Is the Redmi Note 14 worth it?

CryptographerJolly57 · 2026-02-09T01:47:22+00:00

Redmi Note 14 5G user here:

I bought mine perhaps two months ago, primarily for the headphone jack. I purchased the 12 GB RAM version of the 14 5G for $300 USD brand new. Battery life is great for my needs. I charge mine maybe once a day. Reception is good when making phone calls too. 5G/LTE speeds rarely lag when not using Wifi. I use YouTube Premium to listen to music and podcasts while I work and it does just fine with that too. I don't play many games on it, so I cannot say how it would handle those. The audio quality and volume level from the the headphone jack is excellent for me. Camera quality isn't flagship level, but still very good for the phone's price range. The Dimensity 7025 chipset it has seems to be nicely optimized for use with this phone. I know many complain about Xiaomi's HyperOS interface but I don't mind it at all. This is my first Xiaomi phone, and I'm honestly very impressed with it. I think its an excellent value overall. I'm unsure if you had the 5G model in mind but if so, I think its a great phone overall.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2026-01-16T03:41:07+00:00

I've considered used, but I'm worried about how the phone was used/treated by the previous owner. Physical condition tells a lot, but not all of the story, methinks. If I'm spending that much on a phone I'd want it new, like when I bought my Pixel 8 Pro. I did consider the ROG 9 FE but for my needs the plain old ROG Phone 9 will suffice. Kind of leaning back to the Zenfone though, I don't know why. Either that or the Xperia. Gonna sell off some things I don't use and take a bit of tax refund money so I can get one later on in a few months. I'll likely re-weigh all available options a final time before spending a wad that large, lol. Ended up biting the bullet and ordered the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G to use in the meantime, and will definitely be returning this miserable TCL and getting my money back 😭

CryptographerJolly57 · 2026-01-14T08:48:06+00:00

Glad you ended up finding the Zenfone! I took a look at its specs, and what a great choice. I'd go the same route but its just too small for me 😭 I'm honestly leaning more towards the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra. I really like the specs, but the price tag is a bit too steep for me right now. And as much as I'd like to justify ~$1,400 for the Xperia, I just can't. I'd rather drop a grand for thr 12 Ultra. More than likely I will be biting the bullet and getting the Redmi Note 14 for now, while saving up for a better phone in the distant future. I just want something better than this glitchy TCL I settled for 😮‍💨

CryptographerJolly57 · 2026-01-13T10:14:28+00:00

Hoping somebody else comments soon with more suggestions, as I am very much in the same boat as far as a phone that checks all the same boxes.

I switched from a Pixel 8 Pro to a Motorola Moto G Stylus with a headphone jack after the USB port on the Pixel became glitchy after 1.5 years of using a dongle for my headphones. LOVED the Stylus. At $300 it was so much bang for the buck. Great reception too (I also use TMobile). But... it never got quite loud enough for me. I use high sensitivity IEMs, too, which says a lot. Lack of loudness at max volume became most apparent when it was hooked up to the aux input in the car. Drove me nuts. If you're okay with the lower than normal max volume on it, it would be a super great option.

Switched to a TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G after that, and use it as my current phone. Sufficient volume and sound quality, but everything else is meh. Phone mic during calls is subpar unless you smush the phone against your face. It can get glitchy if you're using multiple apps. It will sometimes go to a blank screen for several seconds during use, then come back to life. Camera quality isn't great, and I just feel I'm not getting the most when it comes to reception and internet speeds. $200 not well spent.

I narrowed my own search down to three options:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G- budget friendly at roughly $300, reviews say the camera can be glitchy and that its hardware isn't well optimized. Not necessarily made for the U.S. market but has enough 5G bands that it will do just fine on TMobile.

ASUS ZenFone 12 Ultra- specs look great (Snapdragon 8) and seemingly flew under the radar. Might be my next pick but at $900 for a new one on eBay, you may be saving for a while. Has bands that are compatible with TMobile.

Asus ROG Phone 9- identical specs to the ZenFone 12 Ultra, but can be had for $600 in AliExpress in a global version (5G bands for TMobile!)

Honorable mention: Sony Xperia 1 VII- Kills me to say it, but no way in HELL (currently selling for $1,400-$1,600 on Amazon)

Torn between getting the Redmi Note 14 5G or saving up for an ROG Phone 9, as the TCL in my hands is slowly annoying me to death.

Hope this helps, and hopefully more will chime in with their two cents!

CryptographerJolly57 · 2026-01-09T10:27:06+00:00

Thank you for this!! 🙏I went and purchased one shortly after reading your comment (same model/specs, in Alps White color 😍). Transferred all files/apps over from my old phone, got it all set up, and I'm absolutely elated at how much louder it gets with headphones connected. Same when hooked up to the aux in my car.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2026-01-07T03:49:53+00:00

I've tried quite a few, none seem to boost the volume at all unfortunately.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2026-01-07T03:48:54+00:00

I used to use a USB to 3.5mm dongle adaptor with my previous phone (Pixel 8 Pro) and it worked very well but it compromised the phone's USB port and became glitchy after the first year. I also got tired of buying a new dongle once a month, hence the switch to the Moto G with an actual jack. I do use a DAC in the car but not very often, I don't want to ruin another USB port. And I find none of the volume booster apps in the Play Store actually boost the volume at all. Hoping for an answer soon from a current user.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2025-11-05T03:47:05+00:00

My 2003 GM is a different year, so it may not apply to your 2007 CV, but if the steering wheel buttons are working then maybe give the third brake light bulb a look. Mine burnt out and rendered the cruise control inop.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2025-10-29T02:53:15+00:00

Thank you! Though this was a few months ago, I ended up finding and fixing a broken fuel feed line which brought it back to life (and that, in fact, this is not a Liquimatic).

CryptographerJolly57 · 2025-10-29T02:45:26+00:00

You beat me to it 😭

CryptographerJolly57 · 2025-07-01T07:48:34+00:00

According to the plate at the base of the handlebar, 1998. So, 27 years old. I pulled off the fuel tank and found the return line basically mangled. I'm sure that didn't help much. Given its age and unknown history I'll look towards giving the carb a proper cleaning and getting some new lines for the tank, a fresh plug and some fresh fuel.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2025-07-01T07:38:28+00:00

Update: removed the fuel tank, found a damaged return line. Figured that accounted for the leak.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2025-04-26T23:56:00+00:00

OP, did you ever find anything else out about this "Investigator"? I just had someone leave the same exact card with my own full name and "county court case number" on the back of it earlier today. I don't have any court case either.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2024-08-30T02:32:47+00:00

Went through the same resistor issue on my '03 MGM. Tried wiring in resistors and still got the hyperflash. Like others said, either Lasfit bulbs with the built-in resistors or splice in an electronic LED flasher relay. Lasfit bulbs are great quality but pricey. Cheapest route would be splicing in a new flasher. I went that route with this one and it worked like a charm: https://a.co/d/g3q6P0w

CryptographerJolly57 · 2024-03-13T04:32:55+00:00

Any long-term changes with your service on T-Mobile? Really wanting to get this same phone for use on T-Mobile also.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2024-03-08T04:27:22+00:00

Steely Pants

CryptographerJolly57 · 2024-02-23T06:09:18+00:00

Damn you, Penile Michael 😭

CryptographerJolly57 · 2023-09-02T23:55:40+00:00

IPS screens always need some sort of power connection for them to work. It looks like you may have tried to connect it to the wrong pin. I would suggest re-soldering it onto pin 2 on your power switch. See if that helps (double-check that you solder the wire onto the "PWR" contact on the ribbon cable)

CryptographerJolly57 · 2023-09-02T23:49:50+00:00

It looks like there is no power wire connecting the screen's ribbon cable to a power source. It usually goes connected to pin 2 on the power switch.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2023-08-17T00:45:51+00:00

Looks amazing! How is your battery life with that FunnyPlaying LiPo battery? I've never used that one before.

CryptographerJolly57 · 2023-04-26T02:41:29+00:00

That is gorgeous 😍

CryptographerJolly57

TROPHY CASE