Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G review

Design, build quality, handling

The Redmi Note 14 5G introduces an updated design with somewhat more rounded elements and refreshed color palette. The front panel is made of glass, naturally, while everything else on the body is plastic.

Just like the Redmi Note 13 5G, the Redmi Note 14 5G has a Gorilla Glass 5 front, which might be an old generation, but it has proven as nicely scratch-resistant even if not as shatter-proof.

The frame is made of plastic and has a matte finish, and so is the back panel, which also features a subtle 2.5D curve around the edge. The camera housing is still square, but with rounded corners, and it's all glossy.

We have the Lavender Purple model, which similarly to the Coral Green version, has a unique pattern on the back that splits the phone's color into multiple shades. Additionally, there is a glittery finish on top of everything for a subtle shimmering effect.

The Black model is the only one that's simply black, though it also features a glittering quality to the finish.

Xiaomi says the phone's durability has been notably improved across the board. The Redmi Note 14 5G is IP64-rated for dust and splash resistance, up from IP54 on the Redmi Note 13 5G. Furthermore, it uses high-strength aluminum composite and energy-absorbing foam on the inside, and all four corners have been reinforced and the motherboard thickness has been increased. All of these won't make the Redmi Note drop-resistant, but they should make it stronger and give it a higher chance of survival in case of an accident.

Redmi Note 14 4G and Redmi Note 14 5G

Compared to the Redmi Note 14 4G model, the 5G one can brag with thinner screen bezels and a slightly smaller footprint as a result.

The 6.67-inch AMOLED is at the front with thin bezels and a small perforation for the new 20MP selfie camera. The panel has been upgraded with HDR10+ capabilities and higher brightness.

There are two more updates since the Redmi Note 13 5G here - the earpiece now acts as a stereo speaker together with an additional top-facing sound outlet.

And there is an optical fingerprint sensor under the screen, which is fast and reliable. The older model has a side-mounted scanner instead.

The back of the Redmi Note 14 5G is quite pretty with those four lavender shades. The camera housing is a square piece of glossy plastic with rounder corners.

The Redmi Note 14 5G has a lot of fan-favorite features. For starters - you can spot the 3.5mm audio jack and the IR blaster at the top.

The bottom has the dual-SIM tray, but it is a hybrid one and instead of a second nano-SIM card, you can slot a microSD one.

Unfortunately, there is no eSIM support.

The Redmi Note 14 5G measures 162.4 x 75.7 x 8 mm, about the same as the Redmi Note 13 5G, but it is heavier - 190g, up from 175g.

The phone offers a superb handling experience with a secure grip. The Redmi Note 14 5G's build is solid and thoughtful with all those matte elements, the phone feels balanced when handled, and everything except for the display glass, is fingerprint resistant. Overall, it's an excellent execution from Xiaomi.