Xiaomi has introduced the Smart Door Lock 5C Cat Eye Edition in China, adding a built-in video door viewer and an indoor display to its existing 5C smart lock design. The new model is now available for presale through Xiaomi Youpin, with a promotional price starting at 999.6 yuan after China’s consumer subsidy.
The regular listed price is 1,176 yuan, down from the original price of 1,299 yuan. The main upgrade is the addition of a 3.5-inch indoor screen and a wide-angle camera designed to help residents check visitors without opening the door.
Beyond video monitoring, the lock combines AI-based detection, multiple unlocking options, automatic locking, and a dual-battery power system. These features are intended to make everyday entry more convenient while adding another layer of visibility around the front door.
160-Degree Camera Adds a Wider View of the Doorway
The Xiaomi Smart Door Lock 5C Cat Eye Edition features a 1-megapixel camera with a 160-degree field of view. The wide-angle view is designed to capture more of the area outside the entrance than a narrow-angle door viewer.
Its AI monitoring system supports human detection and camera-obstruction detection. When someone passes or remains near the door, the system can record video and send an alert to the user. Obstruction detection adds another warning when the camera’s view is deliberately blocked or becomes unavailable.
Users can also adjust detection settings to reduce unnecessary notifications. This is particularly useful for homes facing busy corridors, shared entrances, or areas where neighbours frequently pass by.
The camera’s performance will depend on its installation position, lighting, and the layout outside the door. A 160-degree viewing angle offers broader coverage, but image quality and identification accuracy should not be judged by viewing angle alone.
3.5-Inch Indoor Display Makes Visitor Checks Easier
One of the clearest differences between the new Cat Eye Edition and the standard Smart Door Lock 5C is its built-in 3.5-inch display.
When a visitor presses the doorbell, the screen inside the home automatically lights up, allowing residents to view the person outside without using a separate monitor. This can be useful for households with children, older family members, or anyone who wants to check a visitor before approaching the entrance.
The lock also supports video intercom functions through a connected smartphone. The reported features include voice changing during calls and remote unlocking, giving users more flexibility when answering the door from another room or away from home.
Remote unlocking should be used carefully. Users should verify a visitor’s identity before granting access, particularly when responding to an unexpected call or notification.
AI Night Vision Supports Low-Light Monitoring
The camera uses a low-light colour imaging system supported by multiple fill lights and an intelligent night-vision mode.
In dim environments, the system is designed to produce colour footage where lighting conditions permit. When the surrounding area becomes completely dark, it switches to black-and-white night vision.
This approach can make recorded events easier to interpret than relying exclusively on monochrome footage in every situation. However, the quality of nighttime recordings will still depend on ambient light, camera exposure, subject distance, and the installation environment.
For residents concerned about activity outside their homes after dark, the combination of AI detection, recording, and notification alerts offers a more comprehensive monitoring setup than a basic peephole.
Three Days of Rolling Cloud Storage
Xiaomi lists three days of rolling cloud storage for the Smart Door Lock 5C Cat Eye Edition. This allows recent recordings to be stored online on a rolling basis, according to the product information.
Cloud storage can be helpful when users want to review an event after receiving a notification, particularly if they are away from home. The device also supports cross-device interaction, allowing it to work with compatible connected screens and smart-home products.
Buyers should confirm the exact cloud-storage terms, including whether the service requires activation, whether additional subscription fees apply, and how recordings are accessed and retained. The available information does not establish every regional service condition.
Eleven Unlocking Methods for Different Situations
The Smart Door Lock 5C Cat Eye Edition supports 11 listed unlocking methods, giving users alternatives to a traditional key.
The reported options include:
- AI fingerprint recognition
- Permanent passwords
- Temporary visitor passwords
- WeChat mini-program access
- Bluetooth unlocking through the Mi Home app
- Remote unlocking through the app
- A mechanical key
- Compatible Xiaomi smartphones
- Xiaomi smartwatches
- Xiaomi Smart Bands
- NFC access cards
This variety can be useful for households with different routines. Residents may prefer fingerprint access for everyday use, while temporary passwords can provide a more controlled option for visitors.
Compatibility is important, especially for wearable and NFC unlocking. Not every Xiaomi phone, smartwatch, band, or access card necessarily supports every feature. Users should check the compatible-device list before relying on a particular unlocking method.
Automatic Locking and a Reinforced Lock Cylinder
The lock uses a self-ejecting locking mechanism that is designed to lock the door automatically after it closes, without requiring the user to lift the handle.
An internal clutch mechanism separates parts of the locking system, while the C-grade lock cylinder uses a through-mounted design. According to the product description, this construction is intended to make it harder to unlock the door by removing the exterior panel or forcing the outer handle downward.
Sensors inside the lock can also monitor abnormal conditions. If the door has not closed properly, the system can issue an alert.
Automatic locking may reduce the chance of leaving a door unsecured accidentally, but it does not replace correct installation or regular checks. Door alignment, latch operation, and compatibility with the existing door are important factors when choosing an electronic lock.
Dual-Power Design Targets Longer Operation
The Xiaomi Smart Door Lock 5C Cat Eye Edition uses a dual-power system combining a rechargeable lithium battery with four AA alkaline batteries.
The built-in 5,000mAh lithium battery powers the smart features, with Xiaomi’s reported battery life reaching approximately five months. If the lithium battery is depleted, the system automatically switches to the four AA alkaline batteries, which are claimed to provide approximately another six months of operation.
These figures are manufacturer estimates rather than guaranteed runtimes. Actual battery life can vary with camera activity, display use, network connectivity, unlocking frequency, and alert settings.
The backup power arrangement is designed to keep basic unlocking functions available when the main battery runs out. The lock also includes a USB Type-C emergency power port, allowing a compatible power bank to provide temporary power when needed.
Before installation, users should review the battery replacement process and emergency unlocking instructions. Keeping track of battery warnings is preferable to relying on the backup system as a routine power source.
Xiaomi HyperConnect Extends Smart-Home Integration
The new lock supports Xiaomi HyperConnect, Xiaomi’s connected-device ecosystem. This enables interactions with compatible smart-home products, potentially allowing the lock to become part of a broader home automation setup.
Xiaomi’s connected ecosystem can make everyday home automation more convenient. Read our guide to Xiaomi smart home devices and automation to learn how compatible products can work together.
For example, compatible devices may be configured to respond to locking events or other supported triggers. The exact automation options will depend on the connected products, software version, regional availability, and the settings exposed in Xiaomi’s smart-home platform.
Users already invested in the Xiaomi ecosystem may find this integration more useful than a standalone lock. Those using products from different smart-home brands should check interoperability before purchasing.
Xiaomi Smart Door Lock 5C Cat Eye Edition Price and Availability
The Xiaomi Smart Door Lock 5C Cat Eye Edition has opened for presale on Xiaomi Youpin in China.
- Regular listed price: 1,176 yuan
- Original reference price: 1,299 yuan
- Price after the reported consumer subsidy: From 999.6 yuan
- Indoor display: 3.5 inches
- Camera resolution: 1 megapixel
- Camera viewing angle: 160 degrees
- Main battery: 5,000mAh rechargeable lithium battery
- Backup power: Four AA alkaline batteries
The subsidy price depends on eligibility and the applicable purchasing conditions. The announcement does not confirm international availability or pricing outside China.
Is the Xiaomi Smart Door Lock 5C Cat Eye Edition Worth Considering?
A camera-equipped lock is only one part of a connected home security setup. Explore our guide to smart home security devices for more ways to monitor entrances and improve everyday home awareness.
The main appeal of the Xiaomi Smart Door Lock 5C Cat Eye Edition is that it combines electronic entry with video monitoring in a single product. Its wide-angle camera, indoor display, AI detection, night vision, and smartphone intercom functions reduce the need for separate devices to check visitors.
The 11 unlocking methods add flexibility, while automatic locking, door-status alerts, and backup batteries address common concerns about everyday use. Xiaomi HyperConnect integration may also appeal to households that already use compatible Xiaomi smart-home products.
There are still details to verify before buying, including installation compatibility, supported phones and wearables, cloud-storage terms, and real-world battery life. The 1-megapixel camera specification also means buyers should look for actual image samples before assuming it will capture fine details at a distance.
For users in China looking for a smart lock with an integrated door viewer and indoor screen, the 5C Cat Eye Edition offers a feature-rich upgrade over a basic electronic lock. Its value will ultimately depend on how well its monitoring features, access methods, and smart-home integration fit the household’s needs.