Xiaomi Redmi 5

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Overview

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a classic representative of the fifth generation of the Redmi range. The title of ‘the best budget smartphone’ of 2017/2018 season is controversial, but the price-quality balance of the gadget is excellent. The 5.7 inch display is interesting with its 18:9 aspect ratio, and hardware impressed with an efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor. There is a fingerprint scanner, a 12 Mpix camera and RAM from 2 to 4 GB. The design is typical of Redmi, and the case is from metal. The smartphone is available in four colors: black, blue, gold and pink-gold. And what is the most important, the cost is from 150 USD. Let’s try to find out more about it!
Colors of Xiaomi Redmi 5

Pros of Xiaomi Redmi 5

Display 18:9. A fashionable frameless screen is subjectively more pleasant and convenient than the standard one of 16:9. It gives a greater immersion, and the quality at not the highest resolution is excellent.
Productive and efficient hardware. Users always like chips from Qualcomm. Thanks to the optimization of Xiaomi engineers, the smartphone is capable of supporting demanding games.
Flexible software. The MIUI shell offers a huge number of settings, from the text size to the volume rocker functions. The system works smoothly and without freezes.
Quality design. The usual arrangement of control elements, quality assembly without gaps and almost perfect ergonomics are the main advantages.

Cons of Xiaomi Redmi 5

Weak camera. Even taken into account the budget price segment, the cameras could be of better quality. The hardware allows to have it. So, currently at night you it is not worth even trying to shoot something with the smartphone.
Plastic inserts. Completely metal design would be much more pleasant. Behind the plastic antennas often hide in the smartphones, but it can spoil the overall impression.
There are no USB-C, NFC and fast charging. To make Xiaomi Redmi 5 not competitive with the older model, the new features are just not added. Especially frustrating is the lack of a chip of contactless payment.

Design and ergonomics of Xiaomi Redmi 5

The case is durable, the assembly is of a high quality. The design is similar to the previous models, and especially — to Redmi 4X. The back panel is almost the same, except for the camera location: it is almost made from metal, only the top and bottom inserts are from plastic. Manufacturers usually hide there the communication antennas. The edges are also from plastic. The camera behind protrudes a millimeter from the case, and even the native cover does not cover it. In the front, the display occupies almost the entire surface. It looks more interesting than usual smartphones with frames.

The basic elements taken separately:

• Front side. A display, factory protective glass, a speaker, front camera, sensors and LED.
• Back side. From the top to the bottom — camera, flash, a fingerprint scanner, Mi logo.
• Upper edge. Infrared port to control household appliances, a 3.5 mm jack for headphones, noise canceller.
• Lower edge. A micro-USB connector, a main speaker and a microphone for talking.
• Right edge. Power button and volume rocker, all made of metal.
• Left edge. Tray for SIM and memory cards.

It is especially pleasant to hold Xiaomi Redmi 5 in hand. It's thinner and slightly heavier than Redmi 4, but there are no complaints about ergonomics. If you are accustomed to the standard 5-inch smartphones, then it is pleasant to hold the fifth Xiaomi model in your hand, even despite a larger screen. Almost in any situation it is convenient to control it by one hand. If you like a more massive case, then just use a cover.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 display

One of the main innovations is a frameless screen with a 18:9 aspect ratio. If explain it simpler, it is 2:1, i.e. the height of the display is twice as bigger as the width. It has IPS matrix, dimensions of 5.7 inches, HD+ resolution. The screen is covered with the 2,5D Corning Gorilla Glass, there is also a rather good lipophobic coating. It is better to stick a protective film above.
As for benefits: not even the maximum resolution gives a clear picture, you can see pixels only if you look very closely. Developers also deserve a special praise for the contrast and color reproduction, they are close to natural ones. If you find them not suitable, then in the settings you can always choose a color profile or set parameters manually. The brightness is in the range of 1-414 cd/m2, so the screen is equally good in both bright sun and at night. As a bonus — it recognizes up to ten touches!

There are also some drawbacks. Auto brightness often goes into a strong minus, the screen becomes dim. So it is better to adjust it by yourself. The control is also unusual — touch buttons were removed from the bottom frame directly to the display. It would be better to have a bigger resolution. But in general, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 screen can compete with flagships.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 camera

Photos do not cause any sensations — they are at the level of younger models. The main 12-megapixel camera with f/2.2 aperture of the lens is equipped with an autofocus and flash. It goes without stabilization, although system algorithms try to improve the quality. It makes pictures rather quickly, as well as it stores them in memory. In the afternoon, shots are good, but even with the slightest deterioration of lighting the quality drops sharply, noise and blur appear.

The front 5-megapixel camera 5 also works with a front LED flash, but it does not work any miracles. It is enough to take selfies when there is light, and at dusk and at night it is useless even try to shoot.
But there are no alternatives — in the price segment up to 150 USD, no smartphone, except for special camera phones, does it better. As for interesting features, there are HDR settings, in this mode you can improve the quality, especially in the daytime.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 performance

Due to the fact that Qualcomm chips have become cheaper, they are installed now even in the mid-budget segment devices. Xiaomi Redmi 5 is equipped with Snapdragon 450, it is a simplified version of Snapdragon 625 from flagships. On the chip basis an eight-core processor with a frequency of 1.8 GHz and Adreno 506 graphics system were created. The memory is different, versions with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of embedded memory, 3/32 GB and 4/32 GB are available.

The quality of the versions with 3 and 4 GB is above all praise. There are neither stops nor freezes in standard modes, games and programs open quickly. Demanding games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 8 on medium and high graphics also do not hang. When many applications are opened simultaneously they can lag. A separate advantage — the case is practically not heated. The 2 GB model lags more often, including on working screens.

It's a shame that the platform based on Snapdragon 450 allows you to realize much more opportunities. It supports both a dual camera and fast charging, NFC and 64 GB of embedded memory. Developers removed all these features, so that Redmi 5 does not take the audience away from the older model — Redmi Note 5 (Redmi 5 Plus).

Xiaomi Redmi 5 software

Out of the box, the smartphone is equipped with the proprietary MIUI 9.2 system created on the basis of Android 7.1.2 Nougat. The software is one of the best from Xiaomi. It works smoothly, slows down only if you run a dozen applications at once. Pre-installed Mi applications cannot be deleted, but they are few and can always be unloaded from the memory and be forgotten. The Xiaomi forum will be useful, a program for technology control and managing through the infrared port and — attention — a complete package of Microsoft Office!

The main advantage of MIUI 9.2 is customization without rooting. You can adjust almost everything, so we advise you to study the menu and open all the items. The most interesting capabilities of settings are the following:

• Working screens: fonts, applications’ icons, upper curtain, force and speed of pressing.
• Control elements: color and intensity of LED, purpose of touch and physical keys, functions of a fingerprint reader.
• Gestures: Full support of gestures standard for Android.
• Display modes: huge icons in the for-elderly-people mode, scalable display.

In other respects, the shell is standard for Xiaomi. Applications’ icons appear immediately on the desktops, there is no separate menu for them. There is a preview for widgets. Programs can be run at the same time, this is possible due to split screen.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 sound

The smartphone has just one multimedia speaker situated on the right of the USB on the lower edge. Therefore, there can be no stereo sound. But the quality is rather good, even at the maximum level the sound is clear. The built-in Qualcomm AqstiQ converter also helps in it. The sound in the headphones is not worse, but it depends on the quality of accessories. In budget versions it can be deaf, but in more expensive ones its capabilities are revealed to the full.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 security

The fingerprint reader familiar for new smartphones works quickly and practically does not make any errors. Thanks to the higher case height, it's now difficult to miss and get your finger into the camera. You can assign to the scanner not only unlocking, but also, for example, triggering the camera. In the new software unlocking by face has also appeared! Classical protection is also in place: a password, graphic pattern and simple swype.
The software gives scope for security settings. You can create "dual applications" — clones of already installed ones, but with different parameters. Or you can immediately turn on the "second space" — a copy of the entire system where it is convenient to check third-party programs and settings. Guest mode restricts access to selected files and functions. They can also be protected separately unlocking them by a password or a fingerprint.

In general, in any program except for system ones, you can limit the set of functions. Up to blocking access to contacts for the phone or prohibiting checking the location for the GPS. It is an ideal option for paranoid users!

Xiaomi Redmi 5 battery

The battery in the fifth model can work at 3300 mAh. For a 5.7-inch screen it is quite little, but not the highest resolution and good hardware optimization solve everything. If you do not overload the smartphone — a couple of hours spending online, a couple of hours playing games or listening to music — it will last for 1.5 days. It can work even up to two days, but you will have to save its energy. Even with heavy loads from morning till night Xiaomi Redmi 5 can definitely work without recharging. It charges during two hours from 0 to 100%. The only downside — there is no support for Quick Charge, although it was promised.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 packaging and arrangement

The gadget is packed in a simple rectangular box of red color which is of good quality, but with no frills. On the reverse side, the manufacturer indicates the model and the memory capacity — so as not to mistake the model. In the kit, in addition to the smartphone itself, we find:

• An adapter for charging.
• A micro-USB cable.
• A clip for SIM-cards.
• A transparent silicone case.
• Instructions.

Even despite the lack of headphones in the box, Xiaomi is able to bring pleasure to customers — the cover is perfect for people accustomed to thicker Xiaomi Redmi 4.

Errors and bugs of Xiaomi Redmi 5

Most of the smartphone problems are connected with the discrepancy of firmwares. There are only three options:

1. The Chinese version. It has no Google applications, including Google Play, no LTE Band 20, supports only English and Chinese, there may be problems with automatic updates.
2. Reflashed Chinese version. It's called Global ROM. It can have Google services and languages for the country of sale. But it will be updated "by air" still with bugs.
3. Global version. A standard international version with Google, a set of all languages and normal updates. What is important is that the charger is of a European type.

More information about firmware, reflashing, updates, unlocking and rooting can be found in the 4PDA database.
Chinese versions more often have problems with software, various bugs, application errors, conflicts with third-party services. In order not to be strained with reflashing, it is better to buy an international version in the very beginning. Assemblies rejects are found rarely on the whole, regardless of the firmware.

The most common problems are the following:

• Failures in MIUI 9.5: the absence of notifications, deactivation of the alarm clock, WeChat bugs, very fast discharging. They are solved by the removal of Google services. You can reinstall them with the next update.
• VoLTE disappears after updates, for example, in the current version of MIUI 9.5. To return the function, dial *#*#86583#*#* in the phone.
• The screen cannot be blocked when talking — a problem with the proximity sensor. To correct it you need to root. In the file build.prop you need to add ro.lge.proximity.delay=150 mot.proximity.delay=150 in the very end.
• Forced unloading of applications — most often appears in the version 2/16 GB. The smartphone simply does not have enough RAM, so even fixed programs are unloaded from memory.
• Flexible case — a manufacturing reject. Some users note that the gadget slightly bends towards the screen. Most likely, the problem is of manufacturing origin and is typical of one batch.

Recommendations for using Xiaomi Redmi 5

Many users complain of advertisement in the system. It can be turned off! Let’s understand how it works step by step:

• Advertisement in downloads. In the settings of this menu, disable the "Recommended sources".
• Advertisement in folders. In the settings of each system folder, disable the "Recommendations".
• Advertisement in the browser. In the MIUI browser settings, select "Data Cleanup" and "Clear All".
• Advertisement in the system. In the "MIUI Security" menu, find "Settings" and disable "Disable recommendations" and "Download only over Wi-Fi". Do the same things in the submenu "Cleaning settings".
• Advertisement in the explorer. After cleaning the explorer data in its settings, disable the "Recommendations".

Quite often there are some comments about lags at high settings in different games. Often the problem can be solved by disabling compression of the RAM packages. First of all, you need to enable the "For Developers" menu with several taps on the "MIUI version" option. The menu will appear in the advanced settings section. In the developer segment, find the item "The system memory optimizing", disable it and restart the smartphone.

It may be useful to reset the settings — it solves many problems if a simple reboot does not help. Reset is available through the "Additional" menu — "Restore and reset". If the screen does not work, then you can do it remotely through the Mi account in the "To format device" section. But in order to do this, at first you must enable the lost phone search function. The most radical way is to do it with the help of buttons:

1. Turn off the smartphone.
2. Press the power and volume buttons simultaneously.
3. Wait until the Mi logo appears and release the power button.
4. After the Recovery Mode words appear, release the volume button.
5. Select the English language with the volume rocker and confirm with the power button.
6. Similarly, select Wipe & Reset — Wipe User Data — Yes.

As for small, but not obvious tips: you can always download a third-party application that duplicates the main application. For example, if the camera does not work properly, then look for some alternatives in Google Play. You can do the same things with the explorer, phone, launcher. To make the case remain beautiful, it is enough to take it out from the cover once a week and wipe it with a slightly damp rag.

Reviews of Xiaomi Redmi 5

According to the reviews published on the Yandex.Market website, the device rating is 4.5 and it has 91% of recommendations. Buyers like the screen, fast software with optimized hardware and good autonomy of the device. The most common complaint deals with the protruding camera which can be easily scratched. As for the picture quality, especially of ones made by the front camera, there are many questions too. Among the most popular suggestions made by users are the following ones: USB-C, NFC and higher screen resolution.
In the medium-budget smartphones segment up to 150 USD Xiaomi Redmi 5 is one of the best options available now, although it will not suit all conservatives because of its new 18:9 aspect ratio.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 - Comparison

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