Champagne Gold and big ambitions: The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ unboxed

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 14 Pro+ has a reputation for being a dependable mid-range all-rounder, but now it’s back in a new avatar: Champagne Gold. Priced at ₹27,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model and going up to ₹32,999 for the 12GB + 512GB variant, this refreshed version doesn’t reinvent the wheel but brings just enough freshness to stay relevant in 2025’s crowded mid-range market.

What’s inside the box?

Open up the box and Xiaomi plays it safe but thorough. The phone itself sits on top, wrapped neatly with a pre-applied screen protector — a small but welcome touch.

Below that, there’s a hefty 90W charging brick, a USB-C cable, and even a simple transparent case to get you started. You’ll also find the usual paperwork, a SIM ejector tool, and Xiaomi’s quick start guide, but nothing that feels premium in the presentation itself.

First impressions: Gold that doesn’t scream

The first thing you notice about the phone is the Champagne Gold finish. It’s not loud or gaudy — in fact, it’s refreshingly subtle for a colour that sounds like it belongs on a bottle of bubbly.

The matte tone catches the light without being a fingerprint magnet, and paired with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and Gorilla Glass 7i on the back, it gives off the vibe of a phone punching slightly above its price.

What’s actually new?

Let’s not kid ourselves — apart from the new colour, very little has changed. The design, dimensions, and hardware are identical to the original Pro+ models that launched last December.

The real upgrade here is inside: while the phone ships with Android 14 out of the box, you can immediately update to Android 15 paired with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2.0. This new software layer feels cleaner, smoother, and closer to stock Android in terms of fluidity, though Xiaomi still hasn’t managed to get rid of the preinstalled bloatware entirely.

Familiar hardware, same solid experience

In hand, the Note 14 Pro+ continues to feel reassuringly solid for a mid-range device. The curved screen is subtle enough not to bother purists, and the IP68 rating adds peace of mind that you’re not trading durability for style.

This is still the same device under the hood: the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip paired with up to 12GB of RAM and a 6,200mAh silicon-carbon battery. The cameras remain a highlight, particularly the 50MP main sensor and the addition of a 50MP telephoto lens — still rare in this price bracket.

Verdict

In short, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Champagne Gold isn’t a radical update, but it doesn’t need to be. Between the polished new software and the understated new finish, Xiaomi has given its mid-range star just enough sparkle to stay in the conversation.