Xiaomi's Redmi series has consistently delivered excellent value for money. The Redmi 5 Plus (often referred to as the Redmi Note 5 in some regions) and the Redmi Note 3 were both popular choices. But which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi 5 Plus edges out the Note 3 thanks to its superior sunlight display contrast and slightly longer battery life. While the Note 3 boasts a more powerful CPU core configuration, the 5 Plus's Snapdragon 625 offers better efficiency and overall smoothness for everyday tasks. It's a close call, but the 5 Plus is the slightly better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 - Special edition (Taiwan) |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, February. Released 2018, February | 2016, January 14. Released 2016, March 03 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) | 150 x 76 x 8.7 mm (5.91 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A72) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8956 Snapdragon 650 |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 510 |
| OS | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), MIUI 9.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM (Standard version), 32GB 3GB RAM (High/Special version) |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.2, 1.25 μm, dual pixel PDAF | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Blue, Rose Gold | Silver, Gray, Gold |
| Models | MEG7, MEI7 | 2015116, 2015161 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -29.7dB / Crosstalk -91.8dB |
Noise -96.0dB / Crosstalk -95.6dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 104h
| Endurance rating 93h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1431:1 (nominal), 2.913 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 953:1 (nominal), 2.249 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance |
GeekBench: 4309 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1426Basemark X: 14717 |
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Redmi Note 5)
- Better sunlight display
- Longer battery life
- Efficient Snapdragon 625
- Generally smoother performance
- Slightly less powerful CPU core configuration than Note 3
- Charging speed is standard (10W)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
- Slightly more powerful CPU cores
- Compact design (generally)
- Good value for money (especially if found used)
- Weaker sunlight display
- Shorter battery life
- Older software support
Display Comparison
The Redmi 5 Plus takes a clear lead in the display department. Its contrast ratio of 1431:1 (nominal) and 2.913 (sunlight) significantly outperforms the Note 3's 953:1 and 2.249 respectively. This translates to much better visibility in direct sunlight and richer colors, making the 5 Plus a more enjoyable device to use outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera performance for their price range. However, detailed camera comparisons are difficult without specific testing data. Generally, both phones capture acceptable photos in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light. The Redmi 5 Plus likely has slightly improved image processing due to later software updates.
Performance
The Redmi Note 3 features a slightly more complex CPU configuration with two Cortex-A72 cores alongside four Cortex-A53 cores. While this *could* offer a performance advantage in specific, demanding scenarios, the Snapdragon 625 in the Redmi 5 Plus is known for its efficiency and consistent performance. In real-world usage, the difference is often negligible, and the 5 Plus's better thermal management often leads to smoother sustained performance.
Battery Life
The Redmi 5 Plus secures another win with an endurance rating of 104 hours, compared to the Note 3's 93 hours. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the 5 Plus, allowing you to go longer between charges.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Redmi Note 5) is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, excellent outdoor visibility, and a smooth, efficient experience. The Redmi Note 3 is a good option for those seeking a slightly more powerful processor for demanding tasks, but are willing to compromise on display brightness and battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi 5 Plus worth buying in 2024?
While it's an older device, the Redmi 5 Plus remains a decent option for basic usage and as a secondary phone, especially if found at a very low price. However, newer budget phones offer significantly better performance and features.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Redmi 5 Plus received slightly longer software updates than the Redmi Note 3, although both are now beyond their official support lifecycle. Security updates are unlikely to be available.
