Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is a budget smartphone that packs a punch when it comes to features and performance. With its sleek design and a large 5.99-inch IPS LCD display, it offers an immersive viewing experience. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor and up to 6GB of RAM, this device delivers smooth multitasking and lag-free performance. The dual rear camera setup of 12MP and 5MP captures stunning photos with great detail, while the 20MP front camera ensures beautiful selfies. The device also boasts a long-lasting 4000mAh battery and supports fast charging. Available in a range of attractive colors, the Redmi Note 5 Pro offers excellent value for its affordable price.

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro boasts an impressive design that combines aesthetics with functionality. With its sleek form factor and premium look, the device exudes a sense of sophistication. The device features a glass front (Gorilla Glass) and an aluminum frame, which not only adds to its visual appeal but also enhances its durability. The construction of the phone is solid, and the fit and finish are commendable. The dimensions of 158.6 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) make it comfortable to hold, and the weight of 181 g (6.38 oz) adds to its sturdy feel. The texture of the device is smooth, providing a pleasant grip. The back panel is made of aluminum, contributing to the overall robustness of the phone. The buttons and controls are well-placed, ensuring ease of use. The bezels around the 5.99-inch IPS LCD display are minimal, maximizing the screen real estate. The finishing touches on the Redmi Note 5 Pro are well-executed, adding to its overall appeal. The device's design elements are well thought out, making it a visually appealing and ergonomic device. Additionally, its portability is enhanced by its lightweight and compact design, allowing for comfortable one-handed usability. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro impresses with its design and build quality, offering users a device that is not only visually appealing but also durable and practical.

Display

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro features a 5.99-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The screen size and resolution provide a spacious and sharp visual experience, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability against scratches and accidental drops.

In terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, the Redmi Note 5 Pro offers vibrant and rich colors, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The display also offers good brightness levels, allowing for comfortable outdoor visibility even in bright sunlight.

The touch responsiveness of the display is commendable, providing smooth and fluid interactions with the user interface. Viewing angles are wide, ensuring that content remains visible even when viewed from different angles. Additionally, the display supports adaptive brightness, which automatically adjusts the brightness level based on the ambient lighting conditions.

While the Redmi Note 5 Pro does not feature an OLED display, it still delivers impressive visuals with its LCD technology. It does not offer a high refresh rate or HDR support, which are features typically found in higher-end smartphones. However, considering its price point, the display of the Redmi Note 5 Pro offers a good balance of quality and affordability.

Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro boasts a vibrant and sharp display with good color reproduction and touch responsiveness. It provides an immersive viewing experience for users, making it suitable for various multimedia activities.

Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset, which provides a solid performance for a budget smartphone. The octa-core processor consists of four Kryo 260 Gold cores clocked at 1.8 GHz and four Kryo 260 Silver cores clocked at 1.6 GHz, ensuring a balance between power and efficiency. This chipset, combined with the Adreno 509 GPU, delivers smooth graphics and gaming capabilities.

In terms of GPU benchmarks, the Redmi Note 5 Pro performs admirably. It provides a satisfying gaming experience, with good graphics scores and the ability to handle most popular games without any noticeable lag. The GPU efficiency allows for a smooth user experience, even during intense gaming sessions.

When it comes to CPU benchmarks, the Redmi Note 5 Pro also shines. It performs well in multitasking scenarios, thanks to its powerful processor. App loading speeds are generally quick, and the device provides a lag-free performance while switching between multiple apps.

One of the highlights of the Redmi Note 5 Pro's performance is its system optimization. The smartphone's software is well-optimized, ensuring efficient resource allocation and smooth operation. This optimization contributes to the overall smooth user experience and enhances the device's multitasking capabilities.

In terms of thermal management, the Redmi Note 5 Pro performs reasonably well. During benchmark tests and gaming sessions, the device does not overheat significantly, ensuring that users can enjoy extended gaming sessions without discomfort.

Overall, the Redmi Note 5 Pro offers commendable performance for its price range. Its chipset performance, GPU benchmarks, and CPU performance contribute to a smooth and lag-free user experience. The device's ability to handle gaming and multitasking scenarios, along with its efficient system optimization, makes it a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a device that delivers on performance metrics and processor efficiency. Whether you're a casual gamer or a multitasking enthusiast, the Redmi Note 5 Pro offers a solid performance that surpasses expectations.

Software and User Interface

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro runs on Android 7.1.2 Nougat, with a planned upgrade to Android 10 and MIUI 12. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset and an octa-core processor. This combination ensures smooth performance and efficient multitasking capabilities. The software experience on the Redmi Note 5 Pro is enhanced by Xiaomi's custom MIUI skin, which offers a range of additional features and customization options.

One notable aspect of the software is the inclusion of pre-installed apps. While some users may find these apps useful, others may consider them bloatware. MIUI also offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate through the device's settings and features. The inclusion of features like dual apps and second space allows users to manage multiple accounts and create separate user profiles, enhancing user convenience and privacy.

MIUI also provides a range of customization options, allowing users to personalize their device according to their preferences. This includes the ability to customize the theme, icons, and even the layout of the home screen. Additionally, MIUI offers a built-in security app that provides features such as app lock, virus scanning, and permission management, ensuring a secure and safe experience for users.

Overall, the software of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro offers a user-friendly interface, a range of customization options, and useful pre-installed apps. However, some users may find the presence of bloatware to be a downside. With the planned upgrade to Android 10 and MIUI 12, users can expect further improvements and enhancements to the software experience on the Redmi Note 5 Pro.

Camera

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro boasts an impressive camera setup that captures stunning images in various conditions. With a dual rear camera consisting of a 12 MP primary lens and a 5 MP depth sensor, this device delivers exceptional image quality and sharpness. The aperture of f/2.2 and a pixel size of 1.25µm allow for good low-light sensitivity, resulting in impressive low-light performance and night photography. The camera also features dual-LED flash, panorama, and HDR, ensuring well-balanced and vibrant photos in different lighting situations.

In daylight photography, the Redmi Note 5 Pro excels at capturing natural colors with accurate details. The dynamic range is commendable, allowing for well-exposed shots even in challenging lighting conditions. For indoor photography, the device performs well, producing clear and noise-free images with good sharpness.

The camera's portrait mode is a standout feature, creating a blurred background effect that adds depth and professionalism to portraits. The AI scene recognition enhances the camera's capabilities by automatically detecting different scenes and adjusting settings accordingly for optimal results.

When it comes to video recording, the Redmi Note 5 Pro supports 4K video recording and offers video stabilization for smoother footage. The slow-motion video and time-lapse features add creativity and versatility to the camera's capabilities. The device supports multiple video formats, providing flexibility for users.

Overall, the camera of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro impresses with its image quality, low-light performance, and a range of features that cater to both photography and videography enthusiasts. Whether it's capturing vibrant outdoor scenes or detailed indoor shots, this device delivers excellent results.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is equipped with a powerful 4000 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, which offers a commendable battery life. Users can expect a good screen-on time and standby time, thanks to the battery's capacity. The device also supports fast charging technology, allowing for quick recharging of the battery. With the 18W wired charging, users can conveniently power up their device in no time. However, it does not support wireless charging options. The battery performance of the Redmi Note 5 Pro is efficient, and the optimization features ensure that the device maximizes its power efficiency. The battery management system helps in optimizing battery usage and minimizing battery drain. Users can also enable the battery saver mode to extend the battery backup further. Overall, the Redmi Note 5 Pro's battery is reliable and provides good endurance, making it suitable for users who prioritize long battery life.

Connectivity and Networking

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro offers a wide range of connectivity options to keep you connected wherever you go. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE network compatibility, ensuring that you can enjoy fast and reliable data speeds. The device is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, which allows for seamless wireless connections to other devices. Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac is also supported, enabling you to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. NFC is not available on this device, which means you won't be able to use it for contactless payments or other NFC-enabled features. However, it does come with an infrared port, which can be used to control compatible devices. The Redmi Note 5 Pro also features a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. It supports dual SIM cards, allowing you to use two different phone numbers on one device. Additionally, it has a built-in GPS system, which provides accurate navigation and location services. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro offers a solid range of connectivity options, making it a versatile device for staying connected on the go.

Additional Features

• The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro offers several standout features that make it a worthy contender in the budget smartphone market.


• One of its notable features is its water resistance and dust resistance, ensuring that the device can withstand accidental spills or exposure to dusty environments.


• Although it does not have an official IP rating for waterproof or dustproof capabilities, the device is designed to provide a level of protection against water and dust.


• The Redmi Note 5 Pro does not support wireless charging or Qi wireless charging technology, which may be a drawback for users who prefer the convenience of wireless charging.


• In terms of sensors, the device is equipped with an accelerometer and gyroscope, which enable features such as screen rotation and motion-based interactions.


• Additionally, the Redmi Note 5 Pro boasts a sensor suite that includes advanced sensors for measuring various environmental factors.


• These additional sensors enhance the device's capabilities and provide users with a more immersive and interactive experience.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is a budget smartphone that has gained popularity for its impressive specifications and affordable price. When comparing it to other related gadgets in the market, we can see how it stacks up against its competitors.

In terms of market positioning, the Redmi Note 5 Pro competes with devices like the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 and the Honor 9 Lite. These phones offer similar features and price points, making it a tough competition in the budget segment. The Redmi Note 5 Pro stands out with its sleek design and premium build quality, which is comparable to higher-priced devices.

When it comes to specifications, the Redmi Note 5 Pro boasts a 5.99-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels. Its competitors, like the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 and the Honor 9 Lite, offer similar display sizes and resolutions. However, the Redmi Note 5 Pro stands out with its Corning Gorilla Glass protection, ensuring durability and scratch resistance.

In terms of performance, the Redmi Note 5 Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset, which is comparable to the chipsets used in its competitors. It offers smooth multitasking and efficient performance for everyday usage. Benchmark comparisons show that the Redmi Note 5 Pro performs well, with high scores on platforms like AnTuTu and GeekBench.

When it comes to pricing, the Redmi Note 5 Pro offers great value for money. It is priced competitively, with a starting price of around 180 EUR. Its competitors, like the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 and the Honor 9 Lite, also offer similar price points. However, the Redmi Note 5 Pro stands out with its higher resolution camera and larger battery capacity, making it a more attractive option for those looking for a feature-packed budget smartphone.

In terms of market competition, Xiaomi has gained a strong foothold in the budget segment with its Redmi Note series. The Redmi Note 5 Pro has been well-received by consumers and has gained a significant market share. Xiaomi's competitive advantage lies in its ability to offer high-quality devices with impressive specifications at an affordable price point.

Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro stands out among its competitors with its sleek design, impressive specifications, and affordable price. It offers great value for money and has gained a strong position in the budget smartphone market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro offers an impressive package of features at an affordable price point. With its large 5.99-inch display, powerful Snapdragon 636 chipset, and ample memory options, it provides a smooth and lag-free user experience. The camera setup, both front, and rear, produce decent results, making it a suitable choice for photography enthusiasts. The device also boasts a solid build quality and a long-lasting 4000mAh battery, ensuring a reliable and durable performance. However, the lack of NFC and USB Type-C may disappoint some users. Overall, the Redmi Note 5 Pro is a value-for-money smartphone that delivers excellent performance and features, making it a worthwhile option for potential buyers.