Redmi has quietly released the Note 14S, and guess what? It looks very familiar. The phone is now listed on the company’s official Czech Republic website, but there was no big announcement, just a quiet launch. If you’re thinking, “Oh wow, a new Redmi phone!” hold on. The Note 14S is basically the same as the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G from last year. The only real difference? A slightly different back design and a tiny weight reduction. That’s it! If you already have the Note 13 Pro 4G, you may not find much reason to upgrade.
What’s Inside the Redmi Note 14S?
The Note 14S comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, which is great for watching videos and playing games. It has an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, so scrolling and animations feel smooth. The screen is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which helps prevent scratches.
Inside, the phone runs on the MediaTek Helio G99 Ultra processor. This is a solid mid-range chip, but here’s the catch, it only supports 4G. That means no 5G speeds. If you were hoping for faster internet, this might be disappointing. The phone also has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which should be enough for most people. Interestingly, Xiaomi hasn’t mentioned which version of its HyperOS software is running on the Note 14S. That’s a bit odd because software updates are important for security and performance.
Cameras: Big Numbers, But Is It Really Better?
Redmi has packed the Note 14S with a 200MP main camera, which sounds impressive. But let’s be honest,higher megapixels don’t always mean better pictures. It also has an 8MP ultrawide camera for group shots and landscapes, plus a 2MP macro camera that’s… well, not very useful. Most people rarely use macro lenses, so it’s just there to increase the camera count. For selfies, you get a 16MP front camera. It should be good enough for clear video calls and social media photos, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking. If you already have a recent Redmi phone, you probably won’t notice much difference in photo quality.
Battery and Charging
The Redmi Note 14S is powered by a 5,000mAh battery. That’s a good size, and it should easily last a full day on a single charge. Whether you’re streaming videos or playing games, you won’t have to worry about the battery dying too quickly. When it’s time to charge, the phone supports 67W wired charging. This means you can get from 0% to a good percentage in just a few minutes, which is always a plus. No one likes waiting hours for their phone to charge.
One small but useful upgrade is the improved dust and water resistance. The Note 14S has an IP64 rating, which is better than the IP54 rating on the previous model. This means it can handle more dust and some splashes of water—just don’t drop it in a pool.
Is the Redmi Note 14S Worth It?
If you’re using an older Redmi phone and need an upgrade, the Note 14S might be worth considering. It has a nice display, decent performance, and a big battery. But if you already own the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G, there’s no real reason to switch. The changes are just too minor. Redmi didn’t add 5G, the processor is the same, and the cameras haven’t really improved. Even the design changes are barely noticeable. So, if you were expecting something exciting, this might feel like a letdown.
How Much Does the Note 14S Cost?
The Note 14S is priced at 5,999 CZK (about $260) for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage model. It comes in three colors: blue, black, and purple. That’s a reasonable price for what it offers, but considering it’s nearly identical to last year’s model, some buyers may feel it’s not worth upgrading.
Redmi’s decision to launch the Note 14S quietly makes sense, it’s not really a new phone. It’s just a rebranded version of last year’s model with tiny tweaks. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly phone with a good screen, solid battery life, and a high-megapixel camera, it’s not a bad choice. But if you already have a recent Redmi device, you might want to skip this one.
