Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 is one of the cheapest phones on the market. What can it do and how does it handle photography? And why even try it? I was simply curious how significantly the low price would affect photo quality. Here is my detailed review and answer.

Where Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Fits

Let’s be honest from the start: such a cheap phone is simply not meant for stellar photography performance. But everyone suspects that anyway — what’s much more interesting is to explore how dramatic its limitations will be. In short, how the phone performs in real-life photography. And if someone buys it, what expectations should they have.

One more thing to summarize at the start: how I perceive the current mobile phone landscape. Let’s leave the top-tier models aside — interesting developments in recent years have been happening in the mid-range and lower-range segments as well — simply because competition drives prices down, and phones for reasonable money can now do more and more. I mainly mean my favorite series like Samsung A56 or Xiaomi 15T (review here), which offer a really good price-performance ratio, not to mention Xiaomi 15T Pro (review here).

However, the mid-range has also been successfully infiltrated by the somewhat overlooked Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 series, which is priced even lower. At the beginning of this year, I tested the highest model of this year’s five, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, which surprisingly performs well for casual photography.

So I thought, after all those more or less top-notch models, why not go all the way down and try the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14? At that time (November 2025), it could be purchased for around 3,000 CZK, roughly a tenth of the flagship price and about a quarter of my favorite mid-range models. This nicely sets the boundaries for evaluation — the price is really low.

The phone spent varying amounts of time in my pockets from August to November, during which I also tested several other phones, cameras, and apps — so I really tested it thoroughly whenever I had time, in various situations, places, and lighting conditions.

Video: How Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Photography – 12 min in 4K

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 and the Camera

First, let’s break down the photographic equipment available, below is a table comparing the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 with the highest model of this series, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G
Feature	Xiaomi Redmi Note 14	Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G
Main Camera	24mm, 108 MP, f/1.7; Size 1/1.67″	23mm, 200 MP, f/1.65; Size 1/1.4″, pixel 2.24μm, OIS
Ultra-wide Camera	None, only 2 MP Depth camera	15mm, 8 MP, f/2.2
Macro Camera	25mm, 2 MP, f/2.4	25mm, 2 MP, f/2.4
Front Camera	21mm, 20 MP, f/2.2	21mm, 20 MP, f/2.2

It is clear that the main lens and sensor — 108 MP at 24 mm — will be the key tool. It does a solid job in good lighting, as seen in test photos, with results that are not bad at all.

The main lens is effectively the only lens and sensor available. Yes, there is a macro lens, but as is common in cheaper phones (not only Xiaomi), it’s mostly for show — only 2 MP, so don’t expect much from it.

There is no ultra-wide lens, which is an important difference compared to slightly higher models like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G. Although 5G itself is not very relevant, it is a different hardware setup. You might argue that there are three lenses — yes, the third is a “depth camera” used for distance measurement and modeling space, mainly for portrait mode. But it does not take photos.

Yes, it’s easy to get lost here, so let’s repeat: the tested phone is the lowest of five models released in January 2025: Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G, Redmi Note 14 Pro, Redmi Note 14 5G, and Redmi Note 14.

There are various generally well-functioning filters, but unlike the T-series and higher Xiaomi phones, Leica does not contribute to optics or software. For normal photography, this is not a dramatic difference.

You can also shoot at full resolution, 108 MP. This is only useful in very specific situations where a lot of detail is needed, but it’s worth trying. More pixels do not automatically mean a better photo (often the opposite).

Important advice: in the camera settings (main app via the “beak” at the top edge), familiarize yourself with HDR and AI Camera. Keep HDR always on for higher dynamic range. AI Camera may enhance color saturation — sometimes helpful, sometimes too aggressive.

Final note on video: Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 cannot shoot in 4K, which is a limitation. One reason to consider a higher model, like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 – What I Liked

Overall better performance than expected — as mentioned, it’s a bit unfair to compare an ultra-cheap model for 3,000 CZK with phones several times more expensive, even tenfold for flagships. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised — casual users of this price range will likely not expect miracles, so they won’t be disappointed.

Performs well in good light — as seen in sample photos and video. Best results are in optimal conditions: soft light, bright colors, small contrast. Low-light landscapes are challenging. Learn which situations it handles well and which not — very helpful.

Good price-performance ratio — of course, there are flaws, but for a very low price it offers quite a lot — decent photos for casual users, which counts.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 – What to Watch Out For

It’s a cheap phone, don’t expect miracles. The main point: do not expect performance comparable to much more expensive phones. If expectations are modest, the results are a pleasant surprise.

Basic equipment only — the main sensor and lens handle everything, no ultra-wide lens, macro lens is barely usable.

Lens and sensor need optimal conditions. Poor light and weak processing make photos less impressive.

Competition is strong — just one step up (Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G) adds ultra-wide lens. The top model (Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G) belongs to a different class. Price doubles compared to the base model — who wants more must pay more.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 – Summary in Two Sentences

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 is one of the cheapest phones on the market, reflected in its very basic camera. In good conditions, it offers casual users a very reasonable price-performance ratio — decent photos, which counts.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 – More Sample Photos

Review Summary