Xiaomi is all set to launch the Redmi Note 5 in India tomorrow. While the company had done a commendable job in keeping the phone under wraps so far, detailed specs of the handset have finally been leaked out.

This time around, Xiaomi will be launching not one but two different variants of the Redmi Note 5 in India. The first one is simply called the Redmi Note 5, and it features a 5.99-inch FHD+ 18:9 aspect ratio display. Another major upgrade on the Redmi Note 5 is the switch to a 12MP rear camera with an f/2.2 aperture and large 1.25um pixels. This should help the handset in delivering significantly better image quality than its predecessor. The 5MP selfie snapper at the front is now capable of recording videos in Full HD resolution and also packs an LED selfie-light.

Other features and specs of the Redmi Note 5 remain the same as its predecessor. This means we are looking at an octa-core Snapdragon 625 chipset running at 2GHz, an Adreno 506 GPU, 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB of storage, and a hybrid SIM card slot. The handset will be powered by a 4000mAh battery.

Interestingly, Xiaomi is also launching a ‘Pro’ variant of the Redmi Note 5 this time around with more powerful specs and features. The handset features the same 5.99-inch FHD+ display as its regular sibling. But it packs in a more powerful Snapdragon 636 chipset and an Adreno 510 GPU. While the handset features a 12MP primary camera at its rear, it is now assisted by a 5MP shooter that is used to capture depth information used for applying bokeh effect. The front camera also sees a massive bump in resolution to 20MP, and it is also assisted by a LED selfie light. The Redmi Note 5 Pro is also powered by a 4000mAh battery. The handset will be available in 4/6GB RAM configurations in India with up to 64GB of storage space. It will also feature a hybrid SIM card slot.

On the software side, both variants of the Redmi Note 5 will run on MIUI 9 based on Android Nougat. There’s no mention of fast charging support on either device, and they will continue to sport a microUSB port.

Our Take

If this leak is accurate, the Redmi Note 5 is a disappointing successor to the Redmi Note 4 since it largely retains the same specs as its predecessor with only some modest improvements. However, Xiaomi can still turn things around by pricing this variant of the handset at around Rs 9,000. As for the Redmi Note 5 Pro, it definitely lives up to its ‘Pro’ moniker thanks to the use of a Snapdragon 636 chipset and a dual-camera chipset. And given Xiaomi’s track record, I don’t expect the Redmi Note 5 Pro to cost around Rs 13,000 which would make it quite a steal.