The Xiaomi Redmi series consistently delivers impressive value for money. Two popular contenders, the Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera and the Redmi Note 6 Pro, offer compelling features at affordable prices. But which one deserves your hard-earned cash? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 6 Pro edges out the Note 5 AI thanks to its slightly improved display visibility in sunlight and faster charging. Both offer excellent battery life and similar performance, making the charging speed the deciding factor for many users. Ultimately, both are strong contenders in the budget segment.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 - Taiwan | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, March. Released 2018, March | 2018, September. Released 2018, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.6 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 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 | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 509 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), MIUI 9 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-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 | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 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, QC3 | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Blue, Flame Red | Black, Blue, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | M1803E7SG, M1803E7SH | M1806E7TG, M1806E7TH, M1806E7TI |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 0.79 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) | 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 -89.4dB / Crosstalk -90.5dB |
Noise -92.7dB / Crosstalk -93.6dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 92h
| Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1893 (nominal), 3.393 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1532:1 (nominal), 2.966 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 84dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 115195 (v7)
GeekBench: 4918 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 115605 (v7)
GeekBench: 4933 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera
- Excellent battery life
- Good contrast ratio (nominal)
- AI scene detection
- Slower charging (18W)
- Less impressive front camera
- Older design
Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro
- Faster charging (10W)
- Improved sunlight display visibility
- Better front camera (20MP)
- More modern design
- Slightly lower nominal contrast ratio
- Battery life is identical to Note 5 AI
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.26-inch FHD+ display. However, the Note 6 Pro boasts a contrast ratio of 1532:1 (nominal) and 2.966 (sunlight) compared to the Note 5 AI's 1893:1 (nominal) and 3.393 (sunlight). While the Note 5 AI has a slightly better nominal contrast, the Note 6 Pro's sunlight readability is noticeably improved, making it easier to view in bright conditions. The Note 6 Pro also has a slightly smaller notch.
Camera Comparison
The Note 5 AI features a dual camera setup (12MP + 5MP) and a 13MP front camera. The Note 6 Pro also has a dual camera setup (12MP + 5MP) but boasts a 20MP front camera. While both capture decent photos in good lighting, the Note 6 Pro's improved front camera offers better selfies and video calls. Low-light performance is comparable on both.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 chipset and an Octa-core CPU. Performance is virtually identical in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. You won't notice a significant difference in speed or responsiveness between the two.
Battery Life
Both phones share the same impressive endurance rating of 92 hours. Battery life is a major strength for both devices, easily lasting a full day or more with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Redmi Note 5 AI is a great choice for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a slightly better contrast ratio in nominal viewing conditions. The Redmi Note 6 Pro is ideal for those who value faster charging and improved outdoor display visibility, along with a more modern design and slightly improved selfie camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 6 Pro worth upgrading from the Redmi Note 5 AI?
If you prioritize faster charging and better selfie camera performance, then yes. Otherwise, the Note 5 AI remains a solid choice, especially if you find it at a lower price.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
Both phones offer similar gaming performance due to the identical chipset and CPU. You can expect smooth gameplay in most popular titles at medium settings.
