Xiaomi dethroned long-reigning Samsung as the new smartphone leader in India in the last quarter of 2017. The Chinese company is now preparing to introduce a new Redmi phone, which is expected to widen the gap even further before the end of first quarter of 2018.
The company has started sending invites to media outlets for the "Xiaomi Product Launch 2018" scheduled on Valentine's Day February 14, in New Delhi.
There is no official word on the specific name of the product, but the invite comes with a big numerical "5" confirming that it will definitely be either Redmi 5 or Redmi Note 5.
So, what will it be—Redmi 5 or Redmi Note 5?
Last month, the renowned leakster Roland Quandt claimed that Xiaomi Redmi 5 series, which is already available in China, will finally make global debut and hit stores in select markets, starting in February.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi 5 with FullView display tipped to make global debut next month: Will it come to India?
However, there is another plausible theory floating on the Internet, indicating that Xiaomi might rebrand the Redmi 5 Plus as the Redmi Note 5, and release it in international markets, including India.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 may not launch, but THIS phone is set to replace Redmi Note 4 successor
It's worth mentioning here that Xiaomi has not yet unveiled the Redmi Note 4 successor even in China.
Usually, Xiaomi first launches products in China, before releasing it in India on a later date, mostly within a month or two.
It looks like the company might sell the Redmi 5 Plus as the Redmi Note 5 in India this month, and launch the generic Redmi 5 later, probably at the end of first quarter (March-end) or in April.
Also read-- Xiaomi Redmi 5A review: Feature-rich entry-level phone
For those unaware, the Redmi 5 Plus comes with a 5.99-inch full HD+ display, 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core, 3GB/4GB RAM, 32GB/64GB storage, 4000mAh battery, 12MP camera with f/2.2 aperture and a 5MP front snapper with dedicated LED flash.
On the other hand, the generic Redmi 5 sports a smaller 5.0-inch HD+ screen and houses 2GB/3GB RAM, 16GB/32GB storage and a 3,300mAh cell. It also houses almost the same camera hardware as seen in the Plus version. The only difference is that the later has just single-tone LED flash on the black, whereas the former has dual-tone flash support.
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Key specifications of Xiaomi Redmi 5, 5 Plus:
| Models | Redmi 5 | Redmi 5 Plus |
| Display | 5.7-inch HD+ (1440x720p) with 2.5D curved glass screen
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5.99-inch full HD+ (2160x1080p) with 2.5D curved glass screen
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| OS | Android Nougat-based MIUI 9 | Android Nougat-based MIUI 9 |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 506 |
| Processor | 14nm-based 64-bit class 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 octa-core | 14nm-based 64-bit class 2.0GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core |
| RAM | 2GB/3GB RAM | 3GB/4GB RAM |
| Storage | 16GB/32GB + expandable up to 128GB via microSD | 32GB/64GB + expandable up to 128GB via microSD |
| Camera |
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| Battery | 3,300mAh | 4,000mAh |
| Network | 4G-LTE with VoLTE (Voice-over-LTE | 4G-LTE with VoLTE (Voice-over-LTE) |
| Add-ons | Dual-SIM (+ extra microSD slot), Bluetooth v4.2, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n; dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz), fingerprint sensor, infrared sensor (IR blaster) | Dual-SIM (+ extra microSD slot), Bluetooth v4.2, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n; dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz), fingerprint sensor, infrared sensor (IR blaster) |
| Dimensions | 151.8 x 72.8 x 7.7 mm | 158.5 x 75.45 x 8.05 mm |
| Weight | 157g | 180g |
| Colours | Black, Gold, Light Blue and Rose Gold | Black, Gold, Light Blue and Rose Gold |
| Price (in China) |
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