Update: Xiaomi Mi5 unconfirmed compatible with 18 LTE bands

Since the launch of the Xiaomi Mi5 this week one of the big questions has been “what LTE networks will it support?” Well we have the possible answer here.

The Xiaomi Mi5 has grabbed the headlines more than once over the past few months, but now the phone has launched we can finally settle down and confirm some of the specifications of the flagship.

One detail that has concerned many international buyers who plan to import the Mi5 is what LTE networks will the phone be compatible with? Xiaomi staff at the Mi5 media event in Barcelona weren’t too sure, but now the

~~company has officially unveiled the details~~ MIUI community has tried to fill in the blanks.

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Xiaomi Mi5 network support

Network	‌	‌
4G	FDD-LTE TDD-LTE	Unconfirmed bands: LTE bands: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 12 / 13 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 38 / 39 / 40 / 41
3G	TD-SCDMA WCDMA CDMA 2000	bands 34 / 39 bands 1 / 2 / 5 / 8 bands BC0 / BC1
2G	GSM CDMA 1X	bands 2 / 3 / 5 / 8 BC0 / BC1

These unconfirmed details are taken from a MIUI FAQ about the Xiaomi Mi5 which also claims the latest Xiaomi phone will come with a locked bootloader too.

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About the author
Andi

- Chico Migraña
  February 26, 2016
  - - Martin Holubec
      February 26, 2016
      - Young
        February 26, 2016
Radier
February 26, 2016
B20….thats all you had to say !
JudikJ7
February 26, 2016
February 26, 2016
all bands are uncertain
“… TDD-LTE bands (uncertain) 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 12 / 13 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29… “

yo
February 26, 2016
I only trust the info of this page http://www.mi.com/mi5/specs/
but the bands are not shown yet
- yo
  February 26, 2016
  bands confirmed
  FDD-LTE (频段 B1，B3，B7)
  TD-LTE (频段 B38，B39，B40，B41)
  TD-SCDMA (频段 B34，B39)
  WCDMA (频段 B1，B2，B5，B8)
  GSM (频段 B2，B3，B5，B8)
  CDMA1X/EVDO (频段 BC0)
  no B20 800 MHz
Angry Mobile Nerd
February 26, 2016
The MIUI FAQ in the source link clearly states that it’s the FDD bands which are in fact uncertain and I think it’s no coincidence that Samsung and LG also haven’t published what bands their newly announced 820-based phones support, either. However, it is possible for one phone to support so many bands (just look at the iPhone).

Qidamin
February 26, 2016
Come on guys from Gizchina, the thread on Miui forum has nothing official, it is just a developer that is not even sure of what he says, he has updated the post several times, first he was sure that the phone was only 1 /3 /7, the he updated with new bands , then updated with uncertain at the end and finally updated with uncertain before all bands. So you just give hope to people and they will be fed up if the bands are not here! Just wait for a real official announcement!
- Monk3y
  February 26, 2016
  - - realjjj
      February 26, 2016
      Any chance you know anything about the LeTV X820 and x620? And , 1 more, looks like MTK has a launch event for the X20 on March 16 in Shenzhen , any chance you are in China at that time?
      - Joel Adames
        February 26, 2016
        well i can almost asure you it will be spensive as #$%&& !!!! hahaha, … but in the other hand… you already knew that
    - Monk3y
      February 26, 2016
- Öysan Kulbay
  February 26, 2016
  Andy posts what he reads. A developer from MIUI forums should have some credibility. Hopefully it’s 18 bands because then I’ll drop my Note 4 and go for this. I’ve waited a long time for a 4-axis phonecamera.

E8hffff
February 26, 2016
The only gripe I have with this phone is the 4MP front camera and the screen being 5.1 inch not 5.5.
- Tajwar
  February 26, 2016
  - Joel Adames
    February 26, 2016
    those were noce pictures, but they don´t come close to a proper 8mpx camera like the one from the gionees or all the others… the go that way maybe because they are in stock and cheaper. my front camera is better that most of my friends back cameras
    - Airyl
      February 26, 2016
      Nah, the 4MP front cameras are fantastic. Have you even seen the Mi Note’s selfies?
      - E8hffff
        February 26, 2016
        Nope so I’m only guessing. I’ll have to do some investigation.
        Pity is most mobile phone reviewers rarely compare or mention front camera features.
        balcobomber25
        February 26, 2016
        You’re guessing what would be better based on the MP number and nothing else.
        E8hffff
        February 26, 2016
        Twice the pixels always wins unless you want to be mesmerised by colour and intensity. Most situations will include good lighting unless you happen to see a UFO, or robber stealing a car or similar.
        
        balcobomber25
        February 26, 2016
        A lower aperture, better sensor size and high quality lens is a much bigger win than “twice the pixels”. Most people use a front camera for two things: video calls (Skype, Facebook, Whatsapp etc) and seflies. Neither of those need anything greater than about 2mp. Unless you plan on blowing your selfies up to poster size you will never need or notice a difference with “twice the pixels”.
        
        E8hffff
        February 26, 2016
        2MP is grain city. Anyway lets call a truce so there’s not comment after comment on likes or dislikes.
        balcobomber25
        February 26, 2016
        2MP is 1080p. But yes lets agree to disagree, you buy into the more MP myth and will probably never see otherwise.
        E8hffff
        February 26, 2016
        Last comment. There’s a difference between images in motion and a single image. Example standard TV or VGA video is not bad to look at because your brain is tricked with changing colours. The same principle applies to low res or ultra pixel cameras. If you use the camera for selfies or video conferencing with static background then it’s not going to be impressive. Outside in with lots of colours and you’ll get away with the budget based component. The ultra pixel is scheme to make a cheap manufacturing component have more relevance.
        balcobomber25
        February 26, 2016
        Ultra Pixel usually means the pixels themselves are larger on the sesnor. Larger pixels means more light. With sensors so small light is the single most important factor to good pictures.
      - Joel Adames
        February 26, 2016
        No i haven’t but my experience with other 8mpx back cameras tells me this one (OV 8mpx) is as good as the ones the early Xperias (arc 2011) so I would guess those 4mpx superpixels were very good as they were used as primary cameras too at some early generations of the HTCs, so I get your point as well
  - E8hffff
    February 26, 2016
    4μ pixel component probably is the same size active area as a8MP component but the pixel sizes are different.
    What above means is the pixels allow for better light but grainier results
    compared to 8MP component. In good light 8 MP better, ln low light the
    4μ pixel component will slightly have better colour lighting results.
    The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes.
Karly Johnston
February 26, 2016
Don’t believe it for a second.

realjjj
February 26, 2016
Would be good to confirm the bands for the cheapest version too, just in case.That one has 2xCA only but better make sure it’s not missing bands too.
E8hffff
February 26, 2016
ARRR no the price is $506.99 for 64GB version on CooliCool. Ridiculous. What happened to the $350 price region.
- Dante
  February 26, 2016
  - - Dante
      February 26, 2016
      nah , everybody wants profit – including them and sometimes prices here are higher than in other shops
      - balcobomber25
        February 26, 2016
  - balcobomber25
    February 26, 2016
    It’s not that they are assholes, it’s that they are business that have to make money. This isn’t a charity where they can just give phones away.
- Joel Adames
  February 26, 2016
  it went down the drain,
  thats why i don´t like to get carried out by pricing… but this guys reporting on prices almost everyday, gives me cravings and then they get blown up by resellers everywhere
  - E8hffff
    February 26, 2016
- James
  February 26, 2016
  64gb version is about $420 USD most places I’ve seen it.
  $373 for the entry level 32gb.
  I think that is pretty reasonable actually and less of a reseller markup than I was expecting – what else can you get for that cost that comes close to matching the spec?
  Personally, I think the redmi note 3 pro is the best bargain in town.
  - highwind
    February 27, 2016
    Give it a few weeks and LG G5 will be the same price (after VAT) while offering a higher resolution display (which I personally wouldnt need, but anyways), USB3 Type C, Android 6 and a 2 year warranty
Simon
February 26, 2016
An unlockable bootloader would also be much appreciated. Thankyou.
highwind
February 26, 2016
1, 3, 7 aswell as no multilanguage and locked bootloader – its a Xiaomi!
- balcobomber25
  February 26, 2016
  A well made device, with great specs and incredible software support for under $400 – its a Xioami!
  - highwind
    February 27, 2016
    - - highwind
        February 27, 2016
        balcobomber25
        February 27, 2016

Misto
February 26, 2016
The phone has great specs but I don’t like the front design and of course is too small for the specs. It would have been interesting with a 4000mah battery. I think MI4S has a better design and a big battery. Shame that they did not used SD650 for the MI4S. It would have been cheaper and a best seller worldwide.
- Misto
  February 26, 2016
  - balcobomber25
    February 26, 2016
    Maybe, maybe not. We need to see how efficient the SD820 really is, it helps that they used a FHD display too and that it is 5.15 instead of 5.5. Battery life could end up being very good, but it all comes down to the 820.
    - Misto
      February 26, 2016
      Right Balco, let’s wait and see some reviews before to judge. Can you tell me why Xiaomi used a SD808 old SOC for the MI4S? We are in 2016, I mean they could have gone for a SD650 to lower a bit the price. SD650 has very good performances even better than the SD808. Maybe Xiaomi because of their deal with Qualcomm had a huge stock of SD808 left, which pushed them to use it for the MI4S. For international buyers, the difference isn’t significant between the MI4S and the basic MI5. I hate the front of the MI5 so taking into consideration the margin made by resellers I might not consider the MI4S too for the reasons stated above. I will go for MI4C Prime (if price decline) or Note 3 Pro which is the best value for the money right now. I agree with you Gionee S8 is very nice looking phone but Meizu MX6 would be a lot better IMO.
      If i find a MX5 with 32GB rom for a price below 230€, I will get it as quick as possible.
      - Misto
        February 26, 2016
        ^ price difference isn’t significant
      - balcobomber25
        February 26, 2016
        Without seeing a BOM we can’t really say the 650 would be cheaper than 808. The 808 is an older chip and Xiaomi did use it in the Mi4c. The S and the C are essentially the same phone so it probably actually more cost effective to stick with the 808. I am not a huge fan of the Mi5 front either, especially with those ugly black borders. If I can get in black I might consider it because then you won’t notice the borders.
        I am a current MX5 user and I like it a lot. In fact I am waiting for MX6 to be released before deciding on a new phone.
        
        Misto
        February 26, 2016
        Yeah regarding the MI5 I don’t like the ugly black borders which are pretty large IMO. Maybe in black color it wouldn’t be a problem at all, but I will wait for reviews for the battery life. Even MI5 has FHD screen, it has quality hardware like the screen camera and cpu. I am curious to see if that would be enought for a full day intensive usage. Maybe an external battery might be useful.
        A reseller is selling the MX5 32GB for 238€ without shipping costs. Maybe in 2 weeks, I could get it below 220€ hehehe.
  - James
    February 26, 2016
    Given that I get more than a day of hard use from a phone with 3000mah battery, a larger screen and an SD810 (Nubia Z9Max), so I would not make that judgement yet, not until one is out in the wild and tested anyway.
    Purely on anecdotal evidence, I would say that it should be enough battery.
    Katie’s phone (now we have updated the firmware) which is a Redmi Note 2 Prime with a circa 3000mah battery easily lasts her 48 hours on a charge – it was pretty shocking on the firmware it shipped with though and wouldn’t last from 8am to 8pm!
    an iphone 6s has a circa 1700mah battery right?
    - balcobomber25
      February 26, 2016
      My MX5 has a 3050mAh with normal usage on 3G in the US I can easily get through a full day. I unplug it at 6am and when I get home from work at around 7pm I usually still have around 20% left.
Qidamin
February 26, 2016
- Roberto Tomás
  February 26, 2016
  where? I went to the site and it still has the 4 and 4i up, their en/store page also doesn’t have it.
  were you looking at a “xiaomistore” page? there are many of these that look official but are not.
  - illystor
    February 26, 2016
    No, change it to the Chinese mainland. All the details are listed there.
    The MIUI forum post has caused a lot of undue excitement based on entirely inaccurate information. The bands listed are as follows.
    FDD-LTE (频段 B1，B3，B7)
    TD-LTE (频段 B38，B39，B40，B41)
    TD-SCDMA (频段 B34，B39)
    WCDMA (频段 B1，B2，B5，B8)
    GSM (频段 B2，B3，B5，B8)
    CDMA1X/EVDO (频段 BC0)
  - balcobomber25
    February 26, 2016
    See my post above. Chinese Xiaomi site has it, the site you were looking at is the English Global site.
    - Roberto Tomás
      February 26, 2016
      I saw your post before you had edited in the url .. wish I gave you a minute longer 🙂 thanks
balcobomber25
February 26, 2016
The Chinese Xiaomi website has been updated and as I expected it is just 1,3,7 FDD and 38,39,40,41 (TD). Unless they have a global version with all bands it looks like another false rumor.
http://www.mi.com/mi5/specs/

Gizchina News of the week

Xiaomi Mi5 network support

Andi

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