Xiaomi

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.0 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953
Adreno 506
4 GB / 64 GB
5.5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
12 MP, 4034 x 3024 px, autofocus

Xiaomi announced the launch of the Redmi Note 5A smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The Redmi Note 5A comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) pre-installed. This phone uses a high resolution 1080 x 1920 px, 5.5 inch IPS display. This phone has only one rear-camera (12 MP, 4034 x 3024 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Let's see what makes this device stand out.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A / 1

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A specifications

BrandXiaomi
NameRedmi Note 5A
ModelNOTE5A
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.4 oz
Dimensions6.02 x 3 x 0.3 inch
Colorsblack, champagne, silver
SIM typeNano SIM, Micro SIM

The weight of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.0 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953
CPUOcta-core 2 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 506

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A comes with Android OS v7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means the source code is free to the public. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core 2 GHz Cortex-A53. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage of the Redmi Note 5A (64 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 MP, 4034 x 3024 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera5 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Redmi Note 5A does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A supports 4G/LTE networks. The Redmi Note 5A supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Redmi Note 5A smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Redmi Note 5A has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3080 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3080 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The Redmi Note 5A does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, MIUI 9

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Redmi Note 5A smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Xiaomi phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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