Where to buy Xiaomi Mi 5 in 2026: official and alternative ways

The Xiaomi Mi 5, released in 2016, is still popular among fans of compact flagships with powerful hardware. However, finding a new device today is not an easy task. The discontinued smartphone is sold mainly in the secondary market, and prices vary from symbolic to exorbitant (for collectible copies). In this guide, we will examine where to buy a Xiaomi Mi 5 in 2026, how to distinguish the original from a fake and what to look for when buying a used device.

It's important to understand that official channels (such as Mi Store or authorized dealers) have not shipped this model for a long time, but that doesn't mean that there are no options. We analyzed all the relevant sites - from international marketplaces to thematic forums - and collected a checklist for safe purchase. You will also learn how much the Xiaomi Mi 5 costs today, depending on condition and configuration, and why some copies are sold at 2-3 times the average market price.

Official channels: why they are no longer there and what is left

Xiaomi Mi 5 was introduced in February 2016, and the last batch came off the assembly line in 2017, which means that official deliveries have long been discontinued.

• 🏬 Mi Store (official Xiaomi stores) – the model is not in the catalog of all countries, including China.
• 🌍 Global distributors (e.g. Mi Global or partners like Amazon Renewed) – sometimes come across “new” devices, but it is either unpacked leftovers from warehouses or refurbished devices at the price of a new flagship.
• 📦 Official resellers in Russia and the CIS (for example, Svyaznoy, M. Video) - the model has long been withdrawn from sale, but in rare cases it can be found in the section "Goods from the showcase" at an inflated price.

The only legal way to get the Mi 5 first-hand is to buy it from a collector or at an auction (e.g. eBay labeled "New Old Stock"). But it's important to check the seller's reputation here: counterfeits sold under the guise of "sealed" boxes are not uncommon. For example, in 2023, AliExpress identified several cases of repackaged Redmi Note 3 Pros with Mi 5 firmware sold under the guise of Mi 5.

⚠️ Note: If you are offered a new Xiaomi Mi 5 at a price below 15,000 ₽ — It's 100% fraud. Even a used machine in perfect condition today costs as much as 8,000 to 10,000. ₽.

Marketplaces: where to look and how not to run into fraud

The main source of Xiaomi Mi 5 in 2026 is the secondary market.

On Avito and Yula, you should pay attention to ads with photos IMEI (You can check for originality through IMEI.info and video reviews of the smartphone. IMEI or to demonstrate the inclusion of the device is a reason to be wary.

On eBay and AliExpress, pay attention to the seller's reviews and packaging photos. The original Mi 5 box has:

• 📦 The Mi logo on the top cover (not Redmi!).
• 🔖 Serial number on the sticker that matches the number under the battery.
• 🔋 The inscription “Made in China” (not “Assembled in India” is a sign of forgery).

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Before buying, ask the seller to take a photo with the device on, where you can see the model in Settings → Fakes often show a mismatch between the labels on the body and the software (for example, on the body of the Mi 5, and in the settings - Redmi). 3S).

Specialized forums and groups: where collectors are looking

If you are looking for Xiaomi Mi 5 not just as a working smartphone, but as a collector’s copy (for example, in the original packaging with all accessories), it is worth looking at the thematic resources:

• 🤝 4PDA — In the Buy/Sell section, enthusiastic ads often appear, and here you can find a device with a history (for example, with a check from an official store).
• 📱 VKontakte Groups (Xiaomi Mi 5 – discussion, Smartphone Collectors) – here sellers are more often responsible for quality and provide full information about the condition of the device.
• 🌐 Reddit (r/hardwareswap, r/Xiaomi) — International sites where rare modifications can be found (e.g. Mi) 5 Pro 4 GB RAM).

Forums usually sell devices in better condition than marketplaces, but prices are higher too.For example, a Mi 5 in a "museum" state (with seals, all stickers and original RAM) can cost up to 20 000. ₽. However, sellers often give a guarantee of performance (for example, 7-14 days for a return).

⚠️ Note: Forums often sell custom firmware devices (such as LineageOS). MIUI or third-party firmware - this affects the stability of the work and the possibility of updates.

Checking the device before buying: checklist for 10 points

Even if the seller looks reliable, make sure to check before buying the Xiaomi Mi 5:

The original Mi 5 battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh, but after 7-8 years of operation its real capacity often drops to 1500-2000 mAh. Check the status of the battery using applications like AccuBattery or through the engineering menu (code # #4636##).

Another critical issue is the Mi Account lock, and if the previous owner hasn't untie the device from their account, you won't be able to use the smartphone after the reset.

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account and show that the device is not tied.
2. Make a reset to the factory settings with you (path: Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).

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If the seller refuses to make a reset with you, this is an excuse to refuse to buy. After the reset, the device may require the username / password of the previous owner, and it will be extremely difficult (sometimes impossible) to unlock it.

Xiaomi Mi 5 in 2026: what depends on the cost

The cost of Xiaomi Mi 5 in the secondary market varies widely, here are the main factors affecting the price:

• 🔋 State of the battery - the device with the original battery capacity ≥2500 mAh is 20-30% more expensive.
• 📦 Complete – the presence of the original box, ROM and cable adds 10-15% to the price.
• 🖥️ Modification - Mi 5 Pro (4 GB of RAM) + 128 GB of memory) more expensive than the standard version by 30-50%.
• 🎨 Color of the case – rare colors (for example, Ceramic Black) can cost 1.5-2 times more than standard (White, Gold).
• 🛠️ The condition of the case - scratches, chips or traces of repair reduce the cost by 20-30%.

The current prices for Xiaomi Mi 5 in 2026:

Should you buy a Mi 5 in 2026? If you want a compact smartphone with a flagship chipset (Snapdragon 820) for low-resource tasks (calls, messengers, simple photos), then yes.

• ⚠️ No official updates (last version) MIUI — 9.6.2.0, Android 7.0).
• ⚠️ Compatibility issues with modern apps (for example, some banking apps require Android 8)+).
• ⚠️ Difficulty repairing (parts are hard to find, and the cost of replacing the screen can exceed the price of the phone itself).

Xiaomi Mi 5: What to Buy Instead

If you need Xiaomi Mi 5 as a compact and powerful smartphone, but you can not find it in good condition, consider alternatives:

If you care about Xiaomi, the Mi 6 is the best alternative, it's still compact (5.15" screen), but it's got more modern hardware and support for new versions of Android. It's easier to find it in the secondary market, and prices start at 10 000. ₽.

For those looking for the smallest smartphone, look at the Uniherz Jelly 2 or Palm Phone, which are niche devices, but they offer state-of-the-art software in an ultra-compact package.

Risks of buying used Xiaomi Mi 5: what to look for

Buying a used smartphone is always fraught with risks, and in the case of the Xiaomi Mi 5, they are exacerbated by the age of the device.

• 🔋 Degraded battery – even if the seller claims the battery is “like new”, its actual capacity may be below 50##.
• 🔧 Hidden defects – for example, a broken vibrator, Wi-Fi problems or GPS. Test all the features before buying.
• 🔒 Locking Mi Account – if the previous owner did not untie the device, it will be extremely difficult to unlock it (proof of purchase will be required).
• 📱 Fakes – AliExpress and similar sites often sell clones based on MediaTek with firmware under the Mi 5.
• 🛠️ Lack of spare parts – if something breaks (like the screen), repairs can cost half the cost of the phone.

To minimize the risks, follow these rules:

1. Buy only from sellers with a good reputation (check reviews on Avito, on eBay – rating).
2. Demand video with a demonstration of all functions (camera, sensors, charging).
3. Use secure payment methods (e.g., a secure transaction on Avito or PayPal on eBay).
4. Check it out. IMEI Originality (services: IMEI.info, SNDeepInfo).

⚠️ Warning: If a seller asks for payment through Qiwi, YuMoney or transfer to a card without guarantees, this is almost certainly fraud!

FAQ: Frequent questions about buying Xiaomi Mi 5