Xiaomi’s Redmi A5 has been on the market in Bangladesh for just a few days, giving us early access to its first images and confirming its features. Here’s everything we know about Xiaomi’s highly anticipated budget phone.
The new Redmi A5 promises to hit the ground running, and considering it’s an entry-level device, it seems Xiaomi wants to raise the bar once again, even with its most affordable models. As we can see in the leaked photos, the A5 seems to distance itself quite a bit from the lines of the series compared to its predecessor, the A4, and this time we have a design that’s more reminiscent of other Xiaomi models like the Mi 11i.
However, the real gem here is the smartphone’s features, as it comes with some very pleasant surprises, especially considering its range and price.
Amazing features and sky-high value for money
Before continuing, it’s important to remember that we’re talking about an entry-level phone, with all that entails. Even so, Xiaomi has managed to impress in a range where smartphone features are often overlooked, because it’s often assumed that for that price, they’ll simply be used for calling, basic browsing, and little else.
We start with the screen, and the Redmi A5 has a 6.88-inch HD+ LCD panel , which surprises with a refresh rate of no less than 120 Hz . Obviously we will not be able to take advantage of this in games, but it is a very pleasant change when browsing networks or simple applications and scrolling, showing off first-class smoothness and fluidity. This alone is a very important advance in any entry-level phone and a feature sufficient to justify the purchase by itself.
As for the processor, we have a Unisoc T7250, accompanied by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which simply meet expectations. It’s more than enough to handle light applications and your Candy Crush games, but not much more.
The cameras are a pleasant surprise, with a dual 32 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera, which is obviously a far cry from the performance of more expensive phones, but which is very good news for an A5. We top it off with a 5,200 mAh battery that supports fast charging up to 18W, which Xiaomi will ship with a 15W charger.
How much will the Redmi A5 cost?
All of the aforementioned features, plus details like a fingerprint scanner, have been launched in Bangladesh for a price equivalent to less than US$100, which is about €90. This is a very aggressive launch in this range, with very competitive features for its price. Here are the exact prices for both versions:
- $99 for the 4+64GB version
- $117 for the 6+128GB version
We can expect the phone to soon reach other Asian markets and eventually the West, as this launch is shaping up to be this year’s potential entry-level blockbuster, one that will be very difficult to compete with.
