Redmi 14C 5G review

A flashy-looking smartphone

The back glass is glossy and easily attracts smudges. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

The Starlight Blue variant of the Redmi 14C is likely one of the most eye-catching smartphones in this price range. While there are subtler colour options like Stargaze Black for those who prefer simplicity, I found the Blue variant to complement the youthful vibe of college students and recent graduates.

With its glass-sandwich design, the Redmi 14C has a bit of heft, making it feel substantial in hand. However, using a protective case will add to its bulk. Notably, the phone includes the almost-forgotten 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot, allowing users upgrading from older budget smartphones to easily carry forward their memories and accessories.

It’s worth noting that Xiaomi offers two similar phones – the Redmi A4 5G (review) and the Poco C75 5G – which are slightly cheaper and visually similar to the Redmi 14C 5G. However, unlike the Redmi 14C, which supports both SA and NSA 5G networks, the other two variants support only SA 5G and are currently compatible only with Jio’s 5G network.

The Redmi 14C’s design is practical, with features like a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, ensuring a balance of security and convenience.

A fast but grainy display

The low-resolution 720p panel is a bit of a compromise. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

The 6.88-inch screen on the Redmi 14C is as large as most modern smartphones, and it boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes interactions feel smoother. However, it’s a 720p IPS LCD panel, meaning the lower pixel density results in a slightly grainy appearance. This was more noticeable for me, as my primary phone has a 2K resolution. For anyone upgrading from a feature phone or an older budget 4G smartphone, the Redmi 14C’s display will likely look much better.

Despite its low resolution, the screen can stream videos at up to 1080p resolution on platforms like YouTube. For casual activities like watching YouTube videos or Instagram Reels, the display is perfectly adequate. Even when gaming with titles like Candy Crush Saga or UNO, the performance was satisfactory.

Cameras that get the job done

The 50MP main camera can click good pictures. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

The 50 MP primary camera on the Redmi 14C is quite impressive, especially for daylight photography. It captures sharp, vibrant images, with slightly boosted colours for added appeal. The 2 MP macro lens performs well in good lighting, while the 8 MP front-facing camera is sufficient for video calls and selfies.

The phone supports 1080p video recording, and despite its budget price, the shutter speed is commendable, making it possible to capture moving subjects effectively.

Redmi 14C camera sample. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Redmi 14C camera sample. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Redmi 14C camera sample. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Redmi 14C camera sample. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Redmi 14C camera sample. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Smooth UI, but not the latest

The Redmi 14C ships with Android 14-based HyperOS and promises two major OS upgrades along with four years of security updates. While the software is well-optimised and mostly bug-free, it is still based on the previous version of Android. The phone also comes preloaded with bloatware, though most of it can be easily uninstalled. Xiaomi has committed to delivering Android 15 and Android 16 updates with its HyperOS skin.

Excellent 5G performance

The device supports both Jio and Airtel 5G networks. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

The Redmi 14C excels at delivering affordable 5G capabilities, with signal reception on par with phones costing 10 times more. While download and upload speeds aren’t groundbreaking, they’re more than sufficient for everyday tasks, ensuring a smooth 5G experience.

A big battery that lasts 2 days

The phone ships with Android 14 OS. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

The 5,160 mAh battery on the Redmi 14C easily provides up to two days of battery life with normal usage. Even for heavy users, the phone can last more than a day on a single charge. Additionally, 33W fast charging further enhances its value, ensuring you spend less time tethered to a power outlet.

An almost ideal budget 5G smartphone

An excellent budget 5G smartphone. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

The only downside of the Redmi 14C is its low-resolution display. Beyond that, it offers everything you’d expect – and more – from a smartphone in this class. If you have a budget of around Rs 10,000 and are looking for a reliable 5G smartphone, the Redmi 14C is a solid choice.