Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: the year of release, technical features and relevance today

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) became one of the brand’s most popular budget phones in the late 2010s. It is often confused with the Redmi Note 5, a model released almost simultaneously but with different technical characteristics. If you are looking for information about the year of release of this device, you are likely interested not only in the date, but also in how relevant the model is today, what its strengths and weaknesses, and how to distinguish the original from a fake when buying in the secondary market.

In this article, we will analyze the exact year of the Redmi 5 Plus release, its key features, compare it with competitors of that period and answer the question: should I buy this smartphone in 2026?

⚠️ Note: The market still has re-labeled Redmi 5 Plus, issued as newer models (for example, Redmi 6 Pro).Be sure to check the serial number through the official Mi Verify service before buying.

Official release year of Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus was announced on December 14, 2017 at a presentation in China along with the younger model Redmi 5 (codenamed rosy).Official sales started in February 2018 - first in Asia, and then in global markets, including Russia. Thus, 2018 is considered the year of release for retail buyers.

Interestingly, the Redmi 5 Plus was Xiaomi’s first smartphone with an 18:9 aspect ratio, which was a groundbreaking solution for the budget segment.

The table below provides a chronology of key events related to the model:

⚠️ WARNING: If you're offered a "new" Redmi 5 Plus in 2026, it's almost certainly a fake or a refurbished device.Original stock has long sold out and official support is ending in 2020.

Technical specifications: what is under the hood of the Redmi 5 Plus

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus was positioned as a budget smartphone with an emphasis on the big screen and a capacious battery. its “highlight” was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor – the same chip as in the flagship Xiaomi Mi A1 (2017), but with a lower clock speed (2.0 GHz vs. 2.2 GHz) This ensured good energy efficiency and stable operation.

The main parameters of the device:

• 📱 Screen: 5.99" IPS LCD, permit 2160×1080 (FHD+), ratio 18:9, brightness 450 thread
• 🔋 Battery: 4000 mAh (non-removable), support for fast charging 5V/2A (10 Watt)
• 💻 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (14 nm), 8 cores Cortex-A53 @ 2.0 GHz
• 🎮 Graphics: Adreno 506
• 📷 Main camera: 12 MP, diaphragm f/2.2, phase-focus, LED-flash
• 🤳 Front camera: 5 MP, diaphragm f/2.0, soft-flare
• 🗃️ Memory: 3/4 GB RAM + 32/64 GB ROM (MicroSD support to ROM) 256 GB)
• 📡 Network: 4G LTE (Band 1/3/5/7/8/38/40), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2
• 🔑 Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, proximity sensor, lighting, fingerprint sensor (on the back panel)

The feature of the model was a hybrid slot for SIM-maps: either two nano-SIMs or one nano-SIM + microSD. This limited the ability to expand memory for users with two numbers.

Redmi Note 5: Why they are confused

The Redmi 5 Plus and Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) were announced a month apart, causing confusion among buyers.

🔍 How do you tell the difference visually? The Redmi Note 5 has a vertical camera (like the iPhone X), and the Redmi 5 Plus has a horizontal camera. LED-flash, and the 5 Plus has a single.

⚠️ Note: In India, the Redmi Note 5 was sold as the Redmi Note 5 Pro (with a Snapdragon 636), and the Redmi 5 Plus was not officially shipped there, which further confuses users when searching for firmware or accessories.

Relevance in 2026: whether to buy a b/w

6 years after the release of the Redmi 5 Plus is obsolete, but still suitable for a limited range of tasks.

• ✅ Pluses: 💰 Very low price (2-5 thousand rubles depending on the condition) 🔋 Long battery life (4000 mAh is enough for 1.5-2 days with moderate use) 📱 Convenient screen size (5.99′ with thin bezels) 🛠️ Easy to repair (cheap parts, many service centers)
• ❌ Cons: 🐢 Outdated CPU (Snapdragon 625 poorly pulls modern games and heavy applications) 📸 Weak camera (12 MP without night mode, video maximum in Full) HD) 🔄 No security updates (last version of Android is 9 Pie) 📶 Problems with 4G In some regions (there is no support for the Band 20, which is important for Europe)

Who's the right fit? This smartphone might be an option for:

• 🧓 Older people (big screen, simple) MIUI)
• 🎵 Use as a player or navigator (offline maps, music)
• 📞 Backup phone (in case of failure of the main phone)
• 💼 Work with basic applications (calls, WhatsApp, browser)

🚫 Who doesn't? Those who plan:

• 🎮 Play modern games (PUBG, Genshin Impact et al.)
• 📸 Take high-quality photos/video
• 🔒 Use banking applications (an outdated version of Android)
• 📱 Update the firmware (official support terminated)

Battery service (capacity not lower than 70% of the original)|Performance of all sensors (gyroscope, compass)|Absence of yellow pixels on the screen|State of charge connector (no backlash)|Verification IMEI originality-->

How to check the originality and condition of the used device

When buying Redmi 5 Plus on the secondary market (Avito, Yula, Facebook Marketplace), the risk of running into a fake or "killed" device is very high.

1. Verification IMEI: Dial *#06# → Compare the number to the label under the battery. Then check on IMEI.info or Mi Verify.
2. Battery Diagnostics: Install the AccuBattery (Play Market) app and check the actual capacity. If it's less than 3,000 mAh, the battery needs to be replaced.
3. Screen test: Run a video with a uniform color (like a red screen on YouTube) – look for broken pixels or backlights.
4. Performance check: Install AnTuTu Benchmark. For Redmi 5 Plus, the normal score is 60,000-75,000. If below 50,000, you may overheat or wear the chip.

⚠️ Beware of sellers who refuse to show:

• 🔋 Battery status in Settings → Battery. → Status.
• 📱 All sensors (e.g., a gyroscope in Google Earth) VR)
• 🔌 Charging from the original unit (many fakes do not support fast charging)

Alternatives: What to buy instead of Redmi 5 Plus in 2026

If you need a budget smartphone for basic tasks, consider more modern alternatives from Xiaomi:

💡 Tip: If the budget allows, it is better to pay 2-3 thousand rubles. and take the Redmi Note 8 or Poco C31. These models support modern versions of Android and have the best cameras.

- Running a heavy app (e.g. Google Maps in the 3D-mode).

- Low light camera test.

Check all physical buttons and connectors.

This will help to avoid hidden defects.-->

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

The Redmi 5 Plus has typical "diseases" that occur after 3-4 years of use, and here are the most common ways to eliminate them:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: Cause: battery wear. Solution - replacement with a new one (the original costs a lot of money) ~1000 RUB.) Alternative: calibrate the battery through Settings → Battery. → Optimization.
• 📱 Spontaneous reboots: Cause: CPU overheating or firmware failure Solution: reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Restore and reset) or reflash through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 📶 Bad net catches 4G: The reason is an outdated firmware or a damaged communication module, so you can either upgrade the radio modem via Fastboot or replace the antenna plume (~500 rubles.).
• 🔊 Quiet speaker or microphone: Cause: clogging of the speaker grid or wear of the microphone. Solution: clean with alcohol or replace the microphone (~300 rubles.).

🛠️ Where to look for parts? for Redmi 5 Plus details are easy to find on the:

• 🌍 AliExpress (original and non-original components)
• 🛒 Beru or Wildberries (Fast Delivery)
• 🔧 Local service centers (often there are used parts from other repairs)

💡

If the Redmi 5 Plus starts to warm up or turn off when charging - immediately replace the battery! Lithium batteries older than 4-5 years can swell and damage the motherboard.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions