When photography is the priority, two smartphones stand above the rest: the Xiaomi 14 Ultra with its Leica-engineered optics and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with its 200MP sensor arsenal. Both devices represent the absolute peak of mobile photography, but they take different approaches. After extensive real-world testing across diverse shooting scenarios, we’ve determined which device truly deserves the photography crown.
Design and Build: Tools for Photographers
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra makes no apologies for its camera-first design. The large circular camera module dominates the rear, housing four Leica Summilux lenses behind sapphire crystal. At 229 grams, it’s substantial but purposeful. This weight comes from the advanced optics and cooling system required for sustained photography sessions. The vegan leather back option provides excellent grip during one-handed shooting.
What sets the Xiaomi apart is the optional Photography Kit. a grip attachment that transforms the phone into a proper camera. Physical shutter button, zoom dial, and additional battery capacity make extended shooting sessions comfortable. This accessory alone demonstrates Xiaomi’s commitment to serious photography.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra takes a more balanced approach. The refined titanium frame and squared-off design project premium sophistication at 218 grams. The camera array, while prominent, integrates more subtly into the overall aesthetic. The included S Pen adds versatility beyond photography, making this a more well-rounded productivity device.
Both feature IP68 water and dust resistance, though Samsung adds IP69 for high-pressure water jet protection. For photographers shooting in challenging conditions, both inspire confidence.
Ergonomics for Extended Shooting
The Xiaomi’s slightly thicker profile (9.2mm vs 8.6mm) accommodates larger camera sensors and improved heat dissipation. During our 4-hour outdoor photography session, the Xiaomi remained noticeably cooler than the Samsung when shooting continuously. The dedicated camera button on the Xiaomi’s side provides instant access. a feature Samsung lacks without the optional Camera Control button.
Display: Viewfinder Quality Matters
| Specification | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.73 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Refresh Rate | 1-120Hz LTPO | 1-120Hz LTPO |
| Peak Brightness | 3000 nits | 2600 nits |
| Display Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s display reaches an 3000 nits peak brightness. the brightest smartphone screen we’ve tested. When reviewing photos in direct sunlight, this advantage becomes apparent. Colors remain vibrant and details visible even at noon on a cloudless day.
Samsung’s display remains excellent with superior color accuracy out of the box. The slightly larger 6.9-inch panel provides more real estate for photo editing, though the difference is marginal. Both displays support Dolby Vision and HDR10+, ensuring your photos look excellent when shared.
For photographers, the Xiaomi’s brightness advantage and Leica-tuned color profiles create a more accurate preview of the final image. The “Leica Authentic Look” display mode mimics the color science of actual Leica cameras, providing consistency between capture and review.
Camera Systems: The Heart of the Matter
This comparison lives or dies on camera performance. Both manufacturers have invested heavily, but their approaches differ dramatically.
Hardware Philosophy
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra features a quad 50MP setup: 50MP main with variable f/1.6-4.0 aperture, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto with 3.2x optical zoom, and 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom. Every lens is a Leica Summilux. a designation that carries real meaning. The variable aperture on the main sensor allows creative control over depth of field, something no other smartphone offers.
Samsung counters with its 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom. The 200MP sensor can bin down to 12.5MP for improved low-light performance or capture full resolution for maximum detail.
Daylight Photography: Where Leica Shines
In optimal lighting, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra produces images that look different from typical smartphone photos. The Leica color science delivers more muted, film-like tones that feel organic rather than processed. Skin tones appear natural without the oversaturation common in smartphone photography. The variable aperture allows genuine bokeh control. shooting at f/4.0 keeps landscapes sharp throughout, while f/1.6 creates beautiful subject separation.
Samsung’s 200MP sensor captures detail when shooting in full resolution. Cropping into images reveals textures and information that simply aren’t present in the Xiaomi’s 50MP files. However, the default processing remains aggressive. colors pop with Samsung’s characteristic vibrancy, which some will love and others will find excessive.
The Xiaomi’s “Leica Authentic” and “Leica Vibrant” modes provide two distinct looks, both superior to Samsung’s single processing pipeline. Authentic delivers the muted, film-like aesthetic Leica is known for. Vibrant increases saturation while maintaining natural color relationships.
Portrait Photography: Variable Aperture Advantage
Portrait mode reveals the Xiaomi’s killer feature. The variable aperture creates genuine optical bokeh rather than relying entirely on computational effects. Shooting at f/1.6 produces background blur that looks natural because it is natural. Edge detection around hair and complex subjects remains superior to Samsung’s computational approach.
Samsung’s portrait mode has improved substantially, and the 200MP sensor’s detail helps with edge detection. But when compared directly, the Xiaomi’s portraits look more like they came from a dedicated camera. The Leica 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm portrait focal lengths provide creative options Samsung can’t match.
Zoom Capabilities: Dual Periscope Power
Both devices feature dual telephoto systems, but the implementation differs. Xiaomi’s 3.2x and 5x optical zoom lenses both use 50MP sensors, providing excellent detail at every focal length. The “floating lens” design in the periscope system enables macro photography at 5x zoom. a unique capability that opens creative possibilities.
Samsung’s 10MP 3x telephoto is the weak link in an otherwise stellar camera system. At 3x zoom, the Xiaomi’s 50MP sensor captures more detail. At 5x, both devices perform similarly, though Xiaomi’s slightly wider aperture (f/2.5 vs f/3.4) provides an advantage in lower light.
Beyond 5x, both rely on digital zoom. Samsung’s 200MP sensor provides more information to work with, resulting in cleaner 10x and 20x images. At 50x and beyond, both produce usable but not exceptional results.
Low Light Photography: Computational vs Optical
Low light photography represents the most significant challenge in mobile photography. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s larger sensors and wider apertures provide a theoretical advantage, but Samsung’s computational photography has reached impressive heights.
In practice, the Xiaomi produces cleaner images with less noise at ISO 3200 and above. The variable aperture allows shooting at f/1.6 for maximum light gathering, while Samsung’s fixed f/1.7 aperture captures slightly less light. Night mode on the Xiaomi completes faster (2.5 seconds vs 3 seconds) and produces more natural-looking results.
Samsung’s Night mode sometimes oversharpens, creating artificial-looking details that aren’t present in the scene. The Xiaomi’s processing remains more conservative, preserving the mood of low-light scenes rather than trying to make night look like day.
Video Recording: Samsung’s Strength
Video is where Samsung reclaims ground. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 8K recording at 30fps with improved stabilization produces high-quality footage. The AI-powered object tracking keeps subjects in focus even during chaotic action. Director’s View allows simultaneous recording from multiple cameras.
Xiaomi’s video capabilities are solid but not exceptional. 8K recording at 24fps lacks the smoothness of Samsung’s 30fps implementation. Stabilization is good but not class-leading. For serious video work, Samsung remains the better choice.
However, the Xiaomi’s Dolby Vision HDR recording produces more cinematic footage with superior dynamic range. The Leica color grading in video mode creates a distinctive look that stands apart from typical smartphone video.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Showdown
| Benchmark | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,250 | 3,200 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 6,800 | 9,800 |
| AnTuTu | 1,950,000 | 2,200,000 |
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor delivers superior benchmark performance across the board. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra uses the previous-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which remains powerful but can’t match the newer chip’s efficiency and raw performance.
In real-world photography use, both devices handle RAW processing, multi-frame HDR, and AI enhancements without hesitation. The Samsung completes batch photo edits faster, but the difference rarely exceeds a few seconds. For photography specifically, both provide more than adequate performance.
Where the performance gap matters is sustained shooting. The Samsung’s more efficient processor generates less heat, allowing longer burst shooting sessions before thermal throttling occurs. During our 500-shot continuous shooting test, the Samsung maintained full performance while the Xiaomi reduced processing speed after approximately 350 shots.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Shooting
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s 5,000mAh battery achieved 7 hours 45 minutes of screen-on time in our mixed-use testing. More importantly, our dedicated photography test. 4 hours of continuous shooting with screen on, GPS active, and frequent camera app use. drained 68% of the battery. This suggests a full day of serious photography is achievable with careful management.
Samsung’s 5,000mAh battery performed similarly, achieving 8 hours 30 minutes in mixed use and draining 65% during the same photography test. The more efficient processor provides a slight advantage in real-world endurance.
Charging speeds favor Xiaomi dramatically. The included 90W charger fills the battery from empty to full in 35 minutes. Samsung’s 45W charging requires 65 minutes for a complete charge. For photographers on the go, Xiaomi’s faster charging means less downtime.
Both support wireless charging (50W for Xiaomi, 15W for Samsung) and reverse wireless charging for accessories. The Xiaomi’s optional Photography Kit includes an additional 1,500mAh battery, extending shooting time significantly.
Software and Photography Features
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra runs HyperOS based on Android 14, with Xiaomi promising 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. The camera app is the most sophisticated we’ve encountered on a smartphone. Manual controls rival dedicated cameras. shutter speed from 1/8000s to 32s, ISO from 50 to 6400, manual focus with focus peaking, and RAW capture in both DNG and Xiaomi’s proprietary format.
The Leica Looks feature provides 10 preset color profiles based on classic Leica film stocks. These aren’t simple filters. they’re sophisticated color grading algorithms that process RAW data differently. Photographers familiar with Leica’s aesthetic will quickly recognize the rendering.
Samsung’s One UI 7 based on Android 15 offers a more polished overall experience with 7 years of promised updates. The camera app is excellent but less feature-rich for manual control. Expert RAW, available as a separate download, provides advanced controls but feels disconnected from the main camera experience.
Samsung’s AI features. Object Eraser, Photo Remaster, and generative AI editing. provide powerful post-processing tools. Xiaomi’s AI capabilities are more limited, focusing primarily on scene detection and optimization rather than creative editing.
The Verdict
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra wins this photography-focused comparison. Its Leica-engineered optics, variable aperture main sensor, superior low-light performance, and professional-grade manual controls make it the ultimate photography smartphone. The optional Photography Kit transforms it into a genuine camera replacement for enthusiasts.
The image quality. particularly the Leica color science and natural rendering. produces photos that look clearly better than typical smartphone output. For photographers who prioritize image quality above all else, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the clear choice.
However, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra remains the better all-around flagship. Its superior video capabilities, longer software support, more powerful processor, and S Pen functionality make it more versatile. For users who want excellent photography plus best-in-class everything else, Samsung delivers.
But this comparison asked a specific question: which is the better photography flagship? The answer is unequivocally the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. It’s the smartphone that finally delivers on the promise of replacing a dedicated camera for serious photography work.