Xiaomi Redmi 5 vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review - 1

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review – More Differences Than You Actually Think

On December 7, Xiaomi ended 2017 in style when they released Xiaomi Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus. No doubt, these are some tremendous low-mid enders in the Chinese smartphone market. Though the price tag starting at 799 yuan is way expensive in comparison to the previous generation, but we at least have an infinity display (full-screen) with rounded corners. The difference between these two flagships is not merely the word ‘Plus.’ So, let’s find the differences in Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus comparison review.

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Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review – Design & Appearance

Although, the phones appear to be quite similar to each other. We might even think that the material is same as well. But, that’s not the case. If you hold both phones, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus holding experience and quality will be much better. Why? Actually, the reason is the chassis. Xiaomi Redmi 5 molds from plastic + metal and undergoes the three-staged rear chassis design. However, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is forged from metal and also features the three-staged rear chassis design. You see the layout is almost the same. If we look at the phone in someone’s hands, we will be unable to tell whether it’s the Plus version or the standard one. But, after holding it, the grip will differentiate both phones as well as the weight.

ModelRedmi 5Redmi 5 Plus
Dimensions72.8 mm x 151.8 mm x 7.7 mm75.5 mm x 158.5 mm x 8.1 mm
Weight157 g179 g
MaterialPlastic + Metal (Aluminium alloy)Pure Metal (Aluminium alloy)
Processthree staged rear shell process + plastic antenna sectionsthree staged rear shell process, CNC process

Obviously, the finishing is way better in the ‘Plus’ version thanks to the CNC metal process. You can clearly see the difference from the edges of the phone, as in the picture below:

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Pink (Redmi 5), Black (Redmi 5 Plus)

In short, Redmi 5 Plus has a pure metal built including the two antenna sections. However, Redmi 5 follows up the tradition with the center metal chassis and two plastic antenna sections, one at the top and other at the bottom.

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Pink (Redmi 5), Black (Redmi 5 Plus)

Another way you can tell the difference is the rear LED flash. Xiaomi Redmi 5 features a simple LED flash. Meanwhile, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus has dual LED flash. The camera is the same, so the pictures are the same, just the lighting of Flash LED is changed in low-light shooting. Moreover, the two symmetrical streamlines also differentiate the two flagships. In Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus, the lines are more obvious, thick and continues. However, in Redmi 5 those are thin, not obvious and clearly separates the main chassis with plastic antenna section.

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Pink (Redmi 5), Black (Redmi 5 Plus)

In conclusion, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus takes the upper hand in design and appearance. Xiaomi has made the flagship a mid-end phone and Redmi 5 as the low-end phone.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review – Screen & Display

For the first time, the Redmi family has its screen as the selling point. Xiaomi Redmi 5 and 5 Plus are known from their full-screen displays with curved screen edges. Due to the different size of the screen, the overall size of the two phones also have some differences; Redmi is significantly smaller than Redmi 5 Plus. That’s why we the word ‘Plus’ which represents an oversized version, but in reality, there’s not much difference between both phones.

ModelRedmi 5Redmi 5 Plus
Screen Size5.7-inch LCD IPS5.99-inch LCD IPS
ResolutionHD+ (1440 x 720 pixels)Full HD+ (2160 x 1080 pixels)
Pixel Density282 ppi409 ppi
Screen Ratio18:918:9
Other2.5D curved glass screen, Capacitive Multi-touch, Scratch resistant2.5D curved glass screen, Capacitive Multi-touch, Scratch resistant

The difference becomes too obvious with the display resolution.  The 5.7-inch Redmi 5 uses a 1440×720 HD+ resolution and has a 72% NTSC color gamut. Meanwhile, the 5.99-inch Redmi 5 Plus uses an FHD+ resolution display with a wider color gamut reaching 84% and supporting under the sun display.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review - 1
Pink (Redmi 5), Black (Redmi 5 Plus)

We must note that due to the lower PPI, Redmi 5 has a lower processor demand and more battery life. Redmi 5 uses a lower-priced processor to control the overall cost and price than Redmi 5 Plus.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review – Hardware & Performance

Certainly, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is a clear winner with a much familiar Snapdragon 625 mid-end processor. Meanwhile, Redmi 5 features a 4 series Snapdragon 450 SoC. The parameters of the two SoCs are shown in the table below:

ModelRedmi 5Redmi 5 Plus
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 450Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
CPUCortex A53, Octa CoreCortex A53, Octa Core
Frequency1.8GHz2.0GHz
Process14nm LPP14nm LPP
GPUQualcomm Adreno 506Qualcomm Adreno 506
RAM2GB LPDDR3 (Standard Version)3GB LPDDR3 (Standard Version)
ROM16GB eMMC5.1 (Standard Version)32GB eMMC5.1 (Standard Version)
Network TypeX9 LTEX9 LTE
AnTuTu score55000+63000+

In other words, the Snapdragon 450 is the identical twin of Snapdragon 625 but with lower frequency. We ran both phones on AnTuTu, and the results didn’t have that much difference. Redmi 5 scored 55674 points, and Redmi 5 Plus scored 63390. It should be noted that we took the standard version of both phones for the benchmark.

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The Plus version of Redmi 5 clearly won, thanks to the 3GB RAM and SD 625 SoC. If you are performance-oriented, Redmi 5 Plus might be your choice. However, if you are less demanding on the performance, Redmi 5 will be able to meet your requirements.

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Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review – Sensors

Almost all sensors are same in both flagship except for one. Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus features a Hall sensor which the Redmi 5 do not. A hall sensor enables the phone to automatically turn the screen off when the phone’s cover is flipped so that the cover’s magnet touches the screen. When that cover is removed, the phone automatically turns on. Well, we would need that if we had a cover for Redmi 5 and 5 Plus. Otherwise, it’s not a big deal.

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Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review – Battery

Another obvious difference when looking at the specs table is the difference between the battery capacity of both phones. Redmi 5 is powered by a 3300mAh battery. However, Redmi 5 Plus battery has 700mAh more ampers enabling the capacity to be 4000mAh.

ModelRedmi 5Redmi 5 Plus
Capacity3300mAh4000mAh
Quick ChargeYes, QC 3.0Yes, QC 3.0

Now, these two flagships have decent battery timing (easily survives a complete day with a single charge). Even though Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus has more battery capacity, but in practical life, it almost has the same battery timings than that of Redmi 5, only a few hours more. The reason is that Redmi 5 Plus has a larger display with better resolution, mid-end high-frequency SoC, and more RAM compared to Redmi 5.

So in battery comparison, these two, practically have about the same battery timing, even though Redmi 5 Plus attracts us with 4000mAh battery capacity.

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review – Different Versions & Pricing

Xiaomi Redmi 5 comes with two different versions:

  • Standard Version (2GB + 16GB) for 799 Yuan ($120)
  • Higher Version (3GB+32GB) for 899 Yuan ($135)

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus also have two different versions:

  • Standard Version (3GB + 32GB) for 999 Yuan ($150)
  • Higher Version (4GB+64GB) for 1299 Yuan ($180)

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Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review – The Similarities

  • Full-Screen 18:9 screen layout
  • Same camera
  • Front LED flash
  • Connectivity

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Comparison Review – Our Verdict

No doubt, Xiaomi covers most of the pricing from $120 to $180 with different versions of both flagships. The starting price is way expensive than the previous generation but gets the 18:9 full-screen layout along with front LED flash. The most suitable version is the Higher Version of Redmi 5 and Standard Version of Redmi 5 Plus regarding price over performance ratio.

Xiaomi is offering a low-end phone as well as a mid-end phone with reasonable prices. We have told you the differences, now the choice is yours to make one of these as your next phone. Which one do you prefer? Comment!