Redmi 5 Renders: 4000mAh, Fingerprint, 34GB?

No, the Redmi 5 does not have 34GB of storage — that figure was a misreading of a leaked spec sheet that actually showed 32GB, and the phone launched with 16GB or 32GB options. The 4000mAh battery and rear fingerprint scanner were accurately predicted by early renders, but the renders you saw were unofficial concept images, not Xiaomi’s own marketing material. Here’s what the leaks got right, what they got wrong, and what the real Redmi 5 offered when it launched in December 2017.

What the Leaked Renders Actually Showed

In late 2017, a series of renders and spec sheets circulated on Chinese tech forums and Twitter, supposedly showing the upcoming Redmi 5. The most widely shared render showed a phone with a full-screen display (18:9 aspect ratio), a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a large battery. The accompanying spec table listed a 4000mAh battery, a 5.7-inch HD+ display, and a Snapdragon 450 processor. The storage line read “32GB,” but a low-resolution screenshot or a translation error led some blogs to report it as “34GB.” No credible source ever claimed 34GB, and the final retail units came in 16GB and 32GB variants (with microSD expansion up to 128GB).

How the 34GB Rumor Started

The “34GB” figure likely came from a misread of the Chinese character for “3” (三) and “2” (二) in a poorly cropped image, or from a faulty OCR scan of a spec table. In Chinese tech forums, storage is often abbreviated as “32G” (32GB), and a blurry render might have made the “2” look like a “4.” Once the mistake was copied by a few English-language blogs, it spread quickly because it seemed oddly specific — a storage size that doesn’t exist in any standard configuration. Xiaomi never produced a 34GB phone, and the Redmi 5’s official specs confirm 16GB/32GB only.

Confirmed Specs of the Redmi 5

• Display: 5.7-inch IPS LCD, 1440×720 resolution (18:9 aspect ratio)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (octa-core, 1.8GHz)
• RAM: 2GB or 3GB (depending on variant)
• Storage: 16GB or 32GB, expandable via microSD
• Rear camera: 12MP, f/2.2, phase-detection autofocus
• Front camera: 5MP with selfie flash
• Battery: 3300mAh (not 4000mAh as rumored)
• Fingerprint sensor: Yes, rear-mounted
• OS: MIUI 9 based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat

The 4000mAh battery rumor was also wrong — the actual battery was 3300mAh. The fingerprint scanner was correct, but it was placed on the back, as the renders showed.

Why the Renders Were Partly Right

The leaked renders were based on real design trends at the time. Xiaomi was moving toward 18:9 displays across its lineup, and the Redmi 5 was indeed one of the first budget phones to adopt the taller screen. The rear fingerprint sensor was a standard placement for mid-range phones in 2017, so the renders were a reasonable guess even if the artist didn’t have official schematics. However, the battery estimate was off by 700mAh — a significant gap that suggests the renderer simply assumed a larger battery based on the phone’s size, not on actual hardware.

How to Verify Phone Specs Before Buying

When you see a leaked spec or render, always cross-check with multiple sources before trusting it. The most reliable places to confirm specs are:

• The manufacturer’s official website or press release
• GSMArena or PhoneArena (they list detailed specs and often note when a rumor is unconfirmed)
• FCC filings (for US-bound phones) or TENAA listings (for Chinese phones) — these often include real photos and battery capacity
• Hands-on videos from reputable tech reviewers after launch

If a spec seems unusual (like 34GB storage), it’s almost certainly a typo or a hoax. Standard storage sizes are powers of two: 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, etc.

Common Problems with the Redmi 5

Owners of the Redmi 5 have reported a few recurring issues:

• Battery drain: MIUI’s aggressive background app management sometimes causes faster drain than expected, but a factory reset or disabling unused apps usually helps.
• Notification delays: MIUI’s battery optimization can delay WhatsApp or Gmail notifications; you need to set those apps to “No restrictions” in battery settings.
• Storage filling up: With only 16GB or 32GB, the system takes up about 8GB, leaving little room. A microSD card is essential for photos and music.
• Fingerprint scanner accuracy: Some users find the rear sensor slow or inaccurate, especially with wet or oily fingers. Re-registering the same finger twice can improve reliability.

How the Redmi 5 Compared to Its Rivals

In late 2017, the Redmi 5 competed with the Honor 7A, the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017), and the Moto G5. At its launch price (around $120), the Redmi 5 offered the best display-to-body ratio and a more modern design than the J5, but the Moto G5 had a cleaner Android experience and better custom ROM support. The Redmi 5’s Snapdragon 450 was comparable to the Snapdragon 430 in the G5, but the Redmi 5’s GPU was slightly weaker for gaming. The Honor 7A had a similar screen and battery, but its Kirin 430 chip was less efficient. Overall, the Redmi 5 was the best value for battery life and screen size, but not for camera quality or software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Redmi 5 have a 4000mAh battery?

No. The Redmi 5 has a 3300mAh battery. The 4000mAh figure came from an early rumor that was later corrected. If you need a 4000mAh battery in a Xiaomi phone, look at the Redmi Note 5 or Redmi 6 Pro, which both have 4000mAh cells.

Can I expand the storage on the Redmi 5?

Yes, the Redmi 5 has a dedicated microSD slot (not a hybrid slot), so you can use a microSD card up to 128GB without sacrificing a SIM card. This is a big advantage over some rivals that force you to choose between a second SIM and a memory card.

Is the Redmi 5 still worth buying in 2024?

No. The Redmi 5 is a 2017 budget phone with outdated hardware and no official software updates. It can handle basic calls, messaging, and light browsing, but it will struggle with modern apps and may have security vulnerabilities. If you need a budget phone today, consider a current Redmi A-series or a used phone from 2020 or later.

Why did the Redmi 5 have a rear fingerprint scanner instead of a front one?

In 2017, rear fingerprint sensors were cheaper to implement and allowed for a taller, bezel-less display. Front-mounted sensors required a physical home button or an under-glass sensor, which was still expensive. Xiaomi chose the rear placement to keep the cost down while still offering the feature.

Does the Redmi 5 support fast charging?

No. The Redmi 5 supports standard 5V/2A charging (10W), which takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge the 3300mAh battery. It does not support Qualcomm Quick Charge, despite the Snapdragon 450 chip having the capability — Xiaomi omitted it to cut costs.

What Android version can I install on the Redmi 5?

The official MIUI updates stopped at Android 8.1 Oreo (MIUI 10). However, the custom ROM community has released unofficial builds of Android 9, 10, and even 11 (via LineageOS or Pixel Experience). Installing these requires unlocking the bootloader, which voids the warranty but can breathe new life into the device.

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