20241020 Xiaomi 14T Pro

 

So, yeah, I got a new phone.

After much pestering from my Wife, that is, and the repair costs for the Huawei is nearing the RM1,000 mark too.

You see, after 5 years, my trusty Huawei P10Plus has started to give me problems. It had its internal battery changed during the Pandemic. And just year, it had is Rear Camera replaced and right after that, the screen.

What's wrong with the screen, SPR?

I am still quite sore as the screen was not faulty when I sent it. It became so after the camera was replaced. On the next day where I was suppose to pick up my Phone, the previous Tech had been transferred. He was blamed for not leaving any notes on how to contact me nor the codes to unlock my phone so that the new guy can see it for himself. When I was shown that there was no such information, even on their computer system where previously, I ma very sure my details were entered. But that was last year and this year, this was a new guy, and were in a 'He said, she said' situation. After much going to and fro, I had to pay 50% for the new screen since we're not going anywhere.

This is how my Huawei looked after the last repair. Its bottom right edge was bulging. I raised the issue but the guy just avoided it. Still, he said, 'You're lucky that this is an original Huawei screen, so we don't make any proift from it.'
What?

 

This was quite noticeable, even during at the Counter. And now, with the screen protector, its edges are breaking,leaving tiny shards of glass. Now matter how I pressed it, the edge would not relent.

 I should have gone back to the Huawei Premium Service Centre in KL ECO City. And so, with this battery issue, I think I might just do that. No more SPR (SmartPhone Repair)

Introducing the Xiaomi 14T Pro

Quite some time ago, I was mulling on which would be the appropriate model to replace my Huawei P10Plus. The natural decision would be the Huawei P50. However, it does not have Google support and I use Google Sheets extensively. The next model then has to be, well, a second-hand Huawei P30. It would have Android 13 (I need Android Auto to test certain Cars) and it is the last Huawei phone that has Google. Asus was a no go after they played havoc with my Zenfone 2 Laser's GPS during the phone's last software update and nothing was forthcoming from them. Meanwhile Oppo and Google sounded good but nothing to shout about.

And there are no other backup phones for me to choose from.

That is, until just recently. I know very little about Xiaomi except that when I wanted a cute yellow one (Xioami Mi 4c) in the early 2010's a lot of owners said the phone hangs. A lot. And so, I never did look at the brand anymore. However, this showed up on my Facebook feed a fortnight ago.

When I choose a Mobile Phone, the very first thing I look for would be its camera before anything else. It's not the megapixels but how well the colours turn out, its macro ability and how fast I can whip it out and take photos. Next would be some weird features such as anti-shakes and low-light photography. OK, and a damn good battery as well. So, yeah, without reading much into the specs, I think the 14T is the one.

The AI in there

AI? What AI? Seriously, I have heard about AI stuff in there but, man, I just want a Phone with a good camera. I'll have to explore this later on.

I have made up my mind

The Xiaomi 14T Pro comes in 12GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB configuration. You can go with Titan Black, Titan Blue or Titan Grey. There is a green version but that is just 14T (no Pro). After a lengthy LRT trip, I arrived at the Xiaomi Roadshow in KLCC and today was the last day. There were quite a lot of people at the roadshow and even more lining up for their turn at the weird looking green car.

RM2,599 is a lot of money right now. Heck when I got my Huawei P10Plus 5 years ago, it was around the 3K mark too. It really means I have to tighten my belt even more.
 

I wanted the 12GB + 256GB configuration, which is RM2,599
As per the image above, you'd get a lot of stuff such as 6 months Google Cloud Storage, Spotify, 1x Out-of-Warranty-Labour-Free repair, and so on. Physically, you'd get a luggage bag, a Xiaomi Scale, a 120W Charger and, a Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo,

 Thank You, CelcomDigi

You know what happened? CelcomDigi happened.

The Long Story Short

- I got the 12GB+512GB Titan Blue for about RM2328, with a savings of RM671.

- I had my Postpaid plan upgraded for RM20 extra which comes with a 5G account with 250 GB data and 90GB for the numbers under me.

- And then CelcomDigi keep stuffing my bag with more and more freebies too. It was so heavy that the paper bag broke during the LRT ride home.

The Short Story Long

The moment I arrived, I headed straight to the Middle Foyer of the KLCC Mall. The whole place was happening. There was a long queue for what I presumed a chance to sit in Xiaomi's first Electric Car. I looked like some nice Porsche but with a body paint what reminds me of the Petronas colours.

Although the crowd is quite big, but it was still manageable, thanks to my mood. Most of the Promoters were very young and were busy attending to other Customers. This gave me some private minutes for me to try out the 14T Pro on display. Moments later, standing next to me was a polite young guy, who is quite attentive and managed to answer most of my questions. I mean, I was here for the free gifts actually. After I had made my choice (12GB+256GB, Titan Blue), I was passed from Promoter to Promoter, leading until to the front. Which is a bit weird. But anyway, I was told to sit, given a bottle of water while they prepare my order.

While I was waiting to be served, I curiously walked over to the Celcom booth which was sharing the same floorspace and event with the Roadshow. So, I talked to the Promoter, Kiwie, and he told me that I can get the same (if not, better) Xiaomi offer. The only thing is, I would not be getting the Luggage bag, the only item which encouraged me to the KLCC Roadshow today.

Still, I decided to ask if I can get the 14T Pro from them as well. The reason is that the whole Roadshow is, I think, was organised by some Dealer, not directly by Xiaomi. I could very well be wrong on this but most of the Facebook ads were by them. Trusting in a well known established brand on the floor seemed to be a better option for the day, which is, CelcomDigi.

Kiwie did a check for me and we found out I was qualified for the Phone. Which is great but I've never did se any Ads from CelcomDigi about this. I honestly told him that I do not know what is my account status all through these years/ decades as they're always upgraded each obsolete plans after another for me. For today, the latest Plan through him was the Celcom 5G 100 or something. Everything was upgraded, more importantly, the data quota for the numbers under my name. All of a sudden, the 40GB limit has been raised to 90GB. After a quick cancellation, I went with CelcomDigi. Plus, with just a 2 year contract of an additional RM97 per month, I save more than RM600 and still got the 12GB+512GB version! But that is not all, despite not having the luggage, I was loaded with a lot more free gifts!

So, I guess, I felt like a Winner today, and throughout the whole journey, I kept looking into the bag to see my new Phone, as if it was really just a dream...

On the left are the free stuff from Xiaomi while on the right are more stuff from CelcomDigi. The Promoter, Teahh got an extra umbrella for me too. So, in the end, the three of us took a nice photo (in poor lighting, intentionally of course) with a Xiaomi 14T Pro.

The contents of CelcomDigi's Mystery Box

 Update 01: 20241021

Reading the specs here on GSMArena, the aluminum framed 14T Pro is quite a performer despite its shortcomings of taking macro shots.

Well, I am still happy despite not using it yet. I am waiting for a much better protective casing and some screen protectors to arrive.