The Redmi Turbo 5 lands at a time when Xiaomi is aiming to consolidate its position in this price segment with a smartphone that is future ready

One of the key battlegrounds in the battle for supremacy in India’s smartphone market is the ₹30K-40K bracket. As smartphone prices continue to rise, many Indian consumers are stepping up and looking for devices that promise longevity. This can also be attributed to extended upgrade cycles, as consumers hold on to their smartphones for longer periods of time. This has changed the market dynamics with features like build quality, future-proof spec sheets and OS update policies becoming key purchase drivers.

The Redmi Turbo 5 lands at a time when Xiaomi is aiming to consolidate its position in this price segment with a smartphone that is future ready. Xiaomi chooses performance as the key USP for the Redmi Turbo 5. Does it have what it takes to take on its rivals in a segment where consumer aspirations run high?

Design

You might notice similarities between the POCO X8 Pro and the Redmi Turbo 5. This device is crafted with an aerospace-grade metal middle frame, complemented by a matte-finished glass back. Redmi plays it safe with a design that borders on bland. But it looks every inch premium, ticking a key box for buyers in this segment who usually seek a device that looks more expensive than its price tag. Xiaomi has done a good job with the weight management of this device; I rarely felt the 204 gm-heft during my time with this device.

The flat frame and rounded edges not only add to the elegant vibe but also make the Turbo 5 easier to clasp. The Redmi Turbo 5 also  excels in terms of ingress protection front, as it is IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K certified for dust and water protection. Every smartphone needs a party trick in 2026, the Pixel Matrix Camera Rings that encircle the rear camera are embedded with multi-colour LED lights. You can customise the Pixel Matrix rings for notifications and calls. The device comes in three colourways including our favourite – Nitro Blue.

Performance

Much of Xiaomi’s sales pitch for the Turbo 5 is built on performance. At its heart is a MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra chipset. The device comes in a choice of two storage variants – 8GB/256GB and the 12GB/256GB option that we put to the test. I’d recommend the Rs 3,000 premium for the top-end variant if you’re planning to retain this device for two years or more. The Redmi Turbo 5 consistently breached the 6700 mark in our Geekbench (multi-core) benchmark test, making it one of the better performers at this price point. This device is ready for heavy duty gaming and everyday multitasking.

The Redmi Turbo 5 runs on HyperOS 3, which is built on Android 16. The UI is easy on the eye, but the pre-installed apps and notifications are a dampener. I really wish Xiaomi had not load this device with so many apps. The device is loaded with AI tools and customisations; however, I would have liked to see more photo editing tools though. The Turbo 5 comes with four years of Android OS updates and six years of security updates. That’s on par with many of its rivals in this segment.

Battery

If there’s one reason (apart from raw power) why this device ought to be on your radar, it’s battery performance. Xiaomi has packed this device with a massive 7540 mAh silicon-carbon battery under the hood. It comfortably lasted more than a day during my time with the device, despite moderate to heavy camera usage and screen time. The retail package comes with a 100W HyperCharge fast charger that takes this device from 1 to 100 per cent in just over an hour.

Camera

Most of the camera experience revolves around the 50MP primary lens (Sony IMX882 sensor with optical image stabilisation and a f/1.5 aperture). Portraits are sharp, with consistent subject separation. Results were quite good when I pushed the camera to 2X and 3X mode despite the lack of a telephoto lens. Images were quite impressive in optimal light, while results in lowlight were quite acceptable for this segment. If there’s one weak link, it’s the 8MP ultra-wide lens. Selfie duties are handled by a 20MP front cam.

Display

The Redmi Turbo 5 is equipped with a 6.59-inch (2756 x 1268 pixels) 12-bit AMOLED display (1.5K resolution) that features a 120Hz refresh rate. It comes with HDR10+, Dolby Vision and the convenience of wet touch support. It peaks at 3500 nits, providing excellent visibility across most lighting conditions. You get full HDR support on OTT platforms like Netflix. I watched the highlights and a couple of key quarter finals of the FIFA World cup 2026; the colours were punchy with deep blacks.

Verdict

The Redmi Turbo 5 scores on the performance front. This is a device that will please heavy duty gamers and users with workflows that involve multitasking. You also get a dependable battery that’s geared for binge watching, making it one of the better bets if you’re looking for a smartphone under ₹40K.

Redmi Turbo 5

Price: ₹37,999 onwards

Pros: Battery life, design, performance.

Cons: Too many pre-installed apps, ultra-wide camera

Published on August 12, 2026