foreword
For those who do not yet know the Xiaomi brand, it is a Chinese brand that grows more and more in Europe (lately, Chinese society has opened a Mi store in Paris). For me, Xiaomi is a brand known for its cheap smartphones (but not especially low quality, we will see with this smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 ), but also for its Miband connected wristbands.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi is currently the 4th largest smartphone seller in Europe! With Samsung in the lead, Apple second and Huawei, another Chinese brand, third!
But Xiaomi is a bit of a touch to everything: besides smartphones and connected wristbands, they make a lot of other products: autonomous vacuum cleaner, electric screwdriver, air purifier, flying drone, electric scooter, earpiece, wifi router , speakers, backpacks, laptop, etc. In short, it's very diverse!
And it's this diversity that's a little scary when you discover this brand (and the fact that it's a Chinese brand too). I know this brand in daily use for its Miband connected bracelet version 1 which is a low priced connected bracelet, but extra quality, I use it daily for about 3 years now!
But for the rest of their products, it's the unknown…! Just because a product is excellent doesn't mean the rest is excellent…
I chose the Xiaomi Redmi footnote 5 for its price which is less than 200 euros and its more than interesting features (on paper anyway before test) for this price!
The characteristics of the Redmi footnote 5 Xiaomi
Screen
- Screen of 15.2 cm diagonal (5.99 inches) Full HD + (2160 x 1080, 403 PPI)
- Display full screen 18:9
- 84% of the NTSC color gamut
- Light of the day, night and reading mode
- The color temperature setting
Processor and memory
- Octa-core, 636 Snapdragon processor
- LPDDR4X 4 GB RAM memory
- EMMC 5.1 64 GB Flash storage
- Expandable memory up to 128 GB with microSD
Size
- Height: 158.6 mm
- Width: 75.4 mm
- Thickness: 8.05 mm
- Weight: 181g
Battery
- 4 000 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery
- Charger 5V / 2A
- Supports fast recharging Quick Charge 2.0
Cameras
Rear (2 sensors)
- 1.4 μm, opening f/1.9 12 megapixel main sensor
- Secondary objective of 5 megapixel 1.12 μm, opening f/2.0
- Single tone Flash
- PDAF (fast auto focus)
- Improvement of photography in low light
- HDR settings
- Panorama
- Burst mode
- Facial recognition
Before (Selfie)
- Sensor 13 MP 1.12 μm, opening f/2.0
- Filter Beautify 4.0
- Selfie timer
- Facial recognition
- Capture 1080 p, 30 frames per second video
- Capture 720 p, 30 frames per second video
Connectivity
- 4G FDD – LTE (1/3/4/5/7/8/20)
- 4G LTE – TDD (38/40)
- 3G WCDMA (1, 2, 5, 8)
- 2G GSM (2, 3, 5, 8)
- Dual SIM: nanoSIM + nanoSIM/microSD
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Bluetooth HID
- Wi-Fi Display, Direct, 2.4G and 5G
- 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Sensors
- Electronic compass
- Accelerometer
- Proximity, infrared and ambient light sensor
- Gyroscope
- Fingerprint reader
Gps
- Gps
- AGPS
- GLONASS
- BeiDou / COMPASS
DAS information
- Limit DAS 1 g: 1, 6W/kg
- DAS head: 1.03 W/Kg
- Body: 0.79 W/Kg (10 mm distance)
Xiaomi Redmi's name notes 5
First, let's start by talking about the name… Redmi rating 5 (Pro), it's still think in 5 Note from Samsung, and so we can think that it is a clone of the Galaxy 5 Note… Well you can just forget about this comparison, there is nothing have! Redmi 1, Note came out about 3 years after the Galaxy Note and didn't already have level design or features.
Secondly, again at the name level, here I test the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 PRO, aka the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (you'll understand later), not the Redmi Note 5 Plus, nor the Redmi Note 5A or the Redmi 5!
Yes, not easy to find in the names, Xiaomi comes out model names galore, especially since for the same name, there are several variants … ! I struggled hard to find me, they will look like all but do not have the same characteristics. You can find several comparison on the net, and each time, they are all different! And some stores call hurt their products which makes confusion even stronger! Not to mention Xiaomi which does not help either as you will see later…
Difference between Xiaomi Redmi notes 5 and 5 Pro
Despite what can be read on the net, even on reputable sites specialized in the field, it is clear that they have not done any research on this subject. They get you out of the completely erroneous comparisons between the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro, which creates even more confusion! So when they tell you that they tested it when the features don't even match, it makes me laugh!
The difference actually occurs depending on the country in which the model came out !!!
For Europe, there really is no Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, it's the Redmi Note 5 anyway!
However, in India, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 was released before the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro! The 1st has only one photo sensor at the back, while the Pro has 2 photo sensors at the back!
So in reality Xiaomi first released a Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (single sensor) that was only intended for the India market (I guess it was kind of a market test to see if it would work). Later, they released a more advanced version called Redmi Note 5 Pro.
And it's this more advanced version that they released in Europe, but they named it Redmi Note 5 altogether!
For the United States, for example, there is neither Redmi Note 5 nor Redmi Note 5 Pro !!! But Redmi Note 5A and Redmi Note 5 Prime!
Difference between Xiaomi Redmi notes 5 and 5 more
As you will understand, it depends on where the model came out, and here, for this comparison, it happens in the Chinese market!
For China, there are only 2 models of Redmi Note 5 (while you would think there were more seen that it is still a Chinese brand, well no): The Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Note 5 Plus.
Namely, their Redmi Note 5 matches the European Redmi Note 5!
And note also that the Redmi Note 5 Plus is contrary to what you might think from the name, lower-end than the Redmi Note 5!
The Redmi footnote 5 Xiaomi
In summary, the Redmi footnote 5 Xiaomi equals Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro except for the India (I have not checked all the market, but in the audited 75, my analysis is correct, in some countries, Redmi Note 5 doesn't even officially exist).
Because of this, if you buy accessories for your Redmi Note 5 Xiaomi, you can do your research with eyes closed to 90%, the model will be. If you want to be on 100% it is well intended for your phone, you can add the "pro" in the name of the model, but you'll have less choice.
In addition, the note redmi 5 Indian has one sensor at the back and it is centered, instead of the redmi notes 5 international or the double sensor photos is left, so for a shell that's fairly easy to see whether or not it fits.
Also pay attention to the "Redmi Note 5", because there are some "Redmi 5" or the "Mi-5" with its panoply of depending on countries…
Xiaomi Redmi test notes 5
The packaging and content
Now that the different models have been clarified, let's take the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 test!
The packaging, in cardboard, is as simple as any smartphone sold nowadays. The rear indicates the main features of the phone, also, we find the model number of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, which is M1803E7SG (which allows in addition to differentiate from the other models). There is also a table showing the countries for which the smartphone is compatible.
Inside, can be found:
- The smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
- Rear a transparent protection for face
- A mini manual
- A charger 5V / 2A
- A USB cable
- A tool of insertion / withdrawal to SIM card / microSD
It should be noted that the transparent protection and the instructions are inside the box that supports the smartphone when you open the box, and as a result, if one does not pay attention and we're not aware that there is a clear shell You can miss out on…
By the way, the manual although very simple, there is the essential: info about the different button of the smartphone, and the mandatory info such as the CE and DAS, brief information to be generally international level it seems to me, and I must say that reassures.
The official shell of the Redmi footnote 5 Xiaomi
The hull provided is transparent and flexible. A mini distinctive sign showing that it is an official shell, it is marked in relief on the left edge, in low "designed by Mi" and a code in the lower left corner.
The hull covers all the buttons as well as the SIM door and has openings for all that is USB port, speaker, infrared, jack, etc…
The hull only protects the rear side. It doesn't raise the screen, so if you put your smartphone screen in front of a table, the screen is not protected at all, the shell being on the same level as the screen!
Facing back, he raises the camera a little bit. At the level of the fingerprint reader, the Cup is not centered… I don't know if it's an error of measurement or design, but this offset (to the left when looking at the back) can possibly be explained by a more pleasant feeling worries because the fingerprint sensor is used mainly with his left index finger. Offset does not annoying the scanner because the space left open is greater than the reader of fingerprints of about 0.5 mm.
On the other hand, in view of the fineness of the hull, I doubt that it protects well shocks… Note that formally, Xiaomi indicates that the smartphone is designed to ensure the smartphone supports the shocks on the corners (without the shell).
The transparent shell provided with the phone is for me a protection against the claws of the back side. While keeping the finesse and design of the phone.
Keeps fingerprints, no protection of the front and the effectiveness of shock protection is most likely ineffective, I strongly advise you to invest in parallel for a real hull against shocks. This will allow you to use your phone in peace.
The smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
The smartphone itself exists in several colours. From after the mid France site, there are black, Golden and Blue Lagoon. Looking good, it can be found also in red. It is this color I took. Although this color does not appear on the official website, the smartphone is a Redmi Note 5 official. Xiaomi has not updated its site, because there are also other colors not listed but all official: in addition to the red, pink and gold belong.
The smartphone is aluminum, the finish is excellent. The back side does not, withdraw the battery is not detachable (without disassemble and losing the warranty).
On the front screen curved on the edge, is type without edge for ratings, so visibility is the max on the left and right. For the upper and lower part, you have a little more than 5 mm from edge.
At the rear, photo sensors extend slightly beyond the surface, while the fingerprint reader is slightly indented.
Note that the fingerprint reader has the same color as your phone.
The hatch for the SIM cards or microSD is located on the left side, while on the right edge is the ignition button and volume.
Note that this smartphone accepts 2 nano-SIM cards (usable at the same time, ideal for those who have 2 numbers) or 1 microSD + 1 nano-SIM card.
Xiaomi Redmi's handling note 5
I have quite big hands, so I'm not a reference, but I find that the grip and more precisely in one hand is very good. The volume buttons and ON / OFF are easily accessible with the left hand, as well as the scanner without to twist his fingers. Only the volume up button needs to move a little more fingers according to the used finger, but nothing very dull, and this gene does not holding the phone with one hand. Being accustomed to that and not volume buttons up and down is located on the left edge to the right, I find that the placement to the left of the volume button would have made the excellent grip.
Start / Extinction
Although there is less tendency to turn off your smartphone (I advise you also to do occasionally, I fixed many bugs nothing that turning off and restarting smartphones on which bugs were found, be it of) Android or the iOS, and that just worked them! ), it is interesting to know what it is.
Side start, it lights up in about 10 seconds, which is very widely acceptable.
Extinction, there are 2 confirmation of extinction, but except that, once the 2 confirmation has been made, it's instantaneous!
The screen
The screen turned on makes good colors. We immediately notice that this is a high quality screen and high definition. Visible in sunlight.
The screen covers almost all phone on the width, only about 1 mm from edge on the left and right, however up and down, it is about 0, 7-0, 8mm from edge (no notch). It is therefore not entirely without edge (and they never announced it as such), but can be considered without edge left and right screen, which makes that in landscape mode, rendering 18:9 videos are excellent, just like the games!
The power
Power level, I do not use benchmarks that you come out of the numbers who want everything and nothing say. Of course, the benchmarks used to compare a smartphone to another, but it is not truly representative of my view.
As the benchmarks are tests generic, artificial… And as a result, does not necessarily represent the reality, but additionally can be deceived! It's a bit like the history of polluting emissions or some automakers have cheated cheated on tests. And on the smartphone side, it's the same thing, some manufacturers also cheat benchmarks!
Personally, it's less effective, but I do it to feel and look at the features of the device. Side features, nothing to say, it's good stuff, is certainly not the high-end, but we're still in the mid range, whether processor or chip graphic, as well as strong or physical memory nothing abnormal, everything is perfectly balanced.
Use, everything is perfectly fluid, no lag or anything, applications start virtually instantly, games start very quickly, even the most recent and greedy, and I have not noticed any slowdowns or lags in games.
Android MIUI
The current version on the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi rating 5 tested at the time of writing this test, is the version 9.5, 8.1 Oreo Android MIUI.
Xiaomi Redmi updates note 5
Note that I have not yet updated, and it seems to me that the MIUI 9.6.3 release. If I have not updated, it is simply to see if at the factory, the phone is already stable or not. And there, nothing to say, it is perfectly stable, not observed bugs.
Noted nevertheless that Redmi rating 5 is updated with Android, version Android 9 was not yet released at the time of writing this article. On the other hand, I have not read info like what it will be someday. But the fact that it is already in Android 8.1 Oreo is already a great good point, it is not uncommon to see new phone with an older version of Android! From what I've read, MIUI is very frequently updated (monthly update) but less at the Android level itself, not having enough recoil on it, I will not comment on the updates.
MIUI rest of the Android, so for those and those who have used with Android, the scenery is very low. Even if you switch to another interface like that of Samsung, whether on an aging or recent Android version, the scenery was personally almost zero.
MiUI still integrates some features in addition, which will allow you to pass some applications that have had to install in addition like an antivirus, a cleaner to gain disk space, an accelerator, a scanner of QR code, a Battery saver, compass, etc…
The double camera
Some are probably wondering why this smartphone has 2 objectives photos on the back… There was a time where some smartphones had 2 goals, but they were to make pictures and videos in 3D. It had 2 identical objectives.
But here, these are 2 different goals, and having 2 different lenses greatly improves the quality of the shots!
Megapixels
Contrary to what popular belief believes (and what marketing has made believe), it's not the number of megapixels that makes your camera make good photos or not! A high number of megapixels is only useful for large-format prints, provided the sensor size follows. Otherwise, we lose in image quality!
Improved photos of Xiaomi Redmi note 5
And in smartphones, this is where the evolution of sensors had to change course. On a slim smartphone, it is aesthetically not conceivable to bigger goals. The trick is to use 2 different sensors and software mix shooting to improve the photo playing on the depth of field and giving for example the bokeh (background blur) effect, but also to improve the shooting in low brightness because one of the 2 sensors has greater openness. The trend will be to a multiple sensors photos on our smartphones, there is already a smartphone with… 16 goals at the back…
Going back to this dual photo sensor of the Redmi Note 5, well nothing beats photos to understand how beautiful and very detailed the photos are!
The focus is done very quickly and the mixing of the two sensors in real time is done without noticeable latency.
The comparison of the photos is done with a Note 4 Galaxy that has 16 megapixels. a reminder of the characteristics, the Redmi Note 5 has a sensor 'only' 12 megapixel + one "only" 5 megapixel.
2 small details: the 1st being the photos below are not original photos being too heavy to be posted on the site, a compression has been carried out, but it does not alter the differences. The 2nd being the Redmi footnote 5 takes wider than the Galaxy Note 4 pictures.
Although the rendering is more beautiful with the Galaxy Note 4, the Redmi Note 5 tops the details of the lamp much better which is a 3D print realization. With the Galaxy Note 4, in this twilight, the light of the lamp radiates and hides details. In this case, it is still acceptable, but in other cases, this can be a problem.
Here, we notice much more clearly the irradiation of the screen as well as the 2 activity diodes (which are fixed) of the laptop that we get with the Galaxy Note 4, while with the Redmi Note 5, we do not notice any irradiation, the photos are much more real .
Low-light photos
In total darkness, in very low light, the Redmi Note 5 is very much a winner! Although there is some noise on the photos in very low light, she does very well to photograph the objects! Here, we can even see the different thickness of the phosphorescent moon, while with the Galaxy Note 4, it is hard to see while the photo was taken closer!
Not only does the Redmi Note 5 take larger photos, but it's also much more natural/real, despite the fact that both sensors have fewer megapixels! And this taken with the basic settings, without any changes in the settings regarding the quality or filters of the photos!
N.B.: the watermark "Shot on Redmi Note 5 Mi Dual Camera" is an option that is unchecked by default in the phone, if I activated it, it was to possibly avoid making mistakes later in comparisons.
The battery
The capacity of the battery of 4000mAh, what is Let's say the current standard. Even the latest Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has a 4000mAh battery.
This battery allows the smartphone to last about 2 days without too much trouble, of course, it depends on its use, but we can definitely say that it is an excellent battery life!
The battery doesn't heat up when recharged, and it supports quick Quick Charge 2.0, which is a great point, despite the existence of Quick Charge 3.0 and 4.0 versions, and the default sector charger is not Quick-compatible. Charge 2.0. So, you will need to invest in a Quick Charge charger to qualify for this quick charge.
No reloading wireless for this device.
Conclusion
This is without a doubt one of the best smartphones that can be found (for now) under the 200 euros mark!
Its FHD screen, processor, RAM, memory, dual photo sensor that makes excellent low-light photos, up-to-date Android, its fast fingerprint reader, design, latest generation bluetooth, and all the little things that its own make it a must-have smartphone from my point of view!
The only shortcomings That I see that could be blamed is the lack of NFC (but personally, I never use it), wireless charging that is also absent (that, on the other hand, I use everyday, but I already used adapters) as well the fact that it doesn't have a USB-C port.
It's a mid-range smartphone, but it's not far from the high end at all!
You can buy it here in red, black (use the code Eddytedy71 to benefit from an additional promotion) or here in gold color (use the coupon Eddytedy138 for a discount) all available for less than 200 euros, and there you are on to have the right Redmi Note 5 (pro);-)!
