Redmi Note 14 5G review

Redmi has always been a strong contender in the budget-friendly realm. And, over the course of time, its Note series has grown into a reliable, go-to option for both tech enthusiasts as well as cash-conscious buyers, who refuse to compromise on what’s important.

However, the affordable market is gradually turning into a platter, and everyone seems to be looking for that perfect recipe that screams maximum flavour at minimum cost. Enter: Redmi’s Note 14 5G, which, at a glance, seemed like yet another reasonably priced device in a sea of smartphones available today. But there is certainly more to what meets the eye.

With plenty of upgrades and a swanky new redesign, the smartphone is a part of the Note 14 series, which also comprises of the Note 14 Pro and Note 14 Pro+. We tested out the entry-level variant for a week and put it through its paces; here are our learnings:

Redmi Note 14 5G design

Unlike the other two devices in the series, the Redmi Note 14 retains a lot of its predecessors’ design elements. Despite being a fairly large phone to hold, it weighs only 192 gms and is surprisingly lightweight to carry. The glass back panel hosts a triple camera setup within a curved module and the branding can be found embellished on the bottom left corner of the phone.

ALSO READ: Redmi Note 14 series hands-on and first impressions

We got our hands on the Mystic White variant that flaunts a beautiful marble finish. If you, like us, prefer a bit of bling on you, the wavy pattern and shimmer on the back panel exude the right amount of pizzazz. And the best part? No scope for grimy smudges or fingerprints. It even seems scratch-resistant to a great deal.

The metallic sides with rounded edges lend the device all the grip it needs. An interesting inclusion on the edges is the 3.5mm jack alongside the primary mic on the top. You can also find a set of speakers along with a secondary mic, a USB Type-C port and a dual SIM card slot at the bottom of the phone. Lastly, you get the volume rockers and the power button, comfortably positioned on the right side of the phone.

Redmi Note 14 5G display

The Redmi Note 14 5G sports an expansive 6.67-inch full HD+ super AMOLED display. But unlike the Note 14 Pro and Pro+, it gets a flat screen and doesn’t have curved edges. Despite this, we always got fluid visuals and had no complaints while consuming multimedia or with long hours of scrolling.

It also supports up to 120Hz refresh rate, which keeps things both responsive as well as snappy during day-to-day usage. Apart from this, Redmi has equipped the smartphone with 2,100 nits of peak brightness, and it does not falter under sunny or bright outdoor conditions.

Additionally, the Redmi Note 14 5G comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor with a fun animation that is quick to recognise the user and doesn’t require retakes.

Redmi Note 14 5G cameras

Perhaps the most notable part of the smartphone is its triple-camera setup. The device comes with a 50MP primary Sony LYT600 sensor backed with OIS (optical image stabilisation) support. It also gets an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera.

The 50MP main shooter was a beast when it came to colours – they absolutely pop off the screen. Every shot we took was razor-sharp, with details that made us want to zoom in and appreciate. Getting up close to the subject was also fun, and the macro shots came out incredibly well. While you’ve got 2X optical zoom for those clean, close-up shots, you can push it all the way up to 20X digital zoom if you’re feeling adventurous.

This undoubtedly makes a helpful addition for times you’re in a concert or travelling. But bear in mind that the zoomed-in photograph will lose details and appear grainy after you’ve zoomed beyond 10X.

The portrait mode too left us with little to no complaints. We got bokeh-like, soft picture effects in well-lit rooms and didn’t even find it messing up finer objects like straws or spoons. Similarly, Redmi Note 14 5G’s 20MP front camera gave us good results, with its regular and portrait modes. What we loved more was how it managed to include all the details we needed, even in comparatively low-light situations.

The smartphone comes with a dedicated Night mode, and while it did a great job at drawing light from its surroundings, we found some pictures looking unnaturally bright. It also gave us blurry results in several cases but did its job of clicking the landscape in well-illuminated conditions.

The front and back cameras both support 1080p (full HD) video recording and deliver a stable output, even when you’re shooting handheld.

Redmi Note 14 5G performance

The Redmi Note 14 5G is fit to be your trusty everyday device or a dependable secondary phone. It houses a MediaTek Dimensity 7025 ultra octa-core processor and ships with the new Android 14-based HyperOS. Compared with MIUI, the interface seems cleaner, easier to navigate but the current version does encounter minor glitches every now and then. There were moments when we found the screen freezing up. It does seem like a bug that should be fixed with a patch update.

We tested the 6GB, 128GB RAM storage variant, and faced no lags during casual browsing, extended streaming and light gaming. Using multiple apps at once should not be an issue, though we did find the device heating up unusually within five minutes of streaming at the highest resolution.

ALSO READ: Redmi Note 14 Pro review

The device is backed by a 5,110mAh battery pack and it delivers consistently throughout the day. Despite testing the phone under various conditions, we found it to be a little under 20 per cent by bedtime.

In the box, Redmi also provides a 45W fast charger that juices up the phone from 20 per cent to above 80 within half an hour. An uninterrupted zero to 100 per cent took us roughly an hour.

Unboxed take: Who should buy the Redmi Note 14 5G?

Redmi’s Note series has gained popularity for introducing improved features with time, and the Note 14, too, seems to have set a formidable benchmark for budget to mid-range phones. From tough build quality to capable cameras, the smartphone is made for those looking for the best of everything on a budget or even someone who needs a secondary device for work.

It is, however, to be kept in mind that the phone isn’t made for heavy gaming, and you might still have to deal with a fair amount of bloatware. 

What it does do, is offer a long-lasting battery life, durability and glitch-free day-to-day usage at a modest price tag of Rs 21,999. For this and other reasons combined, we rate the Redmi Note 14 5G 4/5.

Alternatively, you can consider other mid-range options within this price bracket, including the Realme 12+ 5G or the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G. For more in-depth reviews and product launches, make sure you remain subscribed to Unboxed by Croma.