Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A (Y1) review
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Introduction
This one is the only Note in the fifth Redmi generation but it's not the Note 5 that had everyone drooling. In fact, what should've been the Note 5 is now known as the 5 Plus, which we recently reviewed. The Redmi 5 proper also got its share of our homepage. It's now the Redmi Note 5A's turn, an entry-level phablet with a high-res selfie camera but no tall aspect screen for a change. Cheaper, simpler, ordinary - just like a good hand tool.
The naming scheme is quite hard to make sense of, especially when a phone is called differently in different markets. This Xiaomi handset is a Redmi Y1 in India, a Redmi Note 5A in most international markets, and Redmi Note 5A Prime in China. You are welcome.
![Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A review](https://cdn.statically.io/img/fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/18/xiaomi-redmi-note-5a/lifestyle/-728w2/gsmarena_001.jpg)
So, what we have here is the only Note in Xiaomi's fifth Redmi generation. The Note 5A is an entry-level phablet but it's exactly like Xiaomi likes to pack them - with the usual high bang for the buck ratio.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is a modern looking phone even though it's all made of plastic. It has a reasonably big 5.5" 720p display, which qualifies it as a Note in Xiaomi's books. The Snapdragon 435 is a budget LTE-enabled chipset. While the 5A's 13MP main camera is nothing to write home about, the high-res 16MP selfie camera is a first on a non-flagship Xiaomi.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A specs:
- Body: Plastic body, 2.5D glass front
- Screen: 5.5" IPS LCD, 720p (267ppi); Gorilla Glass 3
- Chipset: Snapdragon 435, 8x Cortex-A53@1.4GHz, Adreno 505
- Memory: 3/4GB of RAM with 32/64GB of storage, microSD slot
- Camera: 13MP, f/2.2, PDAF, 1080p video @ 30fps
- Selfie cam: 16MP, 1080p video
- OS: Android 7.1.2 Nougat, MIUI 9 on top
- Battery: 3080mAh (non-removable)
- Connectivity: Regular dual Nano-SIM slot; LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps support; Wi-Fi g/b/n; Bluetooth 4.2; GPS with GLONASS; FM radio; 3.5mm audio jack; microUSB port
- Misc: Fingerprint reader (rear-mounted)
It seems Xiaomi has struck a good balance for a budget smartphone and the Redmi Note 5A will be a tough competitor to beat, as usual. While it may not be the best of names, Xiaomi is keen to make up for it with a reasonable all-round package. Let's see.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A unboxing
The contents of the Redmi Note 5A retail box are as basic as they get: a microUSB cable and a 10W charger. There is no free case like there was with the Redmi 5 Plus and Redmi 5.
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Special thanks to HonorBuy for providing the review unit.
Reader comments
- Anonymous
- 03 Feb 2024
- r3a
Good p
- Anonymous
- 26 Aug 2022
- XAq
It's not making sense
- Amirul islam
- 16 Oct 2020
- 6p}
Battery is poor