Released in 2018, the Oppo A1 and Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (also known as the Redmi Note 5 in some markets) represent a pivotal moment in the budget smartphone landscape. Both aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieve this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 625 chipset, built on a more efficient 14nm process, provides a smoother experience and better thermal management than the Oppo A1’s Helio P23, despite a slightly lower clock speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, March. Released 2018, April | 2018, February. Released 2018, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 73.1 x 7.7 mm (5.93 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) | 158.5 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763T Helio P23 (16 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP1 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), ColorOS 3.2 | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), planned upgrade to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF | 12 MP, f/2.2, 1.25 μm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep sea blue, Cherry red, Pearl white | Black, Gold, Blue, Rose Gold |
| Models | - | MEG7, MEI7 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.47 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -29.7dB / Crosstalk -91.8dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1431:1 (nominal), 2.913 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 87dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 4309 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 3.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A1 (2018)
- Higher CPU clock speed (2.5 GHz)
- Potentially faster single-core performance
- May be available at a lower price point (depending on current market)
- Less efficient 16nm process
- Likely to throttle under sustained load
- Limited information on camera capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Redmi Note 5)
- More efficient 14nm Snapdragon 625
- Better thermal management and sustained performance
- Excellent battery life (104h endurance rating)
- Lower CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz)
- May be slightly more expensive (depending on current market)
- Basic camera features
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A1 and Redmi 5 Plus share identical display characteristics: a contrast ratio of 1431:1 (nominal) and 2.913 under sunlight. This suggests similar outdoor visibility. However, the lack of detailed information regarding panel type (IPS vs. VA) and color gamut coverage prevents a deeper analysis. The Redmi 5 Plus’s 18:9 aspect ratio display was a modern feature at the time, offering a more immersive viewing experience compared to older 16:9 displays, though the Oppo A1’s display specs are not available to confirm if it also adopted this ratio.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both phones offered typical budget smartphone camera performance for their time, likely struggling in low-light conditions. The absence of any mention of OIS or advanced features suggests a focus on basic photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (MSM8953), fabricated on a 14nm process, while the Oppo A1 features the MediaTek Helio P23 (MT6763T) built on a 16nm process. While the Helio P23 boasts a higher clock speed (2.5 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the Snapdragon 625’s more efficient manufacturing process translates to better thermal management and sustained performance. This means the Redmi 5 Plus is less likely to throttle under prolonged load, making it a better choice for gaming or multitasking. Both CPUs utilize Cortex-A53 cores, so architectural differences are minimal; the process node is the key differentiator.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A1 and Redmi 5 Plus achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating comparable battery life. However, the Snapdragon 625’s superior power efficiency likely contributes to more consistent performance throughout the day. The Redmi 5 Plus supports 10W wired charging, a standard rate for the time. The Oppo A1’s charging capabilities are not specified, but it’s likely similar. The efficiency of the Snapdragon 625 means the Redmi 5 Plus can extract more usage from its battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A1 (2018) if you prioritize raw CPU clock speed and potentially benefit from slightly faster single-core tasks. However, understand this comes at the cost of efficiency. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Redmi Note 5) if you value sustained performance, excellent battery life, and a more refined user experience, making it ideal for everyday use and moderate gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 5 Plus handle modern apps and social media smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 625 is surprisingly capable even today. While it won't run the most demanding games at high settings, it handles everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging with ease. The 3GB or 4GB of RAM (depending on the variant) further contributes to a smooth experience.
❓ Is the Helio P23 in the Oppo A1 prone to overheating during gaming?
The Helio P23, built on a 16nm process, is more susceptible to overheating than the Snapdragon 625. Expect performance throttling during extended gaming sessions, which will result in dropped frames and a less enjoyable experience. The Redmi 5 Plus will maintain more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos in low light?
Without detailed camera specifications, it's difficult to say definitively. However, given the budget nature of both phones, expect similar low-light performance – likely noisy and lacking detail. Neither phone is expected to excel in challenging lighting conditions.
