When the Chinese language firm Xiaomi introduced the worldwide launch of the Xiaomi 14 Extremely at Cellular World Congress I used to be instantly curious. Sure the corporate additionally confirmed off the Xiaomi SU7 electrical automotive, smartwatches galore, and a pack of robotic canines doing backflips in sync. But it surely was the brand new Xiaomi 14 Extremely cellphone that actually caught my eye. (OK, the robotic canines have been a detailed second.)
The Xiaomi 14 Extremely, which had beforehand launched in China previous to MWC, has a listing of options that reads like a brief fantasy novel written by a cellphone fanatic, particularly for inventive varieties like photographers. It helps 80-watt wi-fi charging. The principle digital camera has a big, 1-inch picture sensor (which is nearer to 0.6 inches diagonally). The wide-angle lens on the primary digital camera has a variable aperture to make it extra versatile in a wider vary of environments.
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The extra I discovered in regards to the system, the extra I longed to see a few of these options find yourself on the subsequent iPhone, aka the rumored iPhone 16. Apple has most likely already locked within the iPhone 16’s design and {hardware} options, however that does not imply we will not muse about how good it could be to see a few of the Xiaomi 14 Extremely’s options in-built to it.
An iPhone 16 Extremely with two telephoto cameras
That is the digital camera bump on the Xiaomi 14 Extremely.
At first look, I could not assist however discover the large round digital camera bump on the again of the Xiaomi 14 Extremely. It appears to be like somewhat like a bejeweled hockey puck that was lower in half. On this Satan’s Tower-like extension are 4 cameras: a large and an ultrawide, and two telephotos.
One of many telephoto cameras has a full-frame equal size of 75mm (3.2x) and the opposite 120mm (5x). Xiaomi is not the primary cellphone firm to double up on zooming this fashion, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Extremely has separate 3x and 5x telephoto lenses, and just like the Xiaomi 14 Extremely, Samsung’s top-of-the-line cellphone additionally has 4 rear cameras. In truth, the S24 Extremely’s 3x lens outperformed the iPhone 15 Professional Max in our digital camera comparability check.
The iPhone 15 Professional Max has a single 5x telephoto digital camera, so for 3x photographs it depends on digital zoom. Pictures taken at that magnification do not look unhealthy, however the ones from the S24 Extremely’s 3x digital camera look higher.
I might wish to see Apple add a second, shorter telephoto digital camera like Xiaomi and Samsung have on their telephones. Think about an iPhone 16 Extremely that mixes the iPhone 15 Professional’s 3x telephoto digital camera and the iPhone 15 Professional Max’s 5x digital camera into one cellphone!
Neglect MagSafe, I need 80-watt wi-fi charging
Here is an exploded view of the Xiaomi 14 Extremely.
Apple debuted MagSafe charging on the iPhone 12 collection in 2020 with the objective of creating wi-fi charging extra environment friendly. However In 2024, MagSafe wi-fi charging tops out at 15 watts. In truth, the Wi-fi Consortium adopted a model of MagSafe charging for its Qi2 commonplace for Android telephones that additionally hits 15 watts.
Examine that in opposition to the Xiaomi 14 Professional, which helps as much as 80-watt wi-fi charging. That is over 3 times quicker than the iPhone 15’s peak wired charging velocity of 27 watts.
Whereas I do get pleasure from magnetic equipment that seamlessly connect with MagSafe-equipped iPhones, like Peak Design’s cellular pockets and TwelveSouth’s HiRise 3 Deluxe charging stand (I am all about that StandBy mode life), I feel I might choose to recharge my iPhone’s battery drastically quicker as a substitute.
Truly, scratch that, I might like each. Magnets for equipment and 80-watt wi-fi charging.
However the potential draw back is that 80-watt charging could also be extra taxing on the battery over the long run than the iPhone’s mere 15-watt wi-fi charging. Apple’s upcoming launch of iOS 17.4 consists of iPhone 15 battery well being enhancements. And as a lot as I need 80-watt wi-fi charging, I would not need it on the expense of degrading my cellphone’s battery well being even quicker.
What I might choose as a substitute is 50-watt wi-fi charging for the iPhone through MagSafe. That is nonetheless loads quick, and I may nonetheless use the MagSafe equipment I’ve grown accustomed to at residence and within the workplace, from snap-on instances to handy charging stands. Even higher, I might love for Apple so as to add extra customized battery controls with iOS 18, like pass-through charging (powers your cellphone with out charging the battery), max recharge limits and a slow-charging possibility for these instances after I’m not in a rush.
Apple wants a images package for the iPhone
Right here is the Xiaomi 14 Extremely sporting its Photographer’s Package.
Xiaomi made an optionally available accent for the 14 Extremely: the Xiaomi 14 Extremely Images Package. It mounts on the 14 Extremely to offer you more-nuanced digital camera controls, with bodily buttons. The grip has a two-stage shutter button, a zoom lever, a customizable video recording button and an extra customized dial. It additionally capabilities as an exterior charging 1,500-mAh battery financial institution. Once more with the charging, Xiaomi — we get it!
Why is not Apple making one in every of these for the iPhone? I do know there are numerous third-party equipment made for the iPhone, however bear in mind when Apple would take as a lot delight in an adjunct because it did in its precise product? And no, I am not speaking about FineWoven iPhone instances.
Bear in mind the iPod Hello-Fi speaker dock? It value $349 in 2007 and was a transportable speaker with a 30-pin dock on prime on your iPod — or authentic iPhone when you have been so fortunate. Was it one of the best speaker dock? Nope. Did I need one? Yep. There was one thing distinctive and interesting about it, regardless of its excessive worth.
What if Apple made a images package for the iPhone? A digital camera accent made for the iPhone by Apple can be the final word addition to its Shot on iPhone quick movies, occasion movies, and advert campaigns.
Think about what an Apple-made attachable digital camera grip would appear like. It will, after all, be aluminum and will reap the benefits of MagSafe to make it match further securely. It may also have a USB-C connector that costs and interacts with the Digital camera app. There can be an extremely wideband chip in it so you would find it along with your Discover My app.
And if Apple actually needed to take its accent to the subsequent stage of exclusivity, the grip would unlock a secret professional model of the Digital camera app designed to work with the handbook buttons and levers on the grip. Lastly, we may have handbook focus controls, changes to shutter velocity, ISO and white steadiness without having a third-party app or subscription!
After all, all that is nothing greater than the fantasy of a cellphone reviewer. And whereas I hope to really check out the Xiaomi 14 Extremely (and its images package) at some point, I equally hope that Apple will undertake a few of its greatest options. Properly, that and what if Apple made robotic canines?
