Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G Review: HyperPowered Performance and AI Features

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is the latest flagship in Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series, known for offering premium features at mid-range prices. Initially launched in China, it’s now heading to the Philippines, replacing the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G with significant upgrades.

Key Upgrades

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G boasts enhancements in design, display, performance, and battery life. It runs Xiaomi’s new HyperOS, packed with AI-powered features, delivering a smooth and future-proof experience.

Specifications at a Glance

  • Body: Sleek 162.5×74.7×8.8mm, 205g; durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and eco-leather options; IP68/IP69K dust and water resistance.
  • Display: 6.67” AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, 3000 nits peak brightness, and Always-On Display.
  • Performance: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset (4nm), Adreno 710 GPU for seamless multitasking and gaming.
  • Memory: Up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage (UFS 3.1).
  • Cameras: Triple rear setup (50MP main with OIS, 50MP telephoto, 8MP ultra-wide); 20MP front camera; 4K video recording.
  • Battery: Massive 5110mAh with 120W fast charging.
  • Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and more.

What’s in the Box?

The package includes the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, a 90W fast charger, USB-C cable, protective case, and essential documentation—ensuring you’re ready to go right out of the box.

Design

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G introduces a refreshed 2024 design with a squircle-shaped camera island, subtly resembling the Mi logo. This island houses three functional cameras and an LED flash, with an IR blaster cleverly concealed above the flash. However, its placement requires pointing the phone’s back toward devices, which may be inconvenient for appliances like wall-mounted air conditioners.

Available in Midnight Black, Lavender Purple, and Frost Blue colors, all models feature a sturdy plastic frame with a matte top and bottom finish. With an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, the build quality is impressive.

Display

The phone boasts a 6.67-inch curved AMOLED display with a resolution of 2717×1220, a 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 3000 nits peak brightness—an upgrade from 1800 nits on its predecessor. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, delivering vibrant visuals ideal for HDR content.

However, brightness drops during HDR playback on YouTube at resolutions above 1080p, likely to prevent overheating. The curved edges add a premium aesthetic but can cause occasional glare and affect side gesture reliability.

Additional features include:

  • Optical fingerprint sensor: Quick and accurate, though positioned low on the screen. It also doubles as a heart rate monitor but offers inconsistent readings.
  • Haptics: Decent x-axis linear motor feedback, though slightly noisy in quiet settings.

Camera

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G features a triple rear camera system, including a 200MP Samsung HP3 main sensor, an 8MP Ultrawide sensor, a 2MP macro camera, and a 20MP selfie camera.

So, are the photos good? Well check it out:

  • Main Camera: Captures images with great detail and accurate colors. The dynamic range is decent and the white balance is presentable.
  • Macro Camera: Delivers highly detailed images with good color accuracy.
  • Ultra-wide: Produces good detail.

Video Recording

  • Supports 4K@30fps on the main and telephoto cameras (ultra-wide limited to lower resolutions).
  • Main Camera (4K): Offers good detail, colors, and dynamic range.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G’s camera performance excels under ideal conditions, but there are some needed improvements. Its video capabilities are still decent though.

Performance and Software

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G runs on Xiaomi HyperOS 1 atop Android 14, both outdated as HyperOS 2 and Android 15 are already available. Xiaomi promises three major Android updates and four years of security patches, but with Android 15 already overdue, users realistically receive only two meaningful OS updates.

The software experience mirrors other Xiaomi devices, with some bloatware and ads. While Xiaomi touts over 20 AI features, many have yet to be rolled out, limiting their immediate impact. The company also claims the phone will maintain fluency for four years—a bold statement.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset powers the phone, paired with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage (128GB, 256GB, or 512GB).

  • Everyday Use: Most apps perform well, but the camera app struggles, showing delays when switching lenses or processing images. Other tasks, like editing photos in the Gallery app, also experience noticeable lag.
  • Video Playback: Watching 4K HDR videos at 60fps leads to stutters, particularly when scrubbing through content.
  • Gaming:  Performance in demanding titles like Genshin Impact is underwhelming with some stutters, but gaming is decent overall.

Here is the gameplay video for reference:

Battery and Charging

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is powered by a 5110mAh silicon-carbon battery, offering some boost over the 5000mAh unit in the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. It guarantees 1-2 days of battery life for average users.

The charging speed is also the same, 120W.

Final thoughts

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G offers a lot to like, with its sleek design, high-quality AMOLED display, and massive 5110mAh battery with 120W charging that ensures excellent longevity. These features make it an appealing choice for users who value aesthetics, vibrant visuals, and extended usage with fast recharge times.

However, the phone falls short in several critical areas. Its hardware feels outdated leading to performance gaps, especially in demanding tasks and gaming. The cameras, while decent, may not be enough for those photography connoisseurs.

The software experience is another weak point. Despite running Xiaomi’s HyperOS, the system is marred by preloaded bloatware and ads. While Xiaomi’s promise of regular updates is reassuring, the lack of Android 15 out of the box is disappointing.

With all of that being said, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is a solid choice for those who prioritize battery life, charging speed, presentable image quality, good performance on a budget, AI features, and the unique features of HyperOS.