After achieving success with the Redmi Note 3 in 2016 and the Redmi Note 4 in 2017, it was time for Xiaomi to announce the most anticipated successor. This time, Xiaomi has decided to announce not 1 but 2 devices, in addition to pricing it aggressively. Apart from the regular Redmi Note 5, the Redmi Note 5 Pro also joins in the league.
Redmi Note 5 specs :
Redmi Note 5 specs :
| SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.99 inch IPS LCD 2.5D curved glass |
| Resolution | 2160 × 1080 (18:9) |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass |
| SOC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 |
| GPU | Adreno 506 |
| RAM and storage | 3GB - 32GB 4GB - 64GB |
| Rear camera | 12MP f/2.2 1.25 micron pixel size |
| Front camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 4000 mAh (5V - 2A) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.2 GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 and 5 GHz) |
| Sensors | accelerometer proximity gyroscope fingerprint ambient light hall infrared |
From the specifications, it can be seen that the Redmi 5 Plus, that was recently announced in China has been rebranded as the Redmi Note 5 in India. The 14nm based Snapdragon 625 is still in use here however if we compare it to the predecessor i.e the Redmi Note 4, there are not much differences apart from the screen aspect ratio. The massive battery of 4000 mAh, IR blaster, metal unibody design, 2.5D curved glass and the overall design are some of the features which are heavily inspired from the Redmi Note 4.
The base variant comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage which is priced at Rs. 9999 whereas the 4GB-64GB variant is priced at Rs. 11999. The first sale has been scheduled for February 22nd and the device will be available in Gold, Black, Lake Blue, Rose Gold color variants.
Redmi Note 5 Pro specs :
| SPECS | |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.99 inch IPS LCD 2.5D curved glass |
| Resolution | 2160 × 1080 (18:9) |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass |
| SOC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 |
| GPU | Adreno 509 |
| RAM and storage | 4GB - 64GB 6GB - 64GB |
| Rear camera | 12MP f/2.2 + 5MP f/2.0 |
| Front camera | 20MP f/2.2 |
| Battery | 4000 mAh (5V - 2A) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5 GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz) |
| Sensors | accelerometer proximity gyroscope fingerprint ambient light hall infrared |
This time, Xiaomi debuted a Pro version along with the regular 'Note 5'. The primary reason of announcing 2 devices could be to fill the void based on the budget i.e provide 2 good phones with minor differences in specs and price it aggressively. The 14 nm based Snapdragon 636 is based on Kryo 260 cores clocked upto 1.8 GHz (octacore) and comes with Adreno 509 GPU. The Snapdragon 636 has also debuted with this device and from the architecture point of view, its a major leap from the Snapdragon 630 which came with 8 Cortex A53 cores. The Kryo cores were debuted with Snapdragon's flagship SOCs and now are making a way into higher mid-range SOCs for e.g Snapdragon 660/670.
The camera has got a major improvement from the predecessor. The Redmi Note 5 Pro comes with 2 sensors of 12MP f/2.2 (IMX 486 and 1.25 micron pixel size) and 5MP f/2.0 depth sensor along with EIS. Speaking of the front facing camera, Xiaomi has for the first time involved a higher megapixel count of 20MP (f/2.2) along with AI related algorithms for selfies and portrait shots. The device prior to the Redmi Note 5 Pro to have a high megapixel count was the Redmi Y1. The AI algorithm will also enable face unlocking something similar as implemented on the OnePlus 5T. From the specifications it is evident that Xiaomi has become aggressive in terms of camera and we can expect a good performance considering the pricing which should also compete closely with the Honor devices.
From the design point of view, the front resembles the Redmi Note 5. However, the rear has a complete new design where the camera placement has gained inspiration from the Apple iPhone X. The fingerprint sensor lies at the center and for the first time, Xiaomi has made use of both face unlocking along with fingerprint for security purpose.
The Redmi Note 5 Pro will be available via Flipkart with the first flash sale going live on 22nd February. The device will be sold in 2 variants - 4GB - 64GB (Rs. 13999 ) and 6GB - 64GB (Rs. 16999). Like the Redmi Note 5, the Pro will also be available in 4 colors i.e Gold, Black, Lake Blue, Rose Gold.
Both the devices come with Android Nougat based on Miui 9 instead of Oreo however the update to Oreo will be available soon.
Images via Xiaomi