I’ve had the pleasure of spending some quality time with the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on this impressive mid-range smartphone.
I have been using this for quite some time now, and even managed to take it with me in my recent visit to the US to cover CES 2025. And yes – I have been enjoying using this phone. It isn’t perfect, and still incomplete – I will explain in a bit – but it pushes the boundaries of what we can expect from a device in this price range, offering a compelling package that combines durability, performance, and advanced camera capabilities.
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review – Build and Design
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is a testament to Xiaomi’s commitment to durability and premium feel in the mid-range segment. The phone boasts what Xiaomi calls an “All-star armor structure,” which is more than just marketing speak. This device is built to last, featuring Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on the back. These materials offer significantly improved drop and scratch resistance compared to the commonly used Gorilla Glass 5.
One of the standout features of the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is its IP68 water and dust resistance rating. This level of protection is typically reserved for more expensive flagship devices, making it a rare find in the mid-range category. Xiaomi has gone the extra mile with 17 custom components and 10 critical airtightness tests to ensure comprehensive protection against water ingress.
At PhP17,999 – at least for the variant I am using – it is one of the most affordable smartphones on the market with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 protection. This puts it in direct competition with devices like the Honor X9C in terms of durability claims, although empirical testing similar to Honor’s durability stunts would be needed to make a definitive comparison.
The phone is available in three attractive colors: Midnight Black, Lavender Purple, and Coral Green. With dimensions of 162.33mm x 74.42mm x 8.4mm (8.85mm for the PU variant) and a weight of 190g, it strikes a good balance between screen size and comfort in hand.
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review – Display
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G doesn’t disappoint when it comes to its display. It features a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (2712 x 1220 pixels), resulting in a crisp 446 PPI. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 240Hz touch sampling rate, which can peak at 2560Hz for instantaneous touch responsiveness.
One of the most notable improvements is the increase in peak brightness from 1800 nits to 3000 nits. This enhancement makes HDR content pop and ensures excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The display also supports the P3 color gamut and HDR, delivering vibrant and accurate colors from preview to capture and gallery display.
For those concerned about eye strain, the display is TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certified, making it easier on the eyes during extended use.
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review – Hardware and Performance
Under the hood, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra processor. Built on TSMC’s 4nm process technology, this chip features an octa-core CPU with four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.5 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, paired with an Arm Mali-G615 GPU.
In terms of performance, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G holds its own against competitors in its class. It performs on par with the POCO X7 and outpaces the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G, making it a strong contender in the low mid-range category.
Our benchmark tests yielded impressive results:
- Geekbench 6 Single Core: 951
- Geekbench 6 Multi Core: 2887
- PCMark: 13,135
- Wild Life Extreme: 849
- AnTuTu Benchmark: 676,883
These scores translate to smooth real-world performance. The phone can handle demanding games like “Mobile Legends: Bang Bang” at a full 90 frames per second, providing a fluid gaming experience.
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review – Software and AI Features
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G runs on MIUI, Xiaomi’s custom Android skin. While MIUI has its fans and critics, it offers a feature-rich experience with plenty of customization options.
One of the most exciting aspects of this phone is its AI capabilities. However, it’s important to note that at the time of writing this review, we haven’t received the update that enables most of its AI features. Xiaomi has promised a suite of AI-powered tools, including AI Image Editing, AI Erase Pro, AI Image Expansion, AI Film, AI Beautify, AI Ultra-clear Portrait, AI Background Remover (Cutout), and AI Bokeh. We’ll be sure to update this review once these features become available on our unit.
The phone also boasts AI productivity features, including integration with Gemini and Google’s Circle to Search functionality, which should enhance the overall user experience once fully implemented.
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review – Camera
The camera system on the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is one of its standout features. The main attraction is the 200MP primary camera, which uses the Samsung HP3 sensor. This large 1/1.4″ sensor with 2.24μm super pixels and an f/1.65 aperture promises excellent light capture capabilities.
In practice, the camera performance is generally excellent, although we did notice some inconsistencies in areas like Night Mode and HDR. The portrait mode, however, is one of its strongest suits, producing pleasing results with good subject separation and natural-looking bokeh.
The 200MP mode is particularly impressive, especially for landscape photography. It allows you to capture highly detailed images that you can later zoom into, providing more composition options after the fact. This feature is great for those who like to fine-tune their shots in post-processing.
The ultra-wide 8MP camera and 2MP macro lens round out the rear camera setup, while a 20MP front-facing camera handles selfies and video calls.
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review – Audio
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G comes equipped with dual speakers that support Dolby Atmos, providing a more immersive audio experience for movies, games, and music. While not on par with dedicated external speakers, the audio quality is solid for a smartphone in this price range.
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review – Battery
Battery life is another strong point for the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G. The device packs a large 5110mAh battery, which Xiaomi claims is the highest energy density battery in the history of the Redmi Note lineup. In our testing, we achieved an impressive 16 hours and 34 minutes of moderate usage, primarily focused on social media, video consumption, and some content creation.
The phone supports 45W Turbo Charging, which should get you back up and running quickly when you do need to recharge. Xiaomi has also implemented several battery health features, including Battery Health 3.0 and Smart Charging 2.0, which aim to extend the overall lifespan of the battery.
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review – Verdict
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is shaping up to be a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market. Its combination of durable design, powerful performance, and advanced camera capabilities make it a compelling option for users who want flagship-like features without the premium price tag.
The all-star durability, including IP68 rating and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, is a standout feature that sets it apart from many competitors in its price range. The powerful Dimensity 7300-Ultra processor ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming alike.
While we’re excited about the potential of the AI features, we’ll need to wait for the software update to fully evaluate their impact. The camera system, particularly the 200MP main sensor, offers versatility and high-quality results, despite some inconsistencies in certain shooting modes.
Battery life is another strong point, with the large 5110mAh battery providing ample power for a full day of use and beyond.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G represents excellent value for money, assuming it’s priced similarly to its predecessor. It successfully balances performance, durability, and advanced features, making it a worthy consideration for anyone in the market for a mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight class.
Source: Gadget Pilipinas
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