) are some of the fastest in the class. To give you some perspective, the 8300 Ultra is on par with Google’s latest Tensor G4 in terms of raw performance, while the 9300+ is on the level of (still) the latest and greatest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
The camera system in the Xiaomi 14T and 14T Pro is predictably impressive - not only thanks to the tried and tested Leica image processing but because both phones offer large sensors (for the class) as well as high-res dedicated zoom cameras - 50MP 2x for the 14T and a 50MP 2.5x for the 14T Pro.
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They not only take impressive photos at their native focal length but also double as 4x and 5x zoom snappers respectively - via sensor-cropping, which results in excellent long-range zoom photos (specifically during the day).
At £650 in the UK, the Xiaomi 14T Pro has everything it needs to go head-to-head with the likes of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max - while costing nearly half as much. And it comes with a free tablet worth £270. And additional discount offers. WHAT?!
To complete the impressive list of flagship-grade features, we’re looking at 4 years of OS updates, large 5,000 mAh batteries with super-fast charging (wireless charging is available on the Pro model), super-bright displays, and IP68 dust/water resistance.
€650 and €800 Xiaomi 14T and 14T Pro’s competition in Europe (at the time of writing this article)
The reason I don’t compare the Xiaomi 14T series to the likes of the Galaxy S24, iPhone 14, or even the iPhone 16 Pro or Pixel 9, is because these are noticeably smaller phones. But if that’s your preference, then the price difference wouldn’t be as drastic - depending on the brand/model.
A word of advice for Xiaomi: To truly challenge Samsung, Apple, and Google, the Xiaomi 15T series should be a mid-year launch
Xiaomi 14T Pro low-light camera samples - courtesy of Luigi Leonardo on X.
Xiaomi 14T and Xiaomi 14T Pro are the only affordable, globally-available flagship phones made by a top-five phone-maker, and they offer crazy value. But Xiaomi’s timing is off by a few months.
But there’s a hole in Xiaomi’s plan, and it is the timing of the launch of the “T” series. Sure, just like last year’s Xiaomi 13T series, the new 14T flagships are super-solid but they practically launch in October, and that’s a time when Samsung and Apple’s flagship phones are coming down in price.
For example, the Galaxy S24 Plus, which competes very well with the Xiaomi 14T Pro on paper, can be found for €800 in the EU now - the same as the 14T Pro. Sure, Xiaomi sweetens the deal with countless special offers and a tablet gift but despite that, Samsung enjoys a solid following and brand recognition worldwide, which might still pull people towards the South Korean phone.
And then there’s the €800 iPhone 15, which is outclassed by the Xiaomi 14T Pro in many ways but iPhone users would happily look past that if all they wanted is to stick to Apple.
The other point of concern Xiaomi would alleviate by pushing the launch of the “T” series back is that the phones can launch with a current Android version instead of one that’s literally on the way out, effectively giving you one less major software update.
If Xiaomi can take care of the timing issue, the “T” series might become a big hit in markets where Samsung and Apple flagships launch at ridiculously high prices - like in Europe.
But all in all, even with the off-timing, I think the special discounts and free Redmi Pad Pro make the Xiaomi 14T and 14T Pro truly stellar deals in the sea of expensive Apple and Samsung flagships in Europe and the UK.
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Martin, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, brings a unique blend of humor and insight to his work. His fascination with smartphones began with a Galaxy Young and evolved through a series of trades and upgrades, making him a self-proclaimed smartphone nerd. Martin's content often combines current analysis of market trends with historical references and future predictions. Whether it's a deep dive into technical issues or a first-person commentary on industry events, Martin's articles are designed to inform and engage. His critical perspective is driven by genuine curiosity and a desire to keep readers informed, not by any corporate sponsorship.
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