Redmi Launches Note 14 Series with Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in Europe

Today, Xiaomi’s subsidiary Redmi has introduced its budget-friendly Note 14 series to the European market, along with the Western debut of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip. Originally launching in August 2024, this chip had previously been overshadowed by the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite that arrived months later, making a significant impression with its Western phone debut in the OnePlus 13. However, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is now stepping into the limelight with the new Redmi devices.

Snapdragon-Powered Devices

The Note 14 lineup includes five models, ranging from the basic 4G-only Note 14 to the high-end Note 14 Pro Plus 5G, the sole model powered by the Snapdragon chip. This Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is a 4nm chipset, notable for adopting Arm's v9 CPU architecture, equipped with a 2.5GHz Cortex-A720 core at its core. The other models in the series rely on various MediaTek chipsets.

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 powers the Note 14 Pro Plus 5G. Image: Redmi

Pricing and Specifications

Priced at £399/€499.90 (approximately $500), the Pro Plus competes directly with Google’s $499 Pixel 8A. It surpasses the Pixel in various hardware specifications, offering enhanced IP68 water resistance, up to 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a superior OLED display safeguarded by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The major compromise lies in the software, especially since Google guarantees Android updates for the Pixel 8A until 2031.

Other Models in the Series

The Note 14 series comprises models that gradually reduce in specifications and connectivity. The Note 14 Pro 5G retains the Pro Plus model's display, 200-megapixel camera, and IP68 rating but downgrades to a MediaTek 7300-Ultra chipset and slower charging capabilities. The standard Redmi Note 14 Pro offers similar features but only supports 4G connectivity and has an IP64 rating. Meanwhile, the Note 14 and Note 14 5G are positioned with reduced specifications, though the 4G model’s IP54 water resistance is notable for a handset priced at under half the cost of a Pixel 8A.

The Redmi Note 14 4G is the cheapest model in the new series. Image: Redmi

Launch and Market Competition

The Redmi Note 14 series initially launched in China and India late last year, and it is now available in ten European countries, including the UK and Germany. Notably, these European models have been modified from their Asian counterparts, with the Pro Plus 5G featuring entirely different cameras and batteries, a common practice for Redmi. As these new models enter the European market, they face stiff competition from other Xiaomi offerings like the similarly priced Poco X7 and X7 Pro, which also boast high IP68 ratings and large batteries to attract budget-conscious buyers away from major brands like Google and Samsung.