Moto E5 Plus vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: Which to Buy?

The Moto E5 Plus and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro are two 2018 budget-to-midrange phones that still get compared today because both offer huge batteries and large screens for little money. The Redmi Note 5 Pro wins on raw performance, camera quality, and software features, while the Moto E5 Plus wins on battery life, near-stock Android, and a more affordable price. Below is a detailed head-to-head breakdown to help you decide which one fits your needs.

Background: Where These Phones Sit

Motorola launched the E5 Plus in mid-2018 as part of its budget E series, targeting buyers who want a big screen and a massive battery without spending much. Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 5 Pro (also sold as the Redmi Note 5 in some regions) launched a few months earlier in early 2018, aiming at the same price bracket but with a stronger processor and dual cameras. Both phones were hugely popular in emerging markets like India, Brazil, and parts of Europe, and they still appear in second-hand markets and budget phone roundups.

Key Specifications at a Glance

Display: Moto E5 Plus – 6.0-inch IPS LCD, 720×1440 (18:9); Redmi Note 5 Pro – 5.99-inch IPS LCD, 1080×2160 (18:9)
Processor: Moto E5 Plus – Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 (quad-core); Redmi Note 5 Pro – Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 (octa-core)
RAM/Storage: Moto E5 Plus – 2/3 GB RAM, 16/32 GB storage; Redmi Note 5 Pro – 4/6 GB RAM, 64 GB storage
Rear Camera: Moto E5 Plus – 12 MP single; Redmi Note 5 Pro – 12 MP + 5 MP dual (depth sensor)
Front Camera: Moto E5 Plus – 5 MP; Redmi Note 5 Pro – 20 MP
Battery: Moto E5 Plus – 5000 mAh; Redmi Note 5 Pro – 4000 mAh
Software: Moto E5 Plus – Android 8.0 (upgradable to 8.1); Redmi Note 5 Pro – Android 8.1 with MIUI 9 (upgradable to MIUI 11 based on Android 9)

Performance: The Biggest Difference

The Redmi Note 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 636 is in a completely different league than the Moto E5 Plus’s Snapdragon 425. The 636 has eight cores and a much faster GPU, so it handles multitasking, social media apps, and light gaming without stutter. The 425 is a basic entry-level chip that feels slow even with simple apps when you have many tabs open. If you plan to play PUBG Mobile or Asphalt, the Redmi Note 5 Pro can run them at low-to-medium settings, while the Moto E5 Plus will struggle even at the lowest settings.

In day-to-day use, the difference shows when switching apps, loading web pages, or using the camera. The Moto E5 Plus’s 2 GB RAM (base model) is barely enough for 2018 standards, and background apps get killed frequently. The Redmi Note 5 Pro’s 4 GB RAM is far more comfortable, and the 6 GB variant is even better if you can find it.

Camera Quality: Clear Winner

The Redmi Note 5 Pro’s dual camera setup (12 MP main + 5 MP depth sensor) produces noticeably sharper and more detailed photos in good light compared to the Moto E5 Plus’s single 12 MP sensor. The Redmi also has a dedicated portrait mode that blurs backgrounds convincingly, while the Moto E5 Plus has no such feature. In low light, the Redmi’s larger pixel size (1.25µm) helps it capture more light, though neither phone is great after sunset.

The front camera is an even bigger gap: the Redmi’s 20 MP selfie camera with soft-light flash is far superior to the Moto’s 5 MP shooter. If you take selfies or video calls, the Redmi is the obvious choice. The Moto E5 Plus’s camera is fine for basic daylight shots, but it lacks detail and dynamic range.

Battery Life and Charging

The Moto E5 Plus has a 5000 mAh battery, which is one of the largest in any phone from that era. Combined with the low-resolution display and weak processor, it easily lasts two full days of moderate use. The Redmi Note 5 Pro’s 4000 mAh battery is still good for a full day and a half, but it cannot match the Moto’s endurance.

However, the Moto E5 Plus only supports 5W charging (no fast charge), so charging that huge battery takes over three hours. The Redmi Note 5 Pro supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 (up to 18W), so it charges much faster despite the smaller battery. If you value battery life above everything else, the Moto wins; if you prefer faster top-ups, the Redmi is better.

Software and Updates

The Moto E5 Plus runs near-stock Android 8.0, which is clean, simple, and free of bloatware. It received an update to Android 8.1, but no further major updates were released. The Redmi Note 5 Pro runs MIUI 9 (later updated to MIUI 11 based on Android 9). MIUI is heavily customized, with a different app drawer (or no app drawer by default), aggressive background app management, and many extra features like dual apps, second space, and extensive theming.

Some users prefer stock Android because it feels faster and simpler; others like MIUI’s extra features. One common complaint with MIUI is that it kills background apps too aggressively, causing missed notifications. You can fix this by adjusting battery optimization settings, but it’s an extra step. The Moto E5 Plus’s software is more predictable, but it lacks the Redmi’s feature set.

Build Quality and Other Features

Both phones are made of plastic, but the Redmi Note 5 Pro has a metal unibody that feels more premium. The Moto E5 Plus has a removable plastic back (though the battery is not removable), which gives it a slightly cheaper feel. The Redmi also has a rear fingerprint sensor that is faster and more reliable than the Moto’s, which is also on the back but sometimes misses on the first try.

The Moto E5 Plus has a headphone jack, a microUSB port, and a single bottom-firing speaker. The Redmi Note 5 Pro also has a headphone jack, but it uses a USB-C port, which is more modern and reversible. The Redmi’s speaker is louder and clearer, and it supports dual SIM with a dedicated microSD slot (up to 256 GB). The Moto E5 Plus’s SIM tray is hybrid, meaning you have to choose between a second SIM and a microSD card.

Price and Availability (as of 2024)

Neither phone is sold new by major retailers anymore. In the second-hand market, the Moto E5 Plus typically sells for $50–$80, while the Redmi Note 5 Pro goes for $80–$120, depending on condition and RAM/storage variant. If you find both at similar prices, the Redmi Note 5 Pro is the better value because of its superior performance, camera, and build quality. The only reason to pick the Moto E5 Plus is if you absolutely need the extra 1000 mAh battery and prefer stock Android, or if you find it significantly cheaper.

How to Choose: A Simple Checklist

If you play games or use heavy apps → choose the Redmi Note 5 Pro
If you take selfies or want portrait mode → choose the Redmi Note 5 Pro
If you want two full days of battery life → choose the Moto E5 Plus
If you hate bloatware and want a clean Android experience → choose the Moto E5 Plus
If you want fast charging and USB-C → choose the Redmi Note 5 Pro
If you are on a very tight budget → the Moto E5 Plus is cheaper, but only if you can tolerate its slow performance

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the Moto E5 Plus has a removable battery because the back cover comes off. It does not – the battery is glued in, and removing the back only gives you access to the SIM/microSD slots. Another misconception is that the Redmi Note 5 Pro’s 20 MP front camera is better than the rear camera; in practice, the rear camera is still better because of its larger sensor and autofocus.

Common issues reported by users include:

Moto E5 Plus: slow charging (takes 3+ hours), weak speaker, and occasional touch lag
Redmi Note 5 Pro: MIUI aggressive battery optimization causing missed notifications, and some units have a slightly loose headphone jack

Neither phone is water-resistant, so avoid using them in heavy rain. Also, both phones lack NFC, so mobile payments are not possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone has a better display?

The Redmi Note 5 Pro has a Full HD+ (1080p) display, which is significantly sharper than the Moto E5 Plus’s HD+ (720p) panel. Text and images look much crisper on the Redmi, and it also gets brighter outdoors. The Moto’s display is fine for basic use, but you will notice the low resolution when watching videos or reading small text.

Can the Moto E5 Plus run PUBG Mobile?

Technically yes, but it is not a pleasant experience. The Snapdragon 425 and 2/3 GB RAM can only run the game at the lowest settings with heavy frame drops and long loading times. The Redmi Note 5 Pro can run PUBG Mobile at low-to-medium settings with playable frame rates, though not at high settings.

Which phone has better battery life?

The Moto E5 Plus has better battery life in terms of screen-on time, often reaching 8-10 hours of heavy use or two full days of moderate use. The Redmi Note 5 Pro gets about 6-8 hours of screen-on time, which is still good but not exceptional. However, the Redmi charges much faster, so you can top up quickly during the day.

Is the Redmi Note 5 Pro still worth buying in 2024?

Only if you find it at a very low price (under $100) and you are okay with no security updates. The phone’s hardware is decent for basic tasks, but the outdated Android version (Android 9 at most) means it is vulnerable to security risks. For a similar price, a newer budget phone like the Moto G series or Redmi A series would be safer and faster.

Does the Moto E5 Plus have a good camera for video calls?

The 5 MP front camera is adequate for video calls in good lighting, but it is blurry in low light and lacks any beautification features. The Redmi Note 5 Pro’s 20 MP front camera is much better for video calls and selfies, especially with its soft-light flash.

Which phone has better audio quality?

The Redmi Note 5 Pro has a louder and clearer speaker, and it supports 3.5mm headphones with decent output. The Moto E5 Plus’s speaker is quieter and tinny, and the headphone jack output is average. Neither phone has stereo speakers or high-res audio support.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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