How many inches does Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: full screen analysis and comparison with competitors

If you're planning to buy a Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 or are already a lucky owner, the question of screen size in inches is one of the first. This model, released in 2018, became a real bestseller due to the balance of price and specs. But why is 5.99 inches not 6 or 5.5? And how does this diagonal affect the experience?

In this article, we will not only answer the question “how many inches does the Redmi Note 5”, but also analyze why Xiaomi chose the size that it corresponds to modern standards, and what nuances should be considered when choosing a smartphone with such a diagonal. You will also learn how to compare screens by size, which parameters are more important than inches, and what alternatives Xiaomi itself offers in the Redmi line.

Official screen specs of Redmi Note 5

According to Xiaomi’s technical documentation, the Redmi Note 5 is equipped with a display with a diagonal of 5.99 inches. This value is often rounded to 6 inches in marketing materials, but the exact figure is 5.99.” The screen is made using IPS LCD technology with a resolution of 2160 × 1080 pixels (Full HD+), which provides a 403 ppi pixel density.

It is important to understand that the screen size is measured by the angular points of the matrix, not by the visible area of the display. So the actual display area of the content may vary slightly due to the bezels or rounding. In the case of the Redmi Note 5, the aspect ratio is 18:9, which makes it more elongated compared to the classic 16:9.

• 📏 Diagonal: 5.99 inches (152.1 mm)
• 🖥️ Technology: IPS LCD illuminated LED
• 🔍 Permission: 2160 × 1080 (Full HD+)
• 🎨 Pixel density: 403 ppi
• 📐 Aspect ratio: 18:9

Interesting fact: despite the fact that the Redmi Note 5 was positioned as a budget device, its screen performance was not inferior to the flagships of the time. For example, the pixel density of 403 ppi is higher than the iPhone 8 (326 ppi) and comparable to the Samsung Galaxy. S8 (570 ppi, but with AMOLED-matrix).

Why 5.99 inches: Marketing or Technical Necessity?

The 5.99-inch diagonal for the Redmi Note 5 was no coincidence: in 2018, it was the optimal balance between compactness and user-friendliness.

1. Market trends: In 2017-2018, manufacturers actively switched to screens with a ratio of 18:9 and more, increasing the diagonal without significant growth in body size.
2. Competition: The main competitors in the budget segment (Honor 7X, Samsung Galaxy J6+) had screens 5.93-6.0 inches. Xiaomi chose the middle ground.
3. Ergonomics: Diagonal 5.99" allowed you to comfortably use the smartphone with one hand (with a width of the case 75.45 mm), but at the same time provided enough space for multimedia.

Xiaomi also used thin bezels on the sides (2.95 mm) in the Redmi Note 5, which visually enlarged the screen at the same body size. This was one of the first steps of the brand to frameless designs, which later appeared in the Redmi Note 7 and Note 8.

Comparison with other Xiaomi models: which is better?

To see how relevant the 5.99 inch diagonal is today, compare the Redmi Note 5 to other popular models of the brand. Below is a table with key screen parameters:

The table shows that over 5 years, the screen sizes in the Redmi Note range have grown from 5.99 to 6.67 inches. However, this does not mean that the Redmi Note 5 is outdated: its screen is still suitable for most tasks, especially if you prefer compact devices.

• 🔄 More aspect ratio (20:9 instead of 18:9) – screens are more elongated.
• 🌈 Transition to AMOLED In the top models (starting with the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
• 🔍 Increased resolution (up to) 2400 × 1080), But the pixel density remained at the same level (~400 ppi).
• 💡 Brightness and contrast: modern screens support HDR and higher levels of brightness.

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If you’re choosing between the Redmi Note 5 and the newer model, pay attention not only to the inches, but also to the type of matrix. AMOLED-screens (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro) provide deeper black and less power consumption when displaying dark themes.

How does a 5.99 inch diagonal affect the experience?

The size of the screen directly affects how you interact with your smartphone, and here are the key aspects to consider when diagonaling 5.99 inches:

Pros:

• ✅ Compact: The device is comfortable to hold in one hand, which is important for users with small palms.
• ✅ Multimedia and Productivity Balance: Enough space to watch videos, but not too cumbersome to type.
• ✅ Energy efficiency: smaller diagonal = Lower energy consumption compared to 6.5"+ screen.

Cons:

• ❌ Restrictions for gamers: In some games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact – Small controls can be uncomfortable.
• ❌ Multitasking: Splitting the screen into two windows (e.g. chat) + browser) less comfortable than 6.5"+ display.
• ❌ Modern standards: Many applications are optimized for screens with a ratio of 20:9, which can cause the Redmi Note 5 to appear black fields.

To put it in perspective, if you compare the Redmi Note 5 (5.99) and the Redmi Note 12 (6.67), the screen size difference is about 20%, which means that the new smartphone will fit 20% more text in the browser or messenger without scrolling.

Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 5 screen size

Users often confuse the screen diagonal with the dimensions of the body or the resolution with the physical size.

⚠️ Note: If you see a 6.0 inch value in the specs instead of 5.99, it's not a mistake! Manufacturers often round the diagonal to make it easier to perceive.

Question 1: Why do some reviews say that the Redmi Note 5 has a 6-inch screen and others have a 5.99 screen?

A: It's a matter of marketing positioning. Xiaomi in official documents specifies 5.99 inches, but many stores and media round the value to 6 for simplicity.The difference of 0.01 inches (0.25 mm) is insignificant in practice.

Question 2: Can I replace the Redmi Note 5 screen with a larger 6.5 inch screen?

Answer: Technically impossible. The screen size is tightly tied to the smartphone body: the connectors, mounts and the speaker/camera holes are designed to be 5.99.” Any replacement with a different screen size will require a body modification, which is not advisable.

Question 3: "How do you compare 5.99 inches to centimeters?"

Answer: To convert inches to centimeters, multiply the diagonal by 2.54. For the Redmi Note 5: 5.99 × 2.54 ≈ 15.21 cm, the width and height of the screen (without bezels) will be approximately 6.8 × 13.5 cm.

How to choose a cover or glass for a 5.99 inch screen?

When buying accessories for the Redmi Note 5, it is important to consider not only the screen diagonal, but also the exact dimensions of the body. An error of 1-2 mm can lead to the case not fitting or the glass will not cover the entire display.

• 📱 Body dimensions: 158.5 × 75.45 × 8.05 mm
• 🔲 Screen size (visible area): ~146.5 × 71.1 mm
• 🕳️ Connectors: 3.5 mm, USB Type-C, double nano-SIM + microSD

When choosing a protective glass, pay attention to:

1. Type of cutout: For Redmi Note 5 fit glass with a cutout for the front camera and speaker (located on top in the center).
2. Coverage: Optimal - 2.5D (rounded edges) for tight fit.
3. Thickness: 0.2–0.33 mm (thicker glasses may interfere with the fingerprint sensor if it is located below the screen).

⚠️ Note: Some vendors have described the accessories as “suitable for 6-inch smartphones.” This is not always true: for example, the Redmi Note 5 and Samsung Galaxy A6+ both have screens ~6 inches, but the dimensions of the cases are very different!

Redmi Note 5 Alternatives with Different Screen Size

If the 5.99 inch diagonal doesn’t suit you, consider other Xiaomi models with similar specs but different screen sizes:

If you need a smartphone less than 5.99 inches, pay attention to:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite (5.84, 2018) – compact but outdated.
• 📱 POCO X3 NFC (6.67” but narrow frames visually reduce dimensions).
• 📱 Redmi 9C (6.53" but light and thin).

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When choosing a smartphone by screen size, focus not only on inches, but also on the aspect ratio. For example, the Redmi Note 5 (18:9) and Redmi Note 10 (20:9) have a close diagonal, but the latter is visually narrower and longer.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions