Xiaomi Mi5s and Mi5s Plus: First look

On September 27 Xiaomi held in Beijing presentation, which presented two new smartphone – Xiaomi Mi5s and Xiaomi Mi5s Plus. Usually «Plus» prefix denotes the increased size of the display, but in the case of Mi5s situation is slightly different. Mi5 and Mi5s Plus are not only diagonal screens, but also memory, cameras, batteries, design and arrangement of certain elements. In fact, they are two different devices. But first things first.

At first, as usual, features.

Features Xiaomi Mi5s

Materials used: aluminum, glass
Operating System: Android 6, MIUI 8
Network: GSM, HSDPA, LTE, support for two SIM-cards nanoSIM, 4G support +
Display: IPS LCD, a diagonal of 5.15 “, the resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, 428 ppi, 2.5D glass
Processor: an eight on the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform 821 (2×2.15 GHz Kryo + 2×1.6 GHz Kryo)
Graphics: Adreno 530 (624 MHz)
RAM: 3/4 GB
Flash memory for data storage: 64/128 GB
Slot for memory card: no
Interfaces: Wi-Fi (ac / b / g / n) Dual-Band, Bluetooth 4.2 LE, connector USB Type-C for charge / sync / headphone jack, IR port
Main camera 12 megapixel with autofocus and flash, Sony IMX378 sensor pixel size of 1.55 mm, f / 2.0, 5 lenses, video is recorded in 4k
Megapixel front camera 4, the pixel size of 2 mm, f / 2.0
Navigation: GPS (support A-GPS), Glonass, Beidou
Optional: a fingerprint reader, accelerometer, light sensor, proximity sensor, fast charging function: 80-85% charge for half an hour (Quick Charge 3.0)
Battery: 3200 mAh
Dimensions: 145.6 x 70.3 x 8.3 mm
Weight: 145 grams

The prefix «S» should mean improvement compared to the previous flagship of this year – Xiaomi Mi5. What has improved?

There was a glass with a 2.5D effect. In my opinion, this did not have much previous model, when everything is already implemented similar glass even in the middle smartphones and budget segments.

The screen was supported Velocity processing technology, it is called a 3D Touch Display is in the older version (4/128 GB). A strange decision – to add support for an older version and not add to the youngest, it confuses an already complex classification smartphones.

In Mi5S also updated platform – used fresh Snapdragon 821 and the company refused to release 32 GB. This is a logical step, because the smart phone does not support the memory card, but the minimum version immediately to 64 GB.

The camera is also different – a new sensor, the resolution was lower (12 vs. 16 megapixel) and no optical image stabilization, but the increased size of the pixels (1.55 mm versus 1.12 mm in the Mi5). As will be in reality – I do not know. Front camera unchanged.

Black trim frame around the display was not so obvious as it was in Mi5 – also progress.

Slightly increased the battery capacity, it is now 3200 mAh vs. 3000 mAh battery in the normal Mi5.

In general, the new Xiaomi Mi5s looks really good work on some simple errors Mi5. Questions is one thing – a fingerprint scanner. Yes, he is now the ultrasound. Yes, it is located under the screen as many people like. But! If Mi5 it was fine mechanical key with inscribed in her scanner, but now it is just a touch button and a scanner. Moreover – in the present with Mi5s smartphone Mi5S Plus scanner is on the “back”. That is, now we have Xiaomi smartphones Scanner “front” and the scanner “back”, and, in my opinion, it’s strange. Not to say that is bad, just strange. Typically, manufacturers are trying to bring some standardization to their own devices, to build some logical chain link different smartphones. The Xiaomi, if we talk about the scanner, are on the way back.

Features Xiaomi Mi5s Plus

Materials used: aluminum, glass
Operating System: Android 6, MIUI 8
Network: GSM, HSDPA, LTE, support for two SIM-cards nanoSIM, 4G support +
Display: IPS LCD, diagonal 5.7 “, Resolution 1920×1080 pixels, 386 ppi, 2.5D glass
Processor: an eight on the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform 821 (2×2.35 GHz Kryo + 2×1.6 GHz Kryo)
Graphics: Adreno 530 (624 MHz)
RAM: 4/6 GB
Flash memory for data storage: 64/128 GB
Slot for memory card: no
Interfaces: Wi-Fi (ac / b / g / n) Dual-Band, Bluetooth 4.2 LE, connector USB Type-C for charge / sync / headphone jack, IR port
Main Camera: dual 13 megapixel with autofocus and flash, the pixel size of 1.55 mm, f / 2.0, 5 lenses, video is recorded in 4k
Megapixel front camera 4, the pixel size of 2 mm, f / 2.0
Navigation: GPS (support A-GPS), Glonass, Beidou
Optional: a fingerprint reader, accelerometer, light sensor, proximity sensor, fast charging function: 80-85% charge for half an hour (Quick Charge 3.0)
Battery: 3800 mAh
Dimensions: 154.6 x 77.7 x 8 mm
Weight: 168 grams

“Backbone” of characteristics in Xiaomi Mi5S Plus is exactly the same as in Mi5S. The difference – in the diagonal of the screen and size. Also Mi5S Plus two camera modules, one with a color sensor, the other – with monochrome. Like smartphones Huawei.

Speaking of design, Xiaomi company took the unusual step, and new Mi5s and Mi5s Plus made in the same design as the more budget Redmi Pro, I’m talking about the metal polishing, body shape and smooth lines characteristic curves.

In Mi5S Plus fingerprint reader located on the back of the housing, and the front – just touch keys.

In general, it’s difficult to say what kind of cool chips that offers a smartphone. Mi5S turned a simple logical improvement Mi5, and Mi5S Plus – respectively, a slightly different apparatus. If the “plus” two cameras will work as efficiently, as it is implemented in smartphones Huawei (P9, P9 Plus, Honor 8), the device will be very interesting.

Xiaomi Mi5s and Mi5S Plus: Price

The cost of the basic version of Xiaomi Mi5s (3/64 GB) will be 2,000 yuan, Xiaomi Mi5s (4/128 GB) – 2300 yuan.

The cost of the basic version of Xiaomi Mi5s Plus (4/64 GB) will be 2300 yuan, Xiaomi Mi5s Plus (6/128 GB) – 2600 yuan.

It is difficult to say what is wrong, but learning new devices from Xiaomi, I literally feel any “abnormality”. Kind and characteristics are excellent, and all that is needed – on the spot, but something was missing. Perhaps, for my feeling is a simple term “snickering” and I can, right after all, and the company has lost a little sparkle. It seems everything is in place, but there are no lights, no single style, the general line for logic devices, a feeling that is now smart phones have become for Xiaomi just another position on par with television, headsets, external batteries, and hundreds of other items on the site.