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Xiaomi Mi 5 review: the real MiCoy

AndroidPIT xiaomi mi5 1587
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Xiaomi has finally released its long-awaited flagship, the Xiaomi Mi 5. After taking almost two years to appear, the successor to the Mi 4 is now with us. The Mi 5’s design is reminiscent of the Galaxy S7. Its hardware surpasses the LG G5. Regarding price, the Mi 5 outperforms all competitors. Could this be the best phone of 2016? Find out in our Xiaomi Mi 5 review.

Xiaomi Mi 5

Good

  • High-end hardware
  • Inexpensive
  • Large internal memory
  • Dual-SIM

Bad

  • No LTE band 20
  • Incomplete Google Apps integration
Xiaomi Mi 5
Xiaomi Mi 5
Xiaomi Mi 5: All deals

Xiaomi Mi 5 release date and price

The Xiaomi Mi 5 can be imported quite cheaply. The Pro, the premium version, comes with 128 GB of flash memory, 4 GB of RAM and a ceramic back, will cost around US$499. The base model, with 32 GB of flash and 3 GB of RAM, is around US$410. The LG G5, comparable on specs, retails for around US$629.

Models which are available for importing come with a Chinese firmware. This can be switched to English (but not all languages). If you buy it from a local trader, check to see if your Mi 5 comes with pre-installed Google apps, as you won’t be able to access your Google account and the Play Store otherwise. We’ll turn to other difficulties in the software section below.

Another disadvantage of importing a Xiaomi Mi 5 relates to LTE support. The Mi 5 can not run on all available bands. In rural areas or on highways, it might drop to slower connections or go offline completely.

Xiaomi Mi 5 design and build quality

The Xiaomi Mi 5 is glass-smooth and similarly curved like the Galaxy S7. Special protection against shocks, water or dust aren’t built in. The outer edge at the front is sharp and feels a bit ‘cutty’ in the hand. The almost frameless display looks beautiful.

AndroidPIT xiaomi mi5 1591
The display is almost bezel-less. / © ANDROIDPIT

The physical home button can also be used as a capacitive button. So you need him not to press to return to the Home screen.

AndroidPIT xiaomi mi5 1635
Left of the aluminum frame is the Dual-SIM slot. / © ANDROIDPIT

For the material used in the back cover, you’ll either get curved glass or hard, glossy ceramic. The latter will be sold with the 128 GB Pro version and is harder than steel. With the glass variant, you can choose from either white, gold and black.

AndroidPIT xiaomi mi5 1587
The Mi 5's back comes in either glass or ceramic options. / © ANDROIDPIT

One of Xiaomi’s design feats was to keep the rear camera flush with the back, unlike the many protruding camera lenses we see in the iPhone and Galaxy S6. Somehow, Xiaomi fit it inside the 7.15 mm-thick casing. Another design feature is the excellent screen-to-body ratio on the phone’s front. Non-display surfaces are minimal and limited to the upper and lower edges.

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Metal buttons to the right. / © ANDROIDPIT

Xiaomi Mi 5 display

The Xiaomi Mi 5 display has absolutely convinced me. Its resolution is sufficient for everyday tasks and its brightness is more than sufficient. The colors are rich and deep and make pictures and videos look realistic.

AndroidPIT xiaomi mi5 1638
The display offers great color and sharp detail. / © ANDROIDPIT

The display is a 5.15-inch full HD LCD unit. Thanks to a LED backlight redesign over its predecessor, the maximum brightness can be increased to 600 cd/m². It also comes with pixel-level adaptive contrast, meaning you have serious control over display brightness.

This technology runs on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon processor and its hexagon subunit. It regulates brightness so that white areas are less bright than dark ones.

Xiaomi Mi 5 software

After Easter 2016, new software for the imported Xiaomi Mi 5 will be available. After its release we’ll test it again. Until then, our judgment applies in this section on the impressions with the Chinese ROM, which is retrofitted with Google Apps and therefore malfunctions.

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How MIUI 7 looks. / © ANDROIDPIT

When you buy your Mi 5 from a trader, you could be offered either a variant with the Chinese ROM and Play Store pre-installed, or you might get the so-called multi-ROM variant which provides native support for Google Apps. Be aware of which model you’re buying and know the differences. Read on for the important ones.

Flaws with the Chinese software are particularly visible in apps that run in the background and maintain a constant server connection. This mainly includes messengers like WhatsApp or Threema.

With the multi-ROM version, you can install new firmware to the Mi 5. Even the Xiaomi Redmi 3 comes with an easy-to-use flashing instruction manual and the necessary files to replace the Chinese firmware with an international one.

The Xiaomi Mi 5 runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow underneath MIUI 7. This software has 175 million active users with only a team of 750 developers. With weekly software updates, MIUI is among the most dynamic user interface running on any smartphone today.

Xiaomi Mi 5 performance

The Xiaomi Mi 5 is fast and has great gaming performance. Its performance is, in principle, below that of the Samsung Galaxy S7. In addition, the Mi 5 suffers from annoying software bugs. Since these should be fixed with a future firmware update, this might only be a short-term issue.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 powers the Xiaomi Mi 5. This is considered the fastest smartphone processor of 2016 and is also used in other flagship devices, such as the LG G5 or the US version of the Samsung Galaxy S7. The Mi 5 uses many of the new features of this chip. Thus, the signal processor is actively used in the camera, where it ensures enhanced picture quality.

  Vellamo Metal Mellamo Multicore AnTuTu Geekbench 3 single Geekbench 3 multi Basemark X medium Basemark X high
Xiaomi Mi 5 2016 1855 109588 1783 4123 29070 26258
Samsung Galaxy S7 2743 3371 130270 2125 6394 39520 31131

 

Also, the internal memory has been improved. Xiaomi has turned to Samsung to rely on what was featured in the Galaxy S6, UFS 2.0. This flash memory technology operates at up to 450 MB/s, so any app should be loaded in a split second.

In theory, this key data should offer a high work rate. But with my repeated testing there was an (apparent) thermally-induced reduction of processor power. This manifested itself in ever smaller measurements. Amazingly, this applies only to CPU tests. Gaming performance was not affected by the restriction.

Xiaomi Mi 5 camera

The camera of the Xiaomi Mi 5 is not as great as anticipated. The test images that Hugo Barra had leaked in advance were shot at tropical daylight and quite detailed. In anything less than perfect conditions, expect average photos. The image stabilizer ensures remarkably smooth video and steady-handed photos - yes, including selfies.

The camera doesn’t have a previously rumored aperture of f/1.6, but rather an ordinary f/2.0. The optical image stabilizer works using four axles; two rotational and two transversal.

These compensate for displacements to the smartphone housing. What that means is when your hands move, or the subject of your photo, you shouldn’t end up with blurry photos. In practice, the stabilizer proves to be an extraordinary selling point, ensuring exceptionally good video, making the Mi 5 one of the best multimedia smartphones that you can currently buy.

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Xiaomi Mi 5 camera menu. / © ANDROIDPIT

The sensor Xiaomi used is the new Sony IMX 298. Its new DTI Pixel to Pixel insulation allows a sharp demarcation between areas of different color. The new signal processor from Qualcomm works in the background for fast post-processing in real time. This is also demonstrated by the 4 MP selfie cam and advertised Mi video app.

Xiaomi Mi 5 battery

The Xiaomi Mi 5 battery lasts one day. It can be remarkably fast to charge. In about an hour it’s charged enough for a whole day’s use. For charging, it uses the Type-C connector. Your importer might also send an adapter.

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The battery is charged quickly via Quick Charge 3.0. / © ANDROIDPIT

Despite its compact housing, Xiaomi could spoil us with a good-sized battery. Here we only get a maximum capacity of 3,000 mAh. This was achieved by increasing the energy density to a remarkable 685 Wh/l.

Xiaomi Mi 5 technical specifications

Early Verdict

The Xiaomi Mi 5 is strong, but not as strong as I had hoped. The optical image stabilizer enhances the camera to film camera standard, giving it a bonus selling point. Since the device has to be imported and Google Apps must be installed, the G5 or the S7 might be the better choice for many customers. This may change when the Mi 5 ships with international software and seamless Google integration, which should be the case very soon.

If Xiaomi officially sells this phone in the US and the lack of LTE frequencies was resolved, the Mi 5 would be near unbeatable. But most of all - the Xiaomi Mi 5 shows that packaging high-end hardware at a mid-range price is possible.

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Eric Ferrari-Herrmann

Eric Ferrari-Herrmann
Senior Editor

Eric has been with AndroidPIT since 2014. He’s writing articles and reviews for the German website. Topics are mostly privacy and new technology but there's also the occasional piece on environmental sustainability.

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  • Stuart Wilson 2
    Stuart Wilson Jul 1, 2016 Link to comment

    The Bluboo Maya with 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM, 13MP camera and Android 6.0 OS, only at $69.99,I have order 1 just waiting for it's arrival :)


  • Kashan Ali 2
    Kashan Ali Jun 30, 2016 Link to comment

    The Bluboo Maya with 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM, 13MP camera and Android 6.0 OS, only at $69.99,I have order 1 just waiting for it's arrival" :)


  • Robbert 2
    Robbert May 21, 2016 Link to comment

    I replaced my 'piece of junk Galaxy S6 Edge' with the Mi5. Very impressed compared to my twice as expensive (old) Samsung!

    (I am European. The Netherlands)

    Oh and the curve is on the back where it should be not on the front where it distorts the image)


  • 1
    Mohit Shrivastava May 8, 2016 Link to comment

    The phone is awesome, some people have commented that it has low storage, xiomi itself says that 25GB will be for an use and its 25 GB, if you feel its low then don't buy. The phone doesn't hang at all. The Camera clicks beautiful pictures with front and rear. The only issue is with heating, not always but while charging and while accessing some apps, and the battery temperature rises to 42 or 43 degrees and it really feels too much when you place it on the cheek while talking.
    Otherwise, this phone is best.


  • 1
    Ariful Islam May 6, 2016 Link to comment

    What part of this review is "refreshed". I read the exact same content.


  • CJ Brown 29
    CJ Brown Apr 24, 2016 Link to comment

    Xiaomi

    A company I was impressed with it at CES this year in Las Vegas

    Most of the criticism published in this article (poor 4GLTE signal, no pre-loaded Google apps) where exactly what I told the Sales Team at their Kiosk, except I was brutally honest (I told them look around at your competition, if you want to enter the North American Market? please come back to CES next year with an Android Smartphone that will function in North America with the latest Android OS) ....


    I also wasn't impressed with the prices ($300-$350 is the maximum I will pay for No Contract), I think they can come down for 2017


    • Robbert 2
      Robbert May 21, 2016 Link to comment

      Where does that $400 figure come from? I paid just over $300 for the base model.


  • 1
    Ariful Islam Apr 14, 2016 Link to comment

    As the Global rom 7.2 miui has been released, will you guys be doing an updated review?


  • 1
    Fahdinger Mar 31, 2016 Link to comment

    When you compared the cameras between Mi 5 and Galaxy S7, you'll see how miserable Xiaomi Mi 5 is. See YouTube for more references.


  • Zack Roy 3
    Zack Roy Mar 30, 2016 Link to comment

    I live in a pretty rich family, so I could probably get this, but I'll need more information on the software.

    Robbert


    • 1
      mwa haha Mar 31, 2016 Link to comment

      You should just buy Samsung S7 then, just watch the comparison video on YouTube between mi5 and S7. I'm pretty poor, eventhough I wanted s7, I can only buy mi5 if the price come down below $350. Took me 6 months just to save money to that amount... :(


  • 12
    lianne john Mar 30, 2016 Link to comment

    Sellable! Seems to be a hit already!


  • 5
    Phil S Mar 30, 2016 Link to comment

    It is a very nice phone with an excellent spec to price point but with a lack of the crucial band 20 which I suspect has been left out exactly to slow people from European countries importing it. Maybe an updated model will appear when the company feels the time is right. So for now let's see what other manufacturers will do to counter it.


  • 9
    Alex W. Mar 30, 2016 Link to comment

    True comments below. Why is Xiaomi treated still like a newcomer from China. It has already released many phones and worked for it's rather good reputation. Xiaomi phones don't fare well against competition only in appropriate price brackets.


  • 9
    Alex W. Mar 30, 2016 Link to comment

    What do you mean it's "similarily curved as the S7"???????
    It's curved actually the opposite direction! Similarily to the Sony Ericsson Arc S, not the S7. I think it's the best 2016 flagship so far next to Sony X Performance. I find the design of the Mi 5 way better than that of the sparkling, shiny S7- maybe it's more appealing to girls. The Mi 5 has got great image stabilization and great hardware. The only improvement could be done in software and the one lte band. Apart from that it's an awesome phone and I'm really wondering how the software copes on a daily basis.


    • 9
      Alex W. Mar 30, 2016 Link to comment

      Ok maybe I meant the the S7 edge.


  • Mahmood Dean Muhammad Asyraf 1
    Mahmood Dean Muhammad Asyraf Mar 16, 2016 Link to comment

    My Mi 4 has an overheat issue, but it passes over a year of usage, yet it still operates well. And I recently realized that the device's camera could detect solar eclipse. That's amazing! And now Mi 5 finally available, hopefully it will arrive in Malaysia soon and looking forward to have one :)


    • Zack Roy 3
      Zack Roy Mar 30, 2016 Link to comment

      That's great, but I heard that the Mi 5 doesn't have very good storage at the moment. They're still working on a custom cloud storage space for any type of drive or mechanic to back up or even Bluetooth their memory onto other devices quickly. Sounds pretty cool.


  • 2
    Rohit Pathak Mar 12, 2016 Link to comment

    Hands on Xiaomi Mi 5 India | Xiaomi Mi 5 Reviews | Xiaomi Mi 5 First Impression
    techinfobit.com/hands-on-xiaomi-mi-5-india-xiaomi-mi-5-reviews-xiaomi-mi-5-first-impression


  • 3
    arash salami Mar 10, 2016 Link to comment

    i just registered to be able to post this comment ,i wanted to let it pass but i couldn't
    there are 3 possibilities here: either the writer of this hands on review is slow in the brains department or has no idea what in the world he is doing or he is biased.
    first the curved back is an original xiaomi feature which was first introduced in their mi Note line that samsung copied.
    second there are only so many ways u can put the camera, home button and fingerprint scanner and xiaomi kinda used the best option possible to minimize the bezels and give the device a better look. its like saying since some company used 4 wheels on a car any car that is being made is a uninspired copy of that first one...
    i'm not a xiaomi fanboy xiaomi or any other brand but i HATE it when people write inaccurate articles like this.
    this will be my last visit to this site since they use unprofessional writers in their crew.

    Kutvdbgs bsfadhsfrhEric Stouterwin ang

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