[Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 / 5 Plus Questions & Answers] SubwayChamp:
I´m sure about my model, I have the first batch bought in pre-sale manufactured initially only for China. . OP asked for.

Your summary is correct but it´s needed some clarification,

If we take in account some background they´re and they´re not same device apparently (due to how they´re called depending from the region) so is precise to clarify this "error" from Xiaomi.

There is some confussion maybe due some effects caused by the globalization so after of my model that I own (chinese version) Xiaomi had release the international version (with international firmware) and thirdly released other version that is the Global version adding two bands; 4 and 20 (of course all of budget devices manufactured in 2018 comes with 4G, it´s imposible to imagine a device running only 3G actually atleast for this spectrum) for this reason it´s opened a same forum for these devices that is this.

The sequence of the last stated is as follows:

- Redmi 5 Plus with chinese firmware.

- Redmi 5 Plus with international firmware

- Redmi 5 Plus with two bands added (Global version) known as Redmi Note 5 in India, etc.

These three mentioned are the same like I said before with probably the unique difference that the third; Redmi Note 5 is a Global with more bands.

This is the reference: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_note_5_(redmi_5_plus)-8959.php so the members that opened this thread are in the correct otherway they would be wrong calling to this forum with that tittle.

Then it is the Redmi Note 5 (What? It´s not the same that the third mentioned? here´s the confussion, Xiaomi calls to this last device that was manufactured initially for India (of course maybe other neighbors countries may benefit) Redmi Note 5 but known in India like Redmi Note 5 Pro and distributed officially with this name.

This is the reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redmi_Note_5

Then to have more clear this is the easy summary:

1- Redmi 5 Plus (both chinese + international firmware)

2- Redmi 5 Plus (Global version with 2 bands added) This launched as Redmi Note 5 in India and of course sold for all around the world due to globalization.

3- Redmi Note 5 (Launched with this name in China but released in India as Redmi Note 5 Pro)

For this reason if I buy from China it´s known as Redmi Note 5 View attachment 4522693 but it´s different respect to our RN5 or R5P (R5+)

This is some reference: https://www.xda-developers.com/xiaomi-redmi-note-5-pro-kernel-source-code-android-nougat-release/ see in the third paragraph.

The 2 first versions mentioned have the same specs and they are identical devices

(why 2 and not 3?) Both mentioned in the item 1 only have different firmware pre-charged but they have identical specs (SD625) and they are the same device and both have codename vince and the mentioned in the item 2 although it´s not an identical device (but virtually the same) also has the same processor SD625 and it too receives the same codename vince.

The mentioned in the item 3 has other processor (camera is a good detail at quick glance) this is the SD636 codename whyred.

How someone can distinguish the Redmi Note 5 (Global version of R5P or R5+) between the Redmi Note 5 also known like Redmi Note 5 Pro? well, for this reason Xiaomi is rebranding Redmi 5 Plus all versions to Redmi Note 5 and the version specially made it for India Redmi Note 5 to Redmi Note 5 Pro to avoid more confussions.

So finally we will have officially only these two variants (although some seller or people continues call them like they want)

1 - Redmi Note 5 - codename: vince (Redmi 5 Plus-both firmwares- and Redmi 5 Plus Global with 2 bands added).

2.- Redmi Note 5 Pro - codename: whyred.

I hope that this finally has been clarified.