The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor X5 and the Xiaomi Redmi A2. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi A2 edges out the Honor X5 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and inclusion of 10W charging. While both are entry-level devices, the Redmi A2 offers a marginally better performance and a bit more convenience, making it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 24 | 2023, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 14 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12 or 13 (Go edition), MIUI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunrise Orange, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Aqua Blue, Classic Black, Sea Green |
| Models | VNA-LX2, VNA-LX3 | 23028RN4DG, 23026RN54G |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 59.00 / £ 54.95 |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Honor X5
- Larger Display (potentially)
- Sleek Design (potentially)
- Weaker Processor
- No Dedicated Charging Speed Mentioned
- Basic Camera
Xiaomi Redmi A2
- Slightly Better Performance
- 10W Wired Charging
- Competitive Price
- Basic Camera
- Potentially Less Premium Design
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.5 inches, but the Honor X5 might offer slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to potentially higher panel quality. However, resolution is likely to be similar (likely HD+).
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be basic. Both likely feature a primary camera around 13MP. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The Redmi A2 might have a slightly better image processing algorithm.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi A2 holds a slight advantage here. Its Helio G36 chipset offers a small but noticeable performance boost over the Honor X5's Helio G25. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the Redmi A2.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life for moderate usage. The Redmi A2's inclusion of 10W charging provides a faster charging experience compared to the Honor X5, which likely lacks dedicated charging specifications.
Buying Guide
The Honor X5 is a good option for users prioritizing a larger display and potentially a slightly better design aesthetic. The Xiaomi Redmi A2 is ideal for those seeking a bit more processing power and the convenience of wired charging within a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi A2 is slightly better for basic gaming due to its more powerful chipset, but neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ Do these phones have NFC?
Neither the Honor X5 nor the Xiaomi Redmi A2 typically include NFC functionality in their base models. Check specific regional variants for confirmation.
