Xiaomi’s Redmi series has always been a go-to choice for budget-conscious consumers, and the Redmi 14C is no exception. Launched as an affordable 5G smartphone, the Redmi 14C packs a punch with its decent performance, large display, and impressive battery life. Let’s dive into the details and see what makes this phone stand out in the crowded budget smartphone market.
Design and Build: Sleek and Durable
The Redmi 14C features a sleek and modern design with a mineral glass back panel that gives it a premium feel. The phone is available in three attractive colors: Starlight Blue, Stardust Purple, and Stargaze Black. It measures 171.88 x 77.8 x 8.22 mm and weighs 205 grams, making it comfortable to hold despite its large size.
The device is IP52-rated, making it splash-proof and dust-proof, which is a rare feature in this price segment. It also supports face unlock and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick and secure access.
Display: Large and Smooth
The Redmi 14C boasts a 6.88-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1640 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The high refresh rate ensures smoother scrolling and a better user experience, while the 240Hz touch sampling rate makes the phone feel more responsive during gaming and everyday use.
The display features a waterdrop notch for the front camera and has a screen-to-body ratio of 84.18%, offering an immersive viewing experience. The blue light filter helps reduce eye strain during prolonged use.
Performance: Capable for Everyday Tasks
Under the hood, the Redmi 14C is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process. It features an octa-core CPU (2.2GHz Dual-core Cortex A78 + 1.95GHz Hexa-core Cortex A55) and Adreno 613 GPU, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.
The phone comes with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB of UFS 2.2 storage, which can be expanded up to 1TB via a microSD card. While the RAM is on the lower side, the efficient chipset ensures decent multitasking capabilities.
Camera: Decent for the Price
The Redmi 14C features a single 50MP rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, capable of capturing detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. It supports features like Auto Focus, Auto Flash, and Face Detection, making it suitable for casual photography.
On the front, the phone has an 8MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture, which is adequate for video calls and casual selfies. The camera setup is basic but functional, meeting the needs of budget-conscious users.
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Battery and Charging: Long-Lasting with Fast Charging
The Redmi 14C is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage on a single charge. It supports 18W fast charging, allowing the phone to go from 20% to 100% in just 1 hour and 23 minutes (in-house tested). While wireless charging is not supported, the fast charging feature is a welcome addition at this price point.
Software: HyperOS on Android 14
The Redmi 14C runs on HyperOS, based on Android 14. The custom UI offers a smooth and user-friendly experience, with minimal bloatware and regular updates. HyperOS also brings additional features and optimizations, enhancing the overall user experience.
Connectivity: 5G Ready
The Redmi 14C supports dual SIM 5G connectivity, ensuring future-proof network capabilities. It also supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n/n 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, and USB Type-C. The inclusion of an infrared port and 3.5mm headphone jack adds to the phone’s versatility.
Key Specifications
| Display | 6.88-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1640 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 64GB UFS 2.2 (expandable up to 1TB via microSD) |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) |
| Front Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) |
| Battery | 5,000mAh with 18W fast charging |
| OS | Android 14 with HyperOS |
| Connectivity | 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, USB Type-C |
| Sensors | Fingerprint sensor, Face unlock, Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass |
| Colors | Starlight Blue, Stardust Purple, Stargaze Black |
| Price | Expected to start under Rs. 10,000 |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable price with 5G support
- 6.88-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate
- 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging
- IP52 rating for splash and dust resistance
- Decent performance with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
Cons:
- Basic camera performance, especially in low light
- 720p resolution on a large display may not be ideal for some users
- Limited RAM (4GB) for heavy multitasking
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does the Redmi 14C support 5G?
Yes, the Redmi 14C is a 5G-enabled smartphone and supports dual SIM 5G connectivity, making it future-proof for upcoming network upgrades.
2. How is the gaming performance of the Redmi 14C?
The Redmi 14C is capable of handling light gaming and casual games like Subway Surfers or Temple Run. However, due to its entry-level Adreno 613 GPU, it may struggle with graphics-intensive games like BGMI or Call of Duty Mobile at higher settings.
3. What is the battery life of the Redmi 14C?
The 5,000mAh battery ensures all-day usage on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy usage. The 18W fast charging feature allows the phone to charge from 20% to 100% in just 1 hour and 23 minutes.
4. Does the Redmi 14C have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Redmi 14C comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a rare feature in modern smartphones.
Final Verdict: Who Is It For?
The Redmi 14C is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers excellent value for its price. It’s ideal for first-time smartphone users, students, or anyone looking for a reliable device for basic tasks like calling, browsing, and light gaming. The large display, long battery life, and 5G connectivity make it a practical choice for budget-conscious buyers.
However, if you’re a heavy gamer or need advanced camera features, you might want to explore other options in the same price range.
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Where to Buy
The Redmi 14C is expected to be available for purchase in India starting under Rs. 10,000. You can buy it from Xiaomi’s official website, Mi Stores, or popular e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon.