The BN5R battery model name belongs, according to most listings, to the Redmi A3 and the POCO C61. Spare part listings give it as a Li-ion polymer cell of 5000 mAh typical at 3.82 V. The maker group is Xiaomi, which covers Redmi and POCO. The Redmi A3x is a close cousin, but nothing confirms its battery code, so read the label before you order for that phone.
Many buyers type this code as "a3 battery model" or "mi bn5r battery model". Take care here, because the Redmi A3 and the older Mi A3 are separate phones, and each uses its own battery. The code is printed on the sticker of the cell itself. If the phone is sealed, only a technician can reach that sticker, after opening the back panel.
Quick facts
Step by step
Note the exact phone name and model number
Open Settings, tap About phone and write down the device name and model number. If the model number is not on the first screen, type model in the Settings search bar.
Ask the technician to read the old battery label
With the back open, the code
BN5Rsits on the battery sticker next to the capacity and voltage. Do not peel or pull the pack yourself.Match code, capacity and connector
The new pack should show the same code, a capacity close to the old one and the same connector shape. Place both packs side by side before fitting.
Check print and weight of the new pack
Look for sharp print, batch details and a weight close to the old pack. A very light pack with a big mAh claim is a warning sign.
Which phones use the BN5R battery model name
The code starts with BN, the letters Xiaomi uses for many Redmi and POCO packs. The letters only point to the maker group. For BN5R, most listings name two phones: the Redmi A3 and the POCO C61. The POCO C61 is widely sold in India as a close twin of the Redmi A3, which agrees with a shared battery.
| Phone | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi A3 | Matched by most listings | 5000 mAh typical, listed at 3.82 V |
| POCO C61 | Matched by most listings | Read the old label to be sure |
| Redmi A3x | Not confirmed | Verify the code on the label before ordering |
| Mi A3 (older phone) | Different battery | Not a BN5R phone |
The mix-up between the Redmi A3 and the older Mi A3 is explained on the Mi A3 and Redmi A3 battery page. If your old battery says BN5R, the label in your hand beats any list.
Redmi A3 or Mi A3: do not mix the two
The search "a3 battery model" brings up two unrelated phones. The Redmi A3 is a budget phone with a 5000 mAh pack that most listings code BN5R. The Mi A3 is an older, mid-range phone. Most listings give its battery as BM4F, with a smaller capacity of about 4000 mAh. A BN5R pack is wrong for the Mi A3, and the Mi A3 pack is wrong for the Redmi A3.
Look at the name printed on the retail box, or open About phone. The word before A3 matters: Redmi or Mi. If you hold an A3 and cannot tell which one, the model number settles it, and the technician can also read it off the carton.
A customer asked for "A3 battery" and was handed a BM5R pack, because the print looked close. Before fitting, the technician read BN5R on the old label from the Redmi A3 and changed it for the exact code. The second letter was the only difference on the box.
Typical and rated capacity of the BN5R battery
The 5000 mAh number is the typical capacity, the one quoted in adverts and parts listings. Many Xiaomi packs also print a slightly lower rated (minimum) value on the sticker. For BN5R, take that rated value from your own label instead of guessing, since it may vary between batches.
Energy in watt hours is mAh multiplied by volts, divided by 1000. At the listed 3.82 V, 5000 mAh comes to about 19.1 Wh. Another pack with equal mAh but a different voltage rating stores slightly different energy, so never compare mAh on its own.
Real screen-on time depends on the display, signal strength, brightness and the apps you run. A 5000 mAh pack on an entry-level phone usually covers a day of light use, but your result will differ.
Codes and phones often mistaken for BN5R
At the counter, the confusion is rarely about the number. It is about the second letter and about phones of the same size. BM5R differs from BN5R by one letter, so open BM5R to see its own phones before you trust a pack marked that way.
- Other Redmi packs, such as BN5J and BN5D, have their own phone lists. Check those pages instead of assuming a share.
- Redmi 12C and Redmi 13C are close in size and class to the Redmi A3. Their packs are not confirmed as BN5R, so match the code on the label.
- Faint print makes R, K and P look alike. Tilt the sticker under strong light, or ask for a photo of it.
For every family member in one place, use the Redmi battery model list.
Signs that the battery is failing
| Redmi A3 or C61 sign | Cause | BN5R action |
|---|---|---|
| Charge falls very fast | Worn cell after many cycles | Check battery health, then plan a swap |
| Phone shuts off at 20 to 30 percent | Weak cell cannot give peak current | Replace at a service centre |
| Back cover lifts or screen bulges | Swollen cell | Stop charging and go the same day |
| Phone stays hot when idle | Faulty pack or a heavy app | Restart, remove the case, have it tested |
Apps and poor network often explain quick drain, so start with why a battery drains fast. After that, run through the battery health check and decide.
A battery that has puffed up, become very hot, started leaking or got dented can burst into flames. Unplug the charger right away. Never squeeze or prod the pack, and keep it away from any source of heat. After that, take the handset to an authorised repair shop. Low-cost copies often print a false capacity on the label, so purchase a pack only if the code on it is an exact match.
Replacing the pack safely
The Redmi A3 has a sealed body, so the opening is a job for a professional. Choose the brand's authorised service centre or a repair shop you trust. Tell them the model number and ask them to compare BN5R with the old sticker.
To spot a weak copy, look closely at the new pack:
- It feels much lighter than the old pack.
- The print is blurry and batch details are missing.
- The label shows a figure far above 5000 mAh. A cell with this physical size has no honest way to give that much.
Fitting advice for any phone is gathered in mobile battery replacement.
Ask to see the old label before it is thrown away, and take a photo. If a second visit is needed, the code is already with you.
Care for a BN5R pack in a budget phone
Entry-level phones like the Redmi A3 and POCO C61 often sit on the charger overnight, and that habit plus heat is what ages the pack. Do not charge under a pillow, on a bed or in direct sun, and remove a thick cover if the phone runs warm.
Use the charger and cable supplied in the box, or a unit rated equal or lower, and swap out any cable that heats at the connector. Unplug near full when convenient. If the phone still dies at 20 percent after a reboot and a complete charge, the cell is probably weak. Get a service centre to test it before buying a new one.
Frequently asked questions
Which phone has the BN5R battery model name?
Most listings match BN5R to the Redmi A3 and the POCO C61, a 5000 mAh typical pack at 3.82 V. The Redmi A3x is unconfirmed, so read the sticker on the old cell.
Is BN5R the Redmi A3 battery model?
Yes, most listings say so. A technician can verify it by reading the code once the back is open.
How many mAh is a BN5R battery?
It is listed as 5000 mAh typical. The rated (minimum) value on the sticker can be slightly lower, so check your own pack.
Is the Mi A3 battery the same as BN5R?
No. The Mi A3 is an older phone with a smaller pack, which most listings code BM4F. Do not fit a BN5R pack in it.
Can I use a BM5R battery in place of BN5R?
Do not assume that. One letter separates the codes and they may suit different phones. Compare the full code and the connector.
How do I know a BN5R battery is fake?
Fakes tend to be lighter, with smudged print, no batch marks and a capacity far above 5000 mAh. Compare weight and code with the old pack.