The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Infinix Smart 5 and the Xiaomi Redmi A1+. Both promise essential features at affordable prices, but which one delivers the better overall experience? Let's dive in.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Smart 5 edges out the Redmi A1+ thanks to its octa-core processor offering slightly better performance. While both are budget devices, the Smart 5's more powerful chipset provides a smoother experience for everyday tasks and light gaming. Both offer similar battery life and charging speeds.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 11 | 2022, September 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February 18 | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 171.8 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.76 x 3.07 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 | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 440 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition), XOS 7 | Android 12 (Go edition), MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aegean Blue, Morandi Green, Obsidian Black, Purple | Light Green, Light Blue, Black |
| Models | X688C | 220733SFG |
| Price | About 80 EUR | € 78.30 / £ 72.30 / ₹ 6,670 |
| SAR | 0.25 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Smart 5 (India)
- Octa-core processor for better performance
- Triple camera setup
- Larger screen (potentially brighter)
- Generally more RAM options available
- 10W charging is slow
- Plastic build quality
- Software updates may be infrequent
Xiaomi Redmi A1+
- Clean MIUI Go Edition software
- Reliable brand reputation
- Good value for money
- Compact and lightweight
- Quad-core processor - slower performance
- Dual camera setup
- 10W charging is slow
- Limited storage options
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.5-inch HD+ displays, offering decent viewing angles for their price range. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for budget devices, so don't expect vibrant visuals. The Infinix Smart 5 might have a slightly better panel due to potentially higher brightness levels, but this is difficult to confirm without testing.
Camera Comparison
The Infinix Smart 5 typically boasts a triple-camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth + AI lens) compared to the Redmi A1+'s dual-camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth). While megapixels aren't everything, the Smart 5's additional lens and potentially better image processing algorithms should result in slightly better photos, especially in portrait mode. Low-light performance will be average on both.
Performance
Here's where the Infinix Smart 5 takes a lead. Its Mediatek Helio G25 chipset with an octa-core processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi A1+'s quad-core Helio A22. Expect smoother app loading times and slightly better responsiveness on the Smart 5. Both phones will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both devices are expected to offer all-day battery life with their 5000mAh batteries. Charging speeds are identical at 10W wired, meaning a full charge will take around 2-3 hours. Battery optimization will be key to maximizing longevity on either device.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Smart 5 is ideal for users who prioritize a bit more processing power for multitasking and occasional gaming. The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ is a great choice for those seeking a simple, reliable phone primarily for calls, texts, and basic apps, and who value Xiaomi's software ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Infinix Smart 5 is slightly better for gaming due to its octa-core processor, but neither phone is designed for demanding games. Expect basic games to run smoothly on both.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Xiaomi generally offers better software support and updates for its devices, although budget phones often receive fewer updates than flagship models. Infinix's update track record can be less consistent.
