Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Review: A New Benchmark for Mid-Range Phones

If Xiaomi is the Stan Lee of the tech world, then the Redmi Note series undoubtedly takes the role of Jack Kirby. Together, they’ve been the driving force behind Xiaomi's remarkable journey in India. Over the years, the Redmi Note series has consistently been at the heart of the company’s success, fueling its growth and capturing the attention of millions. In early 2024, Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 13 series, but before the year could end, they introduced its successor—the Redmi Note 14 series.

During the product briefing, Xiaomi  directors emphasized that the Redmi Note 14 marks a significant  vault forward, indeed by Note series  norms. The company boasts a  stunning achievement of over 420 million Redmi Note  bias  vended worldwide. This time, the lineup includes three models the base Redmi Note 14, themid-tier Redmi Note 14 Pro, and the high- end Redmi Note 14 Pro+. I had the chance to  witness the top-  league variant, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+, which boasts a spec  distance evocative of flagship smartphones from a many times agone ,  rounded  by some essential  ultramodern upgrades. 

Priced starting at ₹29,999, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ offers a compelling package. still, it comes with just 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of  storehouse, which might feel slightly limiting in  moment’s  geography. Can the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ rise to the challenge and claim the crown as the stylish smartphone under ₹  40,000? Let’s dive into my review to find out. 

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Features,Price

 Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Design A Step Above the Rest 

Xiaomi has emphasized that its flagship smartphones serve as alleviation for the Redmi Note 14 Pro+, and this is apparent in its design. At first  regard, the device resembles a  lower  interpretation of the Xiaomi 13 Pro — sans the  hand camera  casing. When compared to its  precursor, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, the design upgrades are striking enough to make the two models  feel like they belong to entirely different lineups. With time, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ has embraced a more refined and  ultraexpensive aesthetic. The phone offers a sturdy  figure, and its  twisted edges  insure a comfortable grip, enhancing the overall in- hand experience. 

To bolster  continuity, Xiaomi has equipped the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and Gorilla Glass 7i on the  reverse. The phone also boasts an IP68 standing for water and dust resistance,  icing added peace of mind in  grueling   surroundings. Measuring 8.75 mm in consistence and  importing nearly 211 grams, the device is n't the  burnished on the  request, and its glass back makes it a bit slippery. Thankfully, Xiaomi includes a defensive case in the box for everyday use. 

The camera module has  experienced a redesign as well, now featuring a unified  casing that accommodates all the detectors and the LED flash. Xiaomi notes that the design of the camera  casing is inspired by its  totem. specially, the module is encircled by a essence ring,  eliciting the look of the rotating bezel  set up on Samsung's Galaxy Watch. While this ring does n’t rotate, adding such a  point would have  really posed a design challenge for Xiaomi. 

Overall, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ sets a new  standard for design in its series, combining functionality with an upgraded  decoration  sense. 

 The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ is available in three striking color options Titan Black, Phantom Purple with a vegan leather back, and Spectre Blue. I got my hands on the Spectre Blue variant, which features a glass back adorned with a  mix of textured patterns in the center, giving it a distinctive and eye- catching look. 

The physical buttons are accessibly placed on the right side of the phone and are comfortable to use in any situation. I particularly appreciated their tactile feedback, which enhances the overall usability. On the  nethermost panel, you’ll find the SIM charger, speakers, and charging  harborage, all  courteously arranged for easy access.  

Dominating the front of the device is the  extensive display, framed by slim bezels and featuring a punch- hole cutout for the selfie camera at the top. This clean design adds to the  ultramodern aesthetic of the smartphone.  

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ maintains the hallmark strengths of its  precursor, the Note 13 Pro, including a  twisted design and an IP68 standing for dust and water resistance. These  rudiments combine to make it both visually  charming and robust for everyday use. 

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Display Enhanced and Brilliant 

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ retains the same display specifications as its  precursor, the Note 13 Pro. still, this model takes  effects a step further with an  emotional peak brilliance of 3000 nits. The 6.67- inch display boasts a resolution of 1220x2712 pixels and a pixel  viscosity of 446 PPI, delivering an immersive viewing experience. 

In real- world use, the display stands out with vibrant colors, sharp  textbook, and rich  discrepancy. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures caloric-smooth scrolling and fluid  robustness, enhancing  diurnal usability and gaming performance. Whether you are streaming on Netflix or browsing YouTube, the Widevine L1  instrument guarantees high- quality playback, and the screen remains  largely readable indeed under direct sun.  

The responsiveness of the display truly shines, especially  conspicuous during gaming sessions, where every touch feels immediate and precise. Overall, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ offers a top-  league display that caters to both multimedia  suckers and casual  druggies  likewise. 

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Camera A Solid All- Rounder 

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ introduces significant advancements in the camera department. It features a 50- megapixel Light Fusion 800 detector,  preliminarily seen in the Xiaomi 14 Civi, alongside a 50- megapixel blowup lens — marking the first blowup addition to the Redmi Note series. Completing the  hinder setup is an 8- megapixelultra-wide lens, while a 20- megapixel front- facing camera handles selfies. 

The primary camera excels across  colorful lighting conditions. Daylight shots  parade  emotional detail, dynamic range, sharpness, and vibrant colors, making it a  reliable choice for outdoor photography.

The 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens performs adequately, though it doesn’t match the quality of the primary sensor. While dynamic range and color accuracy are decent, some detail is lost in the captured shots.

A notable addition is the multifocal zoom setup offering 2.5x zoom, in addition to 0.6x, 1x, 2x, and 5x options. At 2x zoom, the device delivers impressive image quality with no visible degradation, maintaining excellent detail and sharpness.

Portrait mode is another highlight, capturing pleasing bokeh effects that enhance subject isolation. The camera serves well for casual portrait photography.

The selfie camera, while functional, could use some improvement. Even with beauty mode disabled, there’s noticeable skin softening, and occasional inaccuracies in skin tones were observed. These issues could potentially be addressed through future software updates.

Low-light photography is where the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ demonstrates its capabilities. With the help of night mode, it captures well-lit and detailed images even in challenging lighting conditions. However, in extremely dark environments, noise becomes evident, and detail quality dips. Despite this, it remains a competent performer in low-light scenarios.

On the video front, the phone can record 4K at 30fps, suitable for casual use or social media uploads. However, there’s room for improvement in video quality, particularly for more professional applications.

Overall, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ offers a versatile camera setup that performs well in most scenarios, making it a strong contender in its category.

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Performance,Battery: A Powerful Contender

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ delivers impressive performance, standing out in its price segment. From seamless browsing and gaming to streaming, AI integration, and on-the-go photo editing, the device handles a wide range of tasks effortlessly. Multitasking, including app switching, is smooth and responsive.

At the heart of this performance is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm architecture. Launched in August, this processor brings a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, offering 20% better CPU performance, a 40% faster GPU, and 12% improved power efficiency. The chipset is also optimized for handling AI-powered features, thanks to its dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which supports on-device generative AI functionalities.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ is available in three variants: 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, and 12GB+512GB. For this review, I tested the top-tier model and faced no memory-related issues. However, one noticeable shortfall is the use of UFS 2.2 storage instead of the UFS 3.1 featured in its predecessor, the Note 13 Pro+. This shift to a slower storage standard is a step back, as UFS 3.1 significantly enhances read/write speeds and overall performance. This downgrade is likely a cost-cutting measure.

Despite rigorous testing, the Note 14 Pro+ remained cool under stress, only warming slightly during extended usage. For gaming enthusiasts, the phone supports BGMI at HDR graphics with High frame rates. Popular games like Call of Duty Mobile, BGMI, and Genshin Impact ran smoothly, with no noticeable frame drops or stuttering. The impressive gaming performance is largely credited to the Adaptive Performance Engine 3.0 and the Adreno HDR Fast Blend technology integrated into the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3.

One area where the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ truly stands out is its battery performance. Xiaomi has significantly upgraded from the 5000mAh capacity of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ to a colossal 6200mAh battery in the Note 14 Pro+. This leap is not just impressive on paper but also delivers tangible benefits in real-world usage.

With heavy usage, including several hours of gaming, extensive camera use, streaming a full-length movie on Netflix, and multitasking across apps like Outlook, Canva, Gmail, Slack, Chrome, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, and Telegram, the device easily lasted over a day with about 25% charge remaining. For medium usage, such as occasional camera use and lighter multitasking, the phone can comfortably last up to two days.

In a controlled HD video loop test, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ clocked an impressive 33 hours and 51 minutes, underscoring its battery efficiency.

The device supports 90W HyperCharge technology, and Xiaomi includes the charger in the box. While this is slightly lower than the 120W HyperCharge of the Note 13 Pro+, the difference in charging speed isn’t significant during practical use. The phone charges quickly and efficiently, ensuring minimal downtime.

Xiaomi has also added essential battery health features like a Voltage Booster Chip, Low-Temperature Charging, Short-Term Multi-Charge Optimization, and Safe Charging Control. These additions are particularly relevant for regions like India, where voltage fluctuations can still be a concern.

In summary, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ delivers exceptional battery life, making it a reliable choice for users who prioritize long-lasting performance.

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Software and User Experience: A Mixed Bag

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ operates on Android 14 paired with HyperOS 1.0.2, and Xiaomi guarantees three years of major OS updates along with four years of security patches. While this means the device will receive updates up to Android 17, it falls short compared to competitors who offer longer support timelines. A 3+4 years update cycle would have been more competitive. That said, the UI feels intuitive and familiar, providing a user-friendly experience without major disruptions.

HyperOS introduces a handful of fresh features and upgrades to existing ones. Highlights include a redesigned Control Centre and a revamped Always-On Display (AOD) feature, offering new animations and lock screen customization options. The OS also facilitates cross-device functionality, allowing seamless integration and app pinning across multiple devices for added convenience.

While HyperOS marks a significant evolution from the MIUI era, certain issues remain unaddressed, particularly with bloatware and unsolicited app notifications. Although the number of preinstalled apps has decreased, notifications from apps like GetApps persist, even without user interaction. Additionally, apps such as Themes also generate unnecessary alerts. This longstanding annoyance on Xiaomi devices could potentially be resolved through a future OTA update, and it’s something users will want to keep in mind.

When it comes to audio, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ offers loud and clear speakers capable of filling a medium-sized room, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. Network performance is another strong suit. The phone maintained reliable connectivity even in areas with weak signals. Tested on Airtel 5G and Jio 5G networks, the Note 14 Pro+ delivered excellent call quality and stable internet speeds.

In conclusion, while the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ makes significant strides in performance and usability, lingering issues with software bloat and update policies leave room for improvement. Despite these drawbacks, the phone offers a compelling experience for its price point.

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ AI Features: Ambitious but Needs Refinement

Artificial Intelligence has been the talk of the town for smartphone makers this year, and the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ is no exception. The device boasts over 20 AI-powered features, which Xiaomi claims to surpass the offerings of its competitors. While many of these features are familiar from other devices, they add a layer of convenience to the user experience.

The Notes app integrates several AI capabilities, including AI Summary, AI Layout, AI Proofreading, and AI Translation. These tools enhance productivity and worked reasonably well during my testing. For instance, AI Summary efficiently condensed content, and AI Proofreading provided useful grammar corrections.

The Gallery app also leverages AI with features like AI Image Expansion, AI Erase Pro, and AI Film. AI Image Expansion allows users to upscale and resize images while maintaining proportions through automatic or free scaling. AI Erase Pro lets you seamlessly remove unwanted elements from photos, such as objects or people. AI Film, on the other hand, transforms your images and clips into vlogs or short videos—a feature akin to Google Photos' movie creation tool.

The Recorder app includes AI functionalities such as speaker recognition, AI Translation, and AI Summary. Unfortunately, these features felt undercooked during testing. Speaker recognition frequently failed to identify individual speakers in recordings, and the transcription accuracy was inconsistent. AI Subtitles also struggled to provide real-time, accurate captions. While I couldn't test the AI Interpreter, it is designed to facilitate face-to-face conversations and translate call audio, which could be a useful addition if it performs well.

Finally, the "Circle to Search" feature has made its debut on Xiaomi devices, adding a simple way to search for information by highlighting text or objects.

While these AI features are a welcome addition and show promise, some feel gimmicky and require further refinement to become truly impactful. Xiaomi’s efforts to incorporate AI are commendable, but better polish and functionality could elevate these tools to the next level.

Final Thought on Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ starts at a price of under ₹30,000 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, with the top-tier 12GB + 512GB option priced at ₹34,999. Based on these price points, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ is an easy recommendation for users seeking a feature-packed smartphone. However, post-launch offers and final pricing details are still unclear as Xiaomi hasn’t yet responded to my query.

What sets the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ apart in its segment is its durability. It is currently the only phone in this price range that boasts a 1.5-meter drop test certification on marble and an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. Alongside these credentials, the device offers a stunning display, reliable performance, and capable cameras.

That said, a few areas could use improvement. The software support feels lackluster compared to competitors, with the device currently running on Android 14 and limited to three major updates. For a phone priced around ₹30,000, the use of UFS 2.2 storage—rather than the faster UFS 3.1—is a letdown. Additionally, while Xiaomi has made strides in reducing bloatware, it hasn’t completely eradicated it, and occasional ad notifications can still be bothersome.

In terms of alternatives, the OnePlus 12R and Xiaomi 14 Civi are worthy competitors in this price range, offering compelling options for users willing to explore beyond the Redmi lineup.

Overall, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ delivers a strong package with a few trade-offs, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing durability, display quality, and robust performance.