Review: Xiaomi Redmi A5

Xiaomi is a manufacturer with two sides. On one hand, we have the maxed-out flagships like Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and on the other, we have their sub-brand Redmi, which operates in the budget segment with extremely aggressively priced models. We have previously tested, for example, Redmi Note 14 Pro & Redmi Note 14 Pro+. Now it is time for one of the very cheapest, the new Xiaomi Redmi A5. With a screen of nearly 7 inches, a 120 Hz refresh rate, a substantial battery, and a 32 MP camera for under 1,500 SEK, it sounds almost too good to be true.

Is the Redmi A5 the new budget champion, or do unavoidable compromises hide behind the impressive specifications? Let’s find out!

First Impressions: Design and Build Quality

The first thing that strikes us when we pick up the Redmi A5 is that it feels significantly more premium than the price tag suggests. Although the phone is constructed entirely of plastic, Xiaomi has managed the feat of giving it a sense of quality. The back has a matte finish that effectively resists fingerprints and provides a good grip, and the flat frame gives a modern and stylish impression.

Despite its size (173.3 x 79.4 x 8.26 mm), the phone feels surprisingly light at 198 grams and well-balanced in the hand. The buttons have a satisfying click, and the side-mounted fingerprint scanner in the power button is both fast and reliable.

Happily, we find both a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, something that is often missing on more expensive models. The phone also has an IP52 rating, providing basic protection against dust and water splashes.

The Screen: Large but Not So Sharp

The screen is one of the phone’s most prominent features, for better and for worse. It measures 6.88 inches, making it excellent for watching videos or browsing. The problem is that the large surface area is combined with a low HD+ resolution (720 x 1640 pixels). This results in a low pixel density (approx. 260 ppi), meaning text and icons are not as razor-sharp as on a screen with higher resolution. However, it is far from bad, and there are no problems reading longer texts.

The screen has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. This provides a smooth and fluid feel when navigating the interface, such as scrolling through menus or the home screen.

It should also be mentioned that the screen is surrounded by very generous black borders (bezels). They are significantly wider than on more expensive phones, which gives a somewhat less modern impression. This is a clear visual compromise to keep the price down.

The brightness is sufficient for indoor use but can be a challenge in direct sunlight. The colors are functional but lack the vibrancy found in AMOLED panels.

Performance and Software

Under the hood sits a Unisoc Tiger T7250 chip. For those unfamiliar with the name, we can reveal that the performance is very comparable to Qualcomm’s classic Snapdragon 680 processor. Running benchmark tests (e.g., AnTuTu and Geekbench) shows that the two chips perform at essentially the same level in practice.

The model we tested has 4 GB of RAM. For everyday tasks like social media, calls, messaging, and browsing, the phone works perfectly fine without too much lag or loading time. It is when you push the phone that you notice the T7250 chip’s limitations. This is not a phone for gamers. Simpler games work well, but graphically intensive titles are barely playable.

Redmi A5 runs Android 15 (Go Edition) with Xiaomi’s HyperOS interface. Go Edition is a lightweight version of Android designed for entry-level hardware, ensuring the phone remains fast for basic tasks. Xiaomi promises two Android updates and four years of security updates. In this price range, that must be seen as long-term and good support.

Camera: Functional in Daylight

The camera is often the biggest compromise in a budget phone, and the Redmi A5 is no exception. Despite marketing about a “32MP AI camera,” the reality is more modest.

Above are two images taken in daylight, and in these conditions, the camera can capture perfectly acceptable photos with sufficient detail and decent colors.

It is possible to zoom digitally up to 10x. This is not recommended at all; the results are frankly poor beyond 2x.

Perhaps not a completely fair comparison, matching Xiaomi’s cheapest against their most expensive phone, but here is the “same image” photographed with 10x zoom with the Redmi A5 (left) and Xiaomi 15 Ultra on the right.

In low light, the weaknesses become obvious. The image on the left is from the Redmi A5 and the image on the right is from the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. The images quickly become noisy, lacking in detail, and blurry.

Night mode does what it can, but the results are rarely impressive.

Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second, and the lack of any form of image stabilization (OIS/EIS) means clips easily become shaky. For simple video calls and quick snapshots, the camera is sufficient, but it won’t be winning any awards.

Battery and Charging: The Star of the Show

If there is one area where the Redmi A5 completely shines, it is battery life. This is the phone’s absolute primary strength. The large 5200 mAh battery, combined with the low-resolution/power-efficient HD+ screen and optimized operating system, provides excellent battery life. The phone easily handles a full day of use, and for lighter users, it can last up to two days on a single charge.

The phone only supports 15W charging, and it takes approximately 2.5 hours to charge the battery from empty to full. It’s not particularly fast by today’s standards, but given the long battery life, it’s an acceptable compromise.

Conclusion

The recommended price for the 4GB model we tested is 1,490 SEK, but at the time of testing, it can be found for under 1,200 SEK. For that money, it’s clear that you get a lot for your investment. Good battery life, stylish design, decent fluidity in the operating system, and overall good build quality.

Sure, you also get a screen with low resolution and wide bezels, a camera that performs mediocrely in anything but perfect lighting conditions, and poor performance in games. But for those who prioritize a good price and solid battery life above all else, these compromises are easy to accept.

If you are looking for maximum performance or the best camera, there are other options. But if you want a phone that just works, that you can rely on to last all day (and the next), and that doesn’t empty your wallet, then the Xiaomi Redmi A5 is a very good buy.

Xiaomi sent a review unit for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you, the readers and consumers, in focus.