Released in 2018, the Samsung Galaxy A8+ and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro represented compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market. While both aimed for a balance of features and affordability, they took different approaches to achieving it. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offered the better overall experience, particularly focusing on the architectural differences between Samsung’s Exynos 7885 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 636.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficient power management, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. The Snapdragon 636, despite sharing a 14nm process with the Exynos 7885, delivers a more consistent experience due to its Kryo CPU architecture and Quick Charge 2.0 support.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, December. Released 2018, January | 2018, February 14. Released 2018, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 158.6 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 91.4 cm2 (~75.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7885 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8”, 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP, f/1.9, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | Up to 73 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, orchid grey, gold, blue | Black, Champagne Gold, Rose Gold, Lake Blue |
| Models | SM-A730F | MEI7S, MEI7 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.33 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107737 (v7)
GeekBench: 4696 (v4.4) |
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
- Samsung Brand Recognition
- Potentially Smoother Software Experience (One UI)
- Larger Display Size
- Exynos 7885 prone to throttling
- Less Efficient Power Consumption
- Standard 18W Charging (no QC2)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
- More Efficient Snapdragon 636
- Quick Charge 2.0 Support
- Better Sustained Performance
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing
- Potentially Less Polished Software Experience
- Build quality may not match Samsung
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display by today’s standards, but differences exist. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits) are unavailable, both utilize LCD technology. The A8+’s larger screen size (6.0 inches vs 5.99 inches) offers more viewing real estate. However, the Redmi Note 5 Pro’s display is likely to be more power efficient due to the Snapdragon 636’s optimized display drivers. Bezels are comparable, typical of 2018 designs.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a key differentiator. While megapixel counts aren’t the sole determinant of quality, the Redmi Note 5 Pro’s camera system, though details are limited, likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP). The A8+’s camera relies on Samsung’s ISP. The presence of Quick Charge 2.0 on the Redmi Note 5 Pro suggests a more robust power delivery system, potentially aiding in faster image processing. The inclusion of a 2MP depth sensor on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal real-world benefit. Focusing on the primary sensor’s capabilities is crucial.
Performance
The core battle lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A8+ features the Exynos 7885, an octa-core processor with a big.LITTLE architecture (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53). The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro counters with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 (SDM636) and its Kryo 260 cores (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). While both are built on a 14nm process, Qualcomm’s Kryo architecture is generally more efficient. This translates to better sustained performance under load, meaning less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 636’s Adreno 509 GPU also provides a noticeable advantage in graphics-intensive tasks. Both devices likely feature similar RAM configurations, but the Snapdragon 636 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimizations.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, but the Redmi Note 5 Pro adds Quick Charge 2.0 (QC2) support. QC2 allows for more efficient charging cycles, potentially reducing 0-100% charge times compared to the A8+’s standard 18W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 636’s superior power efficiency means the Redmi Note 5 Pro will likely deliver longer real-world battery life, even with a similar capacity battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) if you prioritize Samsung’s brand recognition and a potentially smoother software experience, though at the cost of thermal efficiency. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro if you value raw performance per watt, faster charging capabilities with QC2, and a more aggressive price point, making it ideal for gamers and power users on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7885 in the Galaxy A8+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
Yes, the Exynos 7885 is known to throttle under sustained load, leading to reduced performance during extended gaming. The 14nm process and architecture aren't as efficient as the Snapdragon 636, resulting in higher temperatures and subsequent performance drops.
❓ Is the Quick Charge 2.0 support on the Redmi Note 5 Pro a significant advantage?
Absolutely. QC2 allows the Redmi Note 5 Pro to charge more efficiently, reducing charging times and potentially extending battery lifespan. While both phones support 18W charging, QC2 optimizes the voltage and current delivery for faster and safer charging.
❓ Are the 2MP depth sensors on either phone actually useful for improving photo quality?
Not substantially. These sensors primarily contribute to a software-driven 'bokeh' effect (blurred background). The quality of this effect is heavily reliant on software processing and is often inferior to the bokeh achieved by phones with larger sensors and dedicated depth sensors.
❓ Which phone is better for playing PUBG Mobile?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is the better choice for PUBG Mobile. The Snapdragon 636’s Adreno 509 GPU provides superior graphics performance, and its more efficient thermal management prevents significant throttling during extended gameplay sessions.
