The smartphone market in India is vast, catering to a wide range of users, from those who want flagship devices to those who still rely on basic feature phones. For the latter group—about 25-30% of mobile users in India who aspire to upgrade to an affordable smartphone—the Redmi A5, priced at just ₹6,500, seems like a dream come true. This phone promises to deliver essential smartphone features like video streaming, social media, and video calling at a price that won’t break the bank. But does it live up to the hype? Is the Redmi A5 worth buying in 2025? After thoroughly analyzing its features, performance, and limitations, here’s a detailed review to help you decide.
Unboxing the Redmi A5: What’s in the Box?
The Redmi A5 comes with a surprisingly complete package for its price. Inside the box, you get:
- The Redmi A5 smartphone
- A 15W power adapter
- A USB Type-A to Type-C cable
- A basic transparent case
- A SIM ejector tool
For a budget phone, Xiaomi has ensured that users don’t need to spend extra on essentials like a charger or case, which is a thoughtful touch. The inclusion of a 15W charger is particularly noteworthy, as many budget phones in 2025 come without one, forcing users to buy separately.
Design and Build: Premium Looks on a Budget
One of the standout features of the Redmi A5 is its design. At first glance, it doesn’t feel like a budget phone. The phone sports a sleek, modern look with a plastic body that feels sturdy and well-built. Xiaomi has done an excellent job of making the Redmi A5 feel premium despite its low price. The phone is available in a few vibrant color options, adding a fun element for users who like to express their style.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, unlocking the phone almost instantly. Additionally, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a big win for users who still prefer wired earphones. Another interesting feature is the FM radio, which can be accessed using wired earphones—a nostalgic addition that might appeal to some users in 2025.
While the plastic build is expected at this price, it doesn’t feel flimsy. The phone is comfortable to hold, though it may feel slightly bulky due to its large 6.88-inch display and 5,200 mAh battery. Overall, Xiaomi has nailed the design, making the Redmi A5 one of the best-looking budget phones in its segment.
Display: Big, Smooth, and Surprisingly Good
The Redmi A5’s display is one of its biggest selling points. It features a massive 6.88-inch IPS LCD screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate—an impressive spec for a phone priced at ₹6,500. The large screen makes it ideal for watching movies, IPL matches, or YouTube videos, which is exactly what many feature phone users aspire to do when upgrading to a smartphone.
The display is HD, not Full HD, but the lack of sharpness is barely noticeable in day-to-day use. UI elements look crisp, and videos on platforms like YouTube appear clear, even if they aren’t in high definition. The colors are vibrant, and the screen gets bright enough for indoor use. Outdoors, visibility is decent under shade but struggles in direct sunlight, which is a common limitation in budget phones.
One catch is the 120 Hz refresh rate. While the phone technically supports it, the higher refresh rate is limited to the settings menu. Most apps, including social media and browsers, run at 90 Hz. However, the 90 Hz refresh rate still ensures smooth scrolling and animations, which is more than acceptable for a budget device.
Unfortunately, there’s no HD playback support for OTT platforms like Netflix, so videos may look slightly dull. For users who primarily consume content on YouTube or social media, this won’t be a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re a heavy Netflix user.
Performance: Decent for Basic Tasks, Not for Gaming
The Redmi A5 is powered by the Unisoc T720 4G chipset, paired with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM. Let’s be clear: this isn’t a phone for power users or gamers. If you’re hoping to play heavy games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile, the Redmi A5 will disappoint. The chipset struggles with demanding tasks, and the 3GB RAM variant, in particular, feels sluggish when multitasking or running graphics-intensive apps.
That said, for basic tasks like browsing social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), messaging, or playing lightweight games like Clash of Clans, Subway Surfer, or Temple Run, the Redmi A5 performs adequately. Apps may take a second or two to open, and switching between three or four apps can feel slow, but it gets the job done for casual users.
Xiaomi has made a smart move by using the lighter Android Go version with HyperOS. This reduces the strain on the processor by cutting down on heavy animations, making the UI feel smoother than expected. Another plus is Xiaomi’s promise of two years of OS updates, which is rare for budget phones. During testing, the phone even received a system update, which is a good sign of the company’s commitment to supporting this device.
For better performance, opt for the 4GB RAM variant. It’s slightly faster and better equipped to handle multitasking, making it a wiser choice for most users.
Camera: Basic but Functional
The Redmi A5’s camera setup is modest, as expected in this price range. It features a 32-megapixel main camera with an auxiliary lens at the back and an 8-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. The cameras are strictly average, suitable for basic photography but not much more.
In good lighting, the main camera produces decent photos with acceptable color reproduction and dynamic range. Images of human subjects look good enough for social media, but they lack sharpness and detail. The night mode is available but doesn’t significantly improve low-light performance, so nighttime photos are often grainy and lack clarity.
The front camera is fine for video calls on WhatsApp or other apps but don’t expect stunning selfies. Video recording is limited to 1080p, and while the output is decent when the phone is held steady, footage can get shaky when moving.
Overall, the cameras are good enough for taking pictures of notes, casual snaps, or video calls, but they won’t impress anyone looking for high-quality photography. For ₹6,500, this is a fair compromise.
Battery Life: A Major Strength
Battery life is one of the Redmi A5’s strongest suits. With a 5,200 mAh battery, a low-power processor, and an HD display, the phone delivers excellent endurance. On light usage (social media, calls, and some video streaming), it can last up to a day and a half. Even with intensive use, you’re likely to get a full day of battery life.
The included 15W charger takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to fully charge the phone, which is a bit slow but acceptable for the price. The fact that Xiaomi includes a charger in the box is a big plus, as it saves users from additional expenses.
Software: Lightweight and User-Friendly
The Redmi A5 runs on HyperOS based on Android Go, a lightweight version of Android designed for low-end devices. This ensures that the phone runs smoothly despite its modest hardware. The UI is clean, with minimal bloatware, and the lack of heavy animations makes navigation feel snappy.
Xiaomi’s promise of two years of OS updates is a significant advantage, ensuring that the phone stays relevant for longer. For budget users who may not upgrade their phones frequently, this is a reassuring feature.
Specifications Table
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.88-inch IPS LCD, HD, 120 Hz (90 Hz for most apps) |
| Processor | Unisoc T720 4G |
| RAM | 3GB or 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB or 128GB |
| Rear Camera | 32 MP main + auxiliary lens |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
| Battery | 5,200 mAh |
| Charging | 15W (charger included) |
| OS | HyperOS (Android Go) |
| Additional Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio |
| Price | ₹6,500 (India) |
Should You Buy the Redmi A5?
The Redmi A5 is a game-changer for users with tight budgets, particularly those upgrading from feature phones or looking for a secondary device. Its large 6.88-inch display, excellent battery life, and premium design make it an attractive option for casual users who primarily use their phones for social media, video streaming, and calls. The inclusion of a charger, case, and features like a headphone jack and FM radio adds value to the package.
However, there are compromises. The performance is limited, making it unsuitable for gaming or heavy multitasking. The cameras are average, and the lack of HD playback on OTT platforms may disappoint some users. Additionally, budget phones like the Redmi A5 tend to slow down after 1-1.5 years due to their weak processors, so longevity is a concern.
If your budget is strictly under ₹7,000 and your needs are basic, the Redmi A5 is the best option available. The 4GB RAM variant is recommended for better performance. However, if you can stretch your budget to ₹10,000 or more, you’ll get a phone with a more powerful processor and better longevity, which is worth considering if you plan to use the phone for several years.
Is the Redmi A5 Worth It?
For ₹6,500, the Redmi A5 delivers incredible value. It’s not perfect, but it’s designed for a specific audience – users who want an affordable smartphone that can handle everyday tasks without costing a fortune. Whether you’re a student, a first-time smartphone user, or someone looking for a reliable secondary phone, the Redmi A5 ticks most of the right boxes. Its big screen, long battery life, and sturdy design make it a compelling choice in the budget segment.
That said, it’s important to understand its limitations. If gaming, photography, or multitasking is a priority, you’ll need to look at higher-priced options. But for what it offers, the Redmi A5 is hard to beat in 2025.
Conclusion
The Redmi A5 is proof that you don’t need to spend a lot to get a functional smartphone. It’s a well-rounded device that caters to the needs of budget – conscious users, especially those transitioning from feature phones. While it has its flaws, its strengths – display, battery, and design – make it a worthy contender in the sub – ₹7,000 segment. If you’re wondering whether to buy the Redmi A5, the answer depends on your needs. For basic usage, it’s a fantastic choice. For anything more demanding, you might want to save up for a slightly more expensive phone.
What do you think of the Redmi A5? Would you consider it for yourself or as a gift for someone upgrading from a feature phone? Let us know your thoughts!
