Xiaomi's Redmi series has consistently delivered impressive value. Two popular contenders, the Redmi Pro and the Redmi 5 Plus (also known as Redmi Note 5 in some regions), offer distinct features and performance levels. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi 5 Plus edges out the Redmi Pro thanks to its superior battery life, excellent display visibility in sunlight, and the efficiency of the Snapdragon 625. While the Pro boasts a deca-core processor, the 5 Plus offers a more balanced and practical experience for most users.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, July. Released 2016, August | 2018, February. Released 2018, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 151.5 x 76.2 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 158.5 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 174 g (6.14 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Deca-core 2.5 GHz - Exclusive editionDeca-core 2.3 GHz - High editionDeca-core 2.1 GHz - Standard edition | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6797T Helio X25 (20 nm) - High & Exclusive editionsMediatek MT6797 Helio X20 (20 nm) - Standard edition | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T880 MP4 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), MIUI 10 | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), 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 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM (Exclusive edition) | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio; recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Gray | Black, Gold, Blue, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | MEG7, MEI7 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -29.7dB / Crosstalk -91.8dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 80h
|
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1431:1 (nominal), 2.913 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1696Basemark X: 23846 |
GeekBench: 4309 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Pro
- Powerful Deca-Core Processor
- Premium Design (slightly)
- Potentially better for demanding games (though efficiency is lower)
- Lower Battery Life
- Inconsistent Camera Performance
- Less Efficient Processor
- Outdoor Display Visibility
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Redmi Note 5)
- Excellent Battery Life (104h Endurance)
- Bright and Readable Display (especially in sunlight)
- Efficient Snapdragon 625 Chipset
- Reliable Performance
- Less Raw Processing Power than Pro
- Design is more standard
- 10W Charging (relatively slow)
Display Comparison
The Redmi 5 Plus shines with its impressive contrast ratio of 1431:1 (nominal) and a remarkable 2.913 in sunlight. This makes it exceptionally readable outdoors. The Redmi Pro's display, while decent, lacks the same level of brightness and outdoor visibility. The 5 Plus also features a slightly larger screen, enhancing the viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable cameras, but the Redmi 5 Plus generally produces more consistent and pleasing results. The Redmi Pro's camera performance can be inconsistent, and it sometimes struggles in low-light conditions. Both phones likely feature similar camera hardware, but software optimization plays a significant role, and the 5 Plus appears to have the edge here. Expect decent photo and video quality from both.
Performance
The Redmi Pro's deca-core Mediatek Helio X25/X20 chipset initially seemed appealing, promising high performance. However, in real-world usage, the Snapdragon 625 in the Redmi 5 Plus proves to be more efficient and consistently delivers smooth performance. The Snapdragon 625's 14nm process also contributes to better power efficiency. While the Pro might show slightly better benchmark scores, the 5 Plus offers a more stable and practical experience.
Battery Life
The Redmi 5 Plus takes a clear victory in the battery department. With an endurance rating of 104 hours, it significantly outperforms the Redmi Pro's 80 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage times between charges, making the 5 Plus a more practical choice for users who prioritize battery life.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Pro is ideal for users prioritizing raw processing power and a slightly more premium design. It's a good choice if you frequently engage in demanding tasks like gaming. The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Redmi Note 5) is perfect for everyday users who value long battery life, a bright and readable display, and reliable performance without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Pro still worth buying?
The Redmi Pro is a viable option if you absolutely need the extra processing power for specific tasks, but the Redmi 5 Plus offers a more well-rounded and practical experience for most users.
❓ What is the difference between the Redmi 5 Plus and Redmi Note 5?
In many regions, the Redmi 5 Plus and Redmi Note 5 are the same device. The naming convention varied by market.
