Both the Oppo A5 (2020) and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (2021) occupy the fiercely competitive sub-$200 smartphone segment. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery endurance to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and slightly better display brightness, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (2021) is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, built on a 12nm process, offers a modest but noticeable efficiency advantage over the Oppo A5 (2020)'s Snapdragon 665.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 21. Released 2019, October | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.4 x 9.1 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.36 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mirror Black, Dazzling White | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black |
| Models | CPH1931, CPH1959, CPH1933, CPH1935, CPH1943 | M1908C3JGG |
| Price | About 170 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) |
Oppo A5 (2020)
- Reverse wired charging for accessory top-ups
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Familiar Qualcomm chipset
- Less efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Slower charging speeds
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021
- More efficient Mediatek Helio G85 chipset
- Brighter 620 nit display
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Lacks reverse wired charging
- Mediatek chipset may have less software support
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a contrast ratio of 1487:1, suggesting similar color reproduction capabilities. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (2021) boasts a measured peak brightness of 620 nits, a significant advantage over what is likely a lower peak brightness on the Oppo A5 (2020) (no data provided). This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Redmi Note 8’s higher brightness makes it the more usable display in bright environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s safe to assume both rely on relatively basic camera setups. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, and Xiaomi’s software generally leans towards more saturated, vibrant images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (2021) utilizes the Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm), featuring a dual-core Cortex-A75 setup paired with six Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Oppo A5 (2020)'s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) which employs a more traditional octa-core Kryo 260 configuration. While both are octa-core, the Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores offer higher single-core performance, beneficial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. The 12nm process of the Helio G85, while slightly larger than the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm, appears to offer better thermal management in real-world usage, preventing significant throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both devices 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 significant improvement over the Oppo A5 (2020)'s unspecified charging speed. This translates to faster 0-100% charge times, reducing downtime. The Oppo A5 (2020) does offer reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices, a feature absent on the Redmi Note 8 (2021).
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A5 (2020) if you prioritize reverse wired charging for topping up accessories and are less concerned with demanding gaming or consistently smooth multitasking. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 (2021) if you prefer a phone with a brighter display, a more modern chipset offering better sustained performance, and faster 18W wired charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 8 (2021) struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While not a flagship gaming chip, the Helio G85 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The 12nm process and optimized CPU cores help mitigate throttling during extended gaming sessions, offering a more consistent experience than the Snapdragon 665 in the Oppo A5 (2020).
❓ Is the reverse charging feature on the Oppo A5 (2020) actually useful in everyday scenarios?
The reverse charging feature is a niche convenience. It's useful for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches in emergencies, but it's a slow process and will significantly drain the Oppo A5 (2020)'s battery. It's not a replacement for a dedicated power bank.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 8 (2021) and the Oppo A5 (2020)?
The 18W charging on the Redmi Note 8 (2021) will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the Oppo A5 (2020). Expect a full charge to take around 2-2.5 hours on the Redmi Note 8 (2021), while the Oppo A5 (2020) will likely take considerably longer, potentially exceeding 3 hours.
