Xiaomi Mi 5s The Complete Guide to Features Pricing & Performance

Network

The Xiaomi Mi 5s supports multiple network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE. The wide range of network bands ensures that users can connect to various carriers, whether they are on 2G, 3G, or 4G networks. Specifically, the phone supports 2G bands GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, along with 3G bands HSDPA 850, 900, 1900, and 2100. For 4G connectivity, it supports bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, and 41, making it capable of high-speed data connection with LTE Cat12, achieving speeds of 600 Mbps for downloads and 150 Mbps for uploads.

Launch

The Xiaomi Mi 5s was officially announced in September 2016 and released to the public in October 2016. Initially greeted with enthusiasm for its flagship specifications and affordable price point, the device has since been discontinued. However, it remains a popular choice among tech enthusiasts and collectors due to its cutting-edge features for the time of its release.

Body

The design of the Mi 5s is sleek and sophisticated with dimensions of 145.6 x 70.3 x 8.3 mm, and it weighs just 145 grams. The build quality incorporates a glass front and an aluminum back with an aluminum frame, giving it a premium feel. It offers dual SIM support with a dual standby feature, accommodating nano-SIM cards. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during prolonged use.

Display

The Xiaomi Mi 5s comes equipped with a 5.15-inch IPS LCD display. With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, the screen delivers a sharp and vibrant viewing experience with a pixel density of approximately 428 ppi. The display covers about 71.4% of the body’s front area, providing an immersive viewing experience. While the screen protection specifics are yet to be confirmed, the robust build suggests decent durability.

Platform

This smartphone runs on the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system, which can be upgraded to Android 7.0 Nougat. It features MIUI 10, Xiaomi’s custom user interface, which brings personalized enhancements and a unique user experience. The Mi 5s is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 chipset built on a 14-nm process, supporting efficient performance and energy consumption. The CPU is a quad-core setup. It has two high-performance Kryo cores clocked at 2.15 GHz and two energy-efficient Kryo cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. For graphics, the device relies on the Adreno 530 GPU, which caters to smooth gaming and video playback.

Memory

The smartphone does not offer external memory card support. However, it comes with two internal storage variants: 64GB of storage with 3GB of RAM and 128GB of storage with 4GB of RAM. This ensures users have ample space for storing apps, media, and documents, with the RAM providing adequate support for multitasking and maintaining fluid operation across applications.

Main Camera

The Xiaomi Mi 5s boasts a 12 MP rear camera equipped with an f/2.0 aperture. The sensor size is 1/2.3", with a pixel size of 1.55μm, allowing for excellent light capture and finer image detail, making it suitable for various lighting conditions. It supports phase detection autofocus (PDAF) for faster focusing. Additional camera features include a dual-LED dual-tone flash and panorama mode. For video enthusiasts, the rear camera is capable of recording 4K videos at 30fps and 1080p videos at 120fps, providing high-resolution, smooth recording capabilities.

Selfie Camera

For selfies and video calls, the device offers a 4 MP front camera with an f/2.0 aperture and a sensor size of 1/3". The 2μm pixel size ensures the front camera captures quality images and performs well under different lighting scenarios. It supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, catering to vloggers and users who enjoy video chatting.

Sound

The Mi 5s features a built-in loudspeaker for general audio playback and communication. It retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect standard earphones or headphones, which is a favorable feature for those who prefer wired audio devices over wireless solutions.

Comms

Communication options on the Mi 5s include dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac for reliable and fast online connectivity. Additionally, it supports Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA for easier media sharing and connection with other devices. Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP and LE are also included for wireless audio and accessory connection. The GPS capabilities come with GLONASS and BDS for accurate location services. NFC support is present for mobile payments and other contactless services, although the device lacks FM radio. Charging and data transfer are facilitated by a USB Type-C port.

Features

The device is equipped with various sensors to enhance user interaction and experience. The front-mounted fingerprint sensor provides quick and secure device access. Additional sensors include an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer, all contributing to an array of application functionalities and system optimizations.

Battery

The Xiaomi Mi 5s houses a non-removable Li-Ion 3200 mAh battery, which supports 18W fast charging with Quick Charge 3.0 technology. This ensures quick refueling of the battery and extended usage periods, with an endurance rating that promises about 84 hours of usage across texting, calling, and web browsing.

Miscellaneous

Available in Silver, Gray, Gold, and Rose Gold, the Mi 5s caters to diverse aesthetic preferences. It carries the model number 2015711, and its SAR value measures 0.77 W/kg for the head and 1.01 W/kg for the body. Upon release, its price was approximately 250 EUR, positioning it as an affordable yet premium option in the smartphone market.

Performance Tests

Performance benchmarks for the Xiaomi Mi 5s show impressive results. In Basemark OS II 2.0, it scores 2378, and in Basemark X, it scores 36240, indicating robust overall performance. The display testing reveals a nominal contrast ratio of 1294:1 and performs well in sunlight with a contrast ratio of 3.276, ensuring visibility in various lighting environments.

In terms of audio performance, the loudspeaker output registers at 64dB for voice, 70dB for noise, and 84dB for ringing. The audio quality tests show noise levels at -89.6dB, with crosstalk at -85.5dB, highlighting clear sound output.