Redmi A5 Review: Best Budget Smartphone with 120Hz Display and Big Battery in 2025

A significant portion of users, around 25 to 30%, still rely on old feature phones and seek an affordable smartphone for activities like watching movies, IPL matches, video calling, and messaging through WhatsApp. For these users, Xiaomi has introduced a compelling option with the Redmi A5, priced at just 6,500 rupees in India, making it one of the best budget smartphones available today.

The Redmi A5 comes with a complete package right out of the box, including the phone, a 15-watt power brick, a Type-A to Type-C cable, a protective case, and a SIM ejector tool. Even at this budget-friendly price point, essential accessories are included.

One of the standout features of the Redmi A5 is its display. It boasts a large 6.88-inch 120Hz IPS LCD screen, offering good color reproduction and satisfactory brightness indoors. Screen visibility remains decent outdoors under shade but can become challenging in bright, direct sunlight. Despite being an HD panel, there is no significant pixelation in user interface elements or when watching videos on platforms like YouTube.

The single speaker on the Redmi A5 delivers adequate loudness for video content consumption, although HD video playback support is absent on OTT platforms like Netflix, leading to slightly dull visuals. The 120Hz refresh rate is mostly available in the settings menu, while regular use, including browsing and social media, runs at a smooth 90Hz, providing a fluid experience.

Design is another strong point. The Redmi A5, despite its plastic build, feels sturdy and well-crafted. With a couple of stylish color options available, the phone doesn’t give off the impression of a typical budget device. It also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that responds quickly, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

FM radio functionality is present and can be accessed using wired earphones. Battery life on the Redmi A5 is excellent, powered by a 5,200mAh battery combined with a low-power processor and an HD display. This setup easily delivers one and a half days of battery backup under normal usage. Charging with the included 15-watt charger takes around two to two and a half hours, which is reasonable at this price segment.

Performance, as expected from a budget smartphone, comes with certain compromises. The Unisoc T720 4G chipset, paired with 3GB of RAM, is not suited for heavy gaming. Titles like PUBG are not well-supported. However, casual games such as Clash of Clans, Subway Surfer, and Temple Run run smoothly. Everyday apps like Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram function adequately, although some slight delays may be noticeable when multitasking with three to four apps simultaneously.

The Redmi A5 runs a lighter Go version of Android layered with HyperOS, resulting in a smoother experience by minimizing heavy animations. Redmi has also promised two years of OS updates, ensuring decent longevity in terms of software support.

Camera performance is average but acceptable for basic needs. The phone features a 32MP main camera and an auxiliary lens at the back, along with an 8MP front camera. Photos tend to be a bit soft with average color reproduction, but highlight and dynamic range management are satisfactory under good lighting conditions. Human subject shots in daylight appear decent, though low-light performance is limited. The night mode exists but does not drastically improve image quality. Video recording is available at 1080p, and while footage can be shaky if not kept steady, stationary shots are perfectly usable.

Overall, the Redmi A5 emerges as an excellent choice for users who prioritize essential smartphone tasks such as social media browsing, phone calls, and basic entertainment. It is ideal for those upgrading from a feature phone or looking for an affordable secondary device with great battery life. Choosing the 4GB RAM variant would offer slightly better performance for users planning to keep multiple apps open.

It is important to set the right expectations. Ultra-budget smartphones with modest processors may slow down over time, often becoming less usable after one to one and a half years. For users seeking a device with longer-lasting performance, investing in a smartphone priced above 10,000 rupees would be advisable.

The Redmi A5 succeeds in offering a highly affordable smartphone experience without sacrificing essential features, making it one of the best budget smartphones for first-time buyers or secondary device users in 2025.