Xiaomi Redmi 14C review
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C is a budget smartphone that can be purchased for €150, making it one of the most affordable options in its class. This device boasts a sleek design, with a vegan leather backside and polished plastic frame, giving it a premium look. The phone features a 6.88-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which can be trimmed down to 60Hz for longer battery life. The Redmi 14C comes equipped with a large 5,160mAh battery that lasts up to 20 hours of continuous video streaming. However, the charging speed is relatively slow at 18W, and there's no wireless or reverse wireless charging available. In terms of features, the phone runs on MIUI based on Android 14, with a fingerprint sensor and face detection for biometric authentication. It also supports gestures like turning off and on by double-tapping the screen and launching the camera by double-pressing the side button. The Redmi 14C's performance is somewhat disappointing, with laggy scrolling and delays when opening apps or gaming. The phone runs on a Mediatech Helio G81 Ultra processor, which doesn't quite live up to expectations. The camera department features a 50-megapixel primary sensor without optical image stabilization (OIS), making it difficult to take steady shots. The front-facing camera is a 13-megapixel snapper that can shoot videos in 1080p at 30fps, but lacks an ultra-wide-angle lens and has limited zoom capabilities. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi 14C offers decent value for its price, but falls short in terms of performance and camera quality compared to other smartphones in the same segment.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C is an impressive smartphone that exudes quality and style, especially considering its budget-friendly price tag of €150. One of the first things you'll notice about this phone is its sleek design. The sage green version I have here features a vegan leather backside, which not only looks great but also provides a premium feel to the device. The other color options, including purple, blue, and black, come with glass backsides instead. The build quality of the Redmi 14C is solid, with a plastic frame that's both sturdy and polished. It's worth noting that this phone is quite long, measuring 17.2 cm, which is even longer than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, it doesn't feel too heavy, weighing in at 203g. The device's design is a perfect blend of style and functionality, making it stand out from other budget smartphones. The display on the Redmi 14C is a 6.88-inch LCD screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz, which can be trimmed down to 60Hz if needed. The peak brightness of 600 nits is sufficient for general use, but may struggle in direct sunlight. You'll also find a super-stature circular 50 megapixel camera on the backside, which features a unique pattern and adds to the phone's overall aesthetic appeal. One aspect that I appreciate about the Redmi 14C's design is its ability to look premium despite being a budget smartphone. The attention to detail in its build quality and design is commendable, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a stylish and affordable device. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi 14C's build quality and design are a significant selling point, and I'm confident that this phone will appeal to those who value style and substance.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C boasts an impressive battery life, with the device's large 5,160mAh power pack delivering up to 20 hours of continuous video streaming. This is a remarkable feat, especially considering the phone's size and features. The charging speed, however, is not the fastest, taking around 90 minutes to fully charge from empty. While the battery life is undoubtedly one of the strengths of this budget smartphone, there are some limitations worth mentioning. For instance, wireless and reverse wireless charging are not supported, which may be a drawback for users who prefer these features in their devices. In terms of performance, the phone's battery life has been impressive during my testing, handling tasks such as video playback, social media browsing, and even some light gaming without any issues. However, it's essential to note that the battery life might vary depending on usage patterns and individual settings. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi 14C's battery life is a significant advantage in its price segment, making it an attractive option for users who want a long-lasting device without breaking the bank.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C boasts an impressive 6.88-inch display, making it one of the largest screens in its price range. The LCD panel has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which can be reduced to 60Hz for optimal battery life. With a peak brightness of 600 nits, the screen is decently visible in sunlight, although not ideal. The resolution of 720 x 1640 pixels is average, and colors appear alright but not vibrant. The display has good viewing angles, and you can adjust the color scheme to your liking with options for Vivid, Saturated, or Standard modes. A blue light filter is also available to reduce eye strain. One notable design choice is the presence of a large lip on the bottom of the screen, which might be a turn-off for some users. On the other hand, the polished plastic frame and vegan leather backside in my Sage Green review unit felt premium and grippy. While not exceptional, the Redmi 14C's display gets the job done for its price point. It's not the best-looking screen out there, but it's serviceable for everyday use. If you're looking to save a few euros and still have a decent viewing experience, the Redmi 14C won't disappoint. 3.5/5 * Large 6.88-inch display * Good viewing angles * Color scheme adjustment options * Blue light filter for eye comfort * Average resolution (720 x 1640 pixels) * Not ideal brightness in direct sunlight * Large lip on the bottom of the screen
Camera
The camera on the Xiaomi Redmi 14C is a notable aspect of this budget smartphone. The circular camera design looks impressive, with a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the camera falls short in terms of performance. One major drawback is the absence of optical image stabilization (OIS), making it challenging to take steady shots, especially when zooming in on subjects. The lack of OIS is particularly noticeable in low-light conditions or when using the camera's digital zoom feature. Even with a 1x or 2x zoom, images suffer from a significant loss of detail and sharpness. The main camera struggles to produce high-quality photos, with an often washed-out color palette and lacking contrast. The level of detail in images is also disappointingly low, making them appear somewhat pixelated. Zooming in on subjects (up to 10x) further exacerbates these issues, resulting in poor image quality. The front-facing camera, a 13-megapixel sensor, fares slightly better, but still fails to impress. While it can capture decent selfies and video footage at 1080P and 30 FPS, the lack of features such as ultra-wide-angle shots or advanced low-light capabilities holds it back. Portrait mode is available, along with face retouching, time-lapse, and night mode, but these features do little to redeem the camera's overall shortcomings. The images produced by the Redmi 14C are suitable for casual use, such as sharing quick snaps on social media or taking occasional photos during travel. However, those seeking higher image quality will find themselves disappointed. Considering its €150 price point, the Xiaomi Redmi 14C's camera performance is passable but not exceptional. Other smartphones in a similar price range have managed to deliver better results from their cameras. Overall, while the Redmi 14C's camera may suffice for basic use, it falls short of expectations for those seeking higher image quality.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C is a budget smartphone that offers impressive value for its price tag of €150. At this point, it's one of the best-looking smartphones in its class, making it an attractive option for those on a tight budget. One of the standout features of the Redmi 14C is its sleek design. The sage green version I had the pleasure of using has a vegan leather backside that feels great to hold and looks premium. While not all versions have this feature, it's a nice touch that sets it apart from other budget smartphones. The phone itself is quite large, with a 6.88-inch display that makes it feel more like a mid-range device than a budget one. The glass front and plastic frame give it a sturdy build quality, although the weight of 203 grams might take some getting used to. In terms of specs, the Redmi 14C has a decent processor, 5,160mAh battery, and 6.88-inch LCD display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The peak brightness is a respectable 600 nits, although it may struggle in very bright sunlight conditions. While not perfect, the Redmi 14C delivers great value for its price tag. With features like a fingerprint sensor, face detection, and parental controls, it's clear that Xiaomi has prioritized functionality over cutting-edge performance. For €150, this phone is an absolute steal. It offers impressive battery life (up to 20 hours), decent camera capabilities, and all the basics you'd expect from a smartphone. While some might find the processing power and gaming experience lacking, for most users, the Redmi 14C will more than suffice. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi 14C is an excellent choice for those on a budget or simply looking for a reliable daily driver. Its price-to-value ratio is unmatched in its class, making it a must-consider for anyone looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C is a budget smartphone that promises impressive performance at an affordable price. However, upon closer inspection, the device falls short in this department. Under the hood, the Redmi 14C runs on the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra processor. Unfortunately, it fails to deliver smooth performance in everyday tasks such as scrolling through the interface or opening apps. The experience is marred by lag and delays, making even simple interactions feel clunky. Things don't get much better when it comes to gaming. Enabling Game Turbo doesn't make a significant difference, and most games suffer from lag and frame drops on medium and high graphic settings. Some titles, like Call of Duty: Mobile, are unplayable on higher graphics settings due to the sheer number of lags experienced during loading screens. The DND mode does provide some respite by reducing latency and increasing performance, but it's not enough to make a significant difference in overall gaming experience. In terms of camera performance, the device has its own set of issues, but we'll save that for another review. The Redmi 14C's processor is simply not up to par with more expensive devices on the market. While the Redmi 14C is certainly an attractive option for those looking to buy a budget smartphone, potential buyers should be aware that performance is not one of its strong suits. For now, it falls behind other affordable options in this regard.
Pros
1. Affordable
2. Good-looking design
3. Long battery life
4. Good fingerprint sensor
5. One-handed mode
6. Multiple storage options
7. 3.5mm headphone jack
Cons
1. Performance issues
2. Mediocre camera performance
3. No Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
4. Low detail level
5. Not ideal for gaming