Xiaomi Nepal has started 2025 strong with the launch of the new Redmi Note 14 5G, the brand’s latest budget-friendly smartphone. It’s been exactly a year since Xiaomi introduced the Redmi Note 13 series in Nepal, making now the perfect time to bring the Note 14 lineup to the market. With this new addition to the popular Redmi Note series, Xiaomi promises another round of feature-packed phones at a great price.
We’re taking a look at the base 5G model. While it’s not the Pro version, its impressive specs give it the feel of a premium mid-range device rather than a typical budget phone. Notably, it boasts a 108MP main camera with OIS, along with an 8MP ultrawide, a 2MP macro lens, and a 20MP front-facing camera for selfies.The phone also offers key upgrades in design and battery life, making it an exciting option on paper. But how well does it perform in everyday use? Here’s our Redmi Note 14 5G Full Review.
Redmi Note 14 5G Full Review: Detailed Discussion, Pros and Cons
Design
Let’s begin by discussing the phone’s design. Xiaomi has refreshed the Redmi Note’s appearance, particularly the camera area, giving it a hint of an iPhone-like aesthetic, though with a smaller third camera. It also features a unique pattern, moving away from the usual gradient colors. The Redmi Note 14 5G is visually appealing from the rear and feels secure in hand, thanks to its glossy finish that isn’t too slippery. The Coral Green color option is especially striking, but for those preferring a more understated look, it’s also available in Midnight Black.
If we’re being overly critical, the color of the included case isn’t our favorite. While the inclusion of a free case by Xiaomi is appreciated, its dark green hue seems a bit mismatched with the Coral Green phone, particularly around the camera area. This is a minor point and not a significant drawback, though some users might find it less appealing. However, we appreciate that the free case isn’t transparent, as clear cases tend to yellow over time.
Another notable design feature is the inclusion of a headphone jack on the Note 14 5G. This phone still includes a 3.5mm connector, positioned at the top, similar to other Xiaomi phones. While the placement might seem a bit odd to some, it’s a definite plus, considering many modern phones have eliminated the headphone jack
Display
The Redmi Note 14 5G features a large 6.67-inch full HD+ super AMOLED screen. However, unlike the Note 14 Pro and Pro+ models, it has a flat display without curved edges. Even so, the visuals are smooth and enjoyable, whether you’re watching videos or scrolling for long periods.
The phone also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making everything feel fast and responsive during everyday use. On top of that, Redmi has included a peak brightness of 2,100 nits, so the screen remains clear and easy to see even in bright sunlight or outdoor settings.
Another highlight is the in-display fingerprint sensor, which works quickly and reliably. It even has a cool animation when unlocking the phone, and you rarely need to try more than once to get it to recognize your fingerprint.
Performance
The Redmi Note 14 runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset, backed by up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage. We tested the base model with 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, priced at Rs 30,999. In our performance tests, the Redmi Note 14 handled everyday tasks and casual gaming smoothly.
It also performed well with graphics-heavy games like BGMI, Call of Duty, and Real Racing 3, though its heat management isn’t as good as the Realme 13. Additionally, the iQOO Z9s outperformed the Redmi Note 14 in AnTuTu and Geekbench benchmarks, which may appeal to users looking for top-tier performance.
OS and UI
On the software side, the Redmi Note 14 comes with Android 14-based HyperOS right out of the box, offering a user experience similar to its pricier Pro models. However, the phone comes with 66 pre-installed apps, including 18 third-party apps, making the interface feel a bit cluttered. While most of these apps can be uninstalled, a cleaner, more straightforward software experience would have been better. Still, users will enjoy the wide range of customization options and the promise of two major Android updates and four years of security patches, matching what competitors offer.
The phone also includes some basic AI-powered features. You can remove objects from photos, change the sky’s color, and even create videos from a series of images. While these tools work, the AI eraser could use some improvement, as it doesn’t always produce seamless, natural-looking results.
Camera
The Redmi Note 14 5G carries over most of the camera hardware from last year’s Note 13. You still get three cameras on the back: a high-resolution 108MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The big upgrade this year is that the main camera now has optical image stabilization (OIS), which helps take clearer photos in low light and smoother videos. The front camera also got better, jumping from a 16MP to a 20MP sensor with improved light capture.
Let’s talk about how these cameras perform. The main 108MP camera is quite impressive in daylight. The photos come out sharp and detailed, whether you’re shooting outdoors or in well-lit indoor spaces. Even when you zoom in on these pictures, they maintain good quality – not quite as good as more expensive phones, but still impressive for their price range. The camera handles tricky lighting situations well too. For example, shooting toward the sun still captures good detail in buildings and other subjects.
Night photography is where the new OIS shines. Using the phone’s Night Mode, you can capture sharp, detailed photos in dark conditions. The colors can look a bit too vibrant sometimes – a common issue with night photos on smartphones – but the overall results are pleasing.
The ultrawide camera does a solid job during the day and indoors. One nice thing about it is that photos don’t have that excessive curved effect you often see with ultrawide lenses on other phones. However, it struggles a bit in low light, even with Night Mode on. For nighttime shots, you’re better off sticking with the main camera.
As for selfies, the new 20MP front camera takes nice photos, especially in good lighting. You can still get decent results in less-than-perfect light, though the quality naturally drops a bit. One tip: you might want to turn off the beauty filter – even at its default setting, it can make your face look unnaturally smooth.
Battery and Charging
The Redmi Note 14 comes with a slightly larger 5,110mAh battery compared to the 5,000mAh in last year’s model. While this might seem like a small bump in capacity, the real-world improvement is quite impressive. In our PCMark battery test, the Note 14 lasted an incredible 19 hours and 21 minutes – that’s nearly 7 hours longer than the Note 13, which ran for 12 hours and 50 minutes. It even outperforms phones with bigger batteries, like the iQOO Z9s with its 5,500mAh battery.
When it comes to everyday tasks like watching videos and playing games, the Note 14’s battery life is just slightly behind its competitors – we’re talking about a tiny 1-2% difference that you probably won’t notice in daily use. But where this phone shines is in charging speed. If your battery drops to 20%, the Note 14 can get back to 100% in about half the time it takes the iQOO Z9s or Realme 13 to do the same. If you want to see all the nitty-gritty details of our battery testing, you can check out our complete battery review of the Redmi Note 14.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Vibrant AMOLED display | Some pre-installed apps |
| Reliable primary camera with OIS | Thermal efficiency could have been better |
| Long-lasting battery with fast charging | |
Verdict
The Redmi Note 14 is priced starting at Rs 30,999 for the entry-level model, which includes 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. If you’re looking for more memory, the 12GB RAM version comes with 512GB for Rs 35,999
For those on a budget, the base model is a solid option, as long as the pre-installed apps don’t bother you. Gamers might want to consider alternatives like the iQOO Z9s. However, users who prioritize battery life will appreciate the Redmi Note 14’s strong performance in this area, along with its fast charging capabilities. Additionally, it boasts a bright AMOLED display, a sturdy build, and a dependable 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization, making it a great choice for daily use.The phone also includes basic AI features and promises extended security updates, which adds to its overall appeal.
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