Redmi 5 to Buy: Price, Review, and Is It Worth It in 2025

Despite being a 2017 budget phone, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 still appears frequently on used marketplaces at bargain-bin prices — but is it worth buying in 2025? This guide examines the specs, price, risks, and alternatives to help you decide.

Launched: December 2017 ·
Original price (India): ₹7,999–₹10,999 ·
Display: 5.7 inches, 720×1440 ·
Processor: Snapdragon 450 ·
Battery: 3300 mAh

The Redmi 5 packs a 5.7‑inch HD+ display, a Snapdragon 450 chipset, and a 3300 mAh battery – respectable specs for its 2017 price bracket. Here’s how the key figures stack up.

How old is the Redmi 5?

When was the Redmi 5 released?

Xiaomi launched the Redmi 5 in December 2017, as noted in TechRadar’s contemporaneous review. That makes it over seven years old as of 2025 – a whole generation behind in mobile tech.

Is the Redmi 5 outdated?

• Software support ended at Android 9 (MIUI 10), meaning no security patches for years (TechRadar notes the launch software was Android 7.1).
• Missing 4G LTE bands that modern carriers rely on in some regions.
• No 5G, no NFC, no widevine L1 for HD streaming.

The Redmi 5’s age is its biggest liability — no security updates and missing modern bands make it a risky choice for daily use.

What is the price of Redmi 5?

Original launch price

At launch in India, the Redmi 5 started at ₹7,999 for the 2GB/16GB variant, going up to ₹10,999 for the 4GB/64GB top model, according to Notebookcheck and TechRadar.

Current second-hand price

As of 2025, used Redmi 5 units typically sell for $50 to $100 on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, depending on condition and storage. New-old-stock is rare and often priced above ₹12,000, which makes no sense against modern alternatives.

Price in India

In Indian marketplaces, a used Redmi 5 can be found for around ₹3,000–₹5,000, though condition and regional availability fluctuate.

The implication: Even at a low price, the Redmi 5’s lack of future support means you’re buying a device with a built-in expiration date.

Is the Redmi 5 good?

Design and build quality

The Redmi 5 has a metal unibody with curved edges and weighs just 157 g (TechRadar). It’s comfortable to hold and comes in blue, pink, gold, black, and lake blue. However, there’s no Gorilla Glass – the display is more prone to scratches.

Performance

The Snapdragon 450 octa-core chipset paired with 2/3/4 GB RAM handles light apps, calls, and messaging well. Heavy gaming is a struggle – the Adreno 506 GPU lags in modern titles (Notebookcheck).

Camera

The rear 12 MP sensor (f/2.2) takes decent daylight shots, but low-light performance is poor. The 5 MP front camera is acceptable for video calls (TechRadar).

Battery life

With a 3300 mAh battery and a power-efficient chipset, the Redmi 5 can still last a full day of moderate use in 2025. No fast charging – it takes about 2 hours to fill up via micro-USB.

What this means: If you only need a phone for calls, texts, and light browsing, the Redmi 5 still works – but modern apps will test its limits.

Is Redmi worth buying?

Pros of buying Redmi 5

• Very low cost – often under $100 used
• Compact 5.7″ size, good for one-handed use
• Decent battery life for light usage
• Expandable storage via microSD

Cons of buying Redmi 5

• No security updates since Android 9
• Weak GPU, not for gaming
• Low-res 5 MP selfie camera
• micro-USB, not USB-C

Alternatives to consider

For a small premium, the Redmi A5 (released 2025) offers a 6.88″ display, 5200 mAh battery, and 2 years of OS updates at around NPR 10,999 (Gadgetbyte Nepal). The Redmi 7 (check our Redmi 7 buying guide) is also a better deal in 2025.

The pattern: The Redmi 5’s only real advantage is price – everything else lags behind even entry-level 2025 phones.

What is the weakness of Redmi?

Performance limitations

The Adreno 506 GPU was modest even in 2017. Modern 3D games like Genshin Impact are unplayable, and even lighter titles stutter. Multitasking with 2GB RAM is painful (Notebookcheck).

Software updates

Xiaomi ended support after MIUI 10 (Android 9). No new features, no security patches. Using the Redmi 5 in 2025 means running unpatched firmware, a real risk for sensitive data.

Display quality

The 5.7″ HD+ (720×1440) IPS panel is sharp enough for its era, but max brightness is low (around 400 nits) and it lacks any toughened glass protection (TechRadar).

The takeaway: The Redmi 5’s weaknesses are not minor – they directly affect usability and safety today.

Full specifications

Seven key specs, one pattern: respectable for 2017, but every number now looks dated.

The implication: Even the specs that were once highlights – like the 12 MP camera – are now entry-level.

What experts say

“The Redmi 5 offers decent performance for its price, but the display is only HD+.”

— GSMArena review

“The Redmi 5 is a budget Android smartphone developed by Xiaomi.”

— Wikipedia

For anyone considering a sub‑$100 phone in 2025, the choice is clear: the Redmi 5 is a functional but vulnerable relic. If your needs are limited to calls, texts, and the occasional YouTube video, it will get the job done. But for even a small extra outlay, the Redmi A5 or a similarly priced modern device gives you 5‑year‑newer hardware, proper Android updates, and a lot less headache. So if you’re on a tight budget, the Redmi 5 works for basics, but you’ll get a far better experience by spending a little more on a modern device like the Redmi A5.

If you’re set on a Redmi 5, consider checking our Redmi 5 Plus buying guide for a larger screen and battery alternative.

Frequently asked questions

In short, the Redmi 5’s strongest appeal is its price tag – but buyers should weigh the trade‑offs carefully before committing.