Xiaomi‘s recent release of the Xiaomi 14 in India has us revisiting the compact flagship space. While the Xiaomi 14 initially seems like a compelling value, it’s important to see how it stacks up against the direct competition, particularly Samsung’s Galaxy S24.

Sure, neither phone is truly “compact” in the classic sense, but with displays hovering just above 6 inches, they’re delightfully manageable by modern standards. They also feature similar specs, though Xiaomi edges ahead in some areas. Notably, the Xiaomi 14 undercuts the  Galaxy S24’s starting price of ₹79,999 (~$960) with its own price of ₹69,999 (~$840).

These surface-level differences are just a starting point. The phones become even more distinct when you start to dive deeper into their respective display, designs, and camera arrays. So to make things easier for you, we are comparing some of the more relevant features of Xiaomi 14 and Samsung Galaxy S24 to show you how they stack against each other. 

Compact Flagship Smartphones Compared: Xiaomi 14 vs Samsung Galaxy S24

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1. The Duo Offers a Modern Compact Design

Both Xiaomi and Samsung adhere to established design principles within the flagship realm – glass builds, aluminum frames, and flat displays. Both devices also share an IP68 rating for excellent dust and water resistance.

However, there are meaningful differences you should be aware of. The Galaxy S24 employs the latest Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for front and back protection, while the Xiaomi 14 has first-gen Victus protection only on the front.

Samsung’s focus on compactness is evident with the Galaxy S24 as it has a slightly smaller footprint than the Xiaomi 14 (7.6mm thick, 168g vs. 8.2mm, 193g). So those seeking a more pocketable device may find the S24 more appealing.

2. Xiaomi 14 Edges in Performance and Battery

However, the compact form factor comes at a cost for the Galaxy S24 – a smaller 4000mAh battery compared to the Xiaomi 14’s 4610mAh cell. Additionally, the Xiaomi 14’s 90W wired charging significantly outpaces the Galaxy S24’s 25W solution. Both support wireless charging, with Xiaomi again taking the lead at 50W versus Samsung’s 15W. Xiaomi is also maintaining the consumer-friendly practice of including a charger in the box, unlike Samsung.

In the display department, both phones deliver high-end AMOLED panels with 120Hz LTPO adaptive refresh rates. They also support HDR10+ standard, with Xiaomi offering a higher resolution and Dolby Vision compatibility for consuming content. 

Despite this, both displays promise vibrant colors and ample outdoor visibility, with Xiaomi claiming a slightly higher peak brightness (3000 nits vs. Samsung’s 2600). But in real-life scenarios, you should be able to see the display’s content easily in outdoors. 

When it comes to performance, Xiaomi leverages Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the 14. While most Galaxy S24 models globally use Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2400 chip. 

While benchmarks suggest comparable processing prowess of both the chips, real-world usage shows how these chips handle demanding games, sustained workloads, and thermal management. Historically, Snapdragon chips have often held a slight edge in efficiency and long-term performance consistency.

3. Galaxy S24 Excels in Software Support

Both the Xiaomi 14 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 boast impressive camera arrays on paper. Xiaomi 14 boasts three 50MP sensors (main, ultrawide, telephoto), with OIS on the main and telephoto. Samsung, meanwhile, uses a 50MP main with OIS, 10MP telephoto (also with OIS), and 12MP ultrawide.  

However, it’s important to note that more megapixels doesn’t translate into better photos. Computational photography, powered by each phone’s image processing algorithms, will determine the true detail, dynamic range, and color rendition in various lighting scenarios. This is where individual reviews and side-by-side comparisons become vital for discerning potential buyers.

Software experience could also be a big deciding factor for buyers. Though both phones launch with Android 14, their user experiences will diverge significantly thanks to Xiaomi’s HyperOS and Samsung’s One UI 6.1 interfaces. 

HyperOS is Xiaomi’s new UI that emphasizes personalization and granular control, while One UI has matured into a more polished and streamlined Android skin with a strong reputation for timely updates.

Samsung also pulls far ahead in the crucial area of software support. The Galaxy S24 comes with a remarkable 7 years of guaranteed updates (up to Android 21), while the Xiaomi 14 will receive 3 years of major Android upgrades and 4 years of security patches. This long-term commitment from Samsung makes the Galaxy S24 a compelling choice for users who prioritize a consistently updated and secure device well into the future.

4. Which to Choose: Xiaomi 14 or Samsung Galaxy S24?

The Xiaomi 14 and Samsung Galaxy S24 are both excellent compact flagships, but which one you should pick depends on your priorities. But here’s what we recommend.

For the most value, choose the Xiaomi 14. It has a bigger battery, significantly faster charging, and a lower price tag. The Galaxy S24 counters with a more compact design, superior long-term software updates, and potentially better camera performance, but you’ll pay extra for these perks.

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