Is the Redmi Note 14 Pro the right balance of style and performance?

The Redmi Note 14 Pro keeps it minimalist with a few surprises.
10 minute read
Is the Redmi Note 14 Pro the right balance of style and performance?

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series has built a reputation for delivering strong mid-range devices, and with each release, the refinements continue. The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G arrives as the latest iteration, following the Note 13 Pro, which was well-received but lacked a distinct identity. This time, Xiaomi tweaks the formula with subtle design updates and hardware improvements.

Launched on September 26, 2024, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G enters a crowded market, positioned between the more affordable Redmi Note 14 and the higher-end Note 14 Pro+. In Nigeria, pricing starts at ₦407,300 ($258) for the 8GB/256GB model, while the 12GB/512GB version goes for ₦464,015 ($294). That puts it up against options like the Samsung Galaxy A55 and Nothing Phone 1, two devices that set a high bar for mid-range performance.

With a refined design, upgraded internals, and an emphasis on value, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G seeks to make a stronger impression than its predecessor. But is it worth choosing over its many rivals? Let’s get into the details.

See Also: Redmi Note 13 series: What’s different from the Note 12 series?

Unboxing the Note 14 Pro phone

You’ll find the phone ready to use without needing extra accessories. This includes a 45W wired charger, a device manual, a black silicone case, and a SIM ejector tool. Xiaomi also pre-installs a screen protector, offering extra protection right out of the box. 

Out of the box content of Redmi Note 14 Pro smartphone including a black silicon case, 40W charger and device manual.
Image Source: Xiaomi Argentina

Design and Build

  • 162.33 x 74.42 x 8.4mm, 190g 
  • Matte-gloss finish, Plastic back, Asymmetrical styling
  • IP68 rating
  • Fingerprint sensor: Under-screen
  • Headphone jack: None, relies on USB-C
  • Colours: Midnight Black, White, Lavender Purple, and Coral Green
  • Pin-hole selfie camera

The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G trades the sharper edges of its predecessor for a more rounded, ergonomic feel, making it more comfortable to hold. The rear camera module also gets a refresh, now housed in a centred squircle bump. It creates a more symmetrical look, though the raised rings—three for the cameras and one for the flash—might take some getting used to when snapping photos. 

Rear view of Redmi Note 14 Pro smartphone showing its back camera setup.
Rear camera view of the Redmi Note 14 Pro.

Material choices remain practical. Unlike the Pro+, which opts for glass, the Note 14 Pro 5G sticks with a plastic back. This keeps the weight down at 190g, balancing durability with ease of handling. The mix of matte and glossy finishes adds contrast, colour options like Coral Green add vibrancy and the Midnight Black variant reflects light subtly without being overly flashy.

Durability also gets a boost. A major upgrade over the Note 13 Pro is the addition of IP68 certification, meaning the phone can survive in water up to 2 meters deep for hours. On the display side, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects against scratches and drops, ensuring the phone holds up to everyday wear.

Up front, the 6.67-inch curved AMOLED display makes a strong impression. The bezels are slim, except for a slightly thicker bottom edge. Framed by a thin metal band, the screen features a punch-hole camera at the top to keep distractions minimal. The 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth interactions whether you’re scrolling or gaming, while Dolby Vision and HDR10+ enhance video playback with richer colours and deeper contrast. 

The button placement is well thought out. The right side houses the volume rocker and power button; the left remains clean. The top edge holds a secondary speaker, microphone, and IR blaster. At the bottom, you’ll find the SIM tray, microphone, USB 2.0 Type-C port, and primary speaker. With Dolby Atmos support, the dual speakers deliver immersive sound, making it a solid pick for media consumption.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro rear view in the lavender purple colour option
Redmi Note 14 Pro in Lavender Purple.

Display and Audio

  • 6.67in CrystalRes AMOLED display
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front only)
  • Dolby Atmos dual speakers 

The 6.67-inch AMOLED display on the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is one of its strongest features. With a 1.5K resolution and ~446 ppi density, it delivers sharp visuals, rich colours, and excellent contrast. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, though reported that in its default mode, it drops to 60Hz on apps like YouTube and Instagram, even while scrolling. Switching to “up to 120Hz” in settings allows Instagram to run at full refresh rate, but YouTube and most games remain locked at 60Hz. 

Brightness is another highlight. The panel reaches 3000 nits peak brightness, making it easy to read even under direct sunlight. Typical brightness is 500 nits, while HBM (High Brightness Mode) reaches 1200 nits. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 layer improves durability, making the screen more resistant to scratches and drops. There’s also an Always-on Display, providing quick access to time, notifications, and other essentials without unlocking the phone. 

Audio performance holds up well. The Dolby Atmos stereo speakers deliver balanced sound with decent bass, though it doesn’t quite match flagship-level audio. There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, but wired audio is still possible via USB-C.

Front view of Redmi Note 14 Pro smartphone displaying its home screen interface.
Image Source: MobiGyaan

Camera

  • Main: 50 MP Sony LYT600, 4K24/30, 1080p30/60/120
  • Ultra-wide: 8 MP IMX355, 1080p30
  • Macro: 2 MP f/2.4
  • Front: 20 MP, 1080p30/60

The Redmi Note 14 Pro takes a different approach to imaging this time, opting for a 50 MP main sensor with a larger f/1.5 aperture instead of the previous 200 MP setup. The result is sharp, detailed shots with good dynamic range in daylight, though colours, especially greens, can sometimes appear a little too vibrant. In low light, it holds up well, but noise becomes noticeable, particularly in darker areas. The 2x zoom maintains colour accuracy but loses some fine details, and shadows tend to be a bit too deep.

Redmi Note 14 Pro camera sample  images showing 2x zoom, 50 MP, and ultra-wide camera shots in daylight.
Daylight images taken on the main camera. L-R: 2x Zoom, 50 MP, and Ultra-wide Camera. | Credit: Smartprix

The ultra-wide camera does the job for wider shots but doesn’t quite match the main sensor’s colour consistency, and its dynamic range is weaker. 

Redmi Note 14 Pro camera sample images showing 2x zoom, and ultra-wide camera shots in lowlight.
Low-light performance isn’t its strong suit either, with visible noise and reduced detail.

The macro lens is more of an extra. It works in good lighting but doesn’t add much beyond what the main camera can already capture. The front camera, now a 20 MP sensor, captures decent selfies in daylight but leans heavily on beautification, smoothing out details.

Performance, Battery life and Storage

  • Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra
  • Battery: 5110mAh battery   
  • Charging: 45W wired charging
  • RAM: 8GB / 12GB
  • Internal Storage: 256GB UFS 2.2 non-expandable storage

The Redmi Note 14 Pro runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra, a 4nm chipset with an octa-core setup designed for a balance of power and efficiency. It handles everyday tasks smoothly, from browsing and social media to light gaming. Compared to its predecessor, the performance sees an incremental upgrade. Benchmark scores reflect this, with the Note 14 Pro scoring 640,845 on AnTuTu—an improvement over the Note 13 Pro’s 580,250. While it’s not built for high-end gaming, titles like CODM run at 60 FPS on High settings, though extended play sessions lead to some heat buildup and occasional frame drops.

See Also: Play PUBG and CODM on these Non-Gaming smartphones right now

Storage options go up to 512GB, paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, all using UFS 2.2 for faster read and write speeds. However, there’s no microSD slot, so internal storage is all you get. Multitasking is efficient, but with the chipset’s limitations, it’s best suited for moderate users rather than power users pushing intensive workloads.

Battery life is one of its strong points. The 5500mAh battery holds up well, comfortably lasting a full day under heavy use and stretching beyond that for lighter users. PCMark battery tests clock it at 13 hours and 24 minutes. That’s solid, but not class-leading. The switch to 45W charging from the 67W of the previous model means it isn’t the fastest to recharge, taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes for a full charge. A quick 15-minute top-up gets you to around 33%, which should be enough to get through several hours of use. While the charging speed may feel like a step back, battery longevity remains a highlight.

Performance Benchmarks for the Redmi Note 14 Pro device.

Software

  • Android 14 w/ HyperOS
  • 3 years of Android updates

The smartphone runs HyperOS 1.0, built on Android 14. This is a bit behind, considering Android 15 is already available on some devices, and Android 16 is in beta. Despite the new name, HyperOS doesn’t stray too far from MIUI, keeping a familiar layout and design. It introduces some refinements, particularly in lock screen customisation and multitasking, but icon and status bar customisation options are still missing.

The interface feels polished, but app transitions can be slightly sluggish, which is unexpected for a device in this segment. AI-powered features like AI Erase Pro and AI Image Cutout add some extra functionality, though they don’t fundamentally change the experience. The bloatware situation remains frustrating, with preloaded apps like ShareMe and Voice Access cluttering the system. Most of them can be uninstalled, but it’s something you will have to deal with out of the box.

On the bright side, Xiaomi promises three years of Android updates and four years of security patches, which is decent for a mid-range phone. That said, Samsung’s mid-rangers in this price bracket typically get four years of Android updates and five years of security patches, offering a bit more longevity. Check out our top picks for the best Samsung mid-range options.

What we like about the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro

  • Standard 5500 mAh battery.
  • 5G support.
  • 4K video with gyro-EIS and OIS.
  • Sharp display with a faster refresh rate.
  • Good battery life.

What to consider

  • Mediocre secondary cameras.
  • Bloatware is present.
  • Charging speed could be faster.

Our Verdict

The Redmi Note 14 Pro sits in a crowded mid-range space, and while it does a lot right, it isn’t the outright best in its class considering software sluggishness and inconsistent refresh rates. 

If you already have the Note 13 Pro, there’s little reason to upgrade. However, if you’re looking for a well-rounded phone in this price range, it’s a strong contender. The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is cheaper, the CMF Phone 1 is even more solid, and POCO X6 Pro offers comparable performance with its own strengths. 

If the display, battery life, and Xiaomi’s ecosystem matter most to you, the Redmi Note 14 Pro isn’t a bad choice—just not the obvious one.

Pricing & Availability in Nigeria and Ghana

The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is priced at ₦407,300 in Nigeria and is available through Xiaomi’s official stores and third-party retailers. In Ghana, the 256GB + 8GB model costs GH₵4,629, while the 512GB + 12GB variant is priced at GH₵5,509.

As with previous Redmi Note models, the Note 14 Pro 5G isn’t launching in the US but will be available in Europe.

For all Note 14 variants, here are the prices on Jumia:

Redmi Note 14:

  • 6GB RAM / 128GB ROM – ₦253,300 ($160)
  • 8GB RAM / 128GB ROM – ₦273,300 ($173)
  • 8GB RAM / 256GB ROM + Redmi Buds 6 Play – ₦293,300 ($186)

Note 14 Pro:

  • 8GB RAM / 256GB ROM + Redmi Buds 6 Play – ₦407,300 ($258)
  • 12GB RAM / 512GB ROM + Redmi Buds 6 Play – ₦464,015 ($294)

Note 14 Pro+ 5G:

  • 8GB RAM / 256GB ROM + Redmi Buds 6 Play – ₦638,300 ($405)
  • 12GB RAM / 512GB ROM (5,500mAh battery) – ₦850,000 ($540)