• Xiaomi has launched its mid-range Redmi Note 14 series in South Africa.
• It includes the Redmi Note 14, upgraded Redmi Note 14 Pro and the high-end Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G.
• Xiaomi has launched each of the models with different variations of specifications depending on the price and store. All are available right now.

Chinese smartphone and appliance manufacturer Xiaomi has launched its latest mid-range smartphone series in South Africa at an event in Sandton on Tuesday evening. It takes the guise of the Redmi Note 14 series, with the Redmi Note 14, Redmi Note 14 Pro and Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G now available locally.

Hypertext was in attendance to find out more about the new series of devices, ostensibly an upgrade from the Note 13 series, of which the Pro+ version we called a potential killer of the Samsung A-series.

We said in our review that Xiaomi had established a reputation of making smartphones packed with features somehow still relatively affordable and the Redmi Note 14 series is no different.

The Xioami Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is not only the smartphone with the longest name in the world, but is quite a looker to boot. #RedmiNote14LaunchZA pic.twitter.com/BCv8MTS6zT

— Hypertext (@htxtafrica) February 11, 2025

At the event, Xiaomi representatives highlighted features like drop and scratch protection, large battery life, uber-fast charging, AMOLED displays, a 200MP camera and Snapdragon performance processors, however not all Notes are equal.

In fact most of these high end features are coming to the Pro+ 5G model, which is the most expensive with Xiaomi confirming a price point of between R14 000 to R17 000 per unit, however we’ve seen listings for as little as R9 999. This version of the new Redmi is replete with features, but as we go down the series they are less visible.

Like Leviathan rising from the briney abyss, the Redmi Note 14 smartphones rise within an aquarium, spinning upon a silver pedestal as be-cyberpunked youths dance around the devices of the hour. The gyration of bodies summoning the Redmi, just as we were summoned here.… pic.twitter.com/k23tl4kRJx

— Hypertext (@htxtafrica) February 11, 2025

For example, the Redmi Note 14 and 14 Pro can either be 4G or 5G versions, with the 4G saving you the most money. The 4G versions of either also feature MediaTek Dimensity chips, the 7025 Ultra and 7300 versions, respectively (9300 is the latest), while the Pro+ 5G features a Snapdragon 7s Gen3 processor.

We’re also not getting the 200MP camera with the non-plus versions of the Note 14 Redmis, with the Pro and base versions featuring a 108MP main camera instead. The Redmi Note 14 features a 5 500mAh cell, with only 33W fast charging, and the Pro models share a 5 500mAh cells, with a 45W fast charging upgrade for the Pro+.

Aside from internals, the Note 14 series features a vivo-like camera hump on the back of the device, though not as significant as the X200 Pro we recently reviewed. A shiny matte finish is on the back of the Pro+ models, that we can’t help thinking it feels a bit plasticky, almost like a fake toy phone. All three feature bright AMOLED displays.

“Redmi Note is aimed at our mid-tier affordable space. We aim to share technology with every customer at an affordable price, that’s the main reason we brought the Note over,” Ryan Tobias, National Training Manager, Xiaomi South Africa, told Hypertext at the launch.

“This is truly an iconic offering for our customers.”

Redmi Note 14 Series – price and availability

All three smartphones in the series are now available across Vodacom outlets and online storefronts like Incredible, Takealot and others. However pricing depends on the model and the specifications, for example the base Redmi Note 14 with only 4G goes for as little as R5 000 from Incredible, however featuring only an OLED display, 128GB storage and 6GB RAM.

We are also seeing higher-specced versions of the top of the range Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G going for around R12 000 from Vodacom. Battery size, storage, RAM, and screen fidelity depend on which version you’re looking at and which model it is, seeming in order for the series to fit as many budgets as possible.