Xiaomi

Redmi Buds 6 true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones were launched earlier this month and are currently available in India. They were unveiled in India alongside the Redmi Note 14 5G series phones. With up to 42 hours of claimed total battery life, they support 360-degree spatial audio and up to 49dB hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC). The earbuds offer dual device connectivity and they have an IP54-rated build for dust and splash resistance. The headsets are priced in the country at Rs. 2,999. Let us explore if they are worth your consideration.

If Xiaomi is Stan Lee, then the Redmi Note series has to be Jack Kirby. Well, that's how the company's India journey has been. The Note series has been right in the centre, fueling Xiaomi's growth in India over the years. In early 2024, the company introduced the Redmi Note 13 series, and before the year ended, we have the successor already - the Redmi Note 14 series. In the product briefing, Xiaomi executives stressed how Redmi Note 14 is a big leap even for the Note series. The company claims to have sold over 420 million Redmi Note devices globally. Again, this time, we get three units - a base Redmi Note 14, a mid Redmi Note 14 Pro and the top-of-the-line Redmi Note 14 Pro+. Well, I got my hands on the top trim - Redmi Note 14 Pro+. The spec sheet of the device reads as if it's some flagship from a few years back, plus some much-needed additions.

The ‘premiumization” of the budget smartphone segment led to the decline of the entry-level smartphone market. Today, most first-time smartphone buyers or feature phone upgraders opt for mid to high-end budget smartphones for better camera quality, displays and battery life. This also made it easier for most smartphone buyers to justify the 5G tax now that 5G networks are up and running in most major cities in the country.