The Lenovo A7 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at an incredibly affordable price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Lenovo A7’s Unisoc SC9863A. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Redmi Note 8’s faster 18W charging is a significant convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April 13. Released 2019, April 13 | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155 x 75 x 12 mm (6.10 x 2.95 x 0.47 in) | 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black |
| Models | L19111 | M1908C3JGG |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1487:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 180195 (v8), 165779 (v9)
GeekBench: 5259 (v4.4), 1314 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo A7
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery life for basic use
- Functional for essential smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Likely lower display quality
- Slower charging speeds
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 18W charging
- Slightly higher price
- Similar battery life to the A7
- Camera performance likely limited by sensor quality
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 boasts a measured peak brightness of 620 nits and a 1487:1 contrast ratio, suggesting a more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the Lenovo A7’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls behind in both metrics given its lower price point and overall hardware tier. Both devices share the same nominal contrast ratio, indicating similar panel technology, but the Redmi Note 8’s higher brightness is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the market segment, image quality will likely be similar in good lighting conditions. However, the Redmi Note 8 2021 likely benefits from Mediatek’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G85, potentially offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. The absence of details on sensor size or aperture makes a definitive comparison impossible, but the Redmi Note 8’s chipset suggests a slight edge in image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 8 2021’s Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) features a more modern architecture with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, designed for improved performance. The Lenovo A7’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) uses older Cortex-A55 cores exclusively, split between 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz. This translates to a significantly faster and more responsive experience on the Redmi Note 8, particularly in multitasking and gaming. The 12nm process of the Helio G85 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both the Lenovo A7 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Redmi Note 8 2021 supports 18W wired charging, a substantial improvement over the likely slower charging speeds of the Lenovo A7. This faster charging capability significantly reduces downtime and provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo A7 if your primary need is a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light web browsing, and you prioritize absolute lowest cost. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 if you want a more responsive experience for social media, occasional gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 8 2021 capable of playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G85 is a capable gaming chipset for its price range. While it won't deliver the highest frame rates at maximum settings, it can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable performance. Expect playable frame rates, but don't anticipate a flagship gaming experience.
❓ How does the Unisoc SC9863A in the Lenovo A7 handle multitasking with several apps open?
The Unisoc SC9863A is a basic processor and will struggle with heavy multitasking. Switching between several apps may result in noticeable lag and app reloading. It's best suited for running one app at a time for a smoother experience.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 8 2021 support fast charging with any charger other than the one included in the box?
Yes, the Redmi Note 8 2021 supports the Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge (QC) standards. While the included charger is 18W, you can use a compatible PD or QC charger with higher wattage for potentially slightly faster charging speeds, though the phone will regulate the power draw.
❓ What type of storage does the Redmi Note 8 2021 use, and is it expandable?
The Redmi Note 8 2021 typically comes with eMMC 5.1 storage. It also supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase the storage capacity to accommodate more photos, videos, and apps. This is a valuable feature for budget-conscious users.
