Looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank? The Motorola Moto X Play and Xiaomi Redmi 5A were popular choices in their time. But which one still holds up today? We'll break down their key features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Moto X Play boasts a superior display, camera, and significantly longer battery life. However, the Redmi 5A offers a more streamlined experience and potentially better software support. For power users and media consumers, the Moto X Play is the clear winner, while budget-conscious users might prefer the Redmi 5A.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - XT1562 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 41 - XT1562 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, July. Released 2015, August | 2017, November. Released 2017, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148 x 75 x 10.9 mm (5.83 x 2.95 x 0.43 in) | 140.4 x 70.1 x 8.4 mm (5.53 x 2.76 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 137 g (4.83 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~296 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.0 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.1, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 21 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.4", 1.1µm, PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3630 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Gold, Dark Gray, Rose Gold, Blue |
| Models | XT1562, XT1563, XT1564 | MCG3B, MCI3B |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.56 W/kg (head) 0.80 W/kg (body) | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.8dB / Crosstalk -95.2dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 83h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1520:1 (nominal), 3.222 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 809Basemark X: 5032 | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.8dB / Crosstalk -95.2dB | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 83h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1520:1 (nominal), 3.222 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB | - |
| Performance | Basemark OS II 2.0: 809Basemark X: 5032 | - |
Motorola Moto X Play
- Excellent battery life
- Vibrant display
- Better camera
- More powerful processor
- Older software support
- Potentially slower updates
- Larger size
Xiaomi Redmi 5A
- Affordable price
- Compact design
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Weaker processor
- Less impressive camera
- Shorter battery life
- Lower quality display
Display Comparison
The Moto X Play features a 5.5-inch display with a contrast ratio of 1520:1 (nominal) and an impressive 3.222 in sunlight, indicating excellent outdoor visibility. The Redmi 5A has a smaller 5.0-inch display, but details on its contrast ratio are scarce. The Moto X Play's larger size and superior contrast give it a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
The Moto X Play's camera is generally considered superior, offering better image quality and more features. While specific megapixel counts are not provided, reviews consistently praised the Moto X Play's camera performance. The Redmi 5A's camera is adequate for basic photography, but lacks the Moto X Play's capabilities.
Performance
The Moto X Play's Octa-core Snapdragon 615 chipset provides noticeably better performance than the Redmi 5A's Quad-core Snapdragon 425. While both phones run Android, the Moto X Play's more powerful processor handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. The Moto X Play also has more RAM (2GB vs 3GB on the Redmi 5A, though this is less impactful with older hardware).
Battery Life
The Moto X Play's battery life is a standout feature, boasting an endurance rating of 83 hours. This is significantly longer than the Redmi 5A, which typically offers a day of moderate use. The Moto X Play's larger battery capacity contributes to its exceptional longevity.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto X Play is ideal for users who prioritize battery life, a vibrant display, and a capable camera. It's a good choice for media consumption and light gaming. The Xiaomi Redmi 5A is best suited for users who need a basic, reliable phone for calls, texts, and light social media use, and who value affordability and a compact design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto X Play still worth buying?
If you prioritize battery life and a good display, the Moto X Play can still be a decent option, especially if you find it at a low price. However, be aware that software updates are likely discontinued.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos?
The Motorola Moto X Play consistently receives better reviews for its camera quality compared to the Xiaomi Redmi 5A.
