This year seems to be what Xiaomi has been waiting for as it embraced the MWC by unveiling one of the hottest smartphones of 2016 – the Xiaomi Mi 5.
This device comes with a design language that takes something out of both the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S6/S7. It also comes with the latest software as well as hardware specs, just like the rest of this year’s flagships. Be it a fast fingerprint sensor, excellent display, a large battery or the latest LTE modem; this phone has it all. Interestingly, this device is nowhere the likes of Samsung Galaxy S7 when it comes to pricing.
Availability
At the moment, the Xiaomi Mi 5 is only available in China, India and other neighboring countries where the company has already established its services. While the company has remained secretive of when it might make a European or American appearance, last summer’s launch of the Xiaomi global accessories store is a huge indicator that the Chinese smartphone maker is planning on going global.
Xiaomi Mi 5 at first sight
From a distance, you might confuse the Xiaomi Mi 5 for an iPhone 6. However, a closer look will reveal a glamorous appearance thanks to the amazing fit and finish. On the rear is a sleek glass that curves into the metal frame of the phone to ensure your grip is firm. The glass accommodates reflections that give the Mi 5 a premium look, leave alone the almost bezel-less sides on the 5.15-inch 1080p screen.
A fingerprint sensor can be found on the home button, but there is really not much you can do about the sticking fingerprints on the black Xiaomi Mi 5. Since the main target market of the phone is China and some other parts of Asia, it has two nano-SIM card slots.
High-end hardware under the hood
Even though Xiaomi Mi 5 is priced in the regions of $300, it comes with the same hardware as those available in the latest Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5, just to name but a few. The Mi 5 packs a Snapdragon 820 processor that comes with X12 modem and Adreno 530 GPU. This processor promises greater performance, and when combined the latest software from Android and a RAM of 3GB/4GB, you will enjoy anything from playing games to multitasking with ease.
The variation in RAM comes as a result of the availability of a Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro version, which comes with 4GB RAM and carries up to 128GB of onboard storage. There are also 32GB and 64GB options for the Pro version, which are also the only options available for the standard version. The Mi 5 comes with a 16MP snapper on the rear and a 4MP selfie camera, which, even though not the best, are not bad for a $300 smartphone.
Last but not least, the Xiaomi Mi 5 packs a decent 3000mAh battery unit. When this is combined with the efficiency of the Snapdragon 820 and Android Marshmallow, this phone can go through a full day without the owner getting worried about charging it.
As you can see, the Xiaomi Mi 5 brings together the best performance features, style and design into one very affordable device. The only bad news is that its availability in the U.S., Europe and other parts of the world is not guaranteed.