Xiaomi Mi5S Plus review: like a camera, only even better

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In Lifehacker's review - a novelty from Xiaomi. A cool dual camera smartphone with the brightest IPS display in its class and benchmark performance.

Specifications

Display	5.7 inches, IPS, 1,920 x 1,080 (386 ppi)
CPU	Quad-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, 2.35 GHz
Video accelerator	Adreno 530
RAM	4/6 GB
Built-in memory	64/128 GB
Main camera	13 + 13 MP (phase detection autofocus, dual color LED flash)
Front-camera	4 megapixels
Operating system	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with MIUI 8 interface
SIM	2 nanoSIM
Connection	GSM: 850/900/1 800/1 900 MHz; UMTS: 850/900/1 900/2 000/2 100 MHz; LTE: 1, 3, 5, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41
Wireless interfaces	Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, infrared
Navigation	GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
Sensors	Light sensor, proximity, accelerometer, microgyroscope, compass, barometer, fingerprint scanner
Battery	3 800 mAh, non-removable, fast charging QC 3.0
Dimensions (edit)	154, 6 × 77, 7 × 7, 95 mm
The weight	168 g

Contents of delivery

The Xiaomi Mi5S Plus package includes:

• the smartphone itself;
• proprietary charger with QC 3.0 support;
• plastic bumper;
• USB → USB Type-C cable.

And before, at least a headset was invested in the flagships. But compared to a regular kit, even a bumper and a high-quality charger (for an American plug) also look good.

Appearance and usability

The new Xiaomi produces the same wow effect as the Xiaomi Mi Max. Slim, comfortable, big smartphone. But it is far from the elegance of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. Neither a tempered safety glass with 2, 5D edges (a bad invention of marketers), nor beveled edges save it. Although both add convenience in use and provide a firm grip.

The brushed metal surface of the backdrop immediately hints that a bumper is indispensable. Moreover, the gaps between the main plate and the signal-conducting inserts are not only noticeable - you can insert a sheet of paper. The convex screen made using 2, 5D technology also indicates the need to purchase additional protection.

The fingerprint scanner is located on the back cover, just below the dual camera module. Of course, it is very convenient in the palm of your hand. But the smartphone lying on the table cannot be unlocked without additional movements.

Apparently, the company's engineers had to go for it in order to ensure the most comfortable grip. The area under the screen is inaccessible for those with a small palm. The rear position of the scanner allows full reach of all controls for both right and left hands. Everything is in its usual places, including the home appliance control sensor.

The sensors are displaced upward as high as possible to avoid accidental triggering during operation.

Display and image quality

The new Xiaomi has a 5.7-inch display with an IPS-matrix. Black borders are minimal. But, unlike many competitors, the screen resolution is only 1,920 × 1,080 pixels (386 ppi).

And to hell with him, with permission! Xiaomi Mi5S Plus has almost the best screen in its class. Color rendition, clarity, contrast - everything suggests that the screen is AMOLED. However, it is a very good IPS, more durable than an OLED panel.

The screen has a standard 10-touch touchscreen. This margin provides excellent sensitivity and high response speed.

Hardware platform and performance

Xiaomi Mi5S Plus is equipped with the most modern Snapdragon 821 processor with frequencies increased to 2.35 GHz. For the end user, this is the only difference from the 820, as the video core remains unchanged.

The smartphone has received several modifications. The basic version of Mi5S Plus has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. The following options received 6 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of internal memory. It is worth recalling that the read-only memory used complies with the UFS 2.0 specification.

The gadget is equipped with a dual SIM card slot. Flash cards are not supported. But, as practice shows, the built-in 64 GB is more than enough for most users. In addition, internal memory is more reliable than flash drives.

Such solutions allowed us to achieve excellent results in synthetic tests. Xiaomi Mi5S Plus is currently ranked fifth in the AnTuTu ranking.

How does synthetics affect the user? In the most direct way. You won't be able to seriously load the device with anything. So far, there are no standalone applications with such resource use.

Some gaming tests show free RAM. And this also applies to the younger versions of smartphones. There are no lags, no slowdowns, even the thoughtfulness of the device under load is practically absent.

Another plus of Xiaomi Mi5S Plus is a full-fledged USB Type-C connector using a USB 3.0 controller. Here and video output to HDMI, and audio, and increased data transfer rates. There's even pass-through charging.

Operating system

I never understood those thirsty for an early update. The release of a new version of the system is not a reason to update. Let them test it, then you can use it.

Probably, Xiaomi engineers are of the same opinion: the stability of the operating system is more important than new unfinished functions. Therefore, the flagship runs Android 6 Marshmallow with the MIUI 8 proprietary add-on, familiar to our readers from the reviews of Redmi Pro, Redmi Note 4, Redmi 3s.

The system is laconic, thoughtful and convenient. There are settings for everything that the most fastidious user may need.

Unlike the younger Xiaomi Mi5S with a 5, 2-inch screen, the Plus version has an official global firmware. And it contains both the usual Google services and the correct Russian translation. Most importantly, pressing the Home button launches Google Voice Search, not MIUI!

For beginners, there is a simplified smartphone control mode. All unnecessary functions are disabled in it and only the basic icons of an increased size remain. The logic of work becomes similar to the control of an ordinary push-button telephone or washing machine. So, if not for the cost, the device could be recommended as a gift to relatives of the older generation.

Multimedia capabilities

Camera

Apparently, the Xiaomi Mi5S Plus was a direct response to the arrival of the iPhone 7 Plus. And just like in Apple's lineup, the older model is equipped with a dual main camera. Each of its sensors has a resolution of 13 megapixels.

The camera uses 13-megapixel Sony IXM258 Exmor RS sensors with a size of ⅓ and a pixel of 1, 12 microns. The lens aperture is f / 2.0. The camera is also equipped with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and dual LED flash. There is no stabilization, although it is present in the regular Mi5S.

Unlike the already familiar Redmi Pro, the Mi5S Plus uses a dual camera to its fullest. One sensor takes a color image, the other a monochrome one.

The front camera has a resolution of 4 megapixels, an aperture of f / 2.0, and a viewing angle of 80 degrees.

With high-quality lighting, the device copes excellently with shooting. Autofocus is fast and accurate, and the shutter is released instantly.

The automatic shooting mode is good at determining the required parameters. Problems can arise only when shooting in HDR: the device tends to think, saving such frames with a delay.

In daylight conditions, the Xiaomi Mi5S Plus camera creates contrasting, bright, close to reality images.

But everything changes in difficult lighting: photos taken in auto mode are replete with noise, although they have the correct color reproduction.

For the Mi5S Plus photo application, there is a setting for ISO (100–3,200), shutter speed (from 0.001 to 0.5 seconds), white balance and focusing distance. And, of course, there are two specialized modes. "Mono" allows you to get black and white sources. “Stereo” includes simultaneous shooting with two modules for greater contrast - it works in difficult conditions.

Supported video recording in 4K @ 30fps and slow motion recording with 720p @ 120fps.

Sound

The smartphone uses processor-integrated audio output. There are no additional DACs and amplifiers. However, the latest line of SoC platforms from Qualcomm allows you to use the smartphone as a good player.

Additional possibilities are opened by the built-in equalizer and ready-made presets for various types of headphones. Officially - only for their own. But no one bothers to use them with any other audio systems.

Operation of wireless interfaces

Naturally, any modern flagship has all the necessary interfaces. The differences are insignificant. There is an NFC module, Bluetooth 4.2 LE is supported. The rest of the set is boring and familiar.

The smartphone is equipped with a fast and accurate ultrasonic fingerprint scanner located on the back. There is an infrared sensor on the top - a great feature for controlling home appliances.

The work with satellites is excellent: GPS, GLONASS, and Beidou are supported. A cold start takes no more than 30 seconds. And if there is reliable A-GPS data, no more than five.

Unfortunately, Xiaomi Mi5S Plus, designed for the Chinese market, does not know how to work in Band 20. For some operators and regions of Russia, it is an extremely unpleasant fact.

However, for the majority of subscribers of Yota, Megafon, Beeline, this drawback will be insignificant. The connection is high-quality, the interlocutor is heard well. The subscriber on the other end of the "wire" does not complain either. The speed of the Internet connection tends to be at the limit for operators.

Battery life

Xiaomi Mi5S Plus is equipped with a 3,800 mAh battery, but has a perfectly optimized power consumption.

Supports Qualcomm QC 3.0 fast charging. Due to this, the device, using the complete power supply, is charged from 0 to 100% in just 1.5 hours.

A full charge of the battery will last for a day in an average mode of use, where the operating time of the screen is about 6-7 hours. Standard battery savers will increase the figure by several hours.

But it all depends on the scenario. So, watching a video with disabled wireless networks allows you to use the device for 9 hours. Turning on Wi-Fi or 4G lowers this figure by about an hour. With autonomous reading at medium brightness, Mi5S Plus will live for 10-11 hours.

conclusions

Let's try to figure out, is the next Xiaomi smartphone as good as the previous heroes of our reviews?

The cost of the basic configuration of Xiaomi Mi5S Plus with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory is:

• $ 416 for the gold version;
• $ 478 for a dark gray unit;
• $ 485 for a light gray smartphone.

The advanced version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of permanent memory costs significantly more:

• $ 527 - gold;
• $ 546 - light gray;
• $ 644 is pink.

The main competitor of Xiaomi Mi5S Plus is Le Max 2. For only $ 210 in the basic configuration, it is more attractive, despite the low memory sizes. The device with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM is no longer so happy, since it costs the same money as Xiaomi Mi5S Plus - $ 460.

If you look for competitors among smartphones with other diagonals, Xiaomi Mi5S Plus still holds up well. Both the OnePlus 3T and Samsung Galaxy S7 are more expensive but offer comparable functionality.

In comparison with OnePlus and Huawei, Xiaomi offers a more developed infrastructure, adequate support, constant system updates.

Which device to vote for with the ruble is a private matter for each buyer. Want a life hack? Wait for Xiaomi Mi6 and get Mi5S Plus. Fortunately, the new flagship is just around the corner. And other companies will still not be able to offer a worthwhile alternative.