The Xiaomi 14 Extremely has critically impressed us with its digital camera high quality, each as an on a regular basis carry avenue pictures digital camera cellphone and in its means to seize pro-standard photographs of Taylor Swift throughout her Eras tour. However the iPhones have at all times supplied high-quality pictures abilities and the brand new iPhone 16 Professional isn’t any exception.
I used to be extraordinarily eager to see how these two digital camera powerhouses examine, so I charged them up, laced up my boots and headed out into the attractive metropolis of Edinburgh to take them on a pictures tour which will or might not embrace a number of stops at numerous pubs.Â
All photographs proven had been taken in both JPEG or HEIC until in any other case said. All had been taken utilizing every cellphone’s default digital camera apps.Â

iPhone 16 Professional, essential digital camera

Xiaomi 14 Extremely, essential digital camera
We begin with this view overlooking a set of allotments. It was fairly cloudy on my stroll, so that you’d count on cooler colours within the scene typically. Besides, I used to be a bit shocked by how chilly the iPhone’s shot seemed right here. The Xiaomi’s picture is not a lot hotter, but it surely’s sufficient to make it look extra true-to-life.Â

iPhone 16 Professional, 5x zoom

Xiaomi 14 Extremely, 5x zoom
At 5X optical zoom, the Xiaomi 14 Extremely has produced a shot that, whereas darker, has higher distinction and deeper colours that make it the better-looking picture to my eye.Â

iPhone 16 Professional, 5x zoom (left) and Xiaomi 14 Extremely 5x zoom (proper) element crop
Cropping into the 5x zoom photographs, it is also evident that the Xiaomi 14 Extremely has produced a sharper, extra detailed photograph right here.

iPhone 16 Professional essential digital camera (left), Xiaomi 14 Extremely essential digital camera (proper)
The Xiaomi 14 Extremely’s colours are clearly bolder right here, too, with richer-looking greens on the ivy leaves, which look surprisingly washed out within the iPhone’s shot.Â

iPhone 16 Professional essential digital camera (left), Xiaomi 14 Extremely essential digital camera (proper)
On the floor, I choose the deeper tones and richer shadows seen within the Xiaomi’s shot. It offers a particular temper right here, which may not be to everybody’s tastes. However that is not the entire story…

iPhone 16 Professional essential digital camera (left), Xiaomi 14 Extremely essential digital camera (proper) element crop
Zooming in on the small print, it turns into clear that the iPhone has delivered a a lot sharper picture, with the high quality particulars on the barrel’s woodwork trying downright blurry within the Xiaomi’s shot.Â

iPhone 16 Professional, essential digital camera

Xiaomi 14 Extremely essential digital camera
I am barely torn right here. On the one hand, the iPhone’s picture is brighter and retains extra element in some areas (just like the marble flooring) the place the Xiaomi’s aggressive noise discount has smoothed them out. On the opposite, the Xiaomi’s shot does have extra readability in areas just like the railings. As a extra private choice, I just like the brighter highlights within the ceiling on the Xiaomi’s picture, which nearly have a bloom impact as if I had been utilizing a cinebloom filter (which, after all, I wasn’t).Â
Whereas the photographs are definitely completely different from each other, I can not actually determine on which one is healthier.

iPhone 16 Professional, ultrawide lens

Xiaomi 14 Extremely, ultrawide lens
This one is simpler to name. Whereas the Xiaomi’s shot is marginally sharper than the iPhone’s, the iPhone’s picture is brighter and extra colourful, making it the better-looking shot general.

iPhone 16 Professional, essential digital camera

Xiaomi 14 Extremely, essential digital camera
The pint image taken by the Xiaomi is perhaps marginally brighter, however in any other case there’s nothing to decide on between the 2 telephones right here. The beer was scrumptious, thanks for asking.

iPhone 16 Professional, essential digital camera

Xiaomi 14 Extremely, essential digital camera
I am unsure whether or not the Xiaomi merely missed focus right here, however its shot taken inside one other outdated pub is extraordinarily blurry in comparison with the iPhone 16 Professional’s picture. A transparent win for the iPhone.Â

iPhone 16 Professional, 5x zoom (left) and Xiaomi 14 Extremely 5x zoom (proper)
The iPhone takes a straightforward victory with this indoor shot taken at 5x zoom. Its shot is brighter and sharper than the Xiaomi 14 Extremely’s.

iPhone 16 Professional, essential digital camera

Xiaomi 14 Extremely, essential digital camera
Once more, the iPhone sweeps a straightforward win right here. The Xiaomi’s picture is surprisingly darkish and it is wrestled the highlights on the neon signal so laborious that it appears plain bizarre within the scene. The iPhone’s picture has maintained that vibrant glow coming from the signal and the neons hanging within the window on the left.Â

iPhone 16 Professional, essential digital camera

Xiaomi 14 Extremely, essential digital camera
I additionally choose the iPhone’s picture right here, because it’s maintained way more natural-looking shadows, whereas the Xiaomi has lifted the shadows to a fairly unrealistic extent. Because of this, I really like the temper the iPhone has captured right here, together with the hotter tones seen on the buildings.Â

iPhone 16 Professional, essential digital camera

Xiaomi 14 Extremely, essential digital camera
The iPhone’s picture on this nighttime scene is barely sharper than the Xiaomi’s. Nevertheless, I typically choose the hotter tones the Xiaomi has captured, particularly within the crimson banner, which has a extra magenta shift within the iPhone’s model that I am much less eager on.

iPhone 16 Professional, 5x zoom

Xiaomi 14 Extremely, 5x zoom
At 5x zoom, the iPhone has clearly produced a brighter picture right here, with way more shadow element general. However it’s not a transparent win simply but…

iPhone 16 Professional, 5x zoom (left) and Xiaomi 14 Extremely 5x zoom (proper) element crop
Zooming in on the small print, it turns into clear that the Xiaomi’s 5x zoom has captured a a lot sharper picture. It is even attainable to learn the phrase “certificates,” which is an incomprehensible blur on the iPhone’s picture.Â
iPhone 16 Professional vs. Xiaomi 14 Extremely: Which takes higher pictures?
It has been an extremely shut name in all of my checks, with the iPhone popping out forward in some scenes and the Xiaomi delivering higher photographs in others. The fact is that each telephones pack exceptionally good cameras, and selecting between the 2 telephones will definitely come right down to your choice in iOS or Android quite than which takes higher photographs.Â
However general, I’ve to offer the slight edge to the Xiaomi in these checks. Its out of doors photographs — particularly the allotment and ivy-covered candle graffiti examples — look significantly better on the Xiaomi, and I typically discovered its 5x zoom lens supplied higher element. However it’s a slim win, and a few of my choices will come right down to my private choice in what I am searching for in a picture. Because of this, you may have one other scroll by the take a look at photographs right here and see should you give you your individual conclusion.