Review of Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus - an excellent mid-ranger for 2022

Redmi 5 is the first budget Xiaomi smartphone with 18:9 displays. Let me remind you that the first Xiaomi smartphone with such a screen was the flagship Mi MIX 2. But in the case of the hero of this material, it’s still not worth seriously declaring a full “frameless” frame – there are frames, and very noticeable ones. The beauty of an elongated display is not necessarily its “frameless” appearance, but at least simply the ability to fit more inches into a standard-sized body. Like here – Redmi 5 Plus is quite comparable in size to last year’s Redmi 4X Note, but at the same time it has a six-inch LCD panel versus the latter’s 5.5-inch.

It is logical to assume that these smartphones should be very different in everything else. But there are not so many differences: the new contender for the title of best-selling smartphone (at least in Russia) uses the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 platform and offers identical options in terms of memory capacity (3 + 32 GB and 4 + 64 GB). However, there are a number of details that are revealed only upon careful examination of the gadget. We’ll talk about them, among other things. The price of Redmi 5 is almost lower than the starting price of Redmi Note 4X - 10-12 thousand rubles.

But first we need to clarify the strange situation with the naming of devices in the Redmi family. Yes, the same model bears the name Note 5 – the same smartphones with different names are offered for different markets. Accordingly, it can be called the official continuation of the Redmi Note 4X model and the younger sister of the newly-minted Redmi Note 5 Pro. Yes, that's how complicated it is.

Set

A box made of thick cardboard, a 2-amp power supply, a Micro USB cable and a simple case - everything is very standard and boring.

If it weren’t for the red color of the packaging, one might even fall into deep-winter gloom. And, of course, it’s more fun.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus without case

In a case

Design

From the front, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus smartphone looks simply gorgeous!

Fresh design, a huge screen with rounded corners, thin frames - it’s hard to believe that this is a smartphone that costs only 9 thousand rubles, and not some flagship with the wildest hardware and a scorching price tag.

We turn the device around with its back, and then, of course, everything is no longer so fun. “Xiaomi” as “Xiaomi” is nothing new.

Plastic inserts on top and bottom, thin mirror strips in the gaps, one camera, a fingerprint scanner (it works very quickly and always correctly) - everything is in its place.

The headphone jack was not damaged, for which we can say special thanks to Xiaomi. But I have no desire to thank the manufacturer for the Micro USB port. I have no idea what’s stopping you from moving to the new and promising USB C. How long will we endure this?!

Another slight disappointment. After Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A pleasantly surprised me with an independent slot for Nano SIM and Micro SD cards, I expected the same from the new product. It didn’t happen - Xiaomi R5 Plus was equipped with the same combined tray. Sadness.

One line - one possibilities

At the moment, Xiaomi has expanded its lineup to the point of indecency. Some smartphones will hit the Russian market only in a gray version without international firmware, but even in this case everything has to be taken into account.

Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus occupy an intermediate position in it: these are no longer the ultra-budget Redmi 5a and Redmi 5a Note , but also not the mid-priced Xiaomi Mi6X or Redmi 5 Note .

People's smartphone? Quasi-public sector employee? No! This is exactly what the user needs: no more and no less.

The performance of Redmi 5 Plus is enough for everything, although the high screen resolution is unlikely to allow you to play the latest gaming titles at maximum graphics. But videos, office files or a ton of instant messengers are unlikely to slow down the Redmi 5 Plus even a little.

All hardware keys operate with a light click and are pleasantly cushioned. On-screen touch buttons are hidden in the necessary applications and behave almost better than regular navigation keys.

I love the fingerprint scanners in Xiaomi budget phones. Exactly in place and works lightning fast, just like Samsung.

Of course, the work of MIUI . It is ideal on all Xiaomi smartphones, but the frameless ones have a special chic. It is for them that an on-screen multifunction button makes sense. And splitting the screen for an elongated display turns out to be somehow more convenient.

The cameras and interfaces are the same as the Redmi 5. The dual flash helps a little when shooting at night, correcting the balance. For those who know how to use photo editors, correcting the white balance is not a problem, so there is no real need for double balance.

Well, where else can you find a budget employee who can shoot 4K video? There is no stabilization, but there is a front flash and stereo sound recording. Dubious pleasures? In the budget segment and thanks for that.

In general, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is such a familiar representative of mid-price Xiaomi that there is nothing to talk about. Works quickly and flawlessly - unless you use it for something it's not intended for.

Display

The main advantage of our hero is a 6-inch screen with a resolution of 2160 by 1080 pixels. Of course, we are not talking about diagonal or resolution. In this case, honor and praise go to the proportions and neatly rounded corners.

The method of manufacturing the display adds fuel to the fire of positive emotions - full lamination, which means there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. It seems that you are not touching the protective glass (brand unknown), but directly to the interface of the MIUI 9 system. Simply chic!

The oleophobic coating is of very high quality, but still not at the flagship level.

As with all the latest smartphones from Xiaomi, the minimum brightness threshold can be adjusted in great detail!

This is exactly what I missed on the OnePlus 5T, whose screen was too dim at the minimum backlight level. As soon as you moved the slider a little, the backlight immediately jumped to the level that burned out your eyes. There is no such thing here.

And now the fly in the ointment. The manufacturer used an IPS matrix, but, unfortunately, it is far from the best. Firstly, there is almost always a barely noticeable pale veil. Against a black background and at sharp viewing angles, it turns lilac and is even more noticeable.

In principle, this is not critical. However, knowing what kind of IPSs are found in nature (Xiaomi Mi MIX 2), this fact upset me a little.

Technical specifications of Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Now attention! Now it will be difficult, namely, it will be difficult to sort out among the models that the manufacturer has produced with the release of the new, fifth Redmi line.

To warm up, let’s look at how the regular Xiaomi Redmi 5 differs from its Plus version. Each model is divided into two more, differing in memory capacity. All the nuances are in the sign under the cut.

Below the next cut are official renders of all available colors of both models.

Do not under any circumstances confuse our hero with the younger representative of the line - Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A. This is a budget 5.5-inch device, which also has two modifications. They differ from each other not only in the memory ratio, but also in the presence of a fingerprint scanner.

Next, do not lose your vigilance and do not confuse all the above-mentioned devices with Xiaomi Redmi 5A (without “Note” and “Plus”). This is already a 5-inch version of Note 5A.

Xiaomi Redmi 5A

Test to the head? Please! A smartphone called Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 does not exist in nature.

There are rumors about its release, but at the time of publication of this review it has not been officially presented. In other words, we have all possible variations of the main model of the year, but we don’t have it itself. What is going on?!

I would venture to guess that Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 will be released in the spring, perhaps closer to summer, and will be powered by a new chipset - Qualcomm Snapdragon 630.

Well, and of course, closer to the fall of 2022, I’m sure it will go on sale:

• Xiaomi Redmi 5X
• Xiaomi Redmi 5S

And the exact same versions, but with the prefix “Note”

Of course, each model will have several more modifications: 3 and 4 GB of RAM, and maybe they will even add another one - a Prime version, which will be generously equipped with 6 GB of RAM. So get ready, friends. It will be fun!

An important point for those who like to save money and order smartphones from China.

The version for the Chinese market does not have support for LTE 20, therefore, do not expect 4G and reliable reception inside buildings from some operators.

Personally, I had no problems with this for the most part. Once, in a place where this should not have happened, the network completely fell off - both SIM cards did not work. However, I doubt that this is due specifically to the absence of the 20th “gang”. Most likely some kind of software glitch.

⇡#Camera

Another key difference from the Redmi Note 4X is the camera. Here again the “old-fashioned” single module is used, but with a different sensor: instead of the Sony IMX 258, this role is played by the OmniVision OV12A10. It is larger in size (1/2.8″ versus 1/3.06”) and at the same time slightly lower in resolution – 12 megapixels versus 13. This, in theory, should lead to better performance in the dark, even without taking other parameters into account. But another change comes into play - optical. The Redmi 5 Plus has a slower lens - f/2.2 versus f/2.0. Phase sensors located on the matrix are used as a focusing system.

The camera block protrudes slightly above the body - this may turn certain perfectionists away from the gadget, but there will be fewer accidental touches of the lens with a finger. You can always feel where the camera is and where the fingerprint scanner is.

The application itself has not changed: the main icons are on the main screen, there are no illogical actions to be performed. At the same time, deeper settings are hidden on the third screen and lack the logic typical for mobile cameras. The resolution, for example, cannot be changed, but the default shooting quality is set to high, not normal, as has happened more than once in Xiaomi smartphones. It is not necessary to monitor this. HDR is not activated by default - you will have to do this yourself. There is a manual mode, but it does not have a lot of settings.

Despite a completely different sensor, the manufacturer of which may even scare someone - well, they say, this is not Sony, the camera works approximately the same as on the Redmi Note 4X. During the day, the smartphone allows you to take very decent pictures with rich, rich color reproduction, but without going overboard. Contour sharpness is at an acceptable level - here the progress compared to 4X is obvious. The dynamic range, to be honest, is far from ideal, but at least no less than in last year’s device. At night, Redmi 5 Plus is not really capable of anything - it lacks aperture ratio, optical stabilizer and software processing capabilities. Most often, the pictures are not too sharp or lack detail. However, in the twilight or indoors, with the proper skill (and, preferably, manual control of the settings), you can take frames of reasonable quality.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: gallery

But the smartphone can shoot video with 4K resolution at a maximum frequency of 30 frames per second. By default, however, the resolution is set to Full HD.

The selfie camera, at first glance, has not changed - 5 megapixels, no autofocus, the optics are wide enough to take normal self-portraits with a clearly visible background. But there was a flash. The second black circle near the light sensor on the front panel is it.

Performance

In "Tanks" the performance is at the expected average level - 35-40 fps. If you turn the graphics parameter sliders to the maximum, we get a more or less stable 27-34 FPS. You can still play.

As for the interface and animation, there is nothing to complain about.

Those who have experience with MIUI devices will get exactly the same experience on the Xiaomi R5 Plus. Most smartphones with this shell work the same way. Equally good.

However, with regard to program nuances, there is something to dwell on in more detail. We'll look at this issue a little later.

Cameras

One single camera on the rear panel (12 megapixel matrix from OmniVision 12A10i) takes quite good photos. For the price category to which our device belongs, of course.

The best results can be obtained by constantly using the HDR option. This results in sharper images with more accurate white balance, and some overly dark corners are lightened slightly.

No HDR

With HDR

No HDR

With HDR

Everything is bad at night. Out of 5-6 frames taken in a row, only one is more or less clear. Best case scenario.

However, this also applies to daytime shooting when it’s cloudy outside. In this case, we hold our hands tightly, avoid shaking and, as a result, blurry photos.

Archive with all examples without resize here.

The front camera is also from OmniVision (model 5675i). Selfies are quite sharp, with correct white balance and not overexposed. The only caveat is 5 megapixels. In this resolution, photos will only look good from a smartphone screen. There is simply not enough resolution.

Mainly cloudy

Sunny

Beauty mode

Frame

The frame around the screen is made of durable and lightweight aluminum alloy, and there is plastic on the back wall. This made it possible to achieve strength at a low price. On the back panel there is a single camera and a fingerprint scanner. The manufacturer's logo is also located on the back panel.

The front panel is almost entirely occupied by the screen, and above it is a set of necessary sensors, a front camera and a speaker. At the bottom end there is a microUSB port for connecting a charger, a 3.5 mm jack for connecting headphones and a microphone with speaker. All other components of the smartphone are located in fairly familiar places.

The table below shows the dimensions, weight, water protection and colors of the smartphone case.

Video recording

Surprisingly, the smartphone has the ability to shoot video in 4K resolution and at 30 frames per second. However, this does not save him. Yes, the picture looks pretty decent, but the sound... Xiaomi, as always, has problems with it.

Active noise reduction turns any audio sequence into a set of gurgling digital porridge.

It is impossible to disable this unfortunate noise reduction (you need to set Root access - then you can), Xiaomi programmers have not done anything about it for many years now. This is how the owners of these Chinese smartphones live without normal video recording.

Sound quality

The sound in the headphones is absolutely the same as in most modern devices, that is, good. In this regard, you don't have to worry.

The multimedia speaker, located to the right of the Micro USB port, is responsible for external sound. It is below average in quality, hoarse and somewhat muffled. It’s even somehow unusual to find such a speaker in a smartphone from Xiaomi, even in an inexpensive device. However, its volume is quite high.

The earpiece is silent while playing music, movies, etc., in other words, there is no stereo here.

Shooting at night

The standard camera software at night is simple - it sets ISO 6400 and a shutter speed of 1/15 second. This makes the photos rather “soapy” and noisy, and by the way, the camera sensor is capable of more. Compare stock camera images

and with Bacon Camera.

In the latter case, we managed to set the shutter speed to as much as 1/3 of a second and ISO 1201. This made it possible to make the photo lighter and more detailed. Here you can see the night sky and some details in the shadows and there is a reserve for ISO, because if you set it to 3200, the photo will be even brighter, but also noisier, of course.

You can try a more severe method and take a night HDR of 5 pictures using the Snap Camera HDR application. You'll get something like this.

A few more low light photos. Stock camera, ISO 6400 and shutter speed 1/17 sec.

Bacon Camera, ISO 1201 and shutter speed 1/3 sec.

At first glance, the photos seem the same, but no, if you zoom in a little, you can see the difference in both the color quality and the detail of the photo.

Software

At the time of publication of the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus review, the smartphone came only with the Chinese version of the firmware, that is, without the Russian language and Google services. However, the global version of the software was already looming on the horizon, but all sorts of strange things began to happen to it.

First, the firmware was made publicly available, then it was removed, then it reappeared on the community servers. New Xiaomi rules added fuel to the fire, according to which, before changing the official Chinese firmware to the official global firmware, you need to unlock the Bootloader. This, of course, is far from news, but the wait time for unlocking, which for some users stretches to 360 hours (that’s me, actually), is sad.

In any case, all these are temporary difficulties and the same, the most famous seller from Aliexpress, Hongkong Goldway, has already started selling smartphones with a pre-installed “global” right at the Xiaomi factory. So all new owners of our device will not have to bother with flashing and unlocking the bootloader.

At the moment I can only say that the Chinese firmware works great. Even notifications arrive on time. Well, practically. There are no glitches, lags or other meaningless errors. Even Google services stopped working and contacts were synchronized as expected. And all this through a standard installer found in the Mi App Store.

Conclusions and competitor analysis

Redmi 5 Plus is not a perfect smartphone. In comparison with the previous generation, in fact, only the design and display format have changed, but we have not received fast charging, an NFC chip, a USB-C port, or even a full-fledged slot for a MicroSD card. This is disappointing, but this smartphone does not have any critical disadvantages: a great screen, performance, battery life, a good camera, excellent build - all this speaks in favor of purchasing the Redmi 5 Plus, which left us with an extremely positive impression.

It makes sense to consider Honor 7X as a direct competitor to Redmi 5 Plus. The smartphone from Huawei is equipped with a dual camera, and in general it wins in terms of photographic capabilities, but is inferior to Xiaomi in terms of battery life (3340 versus 4000 mAh). There is no NFC or fast charging in the Honor 7X, and in the 64/4 GB version it costs $65 more than the Redmi 5 Plus. And this is already a significant difference in price, without significant advantages in characteristics.

If you're wondering whether the Redmi 5 Plus is good enough to buy, the answer is yes! Believe me, the widescreen 18:9 display still looks fresh and unusual, and brings much more satisfaction during everyday use of the gadget than an additional gigabyte of RAM or a slightly more powerful processor.

Autonomy

She is great!

The smartphone easily lasted a day and a half on one charge with two SIM cards installed. The most impressive of this is the screen glow time, which was almost 7 hours!!!

In my memory, only one device showed the best result (we don’t take the monster Oukitel K10000 Pro into account) - it was Xiaomi Mi Max 2.

If only for this reason you can buy Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus .

Despite the fact that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 platform supports QC 3.0 fast charging, in fact it is not here. The smartphone takes a long time to charge. In 30 minutes the battery gains capacity of 33%, in an hour 57%. Then the charging speed only increases, so you won’t be able to quickly grab energy in the morning while brushing your teeth.

⇡#Autonomous work

Redmi 5 Plus has a battery with a capacity of 15.28 Wh (4000 mAh, 3.8 V). This is slightly less than the Note 4X, despite the fact that it has a noticeably larger display. Accordingly, the new product holds a charge noticeably less – you definitely shouldn’t count on one and a half to two days. A normal cycle is a maximum of a day, but with a really high load, you need to charge your smartphone at the end of the working day. In standby mode, despite the absence of the Always-On Display function, the smartphone also noticeably consumes the battery - up to 10% per night. It looks like the old sins of MIUI, which seemed to be defeated in the latest firmware versions.

In our traditional test with HD video playback at maximum brightness, with updates and notifications turned on, the smartphone lasted almost nine hours. This is a good result - according to it, Redmi 5 Plus is inferior to its predecessor, but is quite at the level of competitors with a smaller display diagonal. It is also ahead of the six-inch ASUS Zenfone Max Plus (M1), which takes credit for its “survivability.”

The disadvantage of the device is the lack of support for fast charging. The port is microUSB, the included adapter is only for two amps. As a result, it takes more than two hours to fully charge the battery.

Where can I buy

The official price of Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus in China is 999 yuan or $155 for the minimum version, that is, with 3 GB + 32 GB memory. For the older configuration they ask for 1299 or $202. An absolutely normal price for a smartphone from Xiaomi, but, of course, unprecedentedly low when compared with solutions from A-brands, which charge an incredible markup for the brand, but do not provide comparative quality and a set of characteristics. The same Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) is the clearest confirmation of this.

Of course, it is impossible to buy devices through the company’s official website while in Russia, so resellers from Aliexpress and other platforms come to the rescue. I ordered my smartphone from Hongkong Goldway (those who have ever bought something online in China probably know this seller). Without a second thought, I can recommend this particular site, because I have been buying Xiaomi smartphones from them for a year and a half now. Adequate prices, prompt delivery of devices with pre-installed “globals” and proven service (tested personally, perhaps I’ll write more about this someday).

Bottom line

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is a great smartphone for the money. You simply cannot find better value for money. Recently I said the same thing about OnePlus 5T, but it was a flagship, and among mid-range devices, the R5+ is definitely the top option.

The device successfully replaces the legendary Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X smartphone. The new product has a new type of screen, a narrower, and therefore ergonomic body. All this gives a new operating experience, even if using not the latest hardware.

The only thing our hero lacks is support for NFC and, as a result, contactless payments. Apparently, they decided to save this feature for the still unannounced Xiaomi Redmi Note 5. However, this device will probably cost more, which means it will fall out of the price category of up to 10 thousand rubles, in which Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus 32 GB . For the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus 4 + 64 GB version you will have to pay another 1-2 thousand on top, even if you order from China. However, there is never too much memory, you know.

Xiaomi