Redmi A5 Honest Review – Budget Smartphone with Surprises and Shortcomings

The Redmi A5 has recently been launched as one of Redmi’s most affordable smartphones, and it comes in two variants. The version under review is the one with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. There are a few interesting features packed into this device that might catch your attention, but there are also some trade-offs to be aware of.

Unboxing the phone, the first thing you find is a transparent silicone cover. It does a fair job at protecting the phone, including a bit of the front edges. There’s also the charger included, which is labeled on the official site as a 15-watt fast charger. However, while charging, there’s no fast-charging indicator on the screen, which raises questions about whether it’s truly fast charging or not.

The unit reviewed here is in a matte golden finish, which looks clean and subtle. There’s also a green color variant available. On the back, there’s a dual-camera setup with a 32MP label on the housing. The camera layout and design feel familiar, similar to what we’ve seen on some older OPPO models. The phone features a Type-C charging port at the bottom, while the speaker is located on the top. It’s a bit unusual but works fine.

When it comes to the display, it’s quite large at 6.88 inches. But one thing that’s immediately noticeable is the thick bezels around it, which make the phone feel slightly dated. On the plus side, the 120Hz refresh rate gives it a smoother feel compared to other budget phones in this range. Scrolling and general UI navigation feel faster, which is a nice touch.

Unfortunately, the phone runs Android Go, which is a lightweight version of Android. It’s not something you’d expect on a device priced around ₹23,000. It limits app support and customizations and feels more like what you’d find on a lower-tier entry-level device. For this price, most users would expect the standard version of Android to be pre-installed.

One positive aspect is the fingerprint sensor. While not ultra-fast, it performs reliably and unlocks the device without any hassle. The sensor is positioned well and doesn’t cause any discomfort during use.

One surprising feature is the dialer. Instead of using the standard Google dialer, Redmi has included its own stock dialer. This allows for auto call recording—a feature many people find useful, especially for work-related calls. It’s something that should be standard in all phones, particularly in markets like Pakistan where users often need this functionality.

Moving on to the camera, the 8MP front camera performs quite well. It captures facial details nicely and gives a decent overall result. The real disappointment, though, is the rear camera. Despite being labeled as a 32MP sensor, the results don’t live up to the expectations. Photos from the rear camera lack sharpness and color accuracy. In many cases, the front camera does a better job. It makes you wonder whether that 32MP tag is just for marketing. A better approach might have been to use the front sensor on the back and maintain consistency.

Gaming on this phone is a mixed experience. PUBG Mobile runs surprisingly well for a budget device. There’s no heavy lag, and the graphics are passable if not impressive. Casual gamers will likely find the experience satisfactory. However, for more competitive gaming, the limitations of the chipset and graphics capabilities will show up. It’s not built for high-end gaming, but for light to moderate play, it holds up fine.

Now, talking about the price. The official price for this variant is ₹23,000, but it can be found for slightly less—around ₹21,800—if purchased through certain local vendors. Still, at this price point, it’s worth considering other options. For instance, the Redmi 14C, which comes in at around ₹25,000 for the 4GB/128GB version, offers significantly better specifications. Even a 6GB RAM version of the 14C is available for a little more, and it provides improved camera performance, display quality, and overall user experience.

In conclusion, while the Redmi A5 has a few things going for it—like a smooth display and decent selfie camera—it falls short in several important areas. The Android Go operating system feels like a step back, the rear camera doesn’t deliver as promised, and the overall build still feels like a typical entry-level phone. For users strictly tied to a budget, it might be a decent temporary option, but for those looking for long-term value, spending a little more on the Redmi 14C is a far better investment.