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| The Redmi Turbo 5 doesn't look much different than the Max. Pictured: a promo picture showing portions of the two phones. |
The wait is almost over for Xiaomi fans. After weeks of rumors and teasers, the company has officially announced the launch date for its next generation of mid-range performers. The Redmi Turbo 5 series will be fully unveiled in China on January 29, 2026, setting the stage for a new contender in the competitive smartphone arena.
Alongside the date confirmation, Xiaomi has given us our first official look at the standard Redmi Turbo 5 model, and the design language shows a strong family resemblance to its larger sibling, the Turbo 5 Max.
A Familiar, Yet Refined Design
Judging by the official promotional images released by the company, the non-Max model retains the clean, minimalist aesthetic of the series. The back panel houses a prominent dual-camera setup, with the lenses arranged in the same vertical island layout as the Max variant. The most noticeable design difference is the reduction to a single LED flash unit, whereas the Max model features a dual flash.
The renders highlight what appears to be a premium metal mid-frame, suggesting a solid build quality that should enhance the in-hand feel. The phone is also shown to feature a display with generously rounded corners, a design choice that typically improves ergonomics and comfort during prolonged use. As expected, the standard Turbo 5 will be more compact than the Max, with industry whispers pointing to a 6.59-inch screen size.
For a closer look at the official teasers and the community buzz in China, you can check out the posts on Xiaomi's official Weibo channel here and follow the ongoing conversation here.
The Heart of the Matter: Dimensity 8500 Confirmed
Beyond the exterior, Xiaomi has confirmed a key piece of internal hardware. The Redmi Turbo 5 will be powered by MediaTek's newly announced Dimensity 8500 chipset. This processor, revealed alongside the flagship 9500s, is poised to take over from the popular Dimensity 8400.
Early benchmark listings suggest the performance leap from the 8400 to the 8500 might be incremental rather than revolutionary. However, as always, final retail software and optimizations can tell a different story, and we'll be keen to see comprehensive post-launch tests. The focus for this chipset is likely on delivering flagship-like efficiency and robust performance for gaming and multitasking, all at a mid-range price point.
Pricing Expectations and Market Position
While exact specifications and pricing for the Turbo 5 series will be revealed on launch day, we can look to its predecessor for clues. The Redmi Turbo 4 series launched with a very aggressive starting price of CNY 1,999 (approximately $286 at the time), positioning it as a incredible value proposition.
For context on how the previous model sits in the current market, the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro (12GB/256GB) remains a compelling buy and is available internationally through retailers like TradingShenzhen. You can find its current listing and price here.
This pricing history sets a clear benchmark. If the Redmi Turbo 5 can maintain a similar entry point while offering the upgraded Dimensity 8500, refined design, and potentially improved cameras, it could become an instant best-seller in the global mid-range segment.
Mark your calendars for January 29, 2026. The full story on camera specs, battery capacity, charging speeds, and final pricing will be revealed then as Xiaomi aims to turbocharge the mid-range market once again.
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| Design of the Redmi Turbo 5 |