Finally, a smartphone that actually lasts three days on a single charge

Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 09:56

Redmi is clearly aiming for the "battery king" crown this year. With the official launch of the Redmi Turbo 5 series set for January 29 in China, the new teasers for the Turbo 5 Max confirm that this isn't just a minor spec bump—it’s a specialized powerhouse designed for people who basically never want to carry a power bank again.

If you’ve been following the rumors, the 9,000mAh battery wasn't a typo. Here is a breakdown of what Xiaomi’s sub-brand has officially locked in.

Key Points

The Battery Monster: The Turbo 5 Max officially features a massive 9,000mAh silicon-carbon battery with 100W fast charging.
Flagship-Grade Display: A 6.83-inch 1.5K LTPS OLED panel with a blinding 3,500 nits peak brightness and ultrasonic fingerprint tech.
MediaTek Debut: It is the first device to ship with the Dimensity 9500s chipset, rivaling the performance of 2026’s top-tier flagships.
Extreme Durability: The phone is rated IP68 and IP69, meaning it’s protected against both deep immersion and high-pressure water jets.
Off-Grid Tech: Includes a T1S signal enhancement chip and "kilometre-level" network-free communication for long-range use without a SIM.

The Display: 1.5K and "Outdoor-Proof"

The Turbo 5 Max is moving into phablet territory with a massive 6.83-inch LTPS OLED panel. Redmi is pushing the resolution to 1.5K, which is that perfect middle ground between battery efficiency and crisp detail.

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The real standout, though, is the brightness. At 3,500 nits peak brightness, you could probably use this phone in the middle of the Sahara at noon without squinting. To balance that power out, they’ve included 3,840Hz PWM dimming, which is essential for preventing eye strain if you're a "scrolling in the dark" kind of person. They’ve also swapped the standard optical sensor for a much faster ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner.

Built Like a Tank (Almost)

Redmi is moving away from the "all-plastic" mid-range feel. The Max variant features a CNC metal middle frame and a fiberglass rear panel. More importantly, it’s carrying an IP68/IP69 rating. That "9" is the kicker—it means the phone is rated to survive high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. If you accidentally leave your phone in the dishwasher, it might actually survive (though I wouldn't test it).

Performance and the 9,000mAh Monster

Under the hood, we have the global debut of the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s. Early AnTuTu leaks suggest a score north of 3.61 million, putting it right in the face of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

But the battery is the main event. A 9,000mAh silicon-carbon battery is unheard of in a mainstream "non-rugged" phone. To keep it from taking five hours to charge, they’ve paired it with 100W wired charging. There’s also 27W reverse charging, effectively turning your phone into a high-speed power bank for your friends' dying iPhones.

My Opinion: The "POCO" Transformation

I suspect that when this hits global markets, it will be rebranded as the POCO X8 Pro Max. At a rumored Chinese price of $360, it’s an absolute steal for gamers and travelers. My only concern? A 9,000mAh battery and a metal frame usually mean a heavy device. I’d expect this to be a "two-hand" phone for most users.