Redmi 5 Plus to Buy: Worth It in 2025? Price, Specs & Review

Buying a Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus in 2025 means accepting compromises that go beyond its age, pairing a still-impressive 4000 mAh battery with a Snapdragon 625 chip and no security updates. The question is whether its low used price justifies the trade-offs.

Released: December 2017 · Display: 5.99‑inch HD+ (720×1440) · Processor: Snapdragon 625 · Battery: 4000 mAh · OS (shipped): Android 7.1.2 Nougat · Current used price: $109 – $194

Is the Redmi 5 Plus still a good phone to buy?

Seven years after its launch, the Redmi 5 Plus sits in a strange place. Its 4000 mAh battery remains a standout feature — TechRadar (UK tech publication) called it “a compelling budget phone” in its launch review precisely because of the large screen and long battery life. For light tasks like calls, messaging, and media consumption, the phone still works.

Is it worth buying in 2025?

• Battery life remains strong – The 4000 mAh cell often lasts a full day even with a seven‑year‑old battery, though some degradation is inevitable (Notebookcheck (German tech reviewers) noted the chipset’s power efficiency).
• Performance is adequate for basic tasks – Snapdragon 625 handles social media, YouTube, and light browsing, but struggles with heavier apps (HardwareZone (Singapore tech review site) praised its daily usability in 2018).
• Software updates have stopped – Last major update was Android 9 Pie in 2019; security patches ended in 2020 (Xiaomi official support).
• Camera quality is dated – The 12 MP rear camera lacks modern features like night mode or 4K video (GSMArena review noted 1080p video recording only).
• Price has dropped significantly – Used units sell for $109 to $194, making it one of the cheapest smartphones available.

How does it compare to newer budget phones?

Compared with a 2025 budget phone like the Redmi Note 13 or a refurbished Pixel 6a, the 5 Plus loses on every metric except battery longevity. Newer devices offer higher refresh rate displays, better cameras, and guaranteed security updates. The trade‑off is price: a used 5 Plus costs roughly half of a new budget phone. The implication: Only buy the Redmi 5 Plus if your absolute priority is the lowest possible price and you are comfortable living without security patches.

What is the price of Redmi 5 Plus?

The phone has long left official retail channels. Today, you’ll find it exclusively on the second‑hand market. Prices vary heavily by condition, region, and seller.

Current used market prices

• Good condition (visible wear, fully functional): ~$109 – $135
• Excellent condition (minimal scratches, original box): ~$140 – $170
• Like‑new / unopened old stock (rare): up to $200

Sources like Back Market (certified refurbished marketplace) and eBay (global auction platform) typically list units in this range. HardwareZone reported an original Singapore launch price of S$299, so the depreciation is steep.

Where to buy new old stock

• Amazon (limited new old stock from third‑party sellers)
• Back Market (certified refurbished, 1‑year warranty)
• CeX / webuy (used, tested in‑store)
• eBay (wide selection, check seller ratings)

The catch: Availability in the USA is spotty because Xiaomi never officially sold the phone there. Most US‑compatible units are imported and may lack certain LTE bands. Always verify network compatibility before buying.

What year is Redmi 5 Plus?

Knowing the phone’s history helps set expectations. Here’s a quick timeline.

The pattern: The phone had a roughly three‑year software support window, which was reasonable for a budget device in its era, but now leaves it vulnerable.

What is the weakness of Redmi?

No phone is perfect, and the Redmi 5 Plus has accumulated a list of known issues over the years.

Common hardware issues

• Charging port failure – The micro‑USB port is fragile; after years of use, many units develop loose connections that require board‑level repair.
• Battery degradation – A 7‑year‑old lithium‑ion battery typically holds 60–80% of its original capacity, reducing the once‑impressive standby time.
• Slow performance with modern apps – Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and games like PUBG Mobile struggle on the Snapdragon 625, often with visible stutter.
• No official Android updates beyond Android 9 – Lack of security patches makes the phone risky for banking or sensitive data.

Software glitches

• MIUI 12.x is too heavy for the hardware; official updates stopped at an older version, leaving users stuck with potential bugs.
• Custom ROMs like LineageOS can improve performance and security, but require technical know‑how.

The implication: The Redmi 5 Plus is best suited for users who prioritize low cost over security and performance.

What are the specifications of Redmi 5 Plus?

Eight major spec areas define this phone. Seven years later, most are surpassed by $150 new phones, but a few details still hold up.

Display and design

• 5.99‑inch IPS LCD, 1080×2160 resolution (403 ppi), 18:9 aspect ratio (GSMArena device database)
• Metal unibody design, rear fingerprint sensor (Xiaomi official support)
• Weight: 180 g

Processor and memory

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (14 nm octa‑core Cortex‑A53) (Notebookcheck (German tech reviewers) called it “power‑efficient”)
• 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage or 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage (GSMArena device database)
• MicroSD up to 256 GB (shared SIM slot)

Camera

• Rear: 12 MP, f/2.2, 1.25µm pixels, PDAF, LED flash – 1080p video only (GSMArena review)
• Front: 5 MP, f/2.0, 1080p video

Battery

• Non‑removable Li‑Po 4000 mAh (Xiaomi official support)
• Charging: 10 W (officially not fast charging)

What this means: While the specs were respectable in 2017, they fall short of modern entry-level standards, reinforcing its status as a budget relic.

Build quality and reliability

On the plus side, the metal body feels solid. HardwareZone described the build as “premium for its price range.” The phone survives drops better than many current budget plastic phones.

• ✅ Metal unibody construction
• ✅ Rear fingerprint sensor (fast and reliable) (Xiaomi official support)
• ✅ Dual SIM support (hybrid slot) (HardwareZone (Singapore tech review site) confirmed hybrid tray)
• ❌ Micro‑USB (inconvenient today)
• ❌ No water resistance

The catch: A solid physical build does not compensate for the lack of software support and aging internal components.

Timeline: the Redmi 5 Plus story

1. December 2017 – Global launch by Xiaomi (Xiaomi official support)
2. 2018 – Android 8.1 Oreo update via MIUI
3. 2019 – Final major update to Android 9 Pie; security patches continue
4. 2020 – End of official security updates; MIUI updates stop
5. 2025 – Only available on used/refurbished market; a true budget relic

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

The pattern: Most hardware facts are well-documented, but real-world usability in 2025 depends heavily on individual device condition.

What others are saying

“After one week of usage, the solid battery life is the standout feature. The 4000 mAh lasts up to two days of heavy use or 7–8 hours of screen‑on time.”

– MindTheTimes blog (Medium), user review of Redmi 5 Plus

“The Snapdragon 625 is a power‑efficient chipset, but by 2018 standards it was already showing its age for high‑end tasks.”

– Notebookcheck (German tech review site)

These perspectives reinforce the consensus: battery life is the phone’s main strength, while performance and security are its main weaknesses.

Should you buy a Redmi 5 Plus in 2025? Our verdict

The Redmi 5 Plus is a museum piece that can still perform basic duties. Its battery life, even with degradation, beats many brand‑new $100 phones. But the lack of security updates and the struggle with modern apps mean it’s not a phone for daily drivers. If you need a cheap secondary phone for calls and media, or a weekend device for a child, the Redmi 5 Plus can work. For anyone who uses banking apps, social media, or wants a smooth experience, the $50–100 extra for a 2024/2025 budget phone is money well spent. For a budget buyer in the US market, the choice is clear: spend a bit more on a Motorola Moto G Play or a used Pixel 6a, or accept the compromises of a seven‑year‑old device that time has passed by.

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