The Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ has been on sale in China for a very long time now because the tip of the present Remi Be aware sequence’ spear. Now it’s also being launched worldwide, and we have now taken an in depth take a look at the sub-$500 Xiaomi smartphone. What can we consider it and the way significantly better is it in comparison with its predecessor? Keep on to seek out out! What we will reveal this a lot prematurely is that this: it left me considerably ambivalent!
Good
- Very lovely design
- Feels nice when held
- Nice show
- Good essential digicam
- Quick charging and first rate battery life
Dangerous
- Not significantly better than the predecessor
- Equivalent digicam system because the predecessor
- Slightly mediocre efficiency
- All the time On Show is not as anticipated
- Bloatware
- Slower reminiscence than its predecessor
Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ 5G: All offers
Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 14 Professional Plus: Value & Availability
The Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ retails for $479.99 on Amazon. At this worth level, you get 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of inner reminiscence. What in regards to the colours? You possibly can select from three options: Lavender Purple, Frost Blue, or Midnight Black.
Design and show
This time round, Xiaomi as soon as once more impressed with the design, which depends on a curved show (sure, it is a matter of choice), and we obtained the “vegan leather-based” mannequin for the overview. The show is a glorious, however it nonetheless disenchanted me a little bit as a result of it does not appear to be any completely different from its predecessor, aside from the elevated brightness stage.
Sure, the design is at all times a double-edged sword and a query of private style: do you just like the rounded shows extra, or ought to it’s flat? Are the cameras separate, as in final yr’s Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 13 Professional+ (overview), or does it are available in a digicam island protected by glass, as we discover right here?
No matter you like, we will conclude the centered digicam island ensures the machine does not tilt uncomfortably on the desk on the very least. The rounded form additionally makes it very comfy to carry. Final yr, I discovered the glass again a little bit slippery. With my plastic model, which is marketed as vegan leather-based, I discovered it to characteristic a extremely nice texture that gives a pleasing really feel and grip.
Nonetheless, in case you do not go for the Lavender Purple shade, however accept Frost Blue and Midnight Black as an alternative, you may have Gorilla Glass 7 on the again, which can most likely make issues extra slippery. We additionally discover extra glass from Corning in entrance, albeit of the Victus 2 commonplace right here. Talking of robustness: Sure, similar to final yr, this Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ can also be IP68-certified and subsequently gives safety in opposition to water and mud.
So sure, we will argue about what I feel is a extremely profitable design—however at the very least there should not be something for anybody to complain about in relation to the construct high quality. All the pieces is completely completed and even the buttons on the aspect do not creak or have an excessive amount of free play. As talked about, it’s also extraordinarily strong because of IP68 certification and the presence of Corning Glass—definitely not one thing to be taken without any consideration at this worth vary.
Show: Is it Groundhog Day once more?
There’s a purpose why I titled this part with a reference to a advantageous comedy by Harold Ramis: I felt like Invoice Murray within the film “Groundhog Day” after I seemed on the panel, which resembles precisely the identical one as final yr’s. Which means we find yourself with a 6.67-inch AMOLED show that’s now virtually compulsory for Xiaomi. Similar to final yr, it has a 2,712 x 1,220 px decision with a refresh price of both 60 or 120 Hz.
Therefore, there’s nothing actually new to report, however it’s nonetheless high notch. Once I wrote final yr: “The show is so good it might definitely not stand out negatively even in a tool twice as costly. Properly finished, Xiaomi!”, which additionally applies for this yr.
I additionally failed to say a change that it is best to positively be mindful: In comparison with final yr (1,800 cd/m²), the show now scores with a most brightness of three,000 cd/m². This implies the show is presumably nonetheless legible even beneath shiny daylight. Nonetheless, I could not actually confirm this, because the solar actually solely got here out very sporadically the place I’m over the brand new yr.
HyperOS and AI: Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ software program
We have now HyperOS on the machine, primarily based on Android 14. Software program assist for this mid-range handset is absolutely good, and sure, as you’ll be able to think about, AI additionally performs an necessary function on the Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+.
Android 14 on a tool that can enter the worldwide market in January 2025 is not one thing to be constructive. However sure, Xiaomi just isn’t absolutely at fault right here, however Google itself, having taken rather more time this time for the rollout. So there is not any purpose to criticize. In any case, we have now HyperOS, whereas the predecessor needed to make do with the retired MIUI.
So far as software program assist is anxious, it stays the identical as final yr: you’ll get three main OS updates, whereas safety updates can be found for as much as 4 years. On this context, it needs to be famous that the present replace on the machine dates again to the start of October 2024.
An actual traditional on all Xiaomi smartphones is the pre-installed bloatware. Right here, too, you will see just a few pre-installed informal video games and the same old suspects akin to Fb, Linkedin, Reserving.com, and so on. Happily, it isn’t rocket science to take away each the pre-installed apps and commercials on Xiaomi telephones.
Aside from that, I didn’t discover something new or spectacular by way of software program on the Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+. In any case, you’re supposed to learn vastly from the AI options on the machine. Google is represented with the well-known and appreciated Circle to Search, in addition to the Google Gemini AI chatbot.
In fact, Xiaomi additionally launched its personal capabilities, and there’s now a separate class within the settings, which is split into the next sections:
- Notes
- Gallery
- Recorder
- AI Subtitles
- AI Interpreter
- Circle to Search
However truthfully, guys: I have not seen something among the many capabilities that’s greater than “good to have”. I attempted to take away myself or different objects from pictures and the outcomes had been worse than what the eraser instruments from Google or Samsung may do. Nonetheless, this could enhance as soon as the AI Erase Professional is launched. Similar to the thrilling AI Picture Enlargement operate, which lets you broaden the realm of pictures, this won’t be accessible on the machine till the tip of January.
Translate and/or summarize texts, document audio within the recorder, and have it transcribed later. All of it works, however the high quality of the latter specifically, varies vastly. As soon as once more: these instruments must be on board nowadays to stay aggressive. However that ought to positively not be the rationale why you determine to purchase this Redmi smartphone.
We also needs to point out AI film right here. You possibly can choose movies and pictures from the gallery and create vlogs in a jiffy. Optionally, you can even formulate a immediate for the specified vlog. That is additionally very nice, however not a sport changer in case you ask me.
Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ efficiency and {hardware}
So far as I do know, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is featured on this cellphone for the very first time, so it is nonetheless model new. Does that imply the SoC’s efficiency fully blew me away? Sadly not.
The Qualcomm SoC was manufactured utilizing the fashionable 4nm course of and is alleged to squeeze round 15 % extra out of it than the predecessor SoC and be noticeably extra environment friendly. I can not inform both of those simply by utilizing it. So sure, I might prefer to consider that the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 has extra energy than the second-generation 7s. However you do not discover it in on a regular basis use. Nonetheless, it isn’t almost as weak as my end in 3D Mark’s Wild Life Stress Take a look at suggests. I repeated the method and got here up with comparable values—so I did not mismeasure or misinterpret, however I nonetheless suppose there is a mistake right here.
No matter this, the Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ does not actually lower it. The $200 cheaper Poco X6 Professional (overview) with the Dimensity 8300 Extremely runs circles across the Redmi cellphone.
| Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ 5G (Snapdragon 7s Gen 3) |
Redmi Be aware 13 Professional+ 5G (Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Extremely) |
Redmi Be aware 13 Professional 5G (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2) |
Poco X6 Professional (Dimensity 8300 Extremely) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Mark Wild Life Stress Take a look at |
Greatest loop: 1,049 Worst loop: 1,034 |
Greatest loop: 4,306 Worst loop: 4,276 |
Greatest loop: 3,050 Worst loop: 2,754 |
Greatest loop: 7,559 Worst loop: 7,518 |
| 3D Mark Nomad Mild Stress Take a look at | Greatest loop: 361 Worst loop: 353 |
– | – | – |
| Geekbench 6 | Single: 1,173 Multi: 3,259 |
Single: 1,107 Multi: 2,685 |
Single: 889 Multi: 2523 |
Single: 1,356 Multi: 4,228 |
| AnTuTu | 741.190 | – | – | – |
Did the machine get sizzling throughout regular use? Nope, not noticeably hotter, solely when gaming did the temperature rise. Even in the course of the stress take a look at, the temperature didn’t rise above 35° C. General, the efficiency appeared “okay” to me, however I had by some means hoped for extra ‘oomph’.
For $500 a pop, you’ll be able to really count on extra: The Greatest Premium Smartphones You possibly can Purchase for Underneath $600
One other factor that struck me in regards to the {hardware}: whereas we have now as much as 512 GB of inner reminiscence, it makes use of older, slower parts! Final yr, UFS 3.1 reminiscence was current however this yr, solely UFS 2.2 was used, to not point out LPDDR4X RAM.
Lastly, not a lot has modified by way of connectivity. Wi-Fi 6 continues to be supported, however Bluetooth now made it to model 4.0. The USB-C port ought to solely be 2.0. The SIM slot accepts two nanoSIMs, however you can even use an eSIM as a substitute.
No new cameras: a slight disappointment
Nothing new to see right here, I might say: Whereas the Chinese language mannequin of the Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ has a brand new 50 MP sensor as the primary digicam and Xiaomi has even added a 50 MP telephoto sensor, we get the equivalent digicam setup of the Redmi Be aware 13 Professional+ right here, together with a 2 MP macro digicam.
It is at all times a disgrace that so little occurs within the mid-range digicam phase. It looks like that is the place we have now seen the least progress for a while now. On this case, Xiaomi does not actually put a lot effort into it both, as an alternative merely recycling the identical sensors into the Redmi flagship of the yr. It is a disgrace, because the Chinese language model has an extra digicam that means that you can take 50 MP telephoto pictures.
Principally, I do not really feel like telling you rather more in regards to the particular person sensors. The primary digicam with 200 MP decision usually takes 12.5 MP pictures through 16-to-1 pixel binning, which is absolutely good. In my view, Xiaomi not too long ago tweaked the colour copy, because the outcomes look much less gaudy and subsequently extra lifelike. I like this, however I additionally preferred it on the 2024 model of the Professional+.
The extremely wide-angle digicam with 8 MP, however, is one thing I like much less. Underneath favorable circumstances, it typically takes first rate pictures, however I am typically not satisfied by the standard, not for a $500 smartphone. I will spare us the two MP macro digicam crap and use the time saved to complain in regards to the lack of a telephoto sensor.
I am not fairly certain about one flaw: may it’s that the evening pictures seemed a teeny bit higher final yr? Check out the picture gallery right here, which additionally embrace two selfies with the brand new 20 MP selfie digicam. And sure, after that I counsel you learn the Redmi Be aware 13 Professional+ overview once more if you wish to learn extra in regards to the built-in sensors.
Battery life and charging
The battery has a capability of 5,110 mAh and with quick 120 W charging, permitting the handset to be recharged very quickly in any respect.
Sadly, there are just a few downgrades in comparison with the China mannequin. The worldwide mannequin of the Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ is slower by way of reminiscence—and the battery can also be considerably smaller at 5,110 mAh. This naturally has a slight influence on the battery life. Based on the benchmark take a look at, carried out in flight mode and with a brightness of round 200 nits, we landed simply above eleven hours. Nonetheless, this is applicable in case you used the 120 Hz refresh price for the show within the take a look at. At 60 Hz, the outcome would have been considerably longer.
Both approach, the Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ will get you thru your complete day with none situation. Even in case you do not: simply ten minutes plugged in is sufficient to cost the cellphone by greater than half, and it is absolutely charged after round 25 minutes because of 120 W charging. Sadly, wi-fi charging just isn’t an choice this yr, both. No less than Xiaomi nonetheless consists of the charger within the field!
Xiaomi Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ 5G technical specs
| Editor’s advice | |
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| Machine | |
| Picture |
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| Value (RRP) | |
| Show |
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| SoC |
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| Reminiscence |
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| OS |
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| Digicam |
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| Selfie digicam | |
| Battery capability |
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| Connectivity |
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| IP certification | |
| Dimensions and weight |
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Do you have to Purchase the Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+?
Would I like to recommend shopping for the Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+ from Xiaomi? Sure, most likely, if it weren’t for the virtually equally good predecessor mannequin, which is at the moment accessible for round $300. The worth even dropped additional over the vacation interval, so remember to hold an eye fixed out for gives.
My general impression is a little bit confused in the intervening time: The machine appears to be like actually good, the show continues to be nice, and is now even brighter. The SoC and digicam have stagnated, albeit at a suitable stage, whereas the battery has grow to be larger and fees rapidly. HyperOS has new AI capabilities in tow, however aside from that, there’s little or no happening right here both.
So I am taking a look at a mid-range smartphone that’s good, has no actual full failures to complain about by way of specs, however is priced a little bit too costly for me. If you must purchase one as we speak, I might advise you to go for the predecessor or check out our finest $400 smartphones record.
We’re on the lookout for actual benefits with a magnifying glass, so I am a little bit cautious of raving an excessive amount of in regards to the Redmi Be aware 14 Professional+. By itself, nevertheless, Xiaomi gives a very nice machine right here. When you really need this mannequin, I might suggest you wait just a few weeks. I’m certain the value will rapidly drop beneath the $400 mark, which can make the handset a way more attention-grabbing proposition.
Do let me know what you suppose: am I being too harsh in my evaluation of what’s really smartphone?
