Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G Review scaled

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Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 14 series globally, with the Pro+ version being the top-tier model. This device brings several improvements over its predecessor, including a more robust build, enhanced camera capabilities, and new AI features. However, it also comes with some changes that might not please everyone, such as a smaller battery capacity compared to the Chinese version.

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Specification

SpecificationRedmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G
ProcessorSnapdragon 7s Gen 3, 4nm process, Octa-core CPU (up to 2.5GHz), Adreno GPU
Storage & RAM8GB+256GB
12GB+512GB
LPDDR4X + UFS2.2
DimensionsHeight: 162.53mm
Width: 74.67mm
Thickness: Midnight Black & Frost Blue 8.75mm, Lavender Purple 8.85mm, Weight: Midnight Black & Frost Blue 210.14g, Lavender Purple 205.13g
Display6.67″ CrystalRes AMOLED, 2712×1220 (1.5K)
120Hz refresh rate
480Hz touch sampling
3000 nits peak brightness
Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dolby Vision
HDR10+
Rear Camera200MP main (OIS, f/1.65, 1/1.4″ sensor)
8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2)
2MP macro (f/2.4)
4K at 24/30fps, 1080p at 30/60fps
720p at 30fps
slow motion (1080p 120fps, 720p 120/240fps)
Front Camera20MP (f/2.2)
AI beautify, Night mode, Portrait, Palm Shutter, 1080p at 30/60fps, 720p at 30fps
Battery and Charging5110mAh
120W HyperCharge
No power adapter included (recommended 100W PD charger or Xiaomi 120W adapter)
AI FeaturesCircle to Search with Google, Google Gemini, AI Interpreter, AI Notes, AI Recorder, AI Subtitles, AI Film, AI image editing
Cooling SystemLiquidCool technology
SecurityIn-screen fingerprint sensor, AI Face Unlock
Network and ConnectivityDual SIM (nano SIM + nano SIM or nano SIM + eSIM), 2G/3G/4G/5G supported, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6/6E
Water & Dust ResistanceIP68 (Tested for freshwater submersion up to 1.5m for 30 min, not for beach/pool use, ingress protection may degrade over time)
NFCYes
Navigation & PositioningBeidou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, A-GPS
AudioDual speakers, Dolby Atmos
SensorProximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Electronic compass, IR blaster, Flicker sensor, Gyroscope, X-axis linear motor
Operating SystemXiaomi HyperOS
Package ContentMobile Phone, USB Type-C Cable, SIM Eject Tool, Protective Case, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card, Safety Information (Package contents may vary by region)

Unboxing and Design

Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G Design Lavender

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G comes in a standard package containing the phone, a USB Type-C cable, a SIM eject tool, a protective case, and documentation. The power adapter is not included; Xiaomi recommends a 100W PD charger or its 120W adapter.

The design of the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G focuses on durability without sacrificing aesthetics. Xiaomi has introduced an All-Star Armour Structure, which incorporates energy-absorbing foam and polymer buffering material to enhance impact resistance. This design choice should provide users with added peace of mind regarding the phone’s longevity.

The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the Frost Blue and Midnight Black variants use Corning Gorilla Glass 7 for the back cover, improving scratch resistance. The Lavender Purple option I was sent features a vegan leather back, offering a different texture and look, which I find quite attractive. The colour is attractive without being gaudy.

One impressive feature is the IP68 dust and water resistance rating. This level of protection allows the phone to maintain touch input responsiveness even in wet conditions, making it more versatile for everyday use. The more affordable Note 14 models only have IP54.

The device’s ergonomics have been refined with a curved body that fits comfortably in hand. The camera arrangement is symmetrical, contributing to a balanced aesthetic. Available in three finishes – Lavender Purple (vegan leather), Frost Blue, and Midnight Black (both glass).

At 8.75 mm thick (8.85 mm for the Lavender Purple version) and weighing around 210g, the phone is relatively slim but not the lightest in its class. The weight distribution feels balanced, which helps with extended use.

The build quality is solid, with no creaks or flexing when pressure is applied. The buttons are tactile and well-placed, easily reachable with one hand for most users. The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the display, which keeps the back of the phone clean and uncluttered.

Display

Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G Design Display

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is equipped with a 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED display; while this is becoming normal for mid-range devices, it still feels impressive. It wasn’t that long ago that displays of this quality were reserved for flagship phones.

The resolution of 2712 x 1220 pixels provides sharp and crisp visuals, striking a balance between Full HD and QHD resolutions.

One of the most impressive aspects of this display is its peak brightness of 3000 nits. This high brightness level ensures excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, addressing a common pain point for smartphone users. However, it’s worth noting that this peak brightness is likely achieved only in small areas of the screen when viewing HDR content, and the overall screen brightness in normal use will be lower.

The display supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth scrolling and fluid animations. This high refresh rate is particularly noticeable when navigating the UI, scrolling through social media feeds, or playing compatible games. The phone also offers a Game Turbo mode with a 2560 Hz touch sampling rate and 16x super-resolution touch technology to improve control in fast-paced games. This feature should appeal to mobile gamers looking for responsive touch controls.

Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G Review Display Curve

Colour reproduction on the AMOLED panel is vibrant and punchy, typical of high-quality OLED displays. The support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ ensures that compatible content looks its best, with improved contrast and colour range. Users have the option to adjust the colour profile in the settings, allowing for a more natural or saturated look based on personal preference.

To reduce eye strain during prolonged use, the device employs a dimming strategy and has received TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light emission. This is a thoughtful addition for users who spend long hours looking at their screens, especially in low-light conditions.

The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which should provide good resistance against scratches and drops. However, as with all glass-covered devices, using a screen protector is still recommended for those concerned about long-term durability.

One potential drawback is the curved edges of the display. While they contribute to the phone’s premium look and feel, some people may experience accidental touches or glare at the edges. Brands seem to have dialled down the aggressiveness of the curvature (which peaked with the horizon display on the Huawei Mate 30 Pro), making them more usable while still retaining the premium look. I find the level of curvature on this Redmi display quite good, and I haven’t had any usability problems myself.

In practical use, the display performs excellently. Text is sharp and readable, images are detailed, and videos look excellent, especially HDR content. The high refresh rate makes the phone feel responsive and smooth in day-to-day use.

Cameras

Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G Review Camera

I was initially impressed with the camera system specifications on the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, but it was a bit more complicated.

While the 200MP main sensor is an undeniably impressive sensor to have on a phone at this price point, it is the same set-up as the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Additionally, it is completely different to the Chinese/Indian variant, which uses a 50MP 1/1.55” Sony sensor for the primary camera but then has a 50MP 2.5x  1/2.76″ telephoto lens instead of the mostly useless 2MP macro.

I think many buyers from the UK/EU would be quite disappointed at the decision to have two very different phones badged under the same name for different regions.

That being said, considering the price of the phone, it is still an impressive camera.

Main Camera
The 200MP main sensor (f/1.65 aperture, 1/1.4″ sensor size) with optical image stabilisation (OIS) is the star of the show. In good lighting conditions, it captures highly detailed images with excellent dynamic range. The large sensor size allows for good low-light performance, although noise can become noticeable in very dark scenes.

The camera offers optical-grade in-sensor zoom capabilities of 2x and 4x, complemented by up to 30x digital zoom. While the optical zoom produces good results, the quality deteriorates noticeably at higher digital zoom levels, as expected.

A new ‘Dynamic shots’ feature has been added to capture movement in photos, which can be useful for action shots or creative photography. However, its effectiveness may vary depending on the scene and lighting conditions.

Ultra-wide Camera
The 8MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2) provides a broader field of view, useful for landscapes and group shots. While it captures decent images in good lighting, the lower resolution and smaller sensor size result in noticeably less detail and more noise compared to the main camera, especially in low-light conditions.

Macro Camera
The 2MP macro camera (f/2.4) allows for close-up shots of small subjects. However, as with many budget macro cameras, the results are often underwhelming due to the low resolution. Users might find better results using the main camera and cropping the image.

Front-facing Camera
The 20MP front-facing camera (f/2.2) captures detailed selfies with good colour reproduction. It offers 1x and 0.8x zoom options, suitable for individual and group selfies. Portrait mode for selfies works well, with generally accurate edge detection for background blur.

AI Features
Xiaomi has incorporated several AI-powered features to enhance photo capture and editing:

  • AI Beautify: This feature refines portraits, smoothing skin and enhancing facial features. While it can produce flattering results, some users might find the effect too strong at higher settings.
  • AI Erase Pro: This tool allows for the removal of unwanted objects from photos. It works reasonably well for simple removals but may struggle with complex backgrounds.
  • AI Image Expansion: This feature extends photo backgrounds, which can be useful for adjusting composition post-capture. Results can be hit or miss, depending on the complexity of the scene.

Video Capabilities
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G can record 4K video at 24/30fps and 1080p at 30/60fps from the rear camera. The front camera is limited to 1080p at 30/60fps. The video quality is good, and it has effective stabilisation thanks to OIS on the main camera. The device also offers a Dual video mode, which simultaneously records footage from both front and rear cameras, a useful feature for vloggers or content creators.

Low-light Performance
In low-light conditions, the main camera performs reasonably well, capturing a good amount of detail and managing noise effectively. The night mode helps to brighten scenes and bring out more detail, although processing times can be noticeable.

Photo Samples

Performance and Benchmarks

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, built on a 4nm process. This chipset aims to balance performance and energy efficiency, positioning the device firmly in the upper mid-range segment.

In day-to-day use, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 handles most tasks with ease. App launches are quick, multitasking is smooth, and general navigation through the UI feels responsive, aided by the 120Hz display. For most users, the performance will be more than adequate for everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, and media consumption.

Gaming Performance
The Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 provides capable gaming performance for a mid-range device. Most popular titles run smoothly at medium to high settings. However, for the most demanding games, you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain stable frame rates. The Game Turbo mode, with its high touch sampling rate, does enhance the gaming experience by improving responsiveness.

Thermal Performance
The device incorporates LiquidCool technology to manage heat during intensive tasks. In general use, the phone should remain comfortably cool. However, during extended gaming sessions or when using demanding apps, some warmth may be noticeable, which is typical for devices in this class.

RAM and Storage
The device comes with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which should provide smooth multitasking capabilities.

Another strange choice from Xiaomi is to use UFS 2.2 for storage. I wouldn’t normally pay that much attention to the storage speed on an affordable or mid-range phone. UFS 2.2 may not be great, but it is good enough.

However, in this case, the previous generation, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, has UFS3.1, which is significantly faster.

Benchmarks
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is a decent mid-range chipset and produces admirable benchmarks:

Antutu

Redmi Note 14 Pro+: 721982

Geekbench

Redmi Note 14 Pro+: 1174 / 3270

AI Benchmark

Redmi Note 14 Pro+: 1240

Geekbench AI

Redmi Note 14 Pro+: Since 1069, Half 1079, Quantized 2197

Connectivity

5G Support

As the name suggests, the device supports 5G networks, allowing for high-speed data connectivity where 5G is available. This future-proofs the phone to some extent, as 5G networks continue to expand globally.

Wi-Fi
The phone supports Wi-Fi 6/6E, providing fast and efficient wireless connectivity. This is a welcome feature, as Wi-Fi 6 offers improved performance and reduced network congestion in crowded areas.

Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.4 is included, offering improved range, speed, and reliability compared to older Bluetooth versions. This is beneficial for connecting to wireless earbuds, speakers, and other accessories.

NFC
The inclusion of NFC (Near Field Communication) allows for contactless payments and quick pairing with compatible devices.

Dual SIM
The device supports dual SIM functionality, with options for two nano SIMs or a combination of nano SIM and eSIM. This flexibility is useful for users who need to manage multiple phone numbers or for frequent travellers.

Positioning
For location services, the phone supports multiple satellite systems including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS. This comprehensive support ensures accurate positioning across different regions.

Other Connectivity Features:

  • Like most affordable phones, the USB-C port is limited to USB 2.0 speeds. This is fine for transferring files to and from the device but lacks the bandwidth and advanced features you get on premium phones with USB 3.2.
  • IR blaster, which can be used to control compatible home appliances
  • No 3.5mm headphone jack, following the trend of many modern smartphones

Battery Life and Charging

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is equipped with a 5110mAh battery, which is capable of providing a full day of use for most users. While this capacity is slightly smaller than some competitors, it’s still substantial enough for extended usage. The device supports 120W HyperCharge technology, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. In practice, a full charge from 0% takes just over 30 minutes.

One notable feature is the phone’s ability to function in temperatures as low as -20°C and its quick power-on capability after complete battery drainage. This makes it particularly useful in extreme weather conditions or emergency situations.

HyperOS and Android 14

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G runs on HyperOS based on Android 14. This new operating system from Xiaomi aims to provide a smoother, more integrated user experience. Some key features of HyperOS include:

  • Improved UI fluidity and responsiveness
  • Enhanced privacy and security features
  • Better integration of AI capabilities

The device is expected to receive three major OS upgrades, potentially supporting up to Android 17. This ensures longevity in terms of software support and new features.

Like all phones launching this year, there is a heavy emphasis on the AI features that are available. This phone includes:

  • Google Gemini: This AI model can assist with various tasks, potentially improving productivity and user experience.
  • Circle to Search: This feature allows users to search for information about objects or text within images or on-screen content.
  • AI Interpreter: Useful for real-time translation in conversations.
  • AI Notes: Enhances note-taking capabilities with AI-powered organisation and suggestions.
  • AI Recorder: Likely offers features like transcription and summarisation of recorded audio.
  • AI Subtitles: Can generate subtitles for videos in real-time.
  • AI Film: Possibly assists in video editing or creation.
  • AI image editing: Enhances photo editing capabilities with AI-powered tools

Price and Alternative Options

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is available to buy now and has an RRP of £399 for the 8GB/256GB model and £449 for the 12GB/512GB model.

At the time of writing, mi.com had a £30 off coupon for both models, and the 8GB/256GB variant was discounted to £359. Amazon listed them for £399 and £349, respectively, with the 12GB/512GB variant also having a £30 voucher available.

Alternative options include:

  • Google Pixel 8a from around £340
  • Samsung Galaxy A55 from around £380
  • Motorola Edge 50 Neo from around £330
  • Motorola Edge 50 Pro from around £400

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the best alternative option on paper. It has a lower spec main camera, but it includes a 10MP 3x telephoto camera a fractionally better 13MP ultra-wide and a better 50MP selfie camera. The battery is smaller, but wired charging is the same speed, and it has 50W wireless charging. The display has a faster. 144Hz refresh rate, but lower peak brightness.

If you can stretch your budget, then the Xiaomi 14T has been as low as £413 on Amazon and is currently £513.

If photography isn’t a priority, then I’d strongly recommend looking at the recently launched Poco X7 Pro, which is quite a bit cheaper, has a s significantly better chipset, comes with Android 15, and has a much larger battery. The main downside is that the camera spec is poor in comparison with a 50 MP 1/1.95 main camera and also slower 90W charging.

Overall

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is a bit of a mixed bag. It is an excellent phone and will likely be one of the best mid-range phones to launch this year, but the incremental changes from the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G and the specification disparity between the global and Chinese/Indian models is frustrating, to say the least.

Ironically, Xiaomi’s main problem with the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is that it competes with its own devices. For example, if I were buying a phone, I’d take this over the Samsung Galaxy A55 or the Google Pixel 8a.

But, in theory, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G should be a better buy. It is a year old now but has almost the same specifications, and you would assume you can pick it up at a significant discount. But, as I write this, it is more expensive than the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G.

Similarly, if you don’t need an amazing camera, then the Poco X7 Pro offers better bang for your buck.

Overall, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is an excellent phone and a phone I can easily recommend, I’d just advise to check the price of last years model before committing to this.

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G Review

Summary

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is a solid upper mid-range smartphone that offers a good mix of features, including a high-quality display, robust build, impressive camera capabilities, and fast charging. However, it is not without its drawbacks, such as the use of slower UFS 2.2 storage, a smaller battery compared to its Chinese counterpart, and incremental upgrades over its predecessor. While it stands out as one of the best mid-range phones of the year, its value proposition is somewhat undermined by the availability of older models like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G and alternatives like the Poco X7 Pro, which offer better performance or pricing in certain areas. Ultimately, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is a great choice for those seeking a well-rounded device, but it’s worth comparing prices and specifications with other options before making a final decision.

Overall
85%
85%
  • Overall - 85%
    85%

Pros

  • Excellent 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 3000 nits peak brightness
  • Impressive 200MP main camera with OIS and good low-light performance
  • Premium build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 water and dust resistance
  • Fast 120W HyperCharge for quick charging
  • Good performance for everyday use with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor

Cons

  • Specification disparity across regions (UK/EU version differs from Chinese/Indian variant)
  • Uses UFS 2.2 storage, which is slower than last year’s UFS 3.1
  • No included charger, requiring a separate purchase for optimal charging speeds
  • 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro cameras feel underwhelming compared to competitors

Last update on 2025-02-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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