Review Xiaomi Redmi 5 (5A, 5X, Pro, Plus): Price, Release Date, Specs
Actually, Xiaomi Redmi 5 is not one smartphone, it is a series of budget Xiaomi devices that have already been released or are planned for release in the second half of 2017. At the moment, you can already buy one of the devices of the series – Xiaomi Redmi 5A.
From the point of specifications, communication and multimedia features, build quality and price, Redmi series doesn’t have competitors on the market. The devices from other brands cost much more, and often they have weak performance.
Rumors say that Xiaomi Redmi 5 will be released in December 2017 and go on sale until the winter holidays. However, some sources say that new devices will get officially only in the second half of January 2018.
It is interesting that among Redmi 5A series there can be even bezel-less smartphone, but we don’t know official name of this device.
According to rumors, it can be either Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus, or Redmi Note 5.
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Xiaomi Redmi 5 (Redmi 5X) Features
The basic version of Redmi 5 based on eight-core chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (MSM8953). According to the latest leaks, the smartphone will come with 3/4 GB of LPDDR3 RAM, 5-inch FullHD screen and 32/64GB of built-in storage.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 may have following versions:
- 3 GB of RAM + 32 GB storage
- 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage
Other specs of Redmi 5 devices are identical, we will talk about them later.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Pro (Prime)
It is more advanced version. Xiaomi Redmi 5 Pro (Prime) will be powered by new SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 (SMD630). It can boast 3/4 GB of faster RAM LPDDR4 @ 1333 MHz, support for 4G LTE Category 12/13 networks (download speed up to 600 Mbps) and Bluetooth 5.0.
The modifications are similar:
- 3 GB of RAM + 32 GB Storage
- 4 GB RAM + 64 GB Storage
The rest hardware (display, cameras, etc.) is probably similar to the basic Redmi 5.
Xiaomi Redmi 5A
It is the cheapest smartphone in the series. To be honest, it differs very little from last year’s Redmi 4A: the same Snapdragon 425, the same 2 GB of RAM and 16/32 GB built-in memory, as well as similar 5-inch HD 1280 × 720 pixel screen.
However, it runs on latest Android 7.1 Nougat “out of the box”. Also the cameras were improved. At the same time, Xiaomi cutted the battery capacity from 3120 to 3000 mAh.
The design of Xiaomi Redmi 5A and Redmi 4A are similar enough, so you can play the game “find 10 differences”. We think that Xiaomi could just release an update Android 7.0 Nougat for last year device, rather than release a new phone.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus
According to rumors, this is generally a separate smartphone with 5.7-inch display. Its resolution is HD+ 720×1440 or even Full HD+ 1080×2180. As you can see, Xiaomi uses new trend in budget series. The design of the front panel reminds LG G6 (a relatively noticeable bezels around the screen).
It can differ in terms of hardware. According to insiders, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is based on new budget chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 450. It is more useful for smartphone with 18:9 aspect ration and FHD+ resolution.
It is also said that Redmi 5 Plus will receive dual rear camera 16MP + 5 Mp, and 12MP front camera. The battery capacity will be about 3500 mAh.
It is important to note that Chinese certification database TENAA doesn’t have any information about this smartphone, so you should treat all information with skepticism.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Features
- Relatively powerful hardware for its money.
- Display with Full HD resolution, which is not often found among budget Chinese devices.
- Support for 4G LTE Category 7/13 networks (300 Mbps download, 150 Mbps upload), or even Category 12/13 (600 Mbps and 150 Mbps, respectively) for Redmi 5 Pro.
- Good 16-megapixel main camera with aperture f/2.0 and phase autofocus (not for the most budget Redmi 5A).
- Fast charge technology Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0.
- Bluetooth v5.0 support for Xiaomi Redmi 5 Pro.
- The battery capacity of 3680 mAh, which is quite good considering not the most demanding hardware.
- More affordable price compared with flagship brands of 2018 such as Samsung Galaxy S9 and LG G7.
Xiaomi Redmi 5: Chipset
We talked about processors used in different Xiaomi Redmi 5 versions earlier. Snapdragon 625 is very good chipset with decent performance for everyday tasks and low power consumption.
Snapdragon 630 used in Xiaomi Redmi 5 Pro (Prime) does not differ much from the previous chipset, though it support faster memory controller (LPDDR4 ) and LTE modem (LTE Category 12/13). Thanks to 14nm technological process, power consumption is significantly reduced.
Also, Qualcomm 630 chipset has a number of top-end features, such as Bluetooth v5.0 and QuickCharge 4.0 fast charging. However it is not yet known whether Xiaomi’s management plans to implement them in new Redmi series or not.
Xiaomi Redmi 5: Memory
Unlike other Chinese manufacturers, Xiaomi clearly does not hurry to increase the amount of RAM of its budget and mid-price smartphones. While other companies from China easily put maximum 6 GB on their new products, different modifications of Xiaomi Redmi 5 will have 3/4 Gb.
As for internal storage, the situation is slightly better. Xiaomi Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Pro will have models with 64GB of built-in memory. Also, users can use MicroSD memory cards.
Xiaomi Redmi 5: Camera
Unlike more expensive models, budget smartphones Redmi is not yet ready to experiment with dual cameras. Dual camera module cannot offer something interesting, except bokeh effect.
It is expected that Redmi 5 will receive 16MP main camera, f/2.0 aperture, phase autofocus and LED dual flash. We think that it will be based on one of available CMOS sensors from Sony 200th series. According to rumors, front camera will be 5-megapixel.
Xiaomi Redmi 5: Connectivity
If we talk about the basic modification of Xiaomi Redmi 5, then there will be minimal differenes compare with last year’s Redmi 4X. Unless the potential download speed in 4G LTE networks will increase to 150 Mbit/s, but if the corresponding equipment is available on the side of mobile operator.
Also, you can finally get the opportunity to connect to WiFi 802.11ac access points at a frequency of 5.0 GHz.
Xiaomi Redmi 5: Fingerprint reader
Nothing new is planned: the same round fingerprint reader on the back panel. We think that it will be installed latest sensor with better accuracy and sensitivity.
Xiaomi Redmi 5: Battery
Leaks say that Xiaomi Redmi 5 battery capacity will be 3680 mAh. The last year’s Redmi 4 had 4100 mAh battery. In this case, it should appear support for fast charging Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 technology (in Pro version).
Xiaomi Redmi 5: Software
Most likely, Xiaomi Redmi 5 will be based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat with user interface MIUI 9. In 2018 the smartphone will receive an update to version Android 8.0 Oreo and MIUI 10.
Xiaomi Redmi 5: Release date
According to rumors, the presentation of Xiaomi Redmi 5 will take place either in late November or early December 2017. The smartphone will go on sale in the same month. However, there is also an alternative point of view that release date will be in the first days of November to 11 (“Bachelor Day”).
Representatives of Xiaomi itself have not commented on their plans for the release date of Xiaomi Redmi 5 and its modifications Pro and Plus.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Pro: Specifications
| Xiaomi Redmi 5 | Xiaomi Redmi 5 Pro | |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (MSM8953) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 (SMD630) |
| Process technology | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| CPU | 8 x ARM Cortex-A53 64bit @ 2.0 GHz | 8 x ARM Cortex-A53 64bit @ 2.2 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 508 |
| RAM | 3/4 Gb LPDDR3 @ 933 MHz | 3/4 Gb LPDDR4 @ 1333 MHz |
| Flash | 16/32/64 Gb eMMC 5.1 | 32/64 Gb eMMC 5.1 |
| MicroSD | Yes (up to 256 Gb, hybrid slot) | |
| Screen | Diagonal: 5.0 inches Matrix Type: IPS Resolution: FullHD (1080 x 1920 pixels) Aspect ratio: 16: 9 Pixel density: ~ 441 ppi Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass |
|
| Main camera | Resolution: 16.0 Mp Image Stabilization: No Autofocus: Phase Flash: dual dual-tone LED Video recording: 4K |
|
| Front-camera | Resolution: 5.0 Mp Video recording: FullHD |
|
| Connectivity | 2G GSM + CDMA, 3G UMTS + CDMA 2000 + TD-SCDMA, 4G TDD LTE + FDD LTE | |
| GSM | All Modifications | All Modifications |
| UMTS | All Modifications | All Modifications |
| LTE | All Modifications | All Modifications |
| CDMA | Only China | Only China |
| CDMA 2000 | Only China | Only China |
| TD-SCDMA | Only China | Only China |
| Modem | Qualcomm X9 LTE | Qualcomm X12 LTE |
| Support 4G LTE | Download: LTE Category 7, up to 300 Mbps Transfer: LTE Category 13, up to 150 Mbps |
Download: LTE Category 12, up to 600 Mbps Transfer: LTE Category 13, up to 150 Mbps |
| Dual-SIM | Yes | |
| SIM card format | micro-SIM + nano-SIM | |
| WiFi | 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, dual-band 2.4 / 5 GHz, Wi-Fi Direct, speed up to 433 Mbps | |
| Bluetooth | v4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | v5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| Navigation | GPS + A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | |
| NFC | No | |
| FM radio | Yes | |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | |
| 3.5 mm audio | Yes | |
| The fingerprint scanner | Yes (on the back) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, distance sensor, compass, gyro | |
| Quick charge | Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 | Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 |
| Wireless charger | No | No |
| Battery | 3680 mAh, non-removable | |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 Nougat | |
| Shell | MIUI 9 | |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant | |
| Dimensions | No data | |
| Weight | No data | |
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