News & Reviews:   Xiaomi Mi 5

While we wait patiently for the count down of Xiaomi Mi 5 on 24 February, the rumours have not died down yet and just recently GFXBench has somehow leaked some specifications online. 

It's no mystery that the Snapdragon 820 chipset is listed there, as it was already confirm weeks ago. However, the graph does confirm that the flagship will indeed have Adreno 530 GPU, 3GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, Android 6.0 Marshmallow (MIUI 7), and a 1080 x 1920 resolution. Previously, it was speculated that the Mi 5's screen is measured 5.2-inch, but GFX says otherwise (5.7-inch). 

As you may already know, Xiaomi will be presenting their latest flagship, the Xiaomi Mi 5 simultaneously in China and MWC 2016 (Barcelona) in just 3 weeks. Not to mention, the Mi 5 will also be equipped with Qualcomm's latest chipset the Snapdragon 820. 

With great anticipation, Xiaomi's Weibo post suggested that they might consider to incorporate Microsoft’s Windows 10 Mobile OS into the Mi 5 as another variant. Previously, they have also announced their new and upcoming Xiaomi Mi Pad to run on Windows 10 Mobile. If that's the case, we can actually expect them to reveal four Mi 5 variants with different hardware and software altogether. 

As you may already know, Samsung, LG and Sony will be at the MWC 2016 in Barcelona to present their newest products. However, we just got word that two other Asian smartphone manufacturer giants, Oppo and Xiaomi will be joining the event too with some teasers. 

First off, from Oppo's teaser image, “breakthrough tech” could be anything. We can count out their new F1 Plus model which was released in Vietnam few days ago, but maybe they will present a new smartphone camera feature? After all, that's what they are known for over the years. 

To further strengthen the confirmation by Xiaomi's co-founder and Senior VP Liwan Jiang, who statedXiaomi Mi 5's official launch date on his Weibo account just two days ago. Xiaomi's global VP, Hugo Barra also said the same thing on his Twitter that 24 February is indeed the official launch of the Xiaomi Mi 5. We are just a month away! 

The Mi 5 will be the company's next flagship smartphone of this year, as we already know that it's powered by a Snapdragon 820 processor which is Qualcomm's latest chipset. Besides that, reports are saying it could also sport a 3GB or 4GB RAM, three variants of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB internal storage, a 5.2-inch display (1080 x 1920 pixels / 1440 x 2560 pixels, 2.5D curved glass), featuring a 16MP rear camera + 13MP front camera, fueled by 3030 mAh battery, and operating on the latest Android 6.0.

After a number of leaks and previous release dates, it looks like Xiaomi Senior VP Liwan Jiang has made it official, confirming that the Xiaomi Mi 5 will be announced on 24 February 2016. Tech specs and features for the Mi 5 could include the latest Snapdragon 820 processor, either 3GB or 4GB RAM, 16GB / 32GB / 64GB storage and more. While this has not been confirmed, many industry watchers are expecting the Mi 5 to come with other Xiaomi devices as well. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but for now, you can check out the estimated tech specs listing below:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
• 3GB / 4GB RAM
• 16GB /32GB / 64GB storage
• 5.2-inch display (1080 x 1920 pixels / 1440 x 2560 pixels, 2.5D curved glass)
• 16MP rear camera + 13MP front camera
• 3030 mAh battery
• Android 6.0

We already know the Xiaomi Mi 5 will coming soon in February, there was also a supposedly image leaked of the device but we weren't sure if it's the real deal or not. 

Now there's another new image body leaked and this time coming in white, it looks exactly the same as the previous black model and it seems the Mi 5 will be sporting a 2.5D curved glass display. It could also mean that the Mi 5 will come in both black and white colour option. What's more, there is a report that it will come with Quick Charge 3.0 support. Specifications are input 100-240V, output 5V / 2.5A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A, maximum power 18W which shows support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0.

You may already be aware that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is already out for quite some time now, well there's a new version of it (Redmi Note 3 Pro) and this time it's equipped with the Snapdragon 650 processor (previously it was MediaTek Helio X10). The processor is also backed up by 2x Cortex A72 cores and 4x Cortex A53 cores, with Adreno 510 GPU. Despite the upgrade, Xiaomi decided to put the price CNY 999 (around RM662)  only, so this makes the device the most cheapest and powerful mid-range smartphone available right now.

New Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 tech specs:-

• Snapdragon 650 processor + 2x Cortex A72 cores and 4x Cortex A53 cores, with Adreno 510 GPU
• 2GB or 3GB RAM
• 16GB or 32GB internal storage 
• 5.5-inch FHD 1080p
• 16MP rear camera (with ultra-fast PDAF) + 5MP front camera
• Fingerprint sensor, Sunlight display
• 4G LTE, 3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi,   Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, GLONASS, VoLTE and USB OTG connectivity
• MIUI 7 
• 4050 mAh battery

We got new intel of Xiaomi Mi 5's upcoming reveal date is set for 21 January and sales that will start on 8 February, not only that we also got a leaked image that might be the Mi 5. 

The image leaked was found in Weibo but has been taken down already, the picture shows a black cover version and it could suggest that the device could come in two variants. This black cover also coincide with our previous rumour report last month, which also showed a black “Mi 5” and a similar rectangle home button that we saw in a supposedly leaked Mi 5 video

As you may know already, Xiaomi CEO and tech analyst Pan Jiutang have commented that the Xiaomi Mi 5 won’t be arriving so soon due to the stock of the new Qualcomm chip, the Snapdragon 820. And as the saying goes “third time’s a charm”, Liwan Jiang, co-founder and Senior VP of Xiaomi have announced that the Mi 5 will indeed be equipped with the latest Qualcomm chip and will be in stock after the Chinese Spring Festival in February.

Popular technology analyst, Pan Jiutang from Weibo have updated the internet about the Xiaomi Mi 5progress and he has echoed Xiaomi CEO’s words about not seeing the device so soon.  

Like what the CEO previously said, Xiaomi is waiting until they have enough stock to meet the demand of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, which will be displayed live at the CES 2016 tomorrow and Xiaomi Mi 5 won’t be part of it.