Xiaomi Redmi 5A: Everything you need to know about the smartphone
Xiaomi Redmi 5A doesn't offer major hardware upgrade over the predecessor, but there are several other elements which makes it better
After the Redmi Y1, which was released early this month, Xiaomi has unveiled the Redmi 5A budget Android smartphone. It is targeted at entry-level buyers, and will be available at Rs5,999 (2GB RAM+16GB storage) and Rs6,999 (3GB+32GB) on Flipkart.com and Mi.com and later at retail stores. Xiaomi is offering a discount of Rs1,000 for the first 500,000 buyers of the lower spec variant. It comes in three colours—dark grey, gold and rose gold.
Here are the key highlights of the Redmi 5A.
■ The Redmi 5A is the successor to the Redmi 4A, which was launched at Rs5,999. Not much has changed in terms of hardware, though. It runs on the same 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 quad-core processor, seen in its predecessor.
■ What separates the two is the design. The new smartphone has a metal body and looks like a small variant of the Redmi Y1 from the backside. Its predecessor had a unibody design too, but a plastic exterior. The metal body gives it a more premium look and feel and at this price point is the only smartphone to offer that.
■ The other highlight of the Redmi 5A is the dedicated microSD card slot, unlike the predecessor where the slot was built on one of the SIM card slots. This means, users can now use the two SIM cards trays and the microSD card simultaneously.
■ The Redmi 5A is a small-screen smartphone and packs in a 5-inch display, but has a resolution of 1,280x720p, just like its predecessor. This might have been scoffed at in a more expensive smartphone, but at this price point, where most phones offer a resolution of 800x480p or 960x540p, this is a refreshing change.
■ Xiaomi has left out some useful features such as the fingerprint sensor. The feature is still rare in under Rs6,000 smartphones, but it is available in the likes of Reach Allure Secure (Rs4,999).
■The Redmi 5A is the first Xiaomi smartphone in India to launch with the new MIUI 9 on it. It runs over Android 7.1, is smoother than the earlier version and offers some extra features such as moveable split screen, app vault and stickers and filters in Xiaomi’s photo app.
■ It comes with an InfraRed blaster, which means you can use it as a remote control to access your TV, set top box or AC if you have misplaced or can’t find their remote.
■ To ensure the smartphone remains cool even when being used to the fullest, Xiaomi has added dual graphite sheet beneath the rear panel. It helps keep the temperature lower by almost 1 degree Celsius, claims Xiaomi, and is a feature that was seen in the Redmi Y1 as well.
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