How to know what year Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 phone: the full guide

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face the need to clarify the exact date of production of their device, especially when it comes to the popular model Redmi Note 5. This information becomes critical when buying a used gadget, checking the originality of components or trying to install a specific version of the firmware compatible with a certain revision of the hardware.

The problem is that the standard Android settings menu often doesn’t show the release date explicitly, giving way to the software build date.This creates confusion as the user sees the MIUI release year, rather than the physical age of the device.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods to determine the exact year in which your Redmi Note 5 was released.We will look at both software methods through the engineering menu and codes, and physical ways to check the markings on the case and box.

Analysis of factory packaging and documentation

The easiest and most reliable way to know the year of release is to find the original smartphone box. On one side face or on the end is usually a white sticker with technical information, which contains the serial number and production date, specified in the format of MGY-MM or MM/GYYYYYYYYY.

Notice the barcode and the text underneath. Often the date is printed in small print next to the "Mfg Date" or simply a digital code. If the box is lost, check the warranty card or purchase check if it is preserved in paper or electronic form. The date of sale in the store is usually 1-3 months behind the date of production, which gives a good approximation.

However, it is worth considering that unscrupulous sellers can replace the box with a similar device from another device. IMEI-The code on the box is stitched in the phone itself, and the number matching ensures that the box is native".

• 📦 Find a white barcode sticker on the end of the box.
• 📅 Look for the line "Mfg Date" or the numerical code of the format GYGG-MM.
• 🔢 Compare. IMEI on a box with a code in the phone system.
• 🧾 Keep the purchase check as proof of the start of the guarantee.

⚠️ Note: If the production date on the box is later than the model’s global release date, this may indicate a reassembled device or a replaced case.

Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code

The built-in MIUI engineering menu contains hidden sections accessible through special character combinations. Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) often uses universal code ##6484##, which opens the Test Menu (CIT). Although the direct release date may not be displayed there, you can find a hardware version that indirectly indicates the revision of the board.

More informative can be the input of the code *#06#. After it is typed, information about the code will appear on the screen. IMEI. Some versions of the firmware MIUI And if you don't have a date, you can use the small print to show you a "Production Date" or similar line. IMEI-Numbers – sometimes this action opens a hidden menu with detailed statistics.

There's also a code ##4636## that opens the Check menu. Going to Phone Information, you can find the device's time of operation or the date of the last reset, but not always the build date. ADB-commands that require a connection to the PC.

Verification through service codes and ADB

For advanced users who want to get accurate information, USB debugging is the best tool. By connecting the Redmi Note 5 to a computer and installing ADB drivers, you can query system properties. In the PC command adb shell getprop ro.boot.serialno is entered to obtain a serial number, which sometimes contains an encrypted date.

A more accurate method is to use the adb shell dumpsys battery command or log analysis, but these are difficult for the average user. The easiest way to install the "Device Info HW" application or similar one, which reads system properties and can display the kernel compilation date or firmware assembly date, which is close to the activation date.

If you have root rights, you can use the terminal on the device itself. If you type in the getprop command and you scroll through the list, you can find lines like ro.bootimage.build.date. Although this is the Android build date, it usually coincides with the month (out of the factory) of the particular instance.

adb shell getprop | grep date

This command will output all parameters containing the word "date", which will help to find the desired time stamp in the system logs of the device.

Age determination by IMEI and online services

The most reliable method that does not require technical skills is database verification. IMEI. On the back cover of the Redmi Note 5 (if not removed) or in the tray for SIM-cards (on some versions) a unique 15-digit code is struck, and it can also be found in the settings: → The phone. → Background.

There are many sites, like imei.info or miui.com (the official website), that show the model, color and, most importantly, release date. Type the number in the search box and the system will give you the device's passport. Xiaomi also has a warranty check on the official website, which indicates the activation date.

The activation date is the moment the phone is first turned on and logged in to the Mi Account. It almost always coincides with the date of purchase or is behind production by a couple of weeks.

Visual signs and indirect methods

If software methods are not available, the state of the charging socket and the appearance of the case should be considered. Redmi Note 5 was released in 2018, and the device with micro-USB (in the global version) will have scuffles around the port if it was used actively.

Also an indirect sign of the year of release is the "out-of-the-box" version of MIUI. If the first time you turn on (after reset) the system suggests upgrading from MIUI 9 or early MIUI 10, then the phone is exactly the old year of release. New devices immediately come with the latest software.

Notice the Xiaomi logo on the back. Over the years, the company has changed the font and logo layout a little. Compare your device's photo to the official press renders of 2018 and 2019. The differences in color shades can also tell you the year of the batch.

Table of conformity of models and years of issue

The Redmi Note 5 has many different market versions, which often confuses users. Global, Indian (Redmi Note 5 Pro) and Chinese (Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera) versions have been released at different times. Understanding these differences helps to more accurately determine the age of a particular instance.

The Chinese version was the first to be released in early 2018, and the global version came out a couple of months later, and the Indian version with the Snapdragon 636 was a mid-2018 hit, and knowing the code name of its model, you can pinpoint the production time interval.

Below is a table for quick orientation. Find your CPU or code name in the settings (Settings → About Phone) to see which line your device belongs to.

• 🇨🇳 Chinese version: released in February 2018.
• 🌍 Global version: appeared in March-April 2018.
• 🇮🇳 Indian version (Pro): launched in February 2018.
• 🔄 Updates: Support for the model is officially completed.

⚠️ Note: Don't confuse the Redmi Note 5 (2018) with the Redmi Note 5A (2017 or Redmi Note 5 (2019) for the Indian market".

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When buying a used Redmi Note 5, be sure to check the code name in the settings with the name on the box. Often sellers will give the cheaper version of the Note 5A for a full Note 5.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The most accurate information about the year of release of Redmi Note 5 is provided by a combination of IMEI check through the official website and visual inspection of factory markings.

⚠️ Warning: Beware of fake sites to check IMEI, Use only official Xiaomi resources or verified databases.