At the end of September, Xiaomi decided to roll out two smartphones to the market instead of one: the Mi5S Plus. If with the first everything is more or less clear - this is just an update of the spring flagship, then what the version with the Plus prefix is ​​is not completely clear. And why does the device need two cameras? We'll talk about all this and more in Xiaomi Mi5S Plus review.

A little about positioning

Xiaomi clearly understands what the Mi5S Plus model is. This is a smartphone with top specifications, a 5.7-inch display and at a fairly reasonable price. Something intermediate between and Mi Note 2.

On the picture Xiaomi Redmi Pro

Only in our case there are wide plastic antenna inserts at the top and bottom to match the main color.

You can feel the metal back only due to its coldness. So, it is very reminiscent of glossy plastic. I was careful with the device, so after three weeks there were no traces of use left. However, according to reviews from other users, it only scratches on the fly. Be careful.

The fingerprint scanner is recessed into the body. We'll talk more about it a little later.

The peephole of two rear cameras at once is flush with the rear surface. What kind of glass it is or whether sapphire coating may be used is not known for certain. Consequently, we conclude that there was no sapphire lying around, because the manufacturer never misses the opportunity to report on one or another of its buns.

There's a double flash nearby and... that's all. A boring, unremarkable appearance, long familiar to us from previously presented devices. I hope that from this point of view Mi Note 2 will please you more.

Mi5S Plus is sold in four colors:

Please note that only the pink body is devoid of perpendicular stripes on back cover.

Fingerprint's scanner

Since it is located in a fairly convenient place and there are no engineering delights here, as in the Mi5S, the scanner works great. 10 out of 10 unlock attempts are successful.

In addition, the response speed is beyond praise. Very close to the reference one in OnePlus 3, that is, the smartphone unlocks very quickly.

The sensor can block not only the device itself, but also individual applications. We enable the corresponding item in the scanner menu, and the section itself appears in the root settings directory. A little illogical, but not scary.

The scanner was equipped with the ability to take photographs. Open the camera, touch the sensor and the photo is ready. Everything works quickly and without errors.

Scrolling through photos in the Gallery, switching tracks - all this is alien to our scanner. It’s high time for Xiaomi to spy on these features from Huawei.

Display

I have already talked about the good ratio of dimensions and 5.7-inch screen. I will only add that the side frames are also thin, so that the feelings of those suffering are in no way offended. You can even buy, just imagine, a white version!

• diagonal 5.7 inches
• resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
• dot density 386 ppi
• contrast ratio 1300:1
• brightness 550 nits (Mi5S 600 nits, RN4 - 450)
• 94% NTSC compatibility

Covers the screen protective glass 2.5D. Gorilla Glass or not, I can’t say. There is no information on this matter. But there is a high-quality oleophobic coating. You won't find fault here.

Frankly speaking, I expected that our hero would be equipped with an AMOLED matrix, as in, but here we have the most ordinary IPS panel. However, this does not mean that everything is bad. On the contrary, the screen shows itself quite well. Below are examples of photographs in which our hero is below or on the right, and LeEco Le 3 is located above or on the left.

A slight purple haze only appears at extreme viewing angles. Otherwise the display is good.

At the end of the test, I placed the corner next to it. Please note that its matrix behaves a little better at such a large viewing angle. There is no such pronounced inversion fog.

And one more photo. For mental disorders, so to speak. Below you can clearly see how the IPS matrix of the Mi5S Plus floats and how well the AMOLED panel of the Redmi Pro is doing.

Of course, there is automatic brightness adjustment, which does its job 100%. We didn’t forget about the special night mode, when the blue glow is removed, the screen begins to actively turn yellow, and our eyes become grateful for such careful treatment of them.

There are no special color settings here. Only standard, contrast or automatic profile. I chose the latter because I am completely satisfied with it.

As with any modern and self-respecting smartphone, there is a double tap to wake up the screen. The feature is very convenient and you should definitely take it into service.

Technical specifications of Xiaomi Mi5S Plus

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor with four Kryo cores and a frequency of 2.35 GHz
• Adreno 530 graphics with operating frequency up to 653 MHz
• 4 RAM (2330 MB available after reboot) or 6 GB LPDDR4 up to 1866 MHz
• built-in storage 64 (actually free 55.38 GB) or 128 GB UFS 2.0
• 5.7-inch IPS display, 1920 x 1080 pixels (386 ppi), 1300:1 contrast ratio and 550 nits brightness
• rear cameras 13 + 13 MP (PDAF autofocus, RAW shooting, 2160p video recording)
• front-camera 4 MP (f/2.0, single pixel size 2 microns, 80-degree lens)
• battery 3,800 mAh (Quick Charge 3.0)
• OS Android 6.0
• MIUI 8.0.10.0 (current at the time of publication, stable firmware)
• sensor: light and proximity sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, digital compass, hall sensor, fingerprint scanner, infrared
• connectors: USB Type-C(OTG works), 3.5mm audio port
• Dimensions: 154.6 x 77.7 x 7.95 mm
• weight 168 grams

Wireless standards:

• 4G (LTE Cat. 12/13, Full Netcom 3.0, frequencies: 1, 3, 5, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41)
• support for two Nano SIM cards
• Wi-Fi (802.11 ac), Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
• Navigation: GPS, Glonass, Beidou

On this moment The Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset is a truly flagship processor. There is nothing cooler than him. There is, of course, the Apple A10 Fusion, but since it is installed exclusively in the iPhone, it is pointless to compare both solutions head-to-head.

is an extremely productive smartphone, but this is achieved not only due to its “brains”, but also due to its highly optimized OS. This is also why the A10 Fusion is unsettled. Therefore, the QS821 can rightfully be considered the very best processor today.

The maximum possible frequency of the “stone” is 2.4 GHz. In our case, this is 2.35 GHz, which means that we have one of the most powerful devices on the market.

For those to whom this is important and who do not want to overpay for flagship hardware, Mi5S Plus will be the best existing solution. No compromises.

A little more information about the processor. It is produced using a 14 nanometer process. Coupled with Android 7.0 (update to seven, I think there will be) and the Vulkan technology supported in it, the graphics in games should reach new level. Thus, the smartphone has a maximum safety margin and will be at peak performance for at least another year.

In terms of specifications, there is only one caveat - there is no support for the FDD-LTE 20 band. Depending on the region, different domestic operators use it, so perhaps for some this will be a critical moment. I didn’t have any problems with MTS in the Kaluga region. 4G worked fully. 4G+ did not light up even once, although this happened on other devices. Additional proof of what was stated above.

Display	5.7 inches, IPS, 1920 × 1080 (386 ppi)
CPU	Quad-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, 2.35 GHz
Video accelerator	Adreno 530
RAM	4 / 6 GB
Built-in memory	64 / 128 GB
Main camera	13 + 13 MP (phase autofocus, two-color LED flash)
Front-camera	4 MP
operating system	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with MIUI 8 interface
SIM	2 nanoSIM
Connection	GSM: 850 / 900 / 1 800 / 1 900 MHz; UMTS: 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2000 / 2100 MHz; LTE: 1, 3, 5, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41
Wireless interfaces	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, Infrared
Navigation	GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
Sensors	Light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer, microgyroscope, compass, barometer, fingerprint scanner
Battery	3,800 mAh, non-removable, fast charging QC 3.0
Dimensions	154.6 × 77.7 × 7.95 mm
Weight	168 g

Contents of delivery

The Xiaomi Mi5S Plus package includes:

• the smartphone itself;
• proprietary charger with QC 3.0 support;
• plastic bumper;
• USB → USB Type-C cable.

Previously, flagships included at least a headset. But compared to a regular kit, even a bumper and a high-quality charger (for an American plug) also look good.

Appearance and ease of use

The new Xiaomi product produces the same wow effect as . Thin, comfortable, large smartphone. But he is far from elegant. Neither the tempered protective glass with 2.5D edges (a bad invention of marketers) nor the beveled edges can help. Although both add convenience to use and provide a strong grip.

The polished metal surface of the back immediately hints that a bumper is indispensable. Moreover, the gaps between the main plate and the signal-conducting inserts are not only noticeable - you can insert a sheet of paper. The convex screen, made using 2.5D technology, also indicates the need to purchase additional protection.

The fingerprint scanner is located on the back cover, immediately under the dual camera module. Of course, it is very comfortable in the palm of your hand. But it is impossible to unlock a smartphone lying on the table without additional movements.

Apparently, the company's engineers had to do this to ensure the most comfortable grip. The area under the screen is inaccessible for those with small hands. The rear position of the scanner provides full reach of all controls for both right and left hands. Everything is in the usual places, including the control sensor for household appliances.

The sensors are moved up as high as possible to avoid accidental activation during operation.

Display and image quality

The new Xiaomi product has a 5.7-inch display with an IPS matrix. Black frames are minimal. But, unlike many competitors, the screen resolution is only 1,920 × 1,080 pixels (386 ppi).

And to hell with the permission! Xiaomi Mi5S Plus has almost best screen in your class. Color rendition, clarity, contrast - everything suggests that the screen is AMOLED. However, this is a very good IPS, more durable than an OLED panel.

The screen has a standard 10-touch touchscreen. This margin provides excellent sensitivity and high speed triggering.

Hardware platform and performance

Xiaomi Mi5S Plus is equipped with the most modern processor Snapdragon 821 with frequencies increased to 2.35 GHz. For the end user, this is the only difference from the 820, since the video core remains unchanged.

The smartphone has received several modifications. The basic version of Mi5S Plus has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. The following options received 6 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of internal memory. It is worth recalling that the persistent memory used complies with the UFS 2.0 specification.

The gadget is equipped with a double SIM card slot. Flash cards are not supported. But, as practice shows, the built-in 64 GB is more than enough for most users. Besides inner memory more reliable than flash drives.

Such solutions allowed us to achieve excellent results in synthetic tests. Xiaomi Mi5S Plus currently ranks fifth in the AnTuTu rating.

How does synthetics affect the user? In the most direct way. It will not be possible to seriously load the device with anything. There are no single applications yet with such resource usage.

Some game tests show the presence of free random access memory. And this also applies to younger versions of smartphones. There are no lags, no slowdowns, even the hesitation of the device under load is practically absent.

Another plus of Xiaomi Mi5S Plus is full-fledged USB connector Type-C using a USB 3.0 controller. There is video output to HDMI, audio, and increased data transfer rates. There's even pass-through charging.

operating system

I have never understood those who are eager for a speedy update. Exit new version systems are not a reason to update. Let them test it, then you can use it.

Xiaomi engineers are probably of the same opinion: stability operating system more important than new untested functions. Therefore, the flagship works under Android control 6 Marshmallow with the proprietary MIUI 8 add-on, familiar to our readers from reviews.

The system is concise, thoughtful and convenient. There are settings for everything that the most demanding user might need.

Unlike the younger Xiaomi Mi5S with a 5.2-inch screen, Plus version has official global firmware. And it has both the usual Google services and correct Russian translation. And most importantly: at the click of a button Home buttons starts voice search Google, not MIUI!

For beginners, there is a simplified smartphone control mode. It disables all unnecessary functions and leaves only basic icons of increased size. The logic of operation becomes similar to the control of a regular push-button telephone or washing machine. So, if not for the cost, the device could be recommended as a gift for loved ones of the older generation.

Multimedia capabilities

Camera

Apparently, Xiaomi Mi5S Plus was a direct response to the appearance of the iPhone 7 Plus. And just like in the Apple line, the older model is equipped with a dual main camera. Each of its sensors has a resolution of 13 megapixels.

The camera uses 13-megapixel Sony IXM258 Exmor RS sensors measuring ⅓ inches and 1.12 micron pixels. The lens aperture is f/2.0. The camera is also equipped with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and dual LED flash. There is no stabilization, although it is present in the regular Mi5S.

If you look for competitors among smartphones with other diagonals, Xiaomi Mi5S Plus still holds up well. Both are more expensive, but offer comparable functionality.

Compared to OnePlus and Huawei, Xiaomi offers a more extensive infrastructure, adequate support, and constant system updates.

Which device to vote for with rubles is a personal matter for each buyer. Want a life hack? Wait for Xiaomi Mi6 and buy Mi5S Plus. Good new flagship is just around the corner. And other companies still won’t be able to offer a worthwhile alternative.

Surely every person interested in the mobile field has heard about the company’s achievements in one way or another. And almost all interesting new products from the Chinese giant end up on the pages of our laboratory.

It should be mentioned that Xiaomi is not only engaged in the production of smartphones. Of the latest and most versatile devices, we managed to test the branded laptop Notebook Air 12.5, the Ninebot Mini hoverboard and even the YunBike C1 bicycle.

But the bulk of the assortment is still made up of budget mobile solutions, and the fiercest competition is observed there. However, the company also has high-end models at an attractive price. In addition, by the end of the year, it had reconsidered the naming of new devices due to confusion caused by the production of so many variations of the devices.

Thanks to our partner - the online store Store Xiaomi, we will look at one of the latest flagship solutions in the form of an enlarged Mi5s with the Plus prefix.

The potential successor to the Xiaomi Mi5 was introduced quite recently and has literally just begun to appear on store shelves. It features a new look, software improvements, and some hardware specifications that we'll explore in the next section.

Technical specifications of Xiaomi Mi5S Plus

Model	Xiaomi Mi5S Plus	Xiaomi Mi5
Housing materials	Metal + glass + plastic	Metal + glass + plastic
Screen	5.7", IPS, Full HD	5.15", IPS, Full HD
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, 2 x 2.35 GHz + 2 x 2.2 GHz, Kryo	Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 2 x 1.8 GHz + 2 x 1.36 GHz, Kryo
Video processor	Adreno 530	Adreno 530
operating system	Android 6.0 + MIUI 8	Android 6.0 + MIUI 7
RAM, GB	4/6	3
Built-in storage, GB	64/128	32/64
Memory card slot	No	No
Cameras, Mpix	13.0 x 2 + 4.0	16.0 + 4.0
Battery, mAh	3 800	3 000
Dimensions, mm	77.7 x 154.7 x 8.0	69.0 x 145.0 x 7.0
Weight, g	168	129
price, rub.	~25 000 / ~30 000	~18 000 / ~20 000

The characteristics of the new smartphone correspond to the solutions of higher price segment. As usual, Xiaomi, like a number of other large Chinese companies, differs in its approach to pricing and hardware preparation of devices.

From interesting features In addition to the new case design, we note the processor, the amount of memory on board the device and a capacious battery. Otherwise, with the exception of the diagonal, everything is the same as the younger brother Xiaomi Mi5S. The use of two cameras is of interest, although the first device with this feature from Xiaomi was the mid-budget Redmi Pro. The fingerprint scanner is also in place, but for some reason it moved to the rear panel.

Xiaomi Mi5S Plus can be called the first representative of the line with this name. We will study it with special care and try not to miss the features of the new product during the article, and also share our personal impressions. Let's start, as usual, with packaging.

Packaging and equipment Xiaomi Mi5S Plus

Xiaomi Mi5S Plus is offered to customers in a classic compact white branded cardboard box. The packaging is protected by transparent film. There are no bright elements; the manufacturer even refused to print the image of the smartphone on the front side - there is only an embossed MI logo.

The appearance of the box can be called strict. On the reverse side there is only a classic sticker with legal information and a brief summary of available technical characteristics smartphone.

When you open the lid, the smartphone inside is immediately visible; initially it should be protected with transport films on both sides.

Let's take a look at the delivery package? To do this, remove the cardboard backing under the smartphone.

As we can see, the user receives the following accessories with the smartphone:

• Charger at 1.5 A;
• USB Type-C cable;
• Plastic transparent case;
• Documentation and a paperclip for removing the SIM tray.

The case cannot be called ideal, but it’s nice that the manufacturer immediately took care of protecting the device during operation. Now many people neglect this.

The charger is compact, vertical type with a Chinese plug. However, buying a compact adapter is not a problem at all now, and sellers in Russia usually immediately equip smartphones with them. The charger is convenient to use. The USB Type-C cable meets quality standards.

The charger supports fast charging function. Otherwise, there are no complaints about the packaging and delivery set; it copes with the assigned functionality quite well.

Xiaomi has been preparing an update to the successful flagship Mi4 for 18 long months. Rumor has it that the main reason was problems with overheating in the Snapdragon 810 chipset. In order not to take risks and avoid a stain on the reputation of the flagship family, a separate Mi Note series was even released (by the way, the fears were justified, and many Mi owners Note Pro experienced problems with overheating). And after such a long pause Chinese manufacturer produces three flagships at once, two of which we saw yesterday - Mi5S and Mi5S Plus (Mi5 was at the beginning of the year). Logically, Mi5S was supposed to be a development of the Mi5 concept, and Mi5S Plus - Mi Note Pro. Both models were attributed and curved display, and pressure recognition technologies a la 3D Touch, and even 8 GB of RAM along with 256 GB of internal storage. However, Xiaomi has turned out to be a far from unambiguous product. Let's figure out what's wrong with Xiaomi Mi5S and Mi5S Plus.

Design

Perhaps the most subjective category. Of course, even in this form, Mi5S and Mi5S Plus will find their fans. But in general appearance smartphones are highly controversial. Everyone expected Xiaomi to develop the Mi5 design in glass (ceramics!) and metal, but instead they received an all-metal Mi5S body, reminiscent of either the iPhone 6, or the brainchild of Vivo, or a thermos ( HTC One The M8 was a pioneer). As for the Mi5S Plus, it evokes more associations with the budget Redmi Note line than the flagship Mi series. Not least because of the fingerprint scanner on the rear panel, which we will talk about separately.

Modest progress

For some reason, Xiaomi decided to get involved in an adventure called “two flagships a year,” in which few people emerge as winners. Xiaomi Mi5 was presented at the end of February and it must be said that little has changed since then. In the Mi5S, the company replaced the chipset with a newer one, but lowered the frequency to the level of the Snapdragon 820 to emphasize the “advanced” status of the Mi5S Plus model. Xiaomi loudly announced an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under glass, although in reality this design is not much different from touch button(It has not yet been possible to completely hide it under the front panel). But the pressure recognition technology is completely left behind the scenes - its implementation is only in the top version with 4/128 GB system memory remains a mystery. Judging by the fact that they didn’t even give it a separate slide, Xiaomi has nothing special to brag about. Otherwise, this is still the same Mi5, that is, the owners of this device can sleep peacefully for another six months.

Plus is not such a “plus”

Xiaomi demonstrates a colossal imbalance in the Mi5S line. Despite the fact that the Plus model should be more advanced than the standard version. But in our case this is not entirely true. Mi5S Plus did not receive either a newfangled fingerprint scanner or the remaining nameless pressure recognition technology, and for some reason the dual 13-megapixel camera does not support video recording in 1080p@120fps format. If we talk about continuity with Mi Note Pro, then we would like to see a QHD display and high-quality audio components, maybe even a back made of noble wood, but there is none of this, and dual camera and a large display will not be an argument for everyone to choose this particular model, as well as 6 GB of RAM in the “expensive” version for 2599 yuan (25 thousand rubles).

Mi Note with bamboo cover

Black frame

There’s no need for a lot of words here – the annoying black frame-rim remains in its place, which definitely cannot please. Xiaomi did not listen to the demands to correct this design miscalculation, which is especially evident in the white version of the gadget, and will definitely listen to a whole portion of criticism addressed to it. It can be assumed that black versions, where this shame is not so noticeable, will again be in great short supply.

Camera

In Mi5S, the main 16-megapixel camera was replaced with a newer 12-megapixel Sony IMX378 module (which, by the way, should receive Google Pixel and Pixel XL), but without optical stabilization images (she is not mentioned anywhere). Mi5S Plus received a dual 13-megapixel module a la Huawei P9/P9 Plus - monochrome and color sensors. There is also no optical stabilization here. We doubt that the advantages of updated photo solutions will be able to compensate for the lack of a stabilizer. The implementation of the dual module may also turn out to be completely different from what is expected (the photos of the Redmi Pro dual camera were received rather coolly). It seems more sensible to develop the existing 16-megapixel module, which had room to be developed (this applies to both photos and videos).

Oddly enough, the announcement of the Mi5S series increases the attractiveness of the Mi5 itself, the price of which for the basic version has dropped to 1,599 yuan (15.3 thousand rubles). Perhaps, it doesn’t make much sense to overpay for the Mi5S, which is priced at 1999 yuan (or 19.2 thousand rubles) in the “base”. Moreover, the top version with support for fashionable screen interaction technologies is only 200 yuan cheaper than the ceramic Mi5 (2299 versus 2499 yuan), and not everyone will prefer 3D Touch. Xiaomi has played with the number of models. Perhaps the “dry” 18 months without flagships are to blame. In any case, I don’t want the “two flagships per year” policy to be taken as a basis next year. This still works with cheap Redmi, but hardly with expensive ones.

top version with 4 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM and ceramic back for 2499 yuan

We continue our march through the new products from Xiaomi. Last time we met, which did not live up to my expectations a little, although on paper it looked like an interesting device. Let me remind you in a nutshell: there were a lot of software flaws and frankly weak autonomy, which could only be corrected by dancing a fair amount with a tambourine.

I recently came across the Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus, a phablet with two main cameras introduced in September 2016. Naturally, I immediately became interested in whether the Redmi Note 4’s sores would appear on the flagship. Looking ahead a little, the situation on the Xiaomi front has improved significantly.

The text may and most likely does contain grammatical, spelling, punctuation and other types of errors, including semantic ones. I strongly encourage readers to point out these errors and correct me through private messages.

Specifications

	5.7-inch IPS display with FullHD (1920 x 1080) resolution
Case materials:	metal body with minimal plastic dividers
	gold, silver, gray, rose gold
CPU:	Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 with 4 cores in two clusters: 2x Kryo (up to 2.35 GHz) + 2x Kryo (up to 2 GHz)
	Adreno 530 (653 MHz)
Operating system:	MIUI8 based on Android 6
RAM:	4/6 GB (UFS 2.0)
User memory:	64/128 GB, without the ability to install a memory card
	dual 13 MP (Sony IMX378 with phase detection autofocus, f/2.0, 6 lenses, four-axis optical stabilization system, protective sapphire glass lens), 4 MP front camera (f/2.0, wide viewing angle 80°, intelligent image enhancement, mirror, face recognition)
Network support:	GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800, WCDMA 850/900/1900/2100, FDD-LTE Band 1/3/5/7, TD-LTE Band 38/39/40/41, two slots for nanoSIM cards , radio module one
Wireless technologies:	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/BDS, A-GPS support
	fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, Hall sensor, gyroscope, digital compass, distance and light, infrared, barometer
Additionally:	3.5 mm headset jack, quick charging (Quick Charge 3.0), LED indicator, USB 2.0 (Type-C)
Battery:	3800 mAh, non-removable
Contents of delivery:	power supply (5 V = 2.5 A / 9 V = 2 A / 12 V = 1.5 A), USB cable, tray eject clip, instructions, plastic cover
	154.6 x 77.7 x 7.95 mm
Spoiler For my taste, the cameras on the Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus turned out to be controversial. If we talk about the main one, it shoots very averagely, not even close to the current flagships from Huawei, Samsung or Apple. Rather, this is the level of Sony, which has been making excellent modules but terrible software for a damn year in a row. The meaning of the second chamber is completely incomprehensible to the average person. Clicking black and white photographs of her is a controversial pleasure. How much it really influences the improvement of the final picture is also impossible to verify, but I dare to suggest that it is not much. For Xiaomi, it was rather important to keep up with the market and also release its dual-chamber device. How to use these modules is the next thing. The front 4 MP camera has a viewing angle of 80° and a set of proprietary image “enhancers” that turn even a brutal man into a princess. I personally was satisfied with the quality of the pictures, approximately at the level of the iPhone 5C. Hardware and software A flagship smartphone has a flagship chip. Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus received the latest quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 with Kryo cores. A pair operates at frequencies up to 2.0 GHz, and another pair operates at 2.35 GHz in the most resource-intensive tasks. To my surprise, even in power-hungry games the smartphone does not heat up. If we talk about the pure performance of the device, then it tears to shreds almost all competitors, with the exception of Samsung flagships, Apple and a couple of other exotic gadgets (and Apple?). The performance per core in the GeekBench test is especially impressive, with the Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus being the absolute leader. The amount of RAM in our model is 4 GB, and the permanent memory is 64 GB without expandability. This is enough for all everyday tasks. Personally, I don’t see the point in paying extra for the 6/128 GB version. Unlike Redmi Note 4, which choked on two open applications and unloaded them from memory, the flagship calmly digests a dozen and allows you to switch between them without any problems. And this is all, let me remind you, with 4 GB of RAM. Now a few words about the software part. Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus currently compares favorably with Mi5s by the presence of official Global firmware, which can be installed on any smartphone with an unlocked bootloader. The latest version available at the time of writing had the index 8.0.1.0. Important clarification: Some online stores buy locally Chinese versions smartphones and manually install homemade Global firmware with Russian on them. To upgrade to the official Global, you will need to download the corresponding software on the Xiaomi website and install it using standard tools through the “Update” utility. The current global firmware MIUI8 is based on Android version 6 and works surprisingly stable. During two weeks of testing, the smartphone only rebooted spontaneously once. We were not able to notice any other “jambs”. Google Services are supported and working properly. Autonomy Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus received a non-removable battery with a capacity of 3800 mAh. This volume successfully correlates with the new processor and large diagonal display. The smartphone works from early morning to late evening with 4-5 hours of active screen. Thanks to support for Quick Charge 3.0 technology, the included adapter replenishes half the charge in about 50 minutes. A full charge will take more than two hours. conclusions In the best traditions of Xiaomi, the new flagship Mi 5S Plus turned out to be a real “candy” on paper and promotional photographs. In practice, the device has a number of minor, and not very, shortcomings. The smartphone does not feel the best, ideal and uncompromising, as it should be for flagship devices. The fate of this model on the market remains a mystery. Convince simple user Spending more than $400 on a device from Xiaomi will not be easy, and enthusiasts would rather shell out a little money and take the “flagship killer” - whose fate in the near future is less vague. If we talk about Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus, it already competes within the line with Mi Note 2, but there is also the frameless Mi MIX, which will fall in price over time. Considering the pace at which the manufacturer is churning out new products, the release of some Mi 6 can be expected in the first half of 2017. Perhaps it is better to wait for the heir, what do you think about this? What I liked: pleasant appearance and convenient location of control elements; fast operation of the fingerprint scanner; the camera can shoot RAW and performs well during daylight hours; the fastest processor on the market at the moment; no heating under load; implementation of multitasking work; Availability of official Global firmware; MIUI8 shell capabilities, lack of critical bugs. What I didn't like: sharp edges on the case slightly cut your hand or face during a conversation; there is a black outline around the display; the second camera does not provide the same capabilities as competing solutions; The device does not feel like a full-fledged flagship. Related links Where can I buy? Thanks to the Gearbest online store for providing the smartphone for review. At the time of writing, Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus is available in Gray, Gold, Rose Gold and Silver colors. The price for the version with 64 GB of user memory starts at, and the version with 6/128 GB will cost from. Thank you for your attention!