Xiaomi rolls out MIUI 9.5 stable ROM for Redmi Note 5: Full changelog here

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Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has started rolling out in India the MIUI 9.5 update for the Redmi Note 5 smartphone. The new operating system update is still based on Google’s Android Nougat operating system, but with some major improvements and customisation.

The MIUI 9.5 is currently rolling out as an over-the-air (OTA) update, and the Redmi Note 5 users can download and install it through the software update option available in the phone’s settings menu. The OTA version installs the update files without deleting the phone’s content and settings.

However, for advance users who want to fresh install the MIUI 9.5 ROM, the full update file is also available and can be downloaded from the official MI forum. You can install it using the fastboot ROM flash option. In fresh install, however, the phone’s storage would be wiped out, so it is advised that you take a full back-up before installing.

Here is the full changelog of the MIUI 9.5 update:

Highlights

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Xiaomi rolls out MIUI 9.5 update; know timeline, list of supported devices

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Chinese technology product maker Xiaomi on March 20 announced the rollout of its next iteration of Android-based operating system MIUI. Dubbed the MIUI 9.5, the Android-based OS global stable ROM would roll out to 30 of Xiaomi’s smartphones, including the recently launched Redmi 5, Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro.

The rollout would take place in three batches, the first of which would get the over-the-air (OTA) update starting from the last week of March.

The supported devices in the first batch include the Redmi Note 3 Special Edition, Redmi Note 3 Qualcomm, Redmi Note 4 Qualcomm/Redmi Note 4X, Mi Max, Mi Max Prime, Redmi 3S, Redmi 4 Prime, Redmi 4A and Redmi Note 4 MTK.

The second batch of devices would get the update in early April and the supported devices are the Redmi Note 5A Prime/Redmi Y1, Redmi Note 5A/Redmi Y1 Lite, Redmi 5A, Redmi 5 Plus, Redmi Note 5, Redmi 5, Mi Max 2, Mi 5, Redmi 4X, Mi 6 and Mi MIX 2.

The last batch of smartphones would get the update in mid-April. The supported devices in the last batch include the Mi Note 2, Mi 5s, Mi MIX, Mi Note 3, Mi 5s Plus, Redmi Note 2, Redmi 3, Redmi 4, Mi 3, Mi 4.

Though the company has charted out a plan for the update, it has so far stated that the dates are estimated and likely to change.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: Modestly priced ultra-wide screen version of Note 4

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Launched early last year, the Redmi Note 4 brought some success to Xiaomi, thanks to the smartphone’s value-for-money positioning. However, a lot has changed since, and the budget smartphone segment is now flooded with specification- and feature-rich devices.

To stay relevant in the budget segment, Xiaomi has now launched the Redmi Note 5 with modern features, such as 18:9 aspect ratio screen, and priced it lower than the launch price of its predecessor. The Redmi Note 5, being an upgrade of the Redmi Note 4, has striking similarities with the predecessor.

Business Standard reviewed the Note 5 to test its overall performance and here are the observations:

Design

The Redmi Note 5 looks similar to the Redmi Note 4. Yet, it has certain distinct features like a tall stance, narrow width and enhanced curved metal back that feels plush and improves the overall design theme.

The front of the device is covered with Gorilla Glass, curved from the sides, blending in the chassis seamlessly. The back side looks similar to the predecessor, with camera and fingerprint scanner placed at the same spots.

Display

The Redmi Note 5 sports a 5.99-inch fullHD+ screen in 18:9 aspect ratio, covered under Gorilla Glass of an unspecified version. The screen, though an IPS unit, lacks both the maximum brightness levels and vividness. The Gorilla Glass on top of the screen is reflective in nature and hampers sunlight legibility.

On the positive side, the rounded corners of the screen look better than pointed edges, and the curved sides of the glass are easy to operate. There is no shift in colours when looked from angles and the slim side bezels leave enough space to hold the device without accidentally touching the screen area – something common in next-generation bezel-less smartphones.

Camera

The Redmi Note 5 features a 12-megapixel primary camera and a 5MP selfie camera. The primary camera is an improved unit. Though it has fewer megapixels than the predecessor, it performs much better and, therefore, addresses the weak side of the Redmi Note 4.

The primary camera is loaded with features such as beautification mode 4.0, manual mode, HDR, etc. While the beautification mode and HDR mode work satisfactorily, the manual mode is limited to ISO and white balance settings only.

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Note 5 Pro set new benchmarks for budget smartphones

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Xiaomi started the year with the launch of the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro – successor of 2017 highly popular budget smartphone the Redmi Note 4.

Both, the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro bring major upgrades over their predecessor in terms of design, features and camera, while retaining the best features of the Redmi Note 4 –battery, build quality and storage options.

The Redmi Note 5 is more of a regular upgrade in accordance with the trend fast catching up in the smartphone industry — 18:9 aspect ratio screen. The Redmi Note 5 Pro, on the other hand, is a radical one infused with enhanced hardware and software upgrades.

First impressions of the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro:

Design

In terms of design, the Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro are strikingly similar to the Note 4. However, with a new 6-inch 18:9 aspect ratio screen on the front, both the smartphones have tall stance that adds to the overall design theme.

In the Redmi Note 5, the back looks almost similar to its predecessor. The Redmi Note 5 Pro, on the other hand, with dual-camera set-up on the back looks like a Chinese-cloned version of iPhone X. Both devices come with more curvaceous aluminium anodised backs that blend well with the Gorilla Glass on the front.

Overall, the Note 5 and Note 5 Pro set the benchmark in design for budget smartphones.

Display

Both smartphones sport 6-inch 18:9 aspect ratio screen of fullHD+ (2160 x 1080) resolution. The screen seems to have better contrast and sunlight legibility than predecessor. The colour reproduction is satisfactory, if not perfect, and the 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass on top makes it easier to operate.

The curved corners of the screen might not please everyone but, based on screen usage patterns and utility, they seem to look better than pointed edges.

Camera

In the Redmi Note 5, imaging is taken care of by a 12-megapixel primary camera on the back and a 5 MP selfie camera. Both the cameras are coupled with LED flash, which is a new addition over the predecessor.

The cameras show improvement to some degree over the predecessor. However, we did notice that the photos look washed out at times and the manual mode is limited to adjust ISO and white balance.

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Xiaomi to launch Flipkart-exclusive Redmi phone on Feb 14; details here

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Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the next iteration of Redmi smartphones in India on February 14. The upcoming smartphones are expected to be either the Redmi 5 or Redmi 5 Plus, launched in China last year, or just the Redmi 5 Plus but renamed as the Redmi Note 5 for the Indian smartphone market.

As for the key feature of the smartphones, the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus sport a futuristic 18:9 ultra-wide screen aspect ratio. The budget smartphones have a metal unibody design and boots Android Nougat-based MIUI 9 operating system out of the box.

In terms of specifications, the Redmi 5 has a 5.7-inch screen of HD+ resolution. The device sports an 18:9 aspect ratio screen, which reduces the bezel size and accommodates larger display in a compact body, with the fingerprint scanner housed at the back. The phone is powered by Snapdragon 450 SoC, an octa-core processor built on the 14nm FinFET technology.

In terms of imaging, the Redmi 5 has a 12-megapixel sensor on the back with a 1.25 micron pixels and a 5MP front-facing camera for selfies.

The phone houses a 3,300mAh battery, which the company claims offers 12 days of standby time.

On the other hand, the Redmi 5 Plus sports a 5.99-inch FullHD+ display in 18:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC, which is coupled with Adreno 506 GPU. The Redmi 5 Plus houses a 5 MP shooter on the front assisted with LED flash and a 12MP sensor with LED flash on the back. The phone houses a 4,000 mAh battery that the company claims to offer up to 17 days of standby time.

In terms of pricing, the Redmi 5 costs CNY 799 in China for the base variant that translates to approximately Rs 7,500 in Indian currency. The Redmi 5 Plus, on the other hand, costs CNY 999 for the base variant that translates to Rs 9,600 in Indian currency