The Micromax Canvas 1 and Xiaomi Redmi 4A represent a bygone era of ultra-budget Android smartphones, often the first step into smartphone ownership for many. Both devices aimed to deliver a functional smartphone experience at the lowest possible price point. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which offers the better value, even years after their initial release, for those seeking a basic, functional device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a slightly smoother experience, the Xiaomi Redmi 4A emerges as the better choice. While both phones utilize a 28nm process, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425’s Cortex-A53 cores operate at a higher clock speed (1.4 GHz vs 1.3 GHz), resulting in a noticeable, albeit modest, performance advantage in everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 5, 40 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, July. Released 2017, August | 2016, November. Released 2016, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 143 x 71 x 8.3 mm (5.63 x 2.80 x 0.33 in) | 139.9 x 70.4 x 8.5 mm (5.51 x 2.77 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 131.5 g (4.66 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~296 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.0 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), MIUI 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 15 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3120 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black, Chrome Black | Gold, Rose Gold, Dark Gray |
| Models | C1 | 2016117 |
| Price | About 7000 INR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 1781 (v4.4) |
Micromax Canvas 1
- Potential brand recognition in India
- Likely the absolute lowest price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Slower processor compared to Redmi 4A
- Potentially less refined software experience
- Limited camera capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 4A
- Slightly faster processor (Snapdragon 425)
- Qualcomm’s ISP may improve image quality
- MIUI software offers more features
- Still a very basic smartphone
- Limited camera performance
- May be slightly more expensive than Canvas 1
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context of these phones, we can assume both utilize LCD panels, likely with 720p resolution. The absence of specific display specs means a direct comparison is impossible, but the Redmi 4A’s slightly larger 5-inch display (versus the Canvas 1’s 5-inch) may offer a marginally more immersive viewing experience. Both will likely suffer from narrow viewing angles and limited brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given their price point, image quality will be limited. We can expect low-resolution sensors and poor performance in low-light conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device further exacerbates this issue. The Redmi 4A likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processing (ISP), potentially offering slightly better image quality than the Canvas 1, but neither will compete with modern smartphone cameras.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Xiaomi Redmi 4A’s Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425, with its quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, offers a slight edge over the Micromax Canvas 1’s Mediatek MT6737 (1.3 GHz Cortex-A53). While both are based on the ARM Cortex-A53 architecture and manufactured on a 28nm process, the higher clock speed of the Snapdragon 425 translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The Snapdragon’s Adreno 308 GPU will also provide a small boost in graphics performance, though neither phone is suited for demanding games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, considering their low-end specifications, both likely house batteries in the 2500-3000 mAh range. Without knowing charging wattage, it’s difficult to assess charging speeds. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both should be capable of lasting a full day with moderate use, primarily consisting of calls, texts, and light browsing.
Buying Guide
Buy the Micromax Canvas 1 if you prioritize brand familiarity within the Indian market and are looking for the absolute cheapest possible smartphone option. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 4A if you prefer a slightly more refined software experience, a marginally faster processor, and the broader ecosystem of Xiaomi’s MIUI, even on a low-end device. Both are suitable for basic communication and light app usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Xiaomi Redmi 4A run modern apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Redmi 4A should handle basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. However, expect some lag when multitasking or using more demanding features within these apps. The Snapdragon 425 provides a slight performance edge over the Canvas 1, making it better suited for these tasks.
❓ Is the camera on either phone suitable for taking photos of documents?
While both phones have cameras, their quality is limited. Document scanning will be possible in good lighting conditions, but expect blurry images and distorted text. The Redmi 4A’s potential for slightly better image processing might yield marginally clearer results, but a dedicated scanner app on a more capable phone is recommended for important documents.
❓ Can either of these phones be upgraded to a newer version of Android?
Highly unlikely. Both the Micromax Canvas 1 and Xiaomi Redmi 4A launched with older versions of Android and are unlikely to receive further software updates. They may be running Android Go edition, a lightweight version of Android designed for low-end hardware.
