Redmi Note 5 Pro: practical owner's guide
Redmi Note 5 Pro remains a solid budget phone even years after release. If you own one or plan to buy one used, this guide gives clear, practical tips—fast. We'll cover real specs, camera tips, battery care, common fixes and what to check before buying.
The phone launched with a Snapdragon 636, up to 6GB RAM and a 4000mAh battery. That combo still handles daily apps, light gaming and long screen-on time. The dual rear cameras (12MP + 5MP) can take crisp photos in daylight. But low-light shots need a bit of help, and the stock MIUI can feel bloated if you keep many background apps.
Camera tips are simple: use HDR for contrasty outdoor scenes, lock focus and exposure by long-pressing the screen for portraits, and enable AI scene detection only when it helps. For low light, switch to Pro mode, raise ISO carefully and keep the phone steady or use a small tripod. The portrait mode works best with a clear subject and some distance between subject and background.
Battery care is straightforward. Keep the battery between about 20% and 90% for longevity. Avoid leaving the phone plugged overnight frequently; fast charging is convenient but heats the phone and can speed up wear. Use a good quality charger with the correct voltage and unplug when full. If you want more battery life, disable always-on background sync for apps you rarely use and reduce screen brightness slightly.
Performance tips: clear cached data occasionally and restrict background activity for heavy apps. If the phone feels slow, check storage: keeping at least 10 to 15 percent free helps. Consider moving photos and videos to cloud or external storage. A factory reset can restore snappy performance, but backup first.
What to check before buying
If buying used, inspect the screen for pressure marks and dead pixels. Check the back for signs of battery swelling or off-center gaps. Test cameras, fingerprint sensor, charging port and loudspeaker. Verify the IMEI matches the phone box and that the seller removed any Mi account. Ask about battery health and how long the current owner charged it per day.
Simple tips to improve daily use
Install a lightweight launcher if MIUI feels heavy. Turn off unnecessary notifications and disable animations in developer options for a snappier feel. Keep the OS updated to the latest MIUI version available for the device, and avoid shady custom ROMs unless you know what you're doing. For storage expandability, use a high-speed microSD card and format it as portable storage.
Common issues and fixes include fingerprint sensor delays, which often clear after a software update or by re-registering fingerprints. Camera focus problems can sometimes be fixed by cleaning the lens and recalibrating focus in camera settings. If the phone overheats, check for rogue apps consuming CPU and uninstall them.
A few small investments—a good case, screen protector and a reliable charger—go a long way. With basic care and smart settings, the Redmi Note 5 Pro offers great balance of performance and value.
