Xiaomi Redmi 14C Smartphone Review
- Marcella Frattari
- Mar 27
- 14 min read
Updated: Mar 31
SMARTPHONE TIER: ENTRY TIER
Battery Capacity mAh: 5160
Xiaomi Redmi 14C: Smart Budget, Solid Basics
SMARTPHONE BATTERY PERFORMANCE
Based on Price: Entry Tier (€0-€199)
Entry Tier Ranking #8
Learn more:
Video Review - Soon Available
Quick Summary
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C is an affordable smartphone that punches above its weight, delivering a smooth 120Hz display, dependable battery life, and a premium-feel design at a fraction of the price. While it doesn’t aim for high-end power or advanced camera systems, it provides a surprisingly well-rounded user experience for those seeking value and reliability.
The 6.88-inch Dot Drop IPS LCD screen stretches nearly edge to edge, offering vibrant colours and ample brightness for everyday use. With an HD+ resolution of 1640×720 and a 120Hz refresh rate, the display is impressively fluid for a phone in this price bracket, ideal for casual browsing, video streaming, and social media. TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light and flicker-free dimming make it a comfortable choice for prolonged use. Though sharpness doesn’t match Full HD panels, the smoothness of the refresh rate makes up for it.
Under the bonnet is the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra, an octa-core chipset designed for essential daily tasks. The two Cortex-A75 performance cores and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores run at up to 2.0 GHz, supported by a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU for basic gaming and video. It’s not built for heavy multitasking or demanding 3D titles, but performs adequately in real-world usage such as messaging, light gaming, and media playback. Memory configurations range from 4GB to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, with up to 256GB of expandable eMMC 5.1 storage, ensuring plenty of space for apps, media and documents.
The 50MP main rear camera captures bright, detailed photos in daylight, with HDR and portrait modes adding versatility. The secondary lens is more decorative than functional, primarily aiding depth perception. The 13MP front camera is a welcome upgrade in this category, producing decent selfies with built-in beautification and a soft light ring for better low-light results. Video capture is limited to 1080p at 30fps on both cameras – sufficient for everyday social content.
Despite its large 5,160mAh battery, the Redmi 14C falls short of expectations in real-world usage. In our testing, it delivered up to 39 hours of moderate use — slightly below average for entry-level smartphones. This makes battery life one of its more underwhelming aspects. On the upside, it supports 18W fast charging via USB-C, though no charger is included in the box. Using a compatible adapter, a full charge from 20 to 100% takes just over two hours.
Design-wise, the Redmi 14C stands out from the crowd. It features a sturdy plastic frame, a flat-edged profile, and a stylish circular camera housing reminiscent of flagship models. Depending on the colour, the back panel may be made of either textured polycarbonate or glass-like material, offering a touch of elegance rarely seen at this price. Colour options include Midnight Black, Starry Blue, Sage Green, and Dreamy Purple, all adding personality without sacrificing durability.
Out of the box, the Redmi 14C runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS, based on Android 14. The interface is clean and responsive, offering features such as Reading Mode, Game Turbo, and memory extension (up to 16GB virtual RAM). Xiaomi promises two years of major Android updates and four years of security patches, which is generous for a budget phone.
In terms of connectivity, the Redmi 14C supports dual SIM 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC (varies by market), and even FM radio via the 3.5mm headphone jack. There’s also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and AI face unlock for quick and secure access.
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 ViserMark Labels for the Xiaomi Redmi 14C
Please take a look at the following information about the battery performance of the Xiaomi Redmi 14C:
Battery Life: The Xiaomi Redmi 14C delivers 39 hours of total usage, equating to just over 1.5 days under light to moderate use. While this may seem reasonable on paper, it's below average for the entry-tier segment, where several competitors exceed the 50-hour mark. Users expecting multi-day endurance may find themselves reaching for the charger more often than anticipated.
Battery Charging: Xiaomi advertises 18W fast charging for the Redmi 14C, though no charger is included in the box. In our real-world tests, the device charged from 0% to 100% in 2 hours and 14 minutes using a compatible adapter. This puts it behind some budget rivals, especially those offering higher-wattage chargers out of the box.
Battery Performance & Efficiency: In battery performance scoring, the Redmi 14C receives 38/100, reflecting basic efficiency but limited endurance under consistent use. The phone’s annual energy consumption is estimated at 4.3 kWh, keeping it within an acceptable range for low-end 4G devices, though it lacks the energy optimisation seen in more power-efficient competitors.
Specification Overview - Released Date: September 2024
Body & Build:
Dimensions:Â 171.88 x 77.8 x 8.22 mm
Weight:Â 204g (Midnight Black, Starry Blue), 207g (Sage Green)
Materials:Â Plastic frame with a glossy or textured glass-like rear finish (varies by colour)
Durability:Â No official IP rating for water or dust resistance
Design:Â Concentric pattern on select colourways enhances grip and aesthetic appeal
Display:
Type:Â 6.88-inch Dot Drop IPS LCD
Resolution:Â 1640 x 720 pixels (HD+), 260 ppi
Refresh Rate:Â Up to 120Hz for smooth system navigation and UI animations
Touch Sampling Rate:Â Up to 240Hz for improved responsiveness
Brightness:Â 450 nits (typical), 600 nits (High Brightness Mode)
Contrast Ratio:Â 1500:1
Colour Depth:Â 8-bit, 16.7 million colours
Colour Gamut:Â 70% NTSC
Eye Comfort & Certifications:
TÃœV Rheinland Low Blue Light (software solution)
TÃœV Rheinland Flicker Free
DC Dimming
Reading Mode
Screen-to-Body Ratio:Â 89.7%
Operating System:
Software:Â Xiaomi HyperOS (based on Android 14)
Software Support:Â Up to 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security patches
Chipset & Performance:
Processor:Â MediaTek Helio G81-Ultra (12nm)
CPU:Â Octa-core (2x Cortex-A75 @ 2.0GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz)
GPU:Â Mali-G52 MC2
Memory & Storage:
RAM Options:Â 4GB / 6GB / 8GB LPDDR4X
Internal Storage:Â 128GB / 256GB eMMC 5.1
Expandable Storage:Â Yes, via microSD card (up to 1TB)
Memory Extension:Â Virtual RAM expansion up to 16GB (on 8GB RAM model)
Connectivity & Features:
Speaker:Â Mono bottom-firing
Audio Jack:Â 3.5mm headphone jack
Bluetooth:Â 5.4 (supports AAC / SBC / LDAC)
Wi-Fi:Â Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
NFC:Â Yes (market dependent)
FM Radio:Â Yes (requires wired headphones)
USB:Â USB Type-C
Capacity:Â 5,160mAh (typical)
Charging:Â 18W fast charging supported (USB-C)
Charger in Box:Â No adapter included; recommended to use a PD-supported 18W charger
Battery Life (tested):Â Up to 39 hours of mixed use
Charging Time (tested):Â ~2 hours from 20% to 100%
Navigation:Â GPS, Glonass, Galileo, Beidou
Camera System:
Rear Cameras:
Primary:Â 50MP wide, f/1.8 aperture, 5P lens
Secondary:Â Auxiliary sensor for depth effects
Features:Â HDR, Night Mode, Portrait Mode, 50MP high-res mode, Time-lapse
Video Recording:
1080p @ 30fps
720p @ 30fps
Front Camera:
Resolution:Â 13MP, f/2.0
Features:Â Soft-light ring, HDR, Night Mode, Portrait Mode, Time-lapse
Video Recording:
1080p @ 30fps
720p @ 30fps
Colours Available: Midnight Black, Starry Blue, and Sage Green
Performance - HOW WE TEST
ViserMark offers a comprehensive range of battery performance test results based on different criteria and benchmarks for evaluating a smartphone's performance. Our tests are performed using the strictest protocol in a controlled environment to ensure repetition and consistency powered by SmartViser's test automation solution viSer.
VWS Analytics Studio is a complementary product to the viSer Test Automation solution. It enhances the viSer user experience and is the fastest way to analyse and view smartphone test results.
We have used the interactive dashboard to show you the recent test results and translated them into ViserMark Labels.
Join our readers to receive the latest update to our smartphone battery performance scores and performance reviews as soon as we finish testing!
Smartphone Battery Performance - FULL TEST RESULTS AND REVIEW
ViserMark has put the Xiaomi Redmi 14C through our testing protocol, based on real smartphone usage from 100% battery level down to power off. This includes daily activities, such as calls, web, video and music streaming, gaming, social networks, picture and video capture, and standby. All activities are executed in a defined order and timeline.
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These test results, show how the Xiaomi Redmi 14CÂ performed and the scores achieved.
1. Battery Performance
In ViserMark’s independent testing, the Xiaomi Redmi 14C received a battery performance score of 38/100, placing it below the entry-tier average (43.5/100) and behind competitors like the Redmi 13C (52/100) and Motorola Moto G34 (43/100). This reflects limited battery efficiency, particularly under consistent usage.
Despite housing a 5,160mAh battery, the Redmi 14C achieves around 39 hours of active usage, which, while serviceable, is lower than many devices in the same segment. Real-world endurance may cover a full day of moderate use, but power users may find themselves recharging more frequently than expected.
This combination of moderate endurance and below-average battery optimisation makes the Redmi 14C a reasonable choice for basic users. However, those prioritising long-lasting performance may find more efficient alternatives within the same price bracket.
2. Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C delivered 39 hours of continuous usage, equating to just over 1.5 days of moderate real-world use. While this allows the device to comfortably get through a full day, it underperforms compared to other entry-level competitors, particularly its predecessor, the Redmi 13C.
Despite housing a slightly larger 5,160mAh battery than the Redmi 13C (5,000mAh), the 14C falls behind in endurance. This is largely due to limited power optimisation and the less efficient MediaTek Helio G81-Ultra chipset, which fails to fully capitalise on the increased capacity.
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C provides a basic battery experience, suitable for casual users and light app usage. However, for those prioritising long-lasting standby or heavy multitasking, more efficient alternatives are available within the same price segment.
3. Battery Consumption
According to SmartViser’s viSer and VWS Analytics Studio , the Xiaomi Redmi 14C generally consumes more power than the Motorola Moto G34 across most everyday tasks. The Redmi 14C shows notably higher current consumption during social media, gaming, YouTube, email, media playback, and web browsing, which contributes to its lower battery efficiency overall.
However, the Motorola Moto G34 draws more power during camera usage, making it slightly less efficient in photography-related tasks. This could be due to differences in image processing or sensor behaviour between the two devices.
In most use cases—especially in social media, outgoing call and gaming—the Redmi 14C shows less control over energy use, consuming well over 600mA in several categories. This aligns with its lower ViserMark battery score (38/100) and its relatively high annual energy consumption of 4.3 kWh, both indicating sub-par optimisation in comparison to its competitors.
If camera use is a key priority, the Redmi 14C might offer a slight advantage in energy draw. However, for users seeking a more balanced and efficient performance across all tasks, the Moto G34 remains the stronger choice in the entry-tier market.
The battery performance comparison between the Xiaomi Redmi 14CÂ and Redmi 13CÂ highlights notable differences in power consumption across a variety of everyday tasks, giving a clear picture of where the newer model may lag in efficiency.
From social media browsing, outgoing calls, and gaming, to YouTube streaming, downloads/uploads, camera usage, and web browsing, the Redmi 14C registers noticeably higher current draw in every category. This uniform increase in consumption may stem from enhancements in system features, such as the smoother 120Hz refresh rate, more demanding HyperOS software, and upgraded internal components.
While these upgrades contribute to a better user experience in terms of display fluidity and interface responsiveness, they also lead to reduced battery efficiency when compared directly with the Redmi 13C. Despite having a similarly sized battery, the Redmi 13C proves more power-efficient, managing background tasks and foreground usage with less energy consumption across the board.
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C demonstrates consistently higher power consumption across all tested activities when compared to the Redmi 13C, Motorola Moto G34, and the Entry Tier average. This broad analysis highlights key differences in battery performance depending on the task, offering a clearer picture of the device’s energy profile.
Here's an overview of the findings:
Social Media & Communication:
The Redmi 14C consumes significantly more power than all other devices when browsing social media and making outgoing calls. This places it as the least efficient device in communication-heavy use, with the Redmi 13C and Motorola Moto G34 outperforming it substantially.
Gaming & Multimedia:
In gaming, the Redmi 14C shows the highest current draw, likely due to its 120Hz refresh rate and less efficient processing.
For YouTube playback and media consumption, the Redmi 14C again trails the competition, drawing more current than the average entry-tier device.
Productivity & Web Browsing:
Camera & Media Playback:
Camera usage also reveals increased power drain, although the Moto G34 surpasses it in energy use here, making it the only task where the Redmi 14C isn’t the most power-hungry.
4. Battery Efficiency
In ViserMark’s battery efficiency testing, the Xiaomi Redmi 14C received a 0.5-leaf rating, placing it significantly below the entry-tier average of 1.28 leaves. This result highlights the device’s limited power optimisation, especially when compared to similarly priced alternatives like the Redmi 13C and Motorola Moto G34, both of which scored 1.5 leaves.
Despite its large 5,160mAh battery, the Redmi 14C fails to make efficient use of its capacity. The MediaTek Helio G81-Ultra chipset, while functional for basic tasks, contributes to higher power drain, especially during multitasking and extended screen-on time.
While the Redmi 14C may offer acceptable endurance for casual users, its below-average efficiency means that power users or heavy streamers may find themselves reaching for a charger sooner than expected. For users prioritising battery longevity and energy-conscious design, more optimised entry-level phones are available within the same price segment.
5. Annual Energy Consumption
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C has an estimated annual energy consumption of 4.3 kWh, making it one of the least efficient devices in its class in terms of power usage. This figure is significantly higher than the entry-tier average of 3.33 kWh, and well above both the Redmi 13C (2.9 kWh) and Motorola Moto G34 (3.1 kWh).
The high energy draw reflects the Redmi 14C’s limited battery optimisation, with its MediaTek Helio G81-Ultra chipset and basic power management strategy contributing to its increased power demands. Users can expect shorter runtimes compared to other budget phones, especially under moderate to heavy daily usage.
While not necessarily a deal-breaker at this price point, the Redmi 14C’s energy efficiency lags behind direct competitors, suggesting that Xiaomi has prioritised affordability and display features over extended battery longevity or green performance.
Who Should Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 14C?
Introducing the Xiaomi Redmi 14C, perfect for various user profiles:
Everyday Users on a Budget: If you're looking for a smartphone that covers all the essentials without breaking the bank, the Redmi 14C delivers great value. With a low price and options for up to 8GB RAM with memory extension, it handles tasks like WhatsApp, web browsing, and YouTube comfortably. It’s a smart pick for students, first-time smartphone users, or anyone needing a reliable secondary phone.
Media Consumers Who Want a Big Display: Thanks to its 6.88-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Redmi 14C is well-suited for watching videos, scrolling social media, or reading articles. While it only offers HD+ resolution, the large screen and TÃœV-certified eye comfort features provide a pleasant experience during long viewing sessions. If you want a big screen at a low price, this is it.
Users Who Prioritise Storage Flexibility: The Redmi 14C supports expandable storage up to 1TB via microSD, making it ideal for those who like to keep lots of photos, videos, or offline media. Whether you choose the 128GB or 256GB variant, the extra slot is a huge bonus, especially for users who often run out of space on entry-level phones.
ViserMark VERDICT
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C - what's it like to use?
The Xiaomi Redmi 14C is an entry-level smartphone that focuses on delivering a balanced experience for everyday users. It doesn’t aim to impress with high-end specs but rather with dependable performance, a large display, and a practical feature set at an affordable price. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra and up to 8GB of RAM (with memory extension), it handles basic tasks like social media, messaging, video streaming, and casual gaming without much trouble. Paired with eMMC 5.1 storage, app opening speeds are decent but not particularly fast — something to keep in mind for multitaskers.
The 6.88-inch Dot Drop LCD display is one of the standout features of the device. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate, which contribute to a smoother scrolling and navigation experience. While the resolution is only HD+ (1640 x 720), it’s still fine for casual viewing, especially at this price point. The peak brightness of 600 nits (HBM) is adequate indoors and usable outdoors in most conditions, though direct sunlight may pose challenges. Eye comfort features like TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification and Reading Mode enhance long-term usability.
In terms of design, the Redmi 14C manages to look more premium than expected. Its glass-like back panel and textured finish (depending on the colour variant) give it a clean and stylish look. However, it's on the heavier side at over 200g, which is noticeable during extended use. The phone lacks an official IP rating, so it's not built for rough environments — though the plastic frame provides a decent grip and drop resistance.
The phone’s 50MP rear camera is capable of delivering decent photos in good lighting, with vibrant colours and acceptable dynamic range. The 13MP selfie camera performs well for video calls and basic selfies. However, both cameras struggle in low light, and there’s no image stabilisation, so photo and video clarity can drop significantly in challenging conditions.
With a 5,160mAh battery, the Redmi 14C is built to last through the day — but in real-world usage, it lasts around 39 hours, slightly below the entry-tier average. It supports 18W fast charging, but does not ship with a charger, so you’ll need to use a compatible USB-C adapter. Charging from 20% to full takes just over two hours, which is standard for this segment.
On the software side, the device runs Xiaomi’s new HyperOS based on Android 14, offering an updated UI and features like Reading Mode, Game Turbo, and customisation options. However, bloatware and ads are still present out of the box. Fortunately, many pre-installed apps can be uninstalled, and recommendations can be disabled in settings.
The Redmi 14C includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC (in select markets), and dual SIM with microSD support — making it a feature-rich phone for the price.
Overall, the Redmi 14C doesn’t promise a flagship experience — and it doesn’t need to. It delivers a large screen, solid battery life, and a reliable performance for the basics. It’s not the fastest or most efficient device, but it gets the job done for users who want a practical phone without unnecessary extras.
If you're on a budget, need a phone for daily tasks, and appreciate a large display, the Redmi 14C is a dependable everyday companion. Just don’t expect miracles when it comes to gaming, photography, or long-term software longevity.
VCX (Valued Camera eXperience)
The VCX Forum has been working with its members on the system and infrastructure as a non-profit organisation. We strive to improve our technology to develop and exchange accurate and objective quality and performance indicators, which is our ultimate goal. We will also serve as a compass for the smartphone camera industry. We appreciate your interest in the VCX Forum.
No VCX reviews are available for this smartphone.
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Background
Xiaomi was founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneur Lei Jun, with a vision to deliver high-quality technology at accessible prices. Committed to a user-centric approach, Xiaomi quickly gained traction in the mobile internet space. By 2014, the company had sold over 61 million smartphones and expanded into key markets including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Brazil. Headquartered in Beijing, China, Xiaomi continues its global expansion with offices across the Asia-Pacific region, India, and Brazil, positioning itself as a rising global tech brand.
Written by
Marcella Frattari is the Communication Marketing and Lead Generation Manager at SmartViser, playing a key role in shaping the company's communication and marketing strategies. With a background in journalism and a passion for digital communication, Marcella focuses on improving SmartViser's overall online presence and engagement. Her dedication to clear, effective communication and creative content makes her a valuable asset to the team.
Press Contact
Marcella Frattari: Contact@visermark.com
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