The search for the legendary Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (also known as the Redmi Note 5) has become a real quest in modern times.This smartphone, which hit the market in 2018, has gained a reputation as the “people’s king” due to its balance between price and performance, and many users are still looking for this model to use as a second device, a phone for elderly relatives or as a reliable “workhorse”.
But it's almost impossible to find it in the official retail of major electronics chains, because production has officially stopped, the market is filled with refurbished devices, used gadgets and rare leftovers in warehouses, and buying one requires carefulness and understanding of the risks you may face.
In this article, we will examine all available acquisition channels, from large marketplaces to specialized sites, you will learn how not to run into scammers, what to look at when checking used equipment, and whether it is worthwhile to contact models five years ago in the current economic environment.
Official retail and major retailers
The first place that customers instinctively turn to is the big electronics stores. Unfortunately, in the case of Redmi 5 Plus, the chances of finding a new sealed machine are running to zero. Retailers are working with current models, and it's not economically feasible for them to keep a 2018 device on the shelves. If you see an offer in a store like this, it's probably a showcase sample or a product that came back from a customer.
However, large networks sometimes run discounted goods sections or "outlets" where you can find old models, in which case the guarantee may be reduced or no at all, it is important to carefully study the terms of the contract: often such phones are sold "as is", without a right of return, unless a critical manufacturing defect is found.
⚠️ Warning: If a large chain store offers you a new Redmi 5 Plus at full market price, make sure it's not a cashier's mistake or a confused model.
The advantage of buying from big players is transparency, and even if the device is used or rebuilt, you get a check and you get the opportunity to assert your rights through consumer protection law, which is a significant plus compared to private ads, where it is extremely difficult to return money.
Sometimes, these stores can find accessories or restored versions under the network's own brand, but it won't be the original Xiaomi.Always check the logos and markings on the box before paying.
Marketplaces: Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex.Market
The most likely option to buy a new or as-new device is a modern digital marketplace. Marketplaces aggregate offers from hundreds of small sellers, including those that store leftovers in warehouses. Here the range can be surprisingly wide, but the risks of stumbling into an unscrupulous seller increase.
When searching on Ozon or Wildberries, pay attention to the seller’s rating and the number of reviews for this product. Often under the guise of Xiaomi sell cheap Chinese counterparts with a redrawn shell. Verification of the specifications in the description is mandatory: the Redmi 5 Plus must have a Snapdragon 625 processor, not MediaTek.
- 📦 Type of seller: choose products marked “Marketplace Delivery” or trusted partners with high ratings.
- 💰 Price: If it is suspiciously low (below the market average for used), it is a red flag – most likely, the device has hidden defects.
- 📝 Search for phrases like “Global Version,” “Global Version,” or “Rostest” to avoid language and frequency issues.
It's important to understand the difference between "new" and "refurbished": marketplaces often sell machines made from different parts in third-party factories. They may work fine, but the build and screen quality will be inferior to the original, and the packages of such devices are also often cut down.
⚠️ Attention: Marketplaces often have the practice of “swapping”: in the box from Xiaomi may lie a brick or a non-working dummy. Always film the unpacking process on video, without interrupting the recording until you check the on and off. IMEI.
For convenience of comparison of prices and availability, you can use aggregators, but the final transaction is better done on the site, where the mechanisms of protection of the buyer are in place, this will give you time to check the goods before the money goes to the seller.
Advertising platforms: Avito, Yula and private sellers
The private sector is the main source of Redmi 5 Plus today, and you can find devices in different states on Avito and Yula, from "perfect" to "parts" -- it's a lively bargaining business, but you're the one who has the responsibility to choose, and experienced users find it the most profitable way to do it if you know what to look for.
When buying from hand, it is critical to pay attention to the state of the battery: the battery will inevitably deteriorate over 5-6 years of use. If the seller claims that the phone is “like new”, but keeps the charge only half a day, this is a sign of wear and tear. Replacing the battery is an additional cost and the risk of losing moisture protection (if any).
Meet the seller only in crowded places with good Internet, ask for phone settings, MIUI version and CPU information, run a heavy app or game to check if the device is warming and if there are spontaneous reboots.
- 🔍 Appearance: inspect the charging connector for backlash and oxidation, check the operation of all volume and lock buttons.
- 📱 Screen: Turn on a white picture at full brightness to reveal burnout or broken pixels typical of old ones OLED and IPS matrix.
- 🔒 Lock: Make sure the phone is not locked up by the operator and does not hang on the previous owner’s Mi Cloud account.
Private sellers often don't keep boxes and documents. This is normal in the used market, but it reduces the liquidity of the device if you want to resell it later, but the price will be much lower than for the full unit.
Specialized stores of used technology
There is a category of stores that specialize in buying and reselling equipment, checking devices, changing consumables and giving their own warranty (usually from 14 days to a year), buying a Redmi 5 Plus in such a place is a compromise between the price of a private seller and the reliability of the store.
The staff of these points usually conduct diagnostics of the main nodes, you must be provided with a report on the status of the battery (charge cycles) and the screen, this saves time on self-checking and reduces the risk of buying a “cat in a bag”.
☑️ Checking the used smartphone
But there are nuances: a small shop's warranty may not cost anything if it closes in a month or refuses to repair, citing "mechanical damage." Always read the warranty card terms in small print.
These stores often sell post-Trade-in devices, where people would hand over an old phone in exchange for a new one, and these devices are usually in better condition than hand-bought bulletin boards, because they were first selected by salon employees.
Chinese platforms: AliExpress and Alibaba
Buying on AliExpress or Alibaba for a 2018 model is a lottery, and you'll likely be offered either a Refurbished or a fake, and Chinese vendors are skilled at masking cheap processors as flagships in their system settings.
If you do decide to order from abroad, carefully study the reviews with photos. Look for real screenshots of the "About Phone" (About Phone). Pay attention to the screen resolution: the Redmi 5 Plus should be 1920×1080 (Full HD), not HD+.
| Parameter | Original | Typical forgery |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 625 | MediaTek MT6580 / Helio |
| Operating memory | 3/4GB of LPDDR4 | 1-2 GB (inflated software) |
| Camera. | 12 MP (Sony IMX362) | 2-5 MP (interpolation) |
| Charging. | Quick Charge 3.0 | Regular 5B/1A |
Delivery from China will take 2 to 4 weeks, and returns in case of a marriage will cost more than the phone itself. Therefore, ordering old Xiaomi models with AliExpress makes sense only if you are knowledgeable in technology and are willing to take risks.
⚠️ Attention: Global Version is often sold on Chinese platforms with custom firmware installed, and when updated over the air, such a phone can lock or turn into a brick».
It is better to consider the options of local sellers, even if the price is higher, saving 1,000 rubles is not worth the nerves and time spent on returning the illiquid.
Technical nuances of selection and verification
When choosing the Redmi 5 Plus, it is important to keep in mind its technical features, the model is known for its unkillable Snapdragon 625 processor, which still pulls basic tasks, but the weak point is the memory module and charging connector.
Check the fingerprint sensor. On older models, the plume may have moved away or oxidized. Also test the NFC module if it is declared (in global versions it is, in Chinese versions it is not always). Communication and GPS operation is another critical parameter for the navigator.