Redmi’s Note 14 Pro Plus 5G arrives in Europe, bringing Qualcomm’s latest midrange chipset in tow.
Xiaomi’s sub-brand, Redmi, has officially launched its highly anticipated Note 14 series in Europe, marking the Western debut of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor. After its low-key global debut in August 2024, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 had been overshadowed by its more powerful sibling, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which grabbed headlines two months later. Now, with Redmi’s latest lineup, the affordable Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is finally taking center stage.
Redmi Note 14 Series: Five Phones, One Big Splash
The Note 14 series caters to a broad audience, featuring five phones that span a wide price and performance spectrum. At the top of the lineup is the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G, the only device powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. This new 4nm chipset marks an important step forward for Qualcomm’s mid-range processors, leveraging Arm’s v9 CPU architecture. With its standout 2.5GHz Cortex-A720 core, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 promises enhanced performance and efficiency compared to its predecessors.
The other four phones in the series rely on MediaTek chipsets, ranging from mid-range to entry-level offerings. These phones deliver a mix of specs and features to meet varying user needs, while the Pro Plus 5G sits proudly as the flagship of the lineup.
A Closer Look at the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G
Priced from £399/€499.90 (approximately $500), the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G positions itself as a formidable rival to Google’s $499 Pixel 8A. And in many hardware categories, it confidently outshines its competition.
Hardware Highlights
- Display: A larger, brighter OLED display protected by Corning’s flagship-grade Gorilla Glass Victus 2, ensuring durability and visual brilliance.
- Performance: Up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, providing ample power and space for multitasking and media.
- Build Quality: An IP68 water-resistance rating, making it more durable than many rivals in the price range.
Where It Falls Short
While the Pro Plus 5G excels in hardware, it faces tough competition on the software front. Google’s Pixel 8A offers the promise of Android updates until 2031, while Redmi’s software update policy remains a sticking point for some potential buyers.
The Rest of the Lineup: Gradual Trade-offs
The Note 14 series features four additional models, each catering to a slightly different audience with varying specs and price points.
- Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G:
- Shares the Pro Plus model’s 200MP camera and IP68 rating.
- Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra chipset, which is slightly less powerful than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3.
- Features slower charging but retains much of the flagship model’s appeal.
- Redmi Note 14 Pro:
- Similar to the Pro 5G but lacks 5G connectivity and drops the water-resistance rating to IP64.
- Redmi Note 14 5G:
- A more budget-friendly option with reduced specs, including a simpler camera setup and slower charging speeds.
- Redmi Note 14:
- The most affordable in the lineup, yet still manages to impress with IP54 water-resistance—a rarity at this price point.
Despite their differences, all models maintain the same design language, delivering a premium feel across the board.
Altered Specs for Europe
European customers should note that the specs of the Note 14 series vary slightly from the models released in China and India. For instance, the European Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G features different camera modules and battery configurations compared to its Asian counterpart. Such regional variations are common for Redmi, but they could be a source of confusion for buyers comparing specs globally.
Tough Competition: Redmi vs. Poco and Beyond
While Redmi has high hopes for the Note 14 series in Europe, it faces stiff competition—not just from other brands like Google and Samsung, but also from within its own family. Xiaomi’s Poco X7 and X7 Pro, which launched globally just a day earlier, offer similar price points with standout features like massive 6,000mAh batteries and IP68 ratings.
Beyond Xiaomi’s ecosystem, Google’s Pixel 8A and Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy A-series phones remain strong alternatives for budget-conscious buyers. However, Redmi’s aggressive pricing and focus on premium hardware could give it a winning edge in the highly competitive mid-range segment.
Final Thoughts
With the Note 14 series, Redmi continues its tradition of delivering exceptional value at competitive prices. The introduction of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in Europe underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation in the mid-range market. Whether you’re seeking flagship-grade durability, cutting-edge performance, or simply a reliable smartphone at an affordable price, there’s likely a Note 14 model to suit your needs.
As the series rolls out across ten European countries, including the UK and Germany, Redmi is clearly making a bold statement: affordability doesn’t have to mean compromise. Whether it will win over budget-conscious buyers remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Redmi is ready to shake up the market.
