Is Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus IP66, IP68 Or IP69 Certified? Is Xiaomi Misleading?

Xiaomi India certainly knows a thing or two about being in the headlines, whether it is through wacky commercials or negative publicity. 

Why negative, you ask? Over the last few days since Xiaomi dropped its much-awaited Redmi Note 14 series in India, the technology community has been debating on one aspect of the priciest-in-the-series Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus – the IP certification – something that remains marked with an asterisk on Xiaomi’s many promotional materials. 

The Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus is claimed to have IP66 + IP68 + IP69 combo certification, a hero feature that’s got all enthusiasts confused. This, though, isn’t the first time we have seen such claims from a smartphone maker in India. The Oppo F27 Pro+ launched earlier this year with the same claims of being ultra-resistant to the natural elements. 

Although both Redmi and Oppo put an asterisk next to the IP69 certification claim, suggesting “support for the IP69 only (we are still awaiting a formal explanation of what "support for IP69" means), Oppo maintains that claim uniformly across its website and ads. Xiaomi, however, seems to be confused across different platforms. 

IP66, IP68 or IP69? What does this Redmi phone have?

Let’s start from the beginning. 

Prior to the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus’ arrival, Xiaomi India was proudly flaunting the support for triple IP ratings. The phone was advertised to support the IP66, IP68 and IP69 water and dust ingress protection ratings. While it looked impressive on paper, everyone expected Xiaomi to clarify the triple certifications at the launch. Sadly, that didn’t happen. 

Throughout the launch event and the social media promotions, Xiaomi India maintained that the phone supports IP68 and IP69 certifications, with an asterisk attached to the IP69 claim. The asterisk is a reference to the "support for IP69" certification.

Xiaomi hasn’t clarified what “support for IP69” means. Does it mean the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus isn’t fully compatible with IP69 standards? 

With no explanations present anywhere, we checked the official website and were left more puzzled. Xiaomi’s website doesn’t document the IP69 rating on the specifications and overview pages. Instead, the brand proudly claims that the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus is certified to be only IP68 water and dust resistant.

At this point, there could be multiple possibilities behind the discrepancy in the claims.

- Either Xiaomi India’s team is unclear about the IP certification of its hero product,

- Or, this could be an attempt to mislead consumers on social media and trick them into buying a product which doesn't support IP69 in reality. If one questions the absence of IP69 support, the brand keeps itself safe with accurate claims on its website. This then seems like a case of misleading advertisement by Xiaomi India, something which the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) needs to evaluate.  

Xiaomi India owes consumers and the media a formal explanation of whether the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus and the Redmi Note 14 Pro are IP69 certified.

What do IP ratings mean?

An IP68 certification indicates ample protection from most natural elements that can pose harm to a majority of smartphones. Other than dust, IP68-rated devices can also survive submersion in water up to 1 meter for a prolonged period. This kind of protection should make the phone safe to use when exposed to light rain, accidental dips in water and extremely humid weather. 

With IP69, the protection is extended against high-pressure water jets at higher temperatures. While it sounds good to have such kind of protection, a smartphone in the real world would rarely be exposed to such situations (unless used in construction, manufacturing and mining applications).  

That said, an IP-rated phone doesn't guarantee zero water ingress. There's always a possibility for water to enter the enclosed chamber and potentially harm the innards. It always depends upon the manufacturer to ensure strict quality checks for adhering to the advertised protection ratings. 

Additionally, as the device ages, the water-tight seals may wear down, thus affecting the degree of water and dust ingress protection. 

Should you buy the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus then?

As a standalone product, the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus seems like an option worth consideration. However, misleading claims regarding the IP rating can leave a sour taste for its loyal fanbase and existing customers for the brand. It could lead customers to question the rest of the product's aspects and all its claims, thus making it tough to recommend the smartphone to anyone at the moment. Xiaomi India needs to come clean with a thorough explanation.

Unless you are a Xiaomi fan, the market offers equally good, if not better, alternatives that don't make misleading promises.  The OnePlus Nord 4, which costs a tad less than the Redmi, features a superior chipset while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE comes across as an overall better product despite costing less.

Keep looking in the offline market and you can even find the newer Google Pixel 8a for almost similar prices as the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus', courtesy of the seasonal discounts.