Advice for a Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

18 on 24/03/2018 - 23:25
Last edited 24/03/2018 - 23:31 by 1 other user

Im in seek of a brand new phone to replace my current dying phone. From the best budget phone of 2018, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is the second highest rated after the Xiaomi mi A1.

I personally feel like the phone better matches my need than the mi A1 because of the bigger battery, and the 18:9 aspect ratio (Great for reading!). The only things that appeal to me for the mi A1 is the better camera and stock android experience, but it's not a must.

I was so set on purchasing the device and then read issues like rom issues and this which is definitely putting me off!

I think for $184.35, it seems the best fit for me. Although, it does say it is the Chinese version which needs to be rooted, and this seems to be like to bring a whole another list of issues which requires 15 days to unlock the bootloader!!!. I've done my research, but these concerns from other OzBargainers are really making me reconsider my options.

I really love the fact the phone has 18:9 aspect ratio, and with its dev support, I don't see any other good options for someone with a $300 budget besides waiting for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. But I'm not too sure when that will be released for sale in Australia, and its cost.

Is it worth biting the bullet and just purchasing the phone? Or should I reconsider my options?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Cheers!

Mobile Mobile Phone Xiaomi Android

Comments

  • urahara on 25/03/2018 - 02:26

    I think you can still root and get rid of lots of shit if you really want to instead of flashing a completely different rom which causes problems.
    Other options can be flashing a different rom altogether

    • 18 on 25/03/2018 - 19:14
      +1

      Seems like such a huge hassle and i guess rip to warranty as well

      • urahara on 30/03/2018 - 15:40

        root can be unrooted

  • kiwijunglist on 25/03/2018 - 05:13

    Are you getting it in the aliexpress sale. I have a Xiaomi mi6 i thought I'd hate muiu but it's actually fine has some good features too. I bought my wife a a1 and is shall a very good phone.

    • 18 on 25/03/2018 - 19:14

      Which aliexpress sale are you referring to?

  • Jimbo42 on 25/03/2018 - 16:25

    I agree the specifications of the Xiaomi phones are very impressive for the prices; but remember to check the 4G bands — they don't have all of Telstra's bands . Since I travel out bush a lot, then the only network with decent coverage is Telstra — so Xiaomi is off the list for consideration of a new phone (I have a slow and clunky Sony Xperia), even though I'm impressed with other gear of theirs (e.g Powerbank battery) that I've bought.

    • 18 on 25/03/2018 - 19:14

      I use vodafone thankfully which means I won't be affected

    • Brianqpr on 28/03/2018 - 12:40

      Depends on location. I'm Sydney metro and there's no noticeable difference in 4G reception between my Xiaomi and my wife's iphone 8.

  • stonkered on 26/03/2018 - 10:43
    +2

    The Redmi Note 4x, Redmi 5 Plus and the mi A1 are all very similar in terms of hardware, aside from a few variations between them like screen size, camera, battery, etc. they are all built around the Snapdragon 625.

    In my mind it's the Note 4x and 5 Plus versus the mi A1, the former are basically the same phone besides the screen configuration and have the bigger 4000mah battery, the mi A1 has the 'better' camera and stock Android and 3080 mAh battery. I say 'better' camera as they are all OK under well lit conditions but suck in low light so it's much of a muchness I think.

    If custom ROMs come in to it then the 4x has the best support, it's the only phone with official Lineage OS support, the others do have unofficial support, but their XDA threads are quite bare compared to the 4x. If ROMs don't matter then I think the 5 Plus edges out of the 4x if you dog the screen.

    If you were to buy a Redmi 5 Plus I would be paying the extra to get the international version with official global ROM, the 5 Plus is the only phone that has had these problems with OTA updates bricking phones so I wouldn't chance it but that's just me, if I got a Chinese version I'd be rooting and flashing it completely rather than just rooting and removing Chinese apps/installing Google apps, and personally I couldn't be stuffed with that on a brand new phone.

    If you have the luxury of time IMO it would be wise to wait for the Note 5 Pro, it really is the next gen of the Xiaomi budget lineup.

    Otherwise choose between mi A1 and 5 Plus. Basically better camera, smaller battery and Android One vs bigger screen, bigger battery and MIUI.

    • 18 on 26/03/2018 - 17:40

      Any idea when the Note 5 Pro would be available for purchase in Australia? And what the cost might be?

      I really appreciate the insight!

      • stonkered on 27/03/2018 - 09:48
        +1

        Not sure, don't know anymore than the next guy, next couple of months? $300 to $350 for starters? I wish I had an answer for you!

        It's kind of an annoying time to buy a Xiaomi phone I think as all the current entry level models are SD 625 based.

        For example the Redmi Note 3 Pro (Snapdragon 650) from 2 - 3 years ago is about on par performance wise to the SD 625 in the newer Redmi Note 4x/Redmi 5 Plus/mi A1, so there hasn't been a big chipset upgrade to their budget line for quite a while, which is why everyone is hanging out for the Note 5 Pro as it's a proper step up with the Snapdragon 636 which has the new Kryo cores which Qualcomm claim to be 40% quicker. It's also got better GPU and faster RAM plus newer versions of peripheral tech, e.g: Bluetooth, modem, etc.

        I was waiting for the 5 Pro as well but my phone died so I couldn't wait any longer and got an mi A1 which I'm pretty happy with.

        The 625 goes fine for day to day use and is very power efficient so you'd get good battery life from the 5 plus & it's 4000mAh battery, plus the price is pretty great for what you get. You'll probably be happy whichever way you go, they are all good phones.

        • 18 on 27/03/2018 - 13:30

          Hahah you've convinced me to wait even though my phone is dead! Thanks for trying to help :)

          Does the 625 ever freeze or lag or anything?

        • stonkered on 27/03/2018 - 14:18
          +1

          @18:

          Nah, it's fine, I don't play games though so can't say about that.

        • 18 on 28/03/2018 - 22:25

          @stonkered:

          Hey, what's the difference between this and the Note 5 Pro. it says it also has the snapdragon 636

        • stonkered on 29/03/2018 - 09:09

          @18:

          It's one and the same, Xiaomi are releasing the global version as just Redmi Note 5 (no 'pro' on the end).

          You were wise to wait :D, although looking at the comments of that deal it seems they aren't in stock yet so could be a while.

          (Global) Redmi 5 Plus = (Indian) Redmi Note 5.

          (Global\Chinese) Redmi Note 5 = (Indian) Redmi Note 5 Pro. But the there are differences, global has better camera, more bands, both are 636 though.

          The guys at Whirlpool are all over it so maybe check out what they saying, I'm not tracking it as carefully as I was prior to buying the A1;

          https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2667529&…

          Just don't go with some unproven/unknown vendor, GL :)

  • spy on 28/03/2018 - 19:17

    Just don't buy from LIBT. See forums of how the rep continues to dodge the issue. They shipped China stock with fake Global ROM that bricks the Phone when updated.

    • stonkered on 29/03/2018 - 09:10
      +1

      You'd be mad to get a 5 plus now anyway with Note 5 soo close.

      • spy on 29/03/2018 - 14:02

        True.

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