Xiaomi May Launch The Redmi Note 5 In India On February 14!

Xiaomi India has sent out media invites for a launch event scheduled on 14th February. It has no indications or any details except for a big number ‘5’ written on it. Xioami’s website has a countdown timer which is counting down to the event. Some tech sites have found a subdirectory named ‘redminote5’ inside the java code of the timer.

This points to a possibility of Redmi Note 5 launch. If it happens, India will be the first country in the world to get it as Xiaomi has not yet launched the Note 5 in its home market China. There are also speculations that the recently launched Redmi 5 Plus could launch in India as Redmi Note 5.

Redmi 5 Plus & Redmi Note 5; Too Many Similarities?

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 was launched in January 2017 in India and this seems like the ideal time for the Redmi Note 5 launch. On the other hand, Xiaomi has launched the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus recently in Malaysia, and company could launch the pair in India instead of Redmi Note 5.

An MIUI forum post has claimed that the Chinese company has decided to ditch its Note series starting with Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus.

The newly launched Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus are Xiaomi’s latest large screen budget smartphones in the Redmi series. A report has also claimed that Xiaomi could launch its Redmi 5 Plus as Redmi Note 5 in certain Asian markets to ensure the familiarity between the Redmi devices.

Redmi Note Series in India

Xiaomi India had a groundbreaking 2017. The company is riding high on success with its Redmi Note 4, the most sold smartphone from Xiaomi in India. It is also the best-selling smartphone in the country for 2017 and broke sales records for Xiaomi India.

Redmi Note 4 helped to catapult Xiaomi to the forefront of the Indian smartphone market, toppling market leader Samsung in the process. And it’s not just the Note 4, the other Redmi Note phones have done exceptionally well in the mid-budget segment.

Redmi Note 5 – Expected Features

Redmi Note 5 is one of the most anticipated device in the country, and the upcoming budget phone could help Xiaomi break the previous records.

18:9 Display & Widescreen Form Factor

The Redmi 5 series has brought the 18:9 form factor to the budget segment. The Redmi Note 5 too is expected to come with aan18:9 widescreen display. In fact, it’s entirely likely that the same panel will make its way to the upcoming Note 5.

Xiaomi has significantly expanded its portfolio last year and is known to reuse its components like camera sensors and displays across its range of devices. The Note 5 will come with an 18:9 form factor, and probably will sport a 5.99 inch 18:9 display with a screen resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels.

Upgraded Processor

Xiaomi has turned to the dependable Snapdragon 625 for a wide range of its budget phones. The SD 625 chipset has a combination of energy efficiency and performance. But now with Snapdragon 630 widely available, the Redmi Note 5 might come with a Snapdragon 630 on board.

Memory & Storage

The Redmi Note 5 is likely to come with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage option with a base model offering 3GB RAM and 32GB of internal storage.

Dual Cameras

Xiaomi introduced dual rear cameras in their budget segment in India with its Android One based Mi A1 in September last year. The Note 4 was slammed for its weak camera, so the camera quality will be a key priority for Xiaomi this year. Redmi Note 5 is expected to come with a 16-megapixel primary sensor coupled with a 5-megapixel secondary sensor. Up front, the device might use an 8-megapixel selfie shooter.

Battery

The battery is also likely to remain unchanged from the Note 4. So the Note 5 will probably carry the same 4100mAh unit, maybe with faster charging.

Similar Pricing

Xiaomi is known to sell phones at the near-manufacturing cost, which helps it to stand out in the crowd. The pricing information isn’t out yet, but early rumours suggest that the phone will debut at the same price point as Note 4. Currently, the 4GB variant Redmi Note 4 costs Rs. 12,999/-, while the 3GB variant costs Rs. 10,999/-.

The Launch

Xiaomi has already sent out the invites for the event on February 14, and the teaser is hinting at a model no. 5 from either the Redmi or the Note series. While the Note 4 was the best-selling phone in India in 2017, a successor is now due.

The Redmi lineup has primarily focused on the entry-level and mid-budget tier in India, and its the Redmi Note series which helped the Chinese brand to excel in the budget smartphone market in India. The launch is scheduled in less than a week from now on February 14.

Let’s just wait and watch. What do you think? Is it going to be the Redmi 5 Plus or the Redmi Note 5? Do let us know in the comments below.