By 
Xiaomi’s off to an early start this year – following the launch of the new POCO X7 series devices, we’re now seeing the arrival of the more budget-friendly Redmi Note 14 Pro which packs some rather impressive specifications, although as with all smartphones it also comes with certain considerations. With that in mind, you might be thinking if Xiaomi’s newest Redmi Note model is worth getting – here’s what you can expect.
Redmi Note 14 Pro Specs:
- 6.67-inch AMOLED display, 2400 x 1080 resolution
- 120Hz, 1,800 nits (peak)
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- IP64 dust and water protection
- MediaTek Helio G100-Ultra; up to 12GB RAM + 512GB storage
- 200MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera; 2MP macro camera
- 32MP front camera
- Xiaomi HyperOS (Android 14)
- 5500 mAh battery, 45W charging
Design and Display
One thing that surprised me when I unboxed the Redmi Note 14 Pro was its lightweight build. It is made out of plastic which does add to its overall pocket-friendliness, and is rated with IP64 dust and water protection. The phone’s smooth matte rear panel melds into the display in front, which is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Speaking of the display, the Redmi Note 14 Pro’s curved screen is undoubtedly capable with a sharp-enough resolution and a smooth refresh rate. While peak brightness – at least in 2025 standards – is quite low at 1,800 nits, it still outshines other budget phones which often come with less brighter displays. As far as built quality is concerned, it feels like a sturdy device and its lightweight design is much welcome.
Perhaps the only bone I have to pick is the camera island’s design, which is rather larger with four individual bumps, and I would’ve preferred a more minimalist look with a rounded module, although this is a purely subjective matter.
Internals and Performance
Given its designation as the latest budget entry in Xiaomi’s Redmi line (albeit a step above other devices such as the Redmi C-series for example), there are some considerations when it comes to the phone’s overall performance. The phone runs on a MediaTek chip in the form of the Helio G100 Ultra (sorry Dimensity fans), accompanied by 8GB of RAM and 256GB ROM on our review unit.
The Note 14 Pro glides through everyday tasks easily and is capable of generally smooth performance without considerable freezes or stuttering, and while I did experience some app restarts every now and then, it is by no means a sluggish phone. As for gaming, it can run pretty much a majority of titles on the Google Play Store, although more resource-hungry games like Genshin Impact might stutter during gameplay – with that said though I was able to play XCOM 2 Collection, although I did get a warning that my phone was “not supported.”
In terms of software, the Redmi Note 14 Pro comes with Android 14, which at this point is a bit old. It’s layered with Xiaomi’s own HyperOS that packs a ton of custom features such as in-depth theme personalization, exclusive Xiaomi apps, and other tricks that even Pixel phones don’t feature. One thing to note though is the large amount of pre-installed third-party apps, a lot of which I could do without.
As for the 5500mAh battery, I can easily get a day’s worth of use from the phone with moderate usage including 5G data, web browsing, and maybe a video call or two. Folks looking to game frequently on this might need to charge a bit more frequently, but it’s not a phone that you’ll have to worry about draining too quickly for regular use.
Cameras
While the Note 14 Pro excels in day-to-day performance and usability, camera performance is something that could use a bit of improvement. Photos will look decent for quick snapshots for social media, and there’s a nice selection of different camera modes available. With that said however, there are times when dynamic range is a bit lacking, with highlights sometimes ending up too bright. Contrast and color vibrancy can likewise use a boost, so users will want to tweak their settings before embarking on a point-and-shoot session.
Video recording meanwhile maxes out at 1080p at 60fps, which is a bit of a disappointment given that a lot of devices now feature 4K-resolution video capture, although video stabilization is pretty decent.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that the Redmi Note 14 Pro’s strengths are with its impressive battery, general smooth performance, capable display and lightweight design. Xiaomi fans and potential buyers after a phone that isn’t too hard on one’s wallet might want to check out this one, as it gets a lot of the basics right. However if you prioritize factors such as camera performance, a “clean” and leaner version of Android, then there’s a bit of consideration to take into account here, especially when much more capable Xiaomi phones like the POCO X7 series exist.
Comments