How to know exactly the year of release and model Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to accurately identify their device, especially when it comes to the Redmi 5 Plus. This model, also known as the Vince, was released during a period of rapid growth in the popularity of the brand, which sometimes creates confusion when buying used gadgets or selecting accessories. Understanding the exact release date and modification helps to avoid problems with the compatibility of firmware and spare parts.

Determining the year of production is important not only for estimating the residual value of a device, but also for understanding its technical relevance. Many users mistakenly rely only on visual features, but the appearance of the case can be misleading if the device has been repaired. There are several reliable ways to get reliable information directly from the system or from the package.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available methods, from simple menu settings to factory label analysis, and learn to distinguish between global versions and Chinese originals, which is critical for the Redmi 5 Plus. Proper identification is the first step to properly operating and maintaining your smartphone.

Analysis of factory packaging and documentation

The easiest and fastest way to know the year of release of your Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is to study the original box. On the back or bottom of the cardboard package there is always a special sticker with technical information.

Note the barcode and line labeled Date or Mfg Date. The format of the record can vary depending on the region of delivery: the year can be indicated in full (for example, 2017) or abbreviated (17).

⚠️ Note: If the sticker is overstuffed, has traces of a fake, or the data on it does not match the information in the phone menu, this may indicate a recovered device or counterfeit.

Don't ignore the user manual if it's still there. The back pages of documentation often print the date of the manual or the firmware version preinstalled in the factory, and by comparing this with the MIUI update history for the Vince model, you can accurately determine the time period of production of your instance.

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Take a picture of the sticker from the box immediately after you buy it and save it to the cloud, which will help you quickly find the IMEI and release date in the future, even if the package itself is thrown away.

Checking the information in the settings menu

The built-in Android operating system and MIUI shell provide access to basic device information. To find them, the user needs to go to the settings section. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi smartphones.

You need to open the Settings app and find the About phone (or “About phone”) item. This shows the device model, the CPU version, and sometimes the release year in the specs bar. For Redmi 5 Plus, it’s important to make sure the Model bar has the correct value corresponding to your version (Global or China).

• 📱 Go to Settings. → About the phone to view basic information.
• 🔍 Please note the line "Version" MIUI», The date of its first installation indirectly indicates the year of activation.
• 💾 Check the memory capacity to confirm compliance with the stated modification (3/32, 4/64 GB).

You can also use an extended information menu, which allows you to repeatedly click on the kernel version or MIUI logo, and it can provide a detailed technical menu, which can include the date of compilation of the underlying software, which also gives you an idea of the age of the hardware platform.

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The information in the About Phone menu is software-based and can be changed when you flash it, so it is less reliable for legally relevant actions than the data from the case or IMEI.

Use of service code for engineering menu

The most technically accurate method of obtaining information about the "iron" and the date of assembly is to enter the engineering menu through a special USSD-This works even on locked screens if you can call a caller. For Xiaomi devices, the universal code for accessing technical information is a combination of characters.

Enter ##6484#. Once the last star is entered, the CIT menu will automatically open. This menu provides a full list of component tests, but we are interested in general information. Often the top of the screen or a separate Version item contains the software build date and sometimes a hardware revision.

Actions to enter the CIT:




1. Open the Phone app.




2.Type ##6484###




3. wait for the automatic transition to the test menu.

Alternative code *#06# allows you to quickly display basic identifiers, including: IMEI Although the date is not explicitly stated here, there are two slots under the SIM-maps and specific range IMEI can help experts determine the year of release of the batch through the databases of telecom operators.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change settings in the engineering menu that you are not sure about.Accessual activation of some tests can cause the screen or sensor to recalibrate.

Serial number and IMEI decoding

The serial number (SN) and IMEI are unique digital fingerprints of your Redmi 5 Plus. Unlike software data, they are virtually impossible to change without special hardware. Knowing Xiaomi's coding structure, you can try to decrypt some of the information, although the company often encrypts release dates in these numbers.

Serial numbers are usually alphanumeric, the first characters can indicate the manufacturer, and the next ones - on the date. However, there is no universal formula for all years. A more reliable way is to check IMEI through official services. By entering the code on the Xiaomi warranty check site, you will see the status of the device and the date of its first activation.

If the smartphone was purchased in an official store, the warranty start date almost always coincides with the purchase date, which, in turn, is close to the date of manufacture. The difference between production and sale is usually from 1 to 6 months, which allows you to determine the year of release with a half-year error.

Comparison of technical characteristics of modifications

The Redmi 5 Plus came in several versions, and knowing the differences helps to identify the device. The main difference lies in the amount of RAM and internal storage. The global version most often came with a configuration of 3/32 GB or 4/64 GB, while the Chinese version could have other options.

All Redmi 5 Plus are based on the Snapdragon 625 chip, but different revisions may have different modems or LTE frequency support.

The presence of B20 (800 MHz) band support is a key marker of the global version that was massively shipped to Europe and Russia in 2018.The Chinese versions released in late 2017 often lack this frequency, which affects the quality of communication in the countryside.

Determination of the year through third-party applications

If standard methods don't give you a complete answer, Google Play's specialized tools come to the rescue, and applications like CPU-Z, AIDA64, or Device Info HW can read the system's depth, and they show not only the processor model, but also the date the drivers were compiled, which often coincides with the build period of the phone.

Install an app like AIDA64 and go to the Device section, where you'll find the line "Android Build" or "Kernel Date." While this isn't a direct case production date, it gives you an idea of how long ago the device rolled off the assembly line. For the Redmi 5 Plus, typical kernel dates are late 2017 to early 2018.

• 📲 Download. CPU-Z from the official app store.
• 🔍 Open the Device tab to view the exact SoC model.
• 📅 Find the Kernel Date to estimate the age of the software.

Remember that flashing the device to Custom ROM can change the kernel date to a newer one, so it is best used in conjunction with checking the IMEI and the appearance of the screws for traces of opening.

⚠️ Note: Some Chinese clone apps may show false information about the model and features. Use only proven high-ranking utilities on Google Play.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)