The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14S is a budget-friendly device that punches well above its weight, offering features and performance that rival much pricier phones. Released in March 2025, this smartphone aims to strike the perfect balance between affordability, functionality, and modern design. Here’s a detailed look at what the Redmi Note 14S brings to the table.
Design and Build
At first glance, the Redmi Note 14S impresses with its sleek design. With dimensions of 161.1 x 75 x 8 mm and weighing just 179 g, it feels slim and light in hand, making it comfortable for daily use. While the phone sticks to a plastic frame and back, the use of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front ensures durability and protection against everyday scratches. The IP64 rating further adds peace of mind by providing dust-tight construction and splash resistance.
The phone comes in three stunning color options – Midnight Black, Aurora Purple, and Ocean Blue, ensuring you have a shade to match your style.
Display
The Redmi Note 14S’s standout feature is its immersive 6.67-inch AMOLED display. With support for 1 billion colors, a 120Hz refresh rate, and brightness peaking at 1300 nits, the visuals are simply stunning. Whether you’re scrolling through social media or watching high-definition content, the screen’s crisp 1080 x 2400 resolution with a 20:9 aspect ratio delivers vibrant colors and impressive clarity. The screen-to-body ratio of 88.9% offers an almost edge-to-edge viewing experience, which is a treat for multimedia enthusiasts.
Performance
Under the hood, the Redmi Note 14S is powered by the Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra chipset coupled with an octa-core CPU. This combination ensures fluid performance for day-to-day usage, whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or streaming videos. The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU further enhances gaming capabilities, handling casual and moderately demanding mobile games with ease.
With 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (UFS 2.2), you’ll have a decent mix of memory and speed. Plus, the option to expand storage through a microSD card (though it shares the SIM slot) is a practical touch. The phone runs on the latest Android 15 with Xiaomi’s refined HyperOS, offering a smooth and user-friendly software experience.
Cameras
Camera enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Redmi Note 14S boasts a versatile triple-camera setup. The headline feature is the whopping 200 MP main camera. Its large sensor with f/1.7 aperture, OIS, and multi-directional PDAF means you can capture sharp, detailed photos even in tricky lighting conditions. Supporting the main shooter is an 8 MP ultra-wide camera for scenic landscapes and group shots, along with a 2 MP macro lens for close-up photography. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 60fps, which may feel a bit restrictive considering the current market trend of 4K, but it still delivers decent quality.
The 16 MP front camera is reliable for selfies and video calls, offering good detail and color reproduction. Like the rear cameras, it can also record 1080p videos at 60fps.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is another strong area for the Redmi Note 14S. The 5000 mAh battery easily handles a full day of moderate to heavy use. But what really shines is the 67W wired charging, which can take the phone from 0 to 50% in just 16 minutes and fully charge it in under an hour. This level of fast charging is a standout feature, particularly in this price segment.
Other Features
The Redmi Note 14S includes dual speakers for an enjoyable audio experience, and the 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome addition for those who prefer wired audio. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC (region-dependent), an infrared port, and even FM radio, ensuring a well-rounded experience. The under-display optical fingerprint scanner, along with other sensors like a gyroscope and compass, adds to its utility.
Price and Value for Money
Priced at about 240 EUR, the Redmi Note 14S delivers exceptional value. It includes premium-like features such as a 120Hz AMOLED display, a flagship-level 200 MP camera, and blazing-fast charging at a fraction of the cost of high-end devices.
Potential Drawbacks
No phone is without its flaws. While the Redmi Note 14S offers plenty, there are areas where some users might feel limited:
- The phone uses a plastic back, which might feel less premium compared to glass-back alternatives.
- The shared SIM slot for microSD limits flexibility for dual SIM users.
- Lack of 4K video recording in an era when this is becoming the standard.
Final Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14S is an outstanding smartphone for its price. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a sleek design, brilliant display, powerful cameras, and fast charging in a budget-friendly package. While it may not satisfy users looking for ultra-premium features like 4K video or a high-end chip, it more than meets everyday needs with style and reliability.
For students, casual gamers, social media users, and photography lovers on a budget, the Redmi Note 14S is a fantastic choice that delivers a lot of bang for your buck.
