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Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 vs Redmi Note 4: Upgrade Worth the Buck?

Here’s a comparison between the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 4. What has changed and what hasn’t? Find out.

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The last Redmi Note device Xiaomi launched was the Redmi Note 4 back in January 2017, and the update for the same – the Redmi Note 5 – has taken a year in the coming.

However, was the wait really worth it? Does the fact that the Redmi Note 5 (3GB RAM) has been launched at the same price as it’s predecessor makes it compelling enough for many Redmi Note users to upgrade?

I suppose the most important question is, what’s the different between the new and the old Redmi Note? Let’s take a look.

Here’s a comparison between the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 4. What has changed and what hasn’t? Find out.
Specs comparison between Redmi Note 4 and Redmi Note 5.
(Photo: The Quint)
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Bigger, Brighter & Bolder

Here’s a comparison between the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 4. What has changed and what hasn’t? Find out.
The Redmi Note 4 (left) sports a 16:9 screen while the Redmi Note 5(right) comes with an 18:9 screen
(Photo: The Quint)

One of the most evident change we see on the new Redmi Note is the display. The Redmi Note 5 comes with a 5.99-inch bezel-less display as opposed to the 5.5-inch display on the Redmi Note 4.

The Redmi Note 5 receives an 18:9 ratio screen, which not only means more screen area but also more pixels (1080x2160) being pushed out. We liked the fact the Xiaomi has understood the trend and is offering an edge-less screen.

The Redmi Note 4 comes with an IPS LCD full HD display that pumps out 1920x1080 screen resolution and sports the same old (boring) 16:9 screen ratio. It’s a refreshing look and consumers today are getting accustomed to bigger displays.

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The overall design looks much more premium and the phone feels good to hold, although due to the bigger screen the phone covers a much bigger area on your hand. At 165 grams, the Redmi Note 5 is 15 grams lighter than the Note 4 and also a bit thinner.

Here’s a comparison between the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 4. What has changed and what hasn’t? Find out.
Both Redmi phones come with IPS LCD display. The Redmi Note 5 (on top) sports a resolution of 1080x2160
(Photo: The Quint)

Ergonomically, it’s more pocket friendly!

Nothing Much to Look Forward to on the Inside

If you think that the new Redmi phone will be faster and better in terms of performance, well, then you will be a bit disappointment.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 & Redmi Note 5 Pro First Impressions

There is no radical change as both the Note 4 and 5 run on the same hardware as before like a Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor coupled with RAM options like 3GB and 4GB. Yes, user interface has been tweaked a bit to make the phone faster and more efficient, but only on paper as there’s nothing to look forward to.

There was another 2GB variant with the Redmi Note 4, but Xiaomi thought of getting rid of it with the Redmi Note 5.

Here’s a comparison between the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 4. What has changed and what hasn’t? Find out.
The full-metal design has been continued on the Redmi Note 5 (right)
(Photo: The Quint)

Both phones come with expandable memory and run on Android Nougat 7, which, again, is the same as before. It still supports dual-SIM with a single hybrid-SIM slot.

WHY, OH! WHY?!

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The Xiaomi Mantra: Lesser Megapixel, Better Clicks

In terms of camera specifications, the new Redmi Note 5 has taken a drop in the mega-pixel count and now comes with a single lens 12-mega-pixel camera with an aperture reading of f/2.2.

Here’s a comparison between the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 4. What has changed and what hasn’t? Find out.
The Redmi Note 5(right) comes with a 12-megapixel rear camera
(Photo: The Quint)

The Redmi Note 4 comes with a 13 mega-pixel snapper with f/2.0 aperture. Still is a good camera.

The game changer here is the the new Redmi phone come with more micron-pixels at 1.25 which means the sensor lets in more light resulting in sharper and better pictures in low light with better contrasts.

To find out whether this update is really better, we’ll soon put out a camera comparison between the two.

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Don’t Need More Juice Than This!

Here’s a comparison between the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 4. What has changed and what hasn’t? Find out.
The Redmi Note 4(left) comes with a 4,100mAh battery, while the Redmi Note 5(right) has 100mAh lesser battery juice.
(Photo: The Quint)

The Redmi Note 5 comes with a 4,100mAh battery, while the Redmi Note 4 packs in 4,100mAh battery juice. Despite sporting a bigger display, the Redmi battery seems to be more energy efficient than it’s predecessor.

With average use from a full charge, the Redmi Note 5 had more juice remaining than its competitor. This could probably be because of better optimisations in the phone’s MIUI.

Despite having 100mAh lesser battery juice, the Redmi Note 5 has a better and optimised battery. Also, I really liked the fact that Xiaomi have accommodated a 4,000mAh battery inside a phone that is thinner and much lighter that the Redmi Note 4.

Way to go Xiaomi!

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Which One to Buy?

Let’s get one thing straight. Both these devices are good at the price they are being offered. The Redmi Note 5 (3GB+32GB) comes in at Rs 9,999 and so does the Redmi Note 4 (3GB+32GB).

I am a tad disappointed that the hardware inside the the Redmi Note 5 hasn’t undergone a revolutionary overhaul apart from minor updates in processor and UI. Despite that, there is absolutely no doubt that the Note 5 is a better bet here.

Hang on! There’s more to this...

The Redmi Note 5 comes in at 4GB+64GB variant at Rs 11,999 while the Redmi Note Pro 4GB+64GB comes in at Rs 13,999.

Moral of the story? If you are planning to buy a phone under Rs 10k, definitely buy the 32GB Redmi Note 5 variant, else add a few more bucks and go for the Redmi Note 5 Pro.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

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