Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 16 Plus offers a compelling flagship experience at $899, featuring the efficient A18 chipset, stunning 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, and reliable 48MP main camera with Dolby Vision 4K recording. Its 8GB RAM and optimized iOS 18 deliver smooth performance for most users, though the 60Hz refresh rate and modest 20W charging feel dated. Xiaomi's 14 Ultra ($1499) targets enthusiast photographers with a genuinely superior camera system: variable aperture 1-inch Sony sensor, dual telephoto setup (3.2x and 5x periscope), and 8K video capability. Its 120Hz 3200x1440 LTPO display, faster 90W charging, and robust 16GB RAM represent generational leaps. However, the 14 Ultra's 224g weight, software fragmentation outside China, and significantly higher price limit mainstream appeal. For most users prioritizing value and ecosystem integration, the iPhone 16 Plus excels. Photography-focused users willing to navigate HyperOS should consider the 14 Ultra.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus if…
- →Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- →A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
Buy the Xiaomi 14 Ultra if…
- →Pro-grade 1-inch main sensor with variable aperture
- →Versatile quad 50MP camera system with dual telephotos
- →Extremely bright 3000-nit LTPO display
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Pros
- Pro-grade 1-inch main sensor with variable aperture
- Versatile quad 50MP camera system with dual telephotos
- Extremely bright 3000-nit LTPO display
- Fast 90W wired and 80W wireless charging
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
Cons
- Heavy at 224 g
- HyperOS still ships with bloatware in some regions
- Limited official availability in the US
- Premium price tag
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Xiaomi 14 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 224 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Titanium alloy frame, eco-leather back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP variable f/1.6-f/4.0, 1-inch Sony LYT-900 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps Dolby Vision |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, 12mm |
| Telephoto | — | 50 MP 3.2x f/1.8 + 50 MP 5x periscope f/2.5 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 5300 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 90W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 80W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.73 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 3000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 5x3.2 GHz A720 + 2x2.3 GHz A520) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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