I’ve at all times advisable Redmi Word units prior to now, and it was simple to take action; the units mixed nice {hardware} with an unbeatable worth, they usually undercut their rivals by a substantial margin. However that hasn’t been the case within the final two years, with Xiaomi altering focus to the mid-range class. Whereas the Redmi Word 12 Professional+ and Redmi Word 13 Professional+ had attractive designs and first rate {hardware}, they only did not ship on the worth aspect of issues, and the rise in worth meant they did not fairly have the identical mainstream likeability.
The Redmi Word 14 Professional+ is far the identical; it prices simply as a lot as its predecessor, however you get higher cameras and highly effective {hardware}. The battery life is the place you will see the most important distinction, with the system that includes an enormous 6200mAh battery that simply lasts two days between fees.
Nonetheless, Xiaomi hasn’t achieved sufficient on the software program aspect of issues. The Redmi Word 14 Professional+ comes with Android 14 out of the field, and that simply is not ok on a mid-range cellphone on the finish of 2024. What’s much more annoying is that the system will get simply three Android OS updates, and Android 15 — which it ought to have launched with — counts as one.
Whereas the {hardware} is arguably higher, the software program scenario continues to be an actual drawback for Xiaomi, and the model would not appear to care about it — at the least not sufficient to do change its technique.
Redmi Word 14 Professional+: Pricing and availability
Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi Word 14 collection in Q3 2024, and the telephones made their international debut in India on December 9. The Redmi Word 14 and 14 Professional are the inexpensive fashions within the collection, with the Word 14 Professional+ delivering the perfect {hardware} and cameras.
The Redmi Word 14 Professional+ begins at ₹30,999 ($365) in India for the variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and the 8GB/256GB mannequin prices ₹32,999 ($390). There’s additionally a 12GB/512GB version that is out there for ₹35,999 ($425), and all three variants can be found in all three coloration choices — blue, black, and purple — in order that’s good to see.
Xiaomi accelerated the launch timeline in India, with the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ debuting a month sooner than its predecessor. There is not any telling when the cellphone shall be out there within the U.Ok. and different international markets, but when I needed to enterprise a guess, it would be someday in January.
Redmi Word 14 Professional+: Design
It is clear that design is a key space of focus for Xiaomi, and the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ is likely one of the best-looking units on this class. In actual fact, I really like this design greater than that of the Xiaomi 14; the graceful curves makes the system look elegant, and you do not really feel such as you’re utilizing a mid-range cellphone.
The colour I am utilizing is especially nice, because it has a vegan leather-based again — the opposite two fashions have an everyday glass again as a substitute. The leather-based end feels nice, and there is a stitched sample that offers the cellphone a little bit additional character. There is a new digicam island on the again as nicely, and like the remainder of the design, it seems to be clear and chic. This space is usually an afterthought on most Xiaomi units, so it is good to see the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ getting a module that accentuates the design.
Xiaomi did the fitting issues with materials decisions as nicely, with the system that includes an aluminum mid-frame that offers it extra rigidity. The perimeters have a shiny coat, and whilst you get symmetric curves, there’s nonetheless sufficient width on the sides to carry the system. The perimeters are color-matched to the again, and once more, it makes the system {that a} bit extra upmarket.
The ability and quantity buttons have good tactility, and I did not see any issues on this space. The one situation I’ve is that the in-screen module sits a little bit decrease on the display screen, making it awkward to entry one-handed; that is true of the Discover X8 Professional and several other different units I examined not too long ago, so Xiaomi is not the one model doing this.
Whereas the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ is 6g heavier than its predecessor, you get a considerably larger 6200mAh battery. Truthfully, I did not discover the added heft, and Xiaomi did job with the load distribution. The in-hand really feel is equally nice, and the cellphone is not cumbersome or unwieldy within the least.
The Redmi Word 14 Professional+ retains IP68 ingress safety as nicely, giving it added resilience in opposition to mud and water. Total, Xiaomi did all the fitting issues with the design of the Redmi Word 14 Professional+, and it would not find yourself trying like a mid-ranger.
Redmi Word 14 Professional+: Show
The Redmi Word 14 Professional+ makes use of the identical 6.67-inch panel dimension as final yr, but it surely will get a lot brighter, and it will get Gorilla Glass Victus 2 as normal. You get the standard 120Hz refresh and a decision of 2712 x 1220, however Xiaomi makes use of the dynamic mode out of the field, so you will want to enter the settings to allow 120Hz.
Xiaomi normally does job with coloration calibration, however my unit had cooler colours out of the field; fortunately, it is easy to regulate coloration stability through the settings. Apart from that, I did not discover any points with the panel as such — it has good distinction and vibrancy.
There are not any issues utilizing the panel outside; it will get sufficiently vibrant, and there is a slight distinction from the Word 13 Professional+ on this regard. That stated, the ambient brightness sensor is a little bit gradual to regulate brightness, and I discovered myself having to make use of the brightness slider to manually regulate it a number of occasions.
Whereas it will not win any awards, the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ holds up nicely throughout gaming, however you’ll discover jitter in demanding titles. Video streaming is sweet sufficient; there’s HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient, however switching to HDR content material in YouTube made the video jittery at occasions. Exterior of that, colours seemed nice, and there wasn’t any extreme blooming.
Like earlier years, you get stereo sound, and it is detailed sufficient that you should use the onboard audio in case you’re listening to a podcast. There’s 1920Hz PWM dimming, and also you get a good quantity of configurability in relation to always-on kinds.
Redmi Word 14 Professional+: Efficiency
After utilizing MediaTek-powered designs for the final three years, Xiaomi is again to utilizing Qualcomm within the Redmi Word 14 Professional+. The cellphone is powered by the newest Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 platform, and it has a higher-clocked Adreno 710 and is manufactured on the 4nm node.
On condition that Qualcomm was gradual to modify to the newest Arm cores prior to now, it is good to see the usage of Cortex A720 and A520 cores this time. I seen some lag at occasions — notably when switching between a video and a recreation — however exterior of that, there weren’t any points in common use.
Class | Redmi Word 14 Professional+ | POCO F6 | OnePlus Nord 4 |
---|---|---|---|
PCMark Work 3.0 (Total) | 12359 | 15491 | 13396 |
PCMark Work 3.0 (Internet Shopping) | 12111 | 14944 | 12604 |
PCMark Work 3.0 (Video Modifying) | 7490 | 7691 | 7233 |
PCMark Work 3.0 (Writing) | 14452 | 17327 | 13304 |
PCMark Work 3.0 (Picture Modifying) | 21036 | 26584 | 20533 |
Geekbench 6 (single-core) | 1154 | 1762 | 1000 |
Geekbench 6 (multi-core) | 3189 | 4608 | 3849 |
The cellphone does job with gaming as nicely, but it surely tends to be aggressive with thermal administration, so you will note throttling in prolonged gaming classes. There is not a lot in the way in which of overheating, however you will note the occasional lag and jitter in demanding video games; turning down the settings makes a distinction.
Xiaomi is promoting the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ in 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, and 12GB/512GB configurations, and annoyingly, all storage modules of the system include UFS 3.1 and never UFS 4.0. You miss out on Wi-Fi 6E as nicely, however there may be Bluetooth 5.4 and NFC. I did not see any points with connectivity or calling, and I bought a dependable mobile sign.
There is a new x-axis vibration motor, and whereas it would not ship the identical stage of granular suggestions because the Xiaomi 14, it’s first rate sufficient in its personal proper — contemplating how a lot you are paying for the cellphone.
Redmi Word 14 Professional+: Battery life
Among the best options of the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ is the considerably larger 6200mAh battery. What’s notably nice is that Xiaomi slotted in a silicon-carbon battery, so that you get a lot better density, and the cellphone can face up to excessive chilly with none points. It is nice to see manufacturers bringing this tech to the mid-range section.
The elevated battery dimension provides the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ a definite benefit, and the cellphone manages to final two days with none points. Even with heavy use, I solely needed to cost the system each different day, so in case you want a cellphone with the perfect battery life on this section, the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ is the one to get.
You additionally get 90W charging, and Xiaomi bundles the requisite charger within the field. It takes simply over 65 minutes to completely cost the system, and that is not unhealthy contemplating the dimensions of the battery. Xiaomi has the standard battery safeguards to increase longevity, together with charging restrict and optimized charging.
Redmi Word 14 Professional+: Cameras
After utilizing 200MP cameras, Xiaomi is as soon as once more again to a 50MP major digicam on the Redmi Word 14 Professional+, and the system options OmniVision’s OVX8000 module, dubbed the Gentle Hunter 800 by Xiaomi. This is identical sensor that is used within the POCO F6 Professional, Xiaomi 14 Civi, and even the Xiaomi Combine Flip, so the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ is in good firm on this regard.
In an analogous vein, Xiaomi added a 50MP Samsung JN1 telephoto lens on the again with 2.5x optical zoom, and this makes the cellphone way more versatile. After years and years of ineffectual auxiliary cameras, the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ will get usable auxiliary cameras, and the 8MP wide-angle lens is first rate sufficient in its personal proper.
Nonetheless, Xiaomi is but to deal with long-standing points with video recording on the Redmi Word collection; the cellphone nonetheless would not get 4K60 video, and what’s much more annoying is that it would not even have 60fps at 1080p when utilizing the wide-angle lens. The digicam interface itself is unchanged in 4 years, so in case you’ve used a Xiaomi or POCO cellphone prior to now, you will be aware of all of the settings.
Due to the brand new sensor, the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ takes incredible photographs in any scenario. Daylight photographs have nice element and dynamic vary, and correct colours. You aren’t getting overly saturated photographs, and foliage rendition is detailed with none aggressive smoothing. The digicam does a incredible job in low-light conditions as nicely, offering good coloration vibrancy and loads of element, and no seen noise ranges. It takes a smidgen longer to focus in low-light than high-end telephones, however that is about the one shortcoming I seen.
The telephotos lens is an effective addition on the again, and it produces usable photographs at as much as 5x zoom. There is not any OIS, and it could take just a few tries to get the perfect shot, however once more, the inclusion of a devoted zoom lens is a giant differentiator. The digicam is not fairly pretty much as good in low-light, however you continue to get photographs which can be first rate sufficient for sharing on social media. You get first rate portraits as nicely, and whilst you cannot regulate the focal size, there is a marked distinction over the 13 Professional+.
The wide-angle lens is best than earlier years, and whereas it would not measure as much as the likes of the Xiaomi 14, it positively holds its personal in opposition to different mid-rangers. To sum up, the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ has a flexible digicam system that takes nice photographs in most circumstances, and it’s proper up there with the perfect on this class.
Redmi Word 14 Professional+: Software program
The Redmi Word 14 Professional+ comes with Android 14 out of the field, despite the fact that Google rolled out the secure model of Android almost two months previous to the launch of the cellphone. Xiaomi’s software program interface wants an overhaul; the design is 4 years previous at this level, and it is beginning to present its age.
The UI has higher fluidity than MIUI skins of yesteryear, and also you get a good quantity of customizability. That stated, ColorOS and Funtouch OS have higher options on this space, they usually’re optimized a lot better. You additionally get loads of bloatware, and whereas most of it may be uninstalled, it is annoying that Xiaomi hasn’t addressed this but.
As a substitute of delivering the newest Android model, Xiaomi targeted its consideration on AI-assisted utilities, and like each different cellphone in the present day, the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ has a set of AI instruments with questionable usability. Circle to Search and AI-backed transcribing of audio recordings are helpful, however I did not see the utility of AI summaries and translate options baked into the Notes shopper.
Gallery has an AI-assisted object eraser, a instrument that will increase the dimensions of the body, and one which generates brief video highlights out of your photographs. There’s an AI translator and AI subtitles as nicely, and the principle drawback is that none of those can be found out of the field — they will be rolling out through software program updates down the road. Given Xiaomi’s observe document at delivering well timed updates, I would not maintain my breath.
Then there’s the difficulty with system updates. Xiaomi is guaranteeing three Android OS updates and 4 years of safety updates, however the issue is that Android 15 counts in direction of a kind of updates, and that is simply an underhanded transfer. Xiaomi does this deliberately so it would not need to hassle with long-term updates down the road, and this follow alone makes me not need to suggest the system.
Redmi Word 14 Professional+: The competitors
The POCO F6 is my go-to suggestion on this section, with the system providing a terrific mixture of {hardware} and battery life. The digicam is not pretty much as good because the Redmi Word 14 Professional+, but it surely comes shut, and it does a a lot better job at gaming. The battery lasts a day and a half, and coming in at ₹29,999 ($353), you get a a lot better worth.
Clearly, the OnePlus 12R continues to be a terrific alternative, and whereas it’s costlier at ₹35,999 ($425), you get a greater cellphone in nearly each space. The AMOLED panel will get brighter, the cellphone is considerably sooner in common use, and the principle digicam takes higher photographs in nearly any situation.
Nothing’s Cellphone 2a Plus can also be an intriguing alternative to contemplate. It has a particular design, nice software program options, and two usable cameras on the again. And beginning at ₹26,999 ($318), you are not paying a hefty premium.
Redmi Word 14 Professional+: Do you have to purchase it?
You can purchase this if:
- You want a handsome mid-range cellphone
- You need nice cameras on the again
- You want the perfect battery life on this class
You should not purchase this if:
- You need good software program with significant extras
- You want long-term updates
- You desire a cellphone that takes good movies
I examined each Redmi Word cellphone launched within the final decade, so I do know what I am speaking about in relation to these units. Whereas the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ is costlier than earlier telephones that got here within the collection, there is not a worth hike this yr, and that is factor.
The {hardware} is de facto quite good, and the cameras are nice — the inclusion of a telephoto lens provides it a good edge, and that is no small feat on this class. The battery life is well the perfect I’ve used on any mid-ranger, and it would not take lengthy to cost the battery both.
However just like the final two years, it is the software program that in the end limits the system. If you do not have a problem with the truth that the cellphone comes with Android 14 out of the field, then sure, the Redmi Word Professional 14+ is a good alternative. However the software program makes a much bigger distinction in how lengthy you may really the cellphone, and on this space, Xiaomi is as soon as once more discovered to be missing.
The Redmi Word 14 Professional+ combines terrific cameras with an enormous battery, and the cellphone clearly nails the fundamentals. Nonetheless, the software program is middling at greatest, and it detracts from what’s an in any other case nice system. Should you do not thoughts that and want nice cameras and two-day battery, the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ is an effective total alternative.