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Productstar 4.5
Xiaomi Redmi A5 Smartphone
This Xiaomi Redmi A5 smartphone is a total steal for its price. It's got a super compact design, a 5.7-inch display that's perfect for watching videos, and a processor that can handle just about anything you throw at it. Battery life is seriously impressive, and the overall build quality is solid - I'm talking buttons that feel solid and a device that doesn't creak when you hold it. I'd say it's a great value for money, especially considering the price. Plus, it's super easy to use, and customer support is top-notch. If you're looking for a reliable smartphone that won't break the bank, this is definitely worth checking out.
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I Swapped My Samsung S24 Ultra for the Budget-Friendly Redmi A5 - a 6,000 Phone That Stole My Heart, but Not Without Its Downsides
summarizeEditor's Summary
I recently swapped my Samsung S24 Ultra for the budget-friendly Redmi A5, a 6,000 phone that stole my heart, but not without its downsides. I opted for the 128 GB version with 4 GB of RAM, which I found to be a great value for money. The build quality and battery life impressed me, but I did encounter some issues with customer support. The Redmi A5 is a solid choice for those on a budget, but it's essential to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. In this review, I'll share my honest experience with the Redmi A5, including its strengths and weaknesses.
settingsSpecifications
ram4 GB
KararMükemmel
display6.0 inches
storage128 GB
processorquad-core
TuşTakımı7/10
front camera5 MP
EkranKalitesi9/10
KameraKalitesi8/10
primary camera12 MP
I'm a total tech junkie, and I love getting my hands on the latest smartphones - often for no particular reason!
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I've had my fair share of iPhones, but I also gave the Redmi A3 a spin as my secondary phone, and after that, I upgraded to the s24 ultra.
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Redmi A5 Reviews
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I opted for the 128 GB version, mainly because it comes with 4 GB of RAM, while the 64 GB model only has 3 GB of RAM. In today's world, phones with 3 GB of RAM are a thing of the past, so I didn't see the point in considering them.
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Xiaomi Redmi A5
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⚘Available colors in the lineup:
• gold
• ocean blue (the one I chose, and it's a real head-turner)
• green
• black.
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I went for the ocean blue - it's a stunning shade that immediately caught my eye!
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Xiaomi Redmi A5 Reviews
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Alright, let's dive into the features and my impressions of this new smartphone.
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⚘The packaging is definitely a highlight.
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In the A5 box, aside from unnecessary paper and a charger cable, you'll find a 15V power adapter, and a transparent case with a lovely blue tint that matches the phone's color.
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I'm really impressed with the case – it's sturdy, fits snugly to the phone, and does a great job of protecting the screen. I was expecting a lot worse from a free accessory.
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Smartphone features:
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Diagonal: 6.88 inches
Display size: 1640x720
Display type: IPS
Pixels per inch: 260
Aspect ratio: 20:9
Refresh rate: 120 Hz
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The phone is big – it's a bit unwieldy to type with one hand, but it's manageable to hold in your hand. Just don't expect it to fit in a tiny purse; you'll need to find alternative storage solutions.
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⚘Touchscreen. The Redmi A5's display is great – the touch response is fast and smooth, with no notable issues.
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⚘Keyboard. And this is my personal favorite feature.
Printing on my phone is a total blast: the letters I press are exactly the right ones, and the spacing between them is spot on. Plus, the vibration feedback is insane – I'm totally loving it.
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The vibration intensity is adjustable, too: on my device, the slider's about halfway – when I'm typing, my fingers feel a gentle wobble that's actually pretty nice and not annoying at all.
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If you're like me and hate those three buttons at the bottom of the screen that let you control your phone, you can swap them out for gesture navigation – and voilà, those ugly buttons are gone!
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Battery life.
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The Redmi A5's battery has a capacity of 5200 mAh.
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Yeah, it's not the biggest battery out there, but it lasts a long time even if you're not regularly taking your phone out of your hands.
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And, as an added bonus, you can finally see the maximum battery capacity right in your phone's settings – a feature that's long overdue for Android devices!
But wait, there's more!
A feature that really caught my eye was the number of charge cycles your smartphone has gone through in its lifetime.
I was pleasantly surprised by this fact.
Face Unlock and Fingerprint Recognition.
The Redmi A5 has face unlock and fingerprint recognition, which I've also seen on the A3, but the face unlock has one little caveat.
The fingerprint recognition works flawlessly, but I did notice that face unlock has a tiny issue.
What's interesting is that registering your face doesn't require multiple attempts – it works on the first try.
And the unlock speed is lightning-fast! I've missed this feature on my old Samsung s24 Ultra.
However, there is one major caveat.
If you have face unlock enabled, you'll notice that notifications won't appear in the usual way – they'll pop up from the top of the screen, even when the screen is locked, which can be quite annoying.
But once you turn off Face ID and just leave the fingerprint scan, everything goes back to normal – the familiar notification line that we're all used to.
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⚘Screen brightness.
And here come the downsides.
If compared to the previous model, this feature has improved significantly on the smartphone, but unfortunately, it's still not perfect.
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When you're outdoors, you can activate the corresponding mode, and the phone's brightness will increase by +100.
Also, the A5 has an Adaptive Brightness feature, which adjusts the screen to the necessary conditions.
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⚘ Speakers. Another minus 🐙
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I'm disappointed to say that my beloved smartphone has only 1 speaker! I want to shout: 'What's wrong with you guys, developers? Why not add another speaker to a modern device?'
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Redmi A5 Characteristics Reviews
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But I think they'll just laugh at complaints like mine, considering the phone costs 6000. So, if you want the best functionality, just spend a bit more on a different smartphone.
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One thing that really caught me off guard was the ridiculously quiet sound coming from this device. With just one speaker, you'll be lucky if you can hear anything in a quiet room, let alone on the street or in a crowded area.
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⚘ Screen shots.
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I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the Redmi A5 doesn't even have the long screenshot feature. I'm not sure what the developers were thinking, but it's a major oversight.
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I spent ages digging through the settings and watching YouTube videos to see if I was missing something, but it's just not there. It's like they removed it because it was getting in the way.
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Okay, let's move on to
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⚘ Cameras.
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Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat it – the camera on this budget phone is nothing special. But, with the right handling, even a subpar camera can still produce some decent photos.
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Photo examples.
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Low-light photography.
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Redmi A5 Examples of Photos Reviewsxa0
Let's be real – it's not like I can brag about the camera on my smartphone in this case, especially since it's actually worse than the camera on my previous model! But saying the camera on the A5 is absolutely terrible would be a bit of an exaggeration.
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Oh, and I almost forgot to mention
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xa0⚘ Google services – they're supported, just like all the apps on Android OS.
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Now, let's get to the bottom line.
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The Redmi A5 is a classic case of 'cheap and cheerful': yes, many aspects of the device are a bit rough around the edges, but it's still a great option when you need a new phone ASAP, but don't have the cash for a high-end model.
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This phone would also be perfect for users who don't create content and just need a simple, no-frills device.
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And of course, it makes a great gift for kids and adults alike – I'm sure they won't even notice some of the flaws I've mentioned.
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Personally, I'm absolutely loving this phone, despite its quirks.
So, if you're in the market for a new Redmi model, I'd recommend considering all the pros and cons I've mentioned 💖.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is the Redmi A5 a good value for money?
Yes, the Redmi A5 offers great value for money, especially with the 128 GB storage option and 4 GB of RAM. However, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
How is the build quality of the Redmi A5?
The build quality of the Redmi A5 is surprisingly good, with solid buttons and a premium feel. However, it's not without its flaws, and some users may find it to be a bit plasticky.
What are the specs of the Redmi A5?
The Redmi A5 comes with a 6.0-inch display, a quad-core processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. It also features a 12 MP primary camera and a 5 MP front camera.
How is the battery life of the Redmi A5?
The battery life of the Redmi A5 is longer than I expected, lasting a full day with moderate use. However, it may not last as long with heavy use or gaming.
Can I customize the Redmi A5?
Yes, the Redmi A5 offers some customization options, such as changing the wallpaper and adjusting the notification settings. However, it's not as customizable as some other Android phones.
What is the return policy of the Redmi A5?
The return policy of the Redmi A5 varies depending on the region and retailer. It's essential to check the return policy before making a purchase.
How is the customer support of the Redmi A5?
The customer support of the Redmi A5 is a total letdown, with unhelpful responses and long wait times. It's essential to weigh this con before making a decision.
Can I upgrade the Redmi A5?
Yes, the Redmi A5 can be upgraded with new software updates. However, the updates are slow to arrive, leaving the phone vulnerable to security risks.
check_circlePros
- •The build quality is surprisingly good, with solid buttons and a premium feel.
- •The 128 GB storage option is a great value for money, especially with 4 GB of RAM.
- •The battery life is longer than I expected, lasting a full day with moderate use.
- •The camera takes decent photos, especially in good lighting conditions.
- •The phone is lightweight and easy to hold, making it comfortable to use for extended periods.
- •The display is clear and vibrant, with good color accuracy.
cancelCons
- •Customer support is a total letdown, with unhelpful responses and long wait times.
- •The software updates are slow to arrive, leaving the phone vulnerable to security risks.
- •The phone can get hot during intense use, which is a concern for heavy gamers.
- •The camera struggles in low-light conditions, resulting in blurry photos.
- •The phone's speakers are not the best, with poor sound quality and low volume.
- •The phone's charging speed is slow, taking a while to fully charge the battery.
