Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Review

Everyday performance is adequate; synthetic and 3D results are modest

Benchmarks assembled for this model are consistent in showing midrange-class performance. PassMark lists the device CPU as Qualcomm SDM636 and reports an average CPU Mark of 2,109, an average Memory Mark of 10,780 and an overall PassMark rating of 4,310 (112 samples). UL Solutions' 3DMark results are low for gaming — Wild Life score 259 and Sling Shot Extreme score ~940 — indicating light-to-moderate gaming only.

Note that the public datasets show inconsistencies: the Geekbench device page in our brief lists a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 at 1,401 MHz for the same product entry, so real-world performance can vary between units and reported results. Expect fluent daily use (apps, web, media) but only modest performance in demanding 3D games compared to newer midrange SoCs.

5.99-inch 2160×1080 panel gives a sharp 18:9 FHD+ canvas

UL Solutions and Notebookcheck list the display as 5.99 inches with a 2160×1080 resolution (FHD+). That pixel count provides a sharp rendering for text and media on a 5.99" panel and matches the class expectations for a midrange phone of this line.

Notebookcheck calls the Note 5 an affordable and powerful smartphone in its segment; while detailed measurements such as peak brightness and color gamut aren’t provided in the brief, the listed FHD+ resolution is a clear plus for reading and video playback on this screen size.

Battery runtime varies in public tests — results sensitive to test conditions

UL Solutions highlights that reported battery life is sensitive to screen brightness and real-world testing conditions; the median battery-life numbers in public submissions therefore show a wide spread. The benchmark aggregator cautions that battery figures submitted by users vary because brightness settings and background load are not uniform.

Because the sources in the brief emphasize a wide range of user-submitted battery results, expect real-world battery life to depend heavily on brightness, workload and background apps — the device's battery performance cannot be distilled into a single controlled metric from these sources.

Single 12 MP main camera noted in spec listings; quality dependent on implementation

UL Solutions lists the phone as having a 12 MP camera in the brief's specification set. Notebookcheck and unite4buy include camera quality testing in their coverage, but the brief does not provide reproducible lab measurements (e.g., dynamic range or low-light lux values).

Given the single 12 MP spec, expect competent daytime shots typical for midrange phones of the generation; expert and user reviews included in NanoReview and Notebookcheck are the right place to consult for sample images and subjective quality comparisons.

Shipped with Android 8.0; online listings show inconsistent device entries

UL Solutions reports the Redmi Note 5 shipped with Android 8.0. The public benchmark and device databases we used include many user-submitted results — PassMark shows 112 samples — which gives a broad picture but also introduces noise from devices tested under different conditions.

The Geekbench device entry in the brief lists a Snapdragon 625 at 1,401 MHz for what is labeled the Redmi Note 5, while PassMark and UL refer to Snapdragon 636/SDM636. This inconsistency across databases affects confidence in per-device performance expectations and points to cataloging differences or multiple region/variant entries in public datasets.

Pros & Cons

• ✅ 5.99" FHD+ display (2160×1080) — sharp pixel density for the screen size
• ✅ Multiple RAM options: 3 GB, 4 GB and 6 GB (per UL Solutions listings)
• ✅ Storage tiers available: 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB (per UL Solutions listings)
• ✅ Reported Snapdragon-class SoC in public databases (SDM636 listed by PassMark/UL) suited for everyday tasks
• ✅ Large sample of public benchmarks (PassMark: 112 samples) gives a broad performance picture

• ❌ Low 3DMark scores for gaming — Wild Life score 259 and Sling Shot Extreme ~940 (UL results)
• ❌ Overall PassMark rating and rank are modest (PassMark Rating 4,310; rank ~2924) compared with modern midrange phones
• ❌ Conflicting chipset entries across databases (PassMark/UL list SDM636; Geekbench entry lists Snapdragon 625) which complicates performance expectations
• ❌ Public battery-life submissions vary widely because results are sensitive to screen brightness and user test conditions (UL warning)

How It Compares to the Competition

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 — Predecessor with broadly similar positioning; Note 5 improves display resolution and offers newer memory/storage trims in many markets.
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro — Later model in the same family that offers incremental camera and software updates; consider it if you want a newer revision with similar midrange performance.
• Motorola Moto G6 — Contemporary competitor in the midrange class — comparable daily performance and display resolution, with differences in software and regional availability.

Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It

Buy it if: Buy the Redmi Note 5 if you want a clean FHD+ 5.99" screen, multiple RAM/storage options (3/4/6 GB and 32/64/128 GB) and a device that handles everyday apps and media reliably; the compiled PassMark and UL data show it is suitable for general-use buyers who don’t need high-end 3D gaming performance.

Skip it if: Skip this phone if you need a device for sustained high-end 3D gaming or peak synthetic benchmark results — 3DMark scores (Wild Life 259) and PassMark rank indicate modest graphics capability. Also skip if you require a clear, single-source SoC listing: public databases disagree on the chipset for some entries.