The recently launched Redmi Turbo 5 is now on sale in India. Redmi’s first performance-focused smartphone has been competitively priced, starting at Rs 37,999, and largely delivers on its promise. However, as observed in our Redmi Turbo 5 review, there are a few areas where the handset could have done better to appeal to a wider audience in the segment. As a result, buying this smartphone requires careful consideration.
So, should you buy the Redmi Turbo 5? Here are the reasons why it may or may not be the right smartphone for you.
Table of Contents
Reasons to buy Redmi Turbo 5
Excellent choice for gamers
The Redmi Turbo 5 remains the only viable option for gaming, following the OnePlus Nord 6 price hike. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra, the smartphone handles demanding workloads and high-end gaming with ease. During our testing, the handset consistently delivered 120fps gameplay in BGMI and COD: Mobile, ensuring a fluid and responsive experience.
More importantly, the Redmi Turbo 5 sustains its performance well under prolonged loads, as reflected in its strong Burnout benchmark results. While rivals such as the OnePlus Nord 6 may manage heat slightly better, the Redmi Turbo 5 holds a slight advantage when it comes to maintaining peak performance over extended periods.
Battery that lasts long and also recharges quickly
Battery life is another area where the Redmi Turbo 5 shines. The smartphone packs a huge 7,540mAh battery, which comfortably lasts a full day even with relatively heavy usage involving gaming, video streaming, and social media. While the OnePlus Nord CE6’s larger 8,000mAh battery delivers slightly better endurance figures, the Redmi remains among the strongest performers in the segment. The inclusion of 100W fast charging further strengthens the package, taking the battery from 20 percent to 100 percent in just 51 minutes.
For users who spend long hours away from a charger, the combination of a large battery and fast charging makes the device particularly appealing.
Vibrant display for gaming and entertainment
The Redmi Turbo 5 features a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display that ticks most of the right boxes. The panel delivers vibrant colours, excellent viewing angles, and strong outdoor visibility, while the 120Hz refresh rate keeps animations and scrolling smooth. HDR support on compatible streaming platforms adds richer contrast and improved highlights when watching content. The display is also highly responsive thanks to its high touch sampling rate, which benefits gaming. Combined with slim bezels and stereo speakers, the Redmi Turbo 5 offers one of the more immersive multimedia experiences in its price segment.
Class-leading durability, premium build
Despite housing a massive battery, the Redmi Turbo 5 remains relatively compact and comfortable to hold. The aluminium frame and glass back give the device a premium in-hand feel that matches, and in some cases exceeds, rivals in the segment. What truly sets it apart, however, is durability. The handset comes with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications, allowing it to withstand dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets. This gives it a clear advantage over competitors such as the Motorola Edge 70 Pro, which focuses more on sleekness than ruggedness.
Reasons not to buy Redmi Turbo 5
Cameras may not be its strongest suit
The Redmi Turbo 5’s camera setup is functional, but it isn’t among the best in its segment. The 50MP primary camera captures sharp and vibrant daylight shots, and low-light performance is reasonably good. However, the ultrawide camera produces softer images with less detail, while the selfie camera struggles with facial details and colour accuracy.
When compared with rivals such as the Motorola Edge 70 Pro, the Redmi consistently falls behind in areas like dynamic range, colour accuracy, portrait photography, and overall versatility. Buyers who prioritise photography will likely find better options elsewhere.
Thermal management is good, but not class-leading
Redmi’s 3D Ice Loop Cooling system does a respectable job of controlling temperatures during gaming sessions, allowing the phone to maintain strong performance. However, the device still develops noticeable warmth around the camera module during extended gaming sessions. While this doesn’t significantly impact usability, rivals such as the OnePlus Nord 6 demonstrate slightly better thermal efficiency under sustained workloads. For most users, this won’t be a dealbreaker, but those sensitive to heat generation may notice the difference.
Not the cleanest software experience
The Redmi Turbo 5 runs HyperOS 3 out of the box, which brings several useful features, including AI-powered tools, refined animations, personalised lock-screen options, and broad cross-device connectivity. However, the software is burdened by a large number of pre-installed applications, with over 60 apps available out of the box, including numerous third-party offerings. In comparison, competing software experiences from brands such as Motorola feel cleaner and more streamlined. HyperOS also lacks some customisation options available on rival devices.
Final thoughts
To sum it up for you, the Redmi Turbo 5 succeeds in delivering a flagship-grade gaming performance, strong sustained output, a vibrant display, and excellent battery life, all wrapped in a premium and highly durable package. These strengths make it a compelling option for gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritises performance and endurance above all else.
