The Infinix S5 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal. The S5 Pro focuses on a streamlined experience with a Mediatek Helio P35, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro aggressively targets gamers and photography enthusiasts with the more powerful Helio G90T.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing gaming and camera capabilities, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the S5 Pro’s Helio P35, translating to smoother gameplay and faster app loading times. While battery life is comparable, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s 18W charging offers a convenience the S5 Pro lacks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 06 | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, September 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, April | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 76.9 x 9 mm (6.40 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.35 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CC Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP, (depth)
QVGA low light camera sensor | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 32 MP, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, 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 | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Black, Quetzal Cyan, Violet | Black, Red, Blue, White, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Blue, Electric Blue, Twilight Orange |
| Models | X660 | 2015105, M1906G7I, M1906G7G |
| Price | - | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 0.79 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1326:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 64dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 82dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 224759 (v7), 279355 (v8)
GeekBench: 6999 (v4.4), 1622 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix S5 Pro (16+32)
- Potentially lower price point
- Adequate for basic smartphone tasks
- Decent battery life (114h endurance)
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Likely lacks fast charging support
- Inferior camera capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
- Powerful Helio G90T chipset for gaming and multitasking
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Likely superior camera system with higher resolution sensor
- Higher price compared to the Infinix S5 Pro
- Battery life is comparable, not superior
- May be slightly bulkier due to larger battery and components
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a contrast ratio of 1326:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 640 nits, significantly exceeding what we’d expect from the S5 Pro based on its market positioning. This higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility. While neither device is specified as using advanced panel technology like LTPO, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s superior brightness makes it the more usable display in bright conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the underlying hardware likely differs significantly. While detailed sensor information is missing for the S5 Pro, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s focus on photography suggests a more advanced camera system. The Redmi Note 8 Pro likely features a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The presence of a 64MP sensor (common in the Note 8 Pro line) would provide significantly more detail than anything expected in the S5 Pro. Ignoring the likely inclusion of low-resolution auxiliary lenses on both devices, the Redmi Note 8 Pro is the clear winner for photography enthusiasts.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G90T (12nm) utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz – compared to the Infinix S5 Pro’s Helio P35 (12nm) with its four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz. The A76 cores in the G90T offer substantially higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother multitasking. The G90T also features a more capable GPU, making it the preferred choice for mobile gaming. The P35 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro includes 18W wired charging, a significant advantage over the S5 Pro, which likely lacks fast charging support. This means the Redmi Note 8 Pro can be topped up much faster, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. While both offer all-day battery life for moderate users, the Redmi Note 8 Pro’s charging speed provides a practical benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix S5 Pro (16+32) if you need a basic, reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and prioritize a lower price point. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro if you prefer a device capable of handling demanding games, capturing detailed photos, and benefiting from faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G90T in the Redmi Note 8 Pro capable of running demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
Yes, the Helio G90T is specifically designed for gaming. It can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at high settings with smooth frame rates. The G90T’s GPU and CPU architecture are significantly more powerful than the Helio P35 in the S5 Pro, making it a much better choice for mobile gamers.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 8 Pro support any form of fast charging, and how long does it take to fully charge?
The Redmi Note 8 Pro supports 18W wired charging. While not the fastest charging available today, it’s significantly faster than what the Infinix S5 Pro likely offers. A full charge from 0-100% with the included charger should take approximately 2-3 hours, depending on usage during charging.
❓ How does the camera performance of the Redmi Note 8 Pro compare to other phones in its price range?
The Redmi Note 8 Pro’s camera system, likely featuring a 64MP main sensor, generally outperforms other phones in its price bracket. It captures detailed photos with good dynamic range, especially in well-lit conditions. Low-light performance is also respectable, though not class-leading.
❓ Is the Infinix S5 Pro a good option for someone who primarily uses their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web?
Yes, the Infinix S5 Pro is a suitable option for users with basic smartphone needs. Its Helio P35 chipset is sufficient for these tasks, and the battery life is adequate for all-day use. However, it will struggle with more demanding applications and games.
