The $314 Flagship Killer: Why the REDMI Turbo 5 Max is 2026's Best Value
RedmiFriday, 30 January 2026 at 10:23
Let's be real for a second: The unveiling of the REDMI Turbo 5 Max represents a significant pivot for Xiaomi. While the big names are nickel-and-diming us for "Pro" features, this device just landed with a 9000mAh battery. That is not a typo. We are talking about a power cell that makes the average iPhone look like a toy.
Key points
- Massive Battery: 9000mAh Silicon-Carbon cell in a slim 8.15mm body.
- World-First Chip: First device powered by the 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9500s.
- Flagship Display: 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED with 3500 nits peak brightness.
- Rugged Build: Features a CNC metal frame and a top-tier IP69K waterproof rating.
- Fast & Versatile: 100W wired charging with 27W high-speed reverse charging support.
The 3nm Reality Check
The engine here is the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s. Usually, these "S" variants are just watered-down leftovers, but this one is built on a 3nm process. The big deal? It uses an "all-large core" architecture. Most chips have "little" cores to handle the easy stuff, but the 9500s just uses raw muscle.
I’ve seen the benchmarks, and it’s hitting 3.61 million on AnTuTu. That’s Snapdragon 8 Elite territory. If you’re a gamer, you’ll care about the 3.73GHz clock speed and the fact that it can actually run heavy 3D games at 2.5K resolution without your hands feeling like they’re touching a stovetop, thanks to a new 3D ice-cooling pump.
Why 9000mAh Matters
Everyone keeps asking: "Is it a brick?" Surprisingly, no. Xiaomi used Silicon-Carbon tech. This is the same stuff high-end EVs are using to cram more juice into smaller spaces. At 8.15mm, it’s thinner than some phones with half the capacity.
It also supports 100W PPS charging. The "PPS" part is key. It means you don't have to use Xiaomi’s specific white cable to get fast speeds; a good MacBook or laptop charger will likely do the job. Plus, it has 27W reverse charging. Your phone is now officially a high-speed power bank for your friends.
The Global "Catch"
Now, here is the part that’s going to annoy everyone outside of China. When this inevitably rebrands as the POCO X8 Pro Max, we are probably going to lose that 9000mAh monster. International shipping laws for high-density batteries are a nightmare. Expect the global version to land with a 6000mAh or 7000mAh unit. It’s still great, but it’s not "four days of heavy use" great.
If you want the full experience, you’ll have to import the Chinese version and deal with the "Sunshine Orange" or "Ocean Blue" models. For $314 (starting price), it’s hard to find a reason to say no.
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