MIUI 10 Global Stable officially released for Redmi Note 5 Ai/Pro

Xiaomi finally released MIUI 10 Stable ROM for the Redmi Note 5 Ai/Pro 4 days ago. The V10.0.1.0.OEIMIFH ROM will be released to some users earlier and others will receive it soon. 

Those who can't wait for it, can download and manually install the ROM using the updater app. Go here to download the file.

Once the file is downloaded, move it to 'downloaded_rom' folder in your phone's internal storage. Goto Settings>About phone>System update. In the updater app, now goto the '3 dots' and press 'Choose update package'. Then navigate to the 'downloaded_rom' folder and select the file miui_HMNote5HMNote5ProGlobal_V10.0.1.0.OEIMIFH_98721c9743_8.1.zip. After installing, the phone will prompt for a reboot. *Warning: This ROM is not suitable for China version of Redmi Note 5 Ai. If you have it, please do not proceed. Check out the link here https://en.miui.com/thread-3831680-1-1.html. It is possible to flash Global ROM if your bootloader is unlocked for now.

Observations

Battery backup seems to have improved compared to my previous firmware version V9.6.3. This observation is based on my usual usage such as browsing, streaming videos, messaging, emails, some photo taking and no gaming.

Fingerprint scanner is working at it's usual speed, no problems there. Device is certified if you check on Google Play store settings. Connecting the phone to various bluetooth devices like speakers, earphones, headphones, mi band 3 works fine. GPS works fine like usual for me, but some people have noticed an improvement. Overall UI experience is smoother and responsive.

Camera

Photos look softer and have less details in them. Looks like there is over-smoothening of the photos this time. This is possibly due to many complaints on the forums that photos were too noisy. Frankly, I'd prefer a photo with more details, and choose to smoothen anything my way.

They got the HDR right on this firmware finally. On the previous versions, all photos with HDR look really dark. Portrait mode on the stock camera seems identical with previous firmwares. Based on the comparison below, edge detection does seem to have improved slightly.

There are no changes to white balance, saturation and brightness in the photos. There is a slight improvement on the stock camera app startup. But I've never felt it being slow on previous firmwares.

Video recording? The new 1080p 60fps option is just horrible. EIS does not work well in this option and video footages all looked darker, compared to the other video modes.

I did not test the selfie camera as I rarely use it. 

V10.0.1.0.OEIMIFH sample photos

Below are some sample photos I've taken before and after the firmware update. I'll be comparing photos between V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD and V10.0.1.0.OEIMIFH since I'm updating from V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD.

All photos are taken in:

1. Auto mode ( unless stated otherwise )
2. Picture quality is High
3. Contrast, saturation and sharpness is Normal
4. All photos are taken 37 cm away( from the nearest object ); phone is placed on a fixed stand and position.
5. Auto exposure settings is center-weighted.
6. Light intensity near the objects are about 160 lux ( measured with Lux Meter by Doggo apps ). So it's considered below average lighting condition.

 Top photo is V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD. Bottom photo is V10.0.1.0.OEIMIFH. Flash auto, HDR off.

Comparison side by side. 100% zoomed in.

Top photo is V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD. Bottom photo is V10.0.1.0.OEIMIFH. Flash auto, HDR on. Flash did not fire on both versions.

Comparison side by side. 100% zoomed in.

Flash auto, HDR auto.

Top photo is V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD. Bottom photo is V10.0.1.0.OEIMIFH. Portrait mode.

Top photo is V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD. Bottom photo is V10.0.1.0.OEIMIFH. Flash auto, HDR auto. Taken in almost total darkness.

V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD Global Stable released for Redmi Note 5/Pro

Xiaomi just released V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD Global Stable for the Redmi Note 5/Pro. Those who are updating from much earlier versions will get a bigger file size update like 680MB or 706MB. For users who are not sure which incremental file update to use, just download the full ROM and update your phone. The full ROM can be found here.

Camera

For convenience sake, I'll be comparing photos between V9.5.13.0.OEIMIFA and V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD since I'm updating from V9.5.13.0.OEIMIFA.

All photos are taken in:

1. Auto mode ( unless stated otherwise )
2. Picture quality is High
3. Contrast, saturation and sharpness is Normal
4. All photos are taken 35 cm away( from the nearest object ); phone is placed on a fixed stand and position.
5. Auto exposure settings is center-weighted.
6. Light intensity near the objects are about 150 lux ( measured with Lux Meter by Doggo apps ). So it's considered below average lighting condition.

HDR off/No flash. Top photo is V9.5.13.0.OEIMIFA, bottom photo is V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD.

Portrait mode.  Top photo is V9.5.13.0.OEIMIFA, bottom photo is V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD.

Portrait mode works fine on V9.6.3.0.OEIMIFD.

Changeable lizard on my plant. The only light source is from a very dim overhead light bulb. Portrait mode, handheld, ISO 2000, shutter speed 1/17.

I've taken various shots and all of them are identical in terms of colour tone, white balance, ISO and shutter speed. So there are no difference between these two firmwares. Portrait mode works fine on both versions.

There are no notification bugs and portable WiFi hotspot is working fine.

TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Router

Got this cheap TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 v4 router for the coming free internet speed upgrade from my ISP. As a N router user for the past few years, this is considered a pretty good upgrade for me.

Setting up the router was quite a breeze and several specific ISP profiles are there to quickly get you up and running. Navigating through the router management UI is fast and responsive.

You'll need to enter your admin password when you boot up the router for the first time. Choose a password which has a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters and mix with some numbers in between.

Rebooting and powering on the router takes some time, which is longer than my old Asus router.

Stability

The router is on and connected to the internet for 3 weeks plus now. It is still running without any issues supporting about 20 devices in the house. Stability wise, I'd say it's pretty good.

Coverage

So far I've only observed the 2.4Ghz band and it is actually slightly better than my Asus that has 9dbi high gain antennas.

Archer C7 Version 4.

What's in the box? CAT 5e LAN cable, 3 detachable antennas, power adapter, quick installation guide, router itself.

TP-Link Archer C7 12V/2A adapter.

CAT 5E 24AWG LAN cable.

From left to right; power connector, power button, reset button, USB 2.0 ports, WAN port, Gigabit LAN ports.

Bottom side of router. Two mount holes to mount router on the wall.

LED indicator is just nice, not too bright in low light condition.

Top-side, fingerprint magnet glossy surface. But it's not a big deal.

Router with antennas attached.