Xiaomi Redmi 5 Comprehensive Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Redmi 5 features a sleek and ergonomic design, with a body crafted from a combination of aluminum and plastic, providing a durable yet lightweight feel. The dimensions of the device are 151.8 x 72.8 x 7.7 mm, weighing in at just 157 grams. The front of the phone is dominated by a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which adds an extra layer of durability. The device's smooth curves and matte finish give it a premium look, and it is available in various colors including Black, Gold, Light Blue, and Rose Gold.

Display

The Redmi 5 comes with a 5.7-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, providing a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. This results in a pixel density of approximately 282 ppi, offering decent clarity and color reproduction for its price segment. The contrast ratio is notable, with a nominal value of 1331 and good visibility even under sunlight conditions with a 2.951 ratio. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 75.9%, ensuring a large viewing area for multimedia consumption.

Performance and Software

Powered by the Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 chipset, the Redmi 5 features an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz and an Adreno 506 GPU. This configuration delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and streaming videos. For gaming, the device can handle light to moderate titles with ease. The device comes with multiple RAM options - 2GB, 3GB, or 4GB - allowing for some flexibility based on user preferences and budget.

Out of the box, the device runs Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), layered with Xiaomi's custom MIUI 11 interface, offering a variety of customization options and useful features that enhance the user experience.

Camera

The Xiaomi Redmi 5 sports a single 12 MP primary camera with a f/2.2 aperture and PDAF (Phase Detection AutoFocus), equipped with features such as LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode. This camera is capable of shooting 1080p videos at 30fps, delivering acceptable quality for a budget phone.

The front-facing camera is 5 MP, also capable of recording 1080p videos, suitable for selfies and video calls. While the camera performance is not groundbreaking, it is quite satisfactory for casual use, especially considering the device's price bracket.

Battery Life

The Redmi 5 is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 3300 mAh battery. The device supports 10W charging, which is standard for this range. Despite lacking fast charging capabilities, the battery performance is decent with an endurance rating of 83 hours, allowing users to enjoy a full day's worth of moderate usage including calls, messages, and media playback.

Connectivity and Additional Features

In terms of connectivity, the Redmi 5 offers a range of options including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE network support, ensuring reliable mobile connectivity. For local data transfer, the device supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.2, and a microUSB 2.0 port with OTG support.

Moreover, the device includes a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security, alongside other sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass. An infrared port is present, adding a functional IR remote utility to the device, and it features an FM radio for traditional media access.

Storage Options

The Redmi 5 offers versatile storage options with internal storage variants of 16GB with 2GB RAM, 32GB with 3GB or 4GB RAM, and 64GB with 4GB RAM. For users requiring additional storage, the device includes a microSDXC card slot, which uses a shared SIM slot, providing expandability to accommodate more apps, media, and documents.

Audio and Multimedia

Equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, the Redmi 5 ensures users can enjoy music and media through various means. The audio quality is adequate for its class, with voice and ring volumes at levels of 66dB and 82dB respectively. The device's audio quality is competitive, with noise at -27.7dB and crosstalk at -54.7dB.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi Redmi 5 represents a solid choice for budget-minded consumers seeking a well-rounded smartphone. It features a decent display, reliable performance for everyday tasks, and an acceptable camera setup for casual photography. With its ergonomic design and respectable battery life, it provides ample value for its cost. Although some modern features are missing, the device's attractive price point of around 160 EUR makes it a compelling option for those prioritizing affordability and functionality over cutting-edge technology.