In this article, we’ll be comparing two very different flagship smartphones, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra. These are the very best phones Google and Xiaomi have to offer at the time of writing this article. The former launched in August, while the latter arrived back in August. They’re both Android flagships, but they’re quite different. You can easily tell them apart just by looking at them, not to mention different specs and software.
Do note that while the Xiaomi 14 Ultra did arrive in a global variant, it’s not available in the US, unlike the Pixel 9 Pro XL. As we usually do, we’ll first list their specifications, and will then move to compare them across a number of other categories. We’ll be checking out their designs, displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio output. Let’s get down to it, shall we?
Specs
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra, respectively
– Screen size:
6.8-inch QHD+ OLED (120Hz, HDR, 3,000 nits)
6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display (curved, adaptive 120Hz, 3,000 nits max brightness)
– Display resolution:
2992 x 1344
3200 x 1440
– SoC:
Google Tensor G4
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
– RAM:
16GB (LPDDR5X)
16GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 3.1)
512GB (UFS 4.0)
– Rear cameras:
50MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, 1.2um pixel size, OIS, EIS), 48MP (ultrawide, f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree FoV), 48MP (periscope telephoto, f/2.8 aperture, OIS, EIS, 5x optical zoom)
50MP (wide, f/1.6-f/4.0 variable aperture, OIS, multi-directional PDAF, 1.6um pixel size), 50MP (ultrawide, f/1.8 aperture, 122-degree FoV, 0.7um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF), 50MP (telephoto, f/1.8 aperture, 0.7um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom), 50MP (periscope telephoto, f/2.5 aperture, 0.7um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom)
– Front cameras:
42MP (f/2.2 aperture)
32MP (wide, f/2.0 aperture, 0.7um pixel size)
– Battery:
5,060mAh
5,000mAh
– Charging:
37W wired, 23W wireless (Pixel Stand), 12W Qi wireless, 5W reverse wireless (no charger)
90W wired, 80W wireless,, 10W reverse wireless (charger included)
– Dimensions:
162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm
161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2mm
– Weight:
221 grams
219.8 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3/5.4
– Security:
Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner & facial scanning
In-display fingerprint scanner & facial scanning
– OS:
Android 14
Android 14 with HyperOS
– Price:
$1,099+
€1,499
– Buy:
Pixel 9 Pro XL (Best Buy, Google Store)
Xiaomi 14 Ultra (Amazon)
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Design
Both of these smartphones are made out of aluminum and glass. Do note that a titanium variant of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is available too, though only in China. The same goes for the variant with a vegan leather back. Both smartphones also have a flat frame all around. They also have similar corner curvature and a centered display camera hole on their displays. Both phones also have flat displays with slightly curved glass on top of them (on the edges).
Both smartphones have their physical buttons on the right side, but the setup is different. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has its power/lock button above the volume up and down buttons. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has things set up the other way around. Those are the only buttons on the two phones. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra also has an IR blaster up top, unlike the Pixel 9 Pro XL. They are also quite different on the back.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a flat back, while the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s does curve down on the edges. That makes for a considerably different in-hand feel. Google’s flagship also has a pill-shaped camera island on the back. It’s horizontally-oriented and placed up top. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a large round camera island, which is also centered. Both of them do protrude on the back quite a bit.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is slightly taller and slightly wider than the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which is understandable considering it has a slightly larger display. It is, however, thinner than the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. In terms of weight, they’re very similar. The Pixel 9 Pro XL weighs 221 grams, while there are three different weight models of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The models weigh 219.8, 224.4, and 229.5 grams. Both smartphones are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Display
The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 6.8-inch 2992 x 1344 LTPO OLED display. That panel is flat, and it offers an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. HDR10+ content is supported here too, and brightness goes up to 3,000 nits, in theory. The screen-to-body ratio is around 88%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. This display is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 from Corning.
On the other hand, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra includes a 6.73-inch 3200 x 1440 LTPO AMOLED display. This display is also flat, and it also offers an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The resolution is 3200 x 1440 pixels. This display has Dolby Vision support and supports HDR10+ support. The display aspect ratio maxes out at 3,000 nits, in theory. The screen-to-body ratio is around 89%. The display aspect ratio is 20:9. This panel is protected by the Xiaomi Shield Glass.
The bottom line here is that both of these displays are excellent. They’re both very bright, as bright as you’ll need, basically. They’re vivid and extremely sharp, not to mention that they have great viewing angles. The touch response is also very good, and both have good protection too. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra does also offer high-frequency PWM dimming, unlike the Pixel 9 Pro XL, in case you care about it. The bottom line is, you cannot go wrong with either one.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Performance
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is fueled by Google’s very own Tensor G4 processor. That is the company’s new 4nm chip. The phone also includes 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, on the other hand, is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a 4nm chip. That is Qualcomm’s most powerful chip at this very moment. The phone also includes either 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage. Neither phone offers storage expansion.
The SoC Xiaomi opted for is more powerful, no doubt about it. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra also has more modern and faster flash storage. During day-to-day use, however, you won’t really know the difference. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra may launch an app a split of a second faster, but that’s about it. They’re both extremely snappy in day-to-day use. The Tensor G4 is heavily optimized for AI features that Google offers, by the way.
When it comes to performance, well, the difference between phones is easier to notice. In regards to low-end and mid-range games, both smartphones will perform great. The thing is, truly demanding games run a lot better on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra if you opt to go for the best graphics possible. You can lower graphical demands for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, for sure. The Xioami 14 Ultra does run cooler with demanding games running, though both get warm.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Battery
There is a 5,060mAh battery located on the inside of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, on the flip side, has a 5,000mAh battery. Well, the China model does have a 5,300mAh unit on the inside. Everyone else gets the 5,000mAh unit. With that being said, both of these smartphones have great battery life. The Pixel 9 Pro XL did manage to pull out more battery juice throughout the day, but the difference was not that big. Well, at least in our case.
Both of these smartphones were able to cross the 7-hour screen-on-time mark without many problems. You can even push them over 8 hours of screen-on-time if you’re careful. Gaming was not a part of our usage on those days, however, so keep that in mind. We were also connected to WiFi most of the day and had great cell reception. Things can change depending on your conditions and usage, so… your mileage may vary, as per usual when it comes to battery life.
When it comes to charging, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the clear winner. The Pixel 9 Pro supports 27W wired, 21W wireless (with the Pixel Stand), 15W Qi wireless, and 12W reverse wireless charging. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra supports 90W wired, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging. Xiaomi’s handset charges considerably faster in every way, and it also comes with a charger in the box, unlike the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Cameras
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has three cameras on the back, while the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has four cameras on its back. They have considerably different setups. Google’s handset features a 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.31-inch sensor), along with a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera (123-degree FoV, 1/2.55-inch sensor), and a 48-megapixel periscope telephoto shooter (5x optical zoom, 1/2.55-inch sensor).
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a 50-megapixel main camera (variable aperture, 1-inch type sensor), along with a 50-megapixel ultrawide unit (122-degree FoV, 1/2.51-inch sensor). A 50-megapixel telephoto camera (3.2x optical zoom, 1/2.51-inch sensor) is also included, as is a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto unit (5x optical zoom, 1/2.51-inch sensor). Xiaomi also has Leica in its corner, the company’s lenses, and other types of expertise.
The images these two smartphones provide are considerably different. Both love to offer contrasty shots, though the ones from the Pixel 9 Pro XL often look more processed and brighter. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra likes to keep things closer to real life. It all depends on what you like, really, these two phones do provide considerably different results. The same goes for other cameras on the back. Those cameras do a good job of keeping a similar color profile to the main shooter. Differences in low light are visible.
Audio
You will find stereo speakers on both of these smartphones. The ones on the Pixel 9 Pro XL are slightly louder, though you’ll be hard-pressed to notice the difference. Both sets of speakers do offer good sound output.
There is no audio jack on either one of these two smartphones. You can utilize their Type-C ports for wired audio connections, however. If you prefer to go wireless, the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Xiaomi 14 Ultra offer Bluetooth 5.3 and Bluetooth 5.4 support, respectively.
