Redmi has brought the Turbo 5 to India, marking the first time the Turbo series has expanded beyond its home market. The launch has drawn attention for one reason in particular: the phone is noticeably more expensive in India than in China, even though the hardware remains the same.
The gap is large enough to stand out immediately. In India, the Redmi Turbo 5 costs Rs 35.999 for the 8GB/256GB version and Rs 38.999 for the 12GB/256GB model.
Why the India price is higher
In China, the top-end 12GB/256GB variant is currently sold for 2.299 Yuan. At current exchange rates, that is roughly Rs 32.200, or about Rp6,1 juta.
That means the same configuration costs around Rs 6.800 more in India, while even the entry-level India price still sits above the converted China price for the higher trim. The difference reflects the extra costs that often affect Chinese smartphones sold in India, including import duties, GST, and logistics.
Redmi India is trying to soften that gap with an instant discount of up to Rs 2.000 for eligible bank card users, including SBI, ICICI, and Axis Bank customers.
Sale date and color options
The first sale in India is scheduled for 19 June. Buyers will be able to purchase the device through Amazon.in, mi.com, and offline retail stores.
Redmi is offering three color choices for the model: Turbo White, Nitro Blue, and Asphalt Black. The lineup gives the phone a more premium presentation in a segment where design still matters.
Performance built around Dimensity 8500 Ultra
On the performance side, the Redmi Turbo 5 uses the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra chipset. It is paired with LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and UFS 4.1 storage to support faster everyday use and heavier workloads.
To keep temperatures under control, Redmi has added a 5.300mm² vapour chamber cooling system. The company says the combination helps the phone exceed 2 million points on AnTuTu and place it ahead of close rivals such as the OnePlus Nord CE6 and Nothing Phone (4a) Pro.
The display is another major draw. The phone comes with a 6,59-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel and a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animation.
Big battery, fast charging, and stronger protection
Battery life is one of the Turbo 5’s strongest selling points. The handset packs a 7.540mAh battery and supports 100W HyperCharge fast charging.
Redmi has also equipped the device with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings. Those certifications show a clear focus on dust and water resistance at a higher level than many mainstream phones.
Cameras and software
At the back, the Redmi Turbo 5 carries a 50MP main camera with the Sony IMX882 sensor and OIS, alongside an 8MP ultra-wide camera. The setup keeps the photography package practical rather than overly elaborate.
The phone also includes a customizable LED pixel-matrix ring around the camera module. On the software side, it ships with HyperOS 3 based on Android 16 when it goes on sale in India.
