Xiaomi has announced two staggeringly low-priced but specs-competitive smartphones – the entry level 5-inch Redmi 5A (at P4,590) and the midrange 5.99-inch, 18:9 display Redmi 5 Plus (at P9,990). Both phones, for the features you get at their prices, seem to offer the best value compared to those offered by other brands. While Xiaomi’s official presence in the country vanished in 2016, they’re now back with two official Mi Stores: one opened last month at Trinoma, QC, and another to open at SM Megamall on March 17. Details on the Redmi 5A and 5 Plus’s specs (against the competition) and availability below.
Xiaomi Redmi 5A versus the Competition
| Redmi 5A | Samsung J2 | OPPO A37 | |
| Rear Camera | 13MP with PDAF | 8MP | 8MP |
| Processor | Snapdragon 425 | MediaTek MT6737T | Snapdragon 410 |
| Battery | 3,300 mAh | 2600 mAh | 2630 mAh |
| Operating System | Android v7.1.1 (Nougat) | Android v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android v5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
| RAM + Storage | 2GB + 16GB | 1.5GB + 8GB | 2GB + 16GB |
| Price | P4,590 | P5,490 | P6,990 |
* Data in above table as presented by Xiaomi during their launch event on March 13, 2018.
Xiaomi Redmi 5A Specs
5-inch HD IPS 1280 x 720 resolution at 294 ppi
1.4GHz 64-bit Snapdragon 425 Quad-Core Processor
Adreno 308 (GPU) | 2GB RAM
16GB storage, up to 128GB via dedicated micro SD slot
Rear Camera: 13MP F2.2 with PDAF and LED flash
Selfie Camera: 5MP F2.0
3,000mAh Battery | Dual SIM
Android 7.1 Nougat with MIUI 9
WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth 4.1, LTE, OTG, GPS, A-GPS, BDS
Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, sound, magnetic
Colors: champagne gold, rose gold, grey
140.4 x 70.1 x 8.35 mm | 137 g
Price: PHP 4,590
The Redmi 5A will sell for only P4,390 during a flash sale at Lazada starting on 12nn of March 15. (Stocks are limited and the next flash sale won’t happen until the arrival of the next batch of units.) After the flash sale, the Redmi 5A’s price goes back to P4,490. The device will also be available on Shopee.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus versus the competition
| Redmi 5 Plus | OPPO F5 | Vivo V7 | |
| Display | 5.99” 18:9 | 6” 18:9 | 5.7” 18:9 |
| Camera Pixel Size | 1.25µm | 1.12 µm | 1.0 µm |
| LED Selfie Light | Yes | No | No |
| Processor | Snapdragon 625 | MTK 6763T | Snapdragon 450 |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 3,000 mAh | 3,000 mAh |
| RAM + Storage | 4GB + 64GB | 4GB + 32GB | 3GB + 32GB |
| Price | P9,990 | P15,990 | P14,990 |
* Data in above table as presented by Xiaomi during their launch event on March 13, 2018.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Specs
5.99-inch FHD+ IPS 2160 x 1440 resolution
* with 2.5D curved glass at 282 ppi
2.0GHz 64-bit Snapdragon 625 Octa-Core Processor
Adreno 506 (GPU)
4GB RAM | 64GB storage, up to 128GB via micro SD slot
Rear Camera: 12MP F2.2 with PDAF and LED flash
Selfie Camera: 5MP F2.0 with LED flash
4,000mAh Battery | Hybrid Dual SIM
Android 7.1.2 Nougat with MIUI 9
WiFi, 3G, 4G LTE w/ VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.2, OTG, GPS, A-GPS
Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic
Metal Body, Tapered Back Cover
Rear Fingerprint sensor, IR Blaster
158.5 x 75.45 x 8.05 mm | 180 g
Colors: Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Blue
Free: Ultra-Slim Case
Price: PHP 9,990
The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus will be available at Xiaomi Mi Stores in the Philippines starting March 17.
The Redmi 5A and 5 Plus were launched at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City, on March 13, 2018.
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