The Coolpad Cool 5 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro represent a fascinating intersection in the budget smartphone market. Both devices aimed to deliver a compelling feature set at an accessible price point, but they took different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which phone offers the best value in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and a slightly more refined experience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 636 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Coolpad Cool 5’s Helio P22, making it more suitable for multitasking and moderately demanding applications.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2018, September. Released 2018, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157 x 76 x 8 mm (6.18 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 157.9 x 76.4 x 8.3 mm (6.22 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 97.8 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.1 (Oreo), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, AF
2 MP | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm
2 MP, f/2.2, 1.75µm, depth sensor |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | - |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gradient Blue, Midnight Blue | Black, Blue, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | - | M1806E7TG, M1806E7TH, M1806E7TI |
| Price | About 8000 INR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.76 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.7dB / Crosstalk -93.6dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1532:1 (nominal), 2.966 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 115605 (v7)
GeekBench: 4933 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Coolpad Cool 5
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Decent battery endurance (92h)
- Inferior chipset performance (Helio P22)
- Limited camera capabilities
- Charging speed unspecified
Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro
- Superior performance (Snapdragon 636)
- Likely better camera image processing
- 10W wired charging
- Potentially higher price
- Battery endurance similar to Cool 5
- No fast charging support
Display Comparison
Both the Coolpad Cool 5 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro share a similar display contrast ratio of 1532:1 (nominal) and 2.966 (sunlight), suggesting comparable visibility in bright conditions. However, detailed panel specifications like resolution and screen technology are missing for the Cool 5. The Redmi Note 6 Pro’s larger display size (typically 6.26 inches) offers a more immersive viewing experience, while the shared contrast ratio indicates both phones will struggle with deep blacks compared to modern OLED panels.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo/video capabilities, but specifics are limited. The Redmi Note 6 Pro likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 636, offering potentially better image processing and noise reduction. Without sensor size or aperture data for either phone, it’s difficult to assess low-light performance. The presence of a dual-camera setup on the Redmi Note 6 Pro (common for the time) suggests potential for depth sensing and portrait mode effects, features likely absent or less refined on the Coolpad Cool 5.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 (14nm) utilizes a more efficient manufacturing process and a Kryo CPU architecture (4x1.8 GHz Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Silver) designed for balanced performance and power consumption. This contrasts with the Coolpad Cool 5’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm) and its homogenous octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. The Snapdragon 636’s architecture allows for better task prioritization, resulting in smoother multitasking and a more responsive user interface. While both are octa-core, the Snapdragon 636’s architecture provides a clear performance advantage.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both phones achieve an endurance rating of 92 hours, despite potentially differing battery capacities (data missing for Cool 5). The Redmi Note 6 Pro supports 10W wired charging, while the Coolpad Cool 5 only specifies 'wired' charging without a wattage. The Snapdragon 636’s power efficiency likely contributes to the Redmi Note 6 Pro’s long endurance, offsetting any potential capacity difference. The lack of fast charging on either device means a full charge will take a considerable amount of time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 5 if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are operating on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro if you prefer a smoother user experience, better performance for gaming and multitasking, and a more versatile camera system, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 636 in the Redmi Note 6 Pro still capable of running modern apps smoothly?
While not a flagship-level processor, the Snapdragon 636 remains capable of running most popular apps and games at reasonable settings. Expect smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, but demanding titles may require reduced graphics settings.
❓ How does the Helio P22 in the Coolpad Cool 5 handle multitasking compared to the Redmi Note 6 Pro?
The Helio P22’s less sophisticated CPU architecture will struggle with heavy multitasking. Switching between multiple apps may result in noticeable lag and slowdowns, whereas the Snapdragon 636 in the Redmi Note 6 Pro handles multitasking more efficiently.
❓ What kind of camera experience can I expect from the Redmi Note 6 Pro?
The Redmi Note 6 Pro likely offers a more versatile camera experience thanks to its dual-camera setup and Qualcomm ISP. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions, with potential for portrait mode effects and improved low-light performance compared to the Coolpad Cool 5.
❓ Given the similar battery endurance ratings, does the charging speed matter between these two phones?
Yes, even with the same endurance, the Redmi Note 6 Pro’s 10W charging offers a faster path to a full charge compared to the Coolpad Cool 5’s unspecified charging speed. This can be a significant convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
