Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Sharp Aquos Xx, a phone aiming for premium performance, and the Xiaomi Redmi 5A, a champion of affordability. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sharp Aquos Xx boasts significantly superior processing power and likely a better display, but the Redmi 5A wins on value and battery efficiency. For power users, the Aquos Xx is the clear choice; for budget-conscious buyers, the Redmi 5A is hard to beat.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE 900 / 1700 / 2100 / 2500 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, May. Released 2015, July | 2017, November. Released 2017, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146 x 79 x 8.7 mm (5.75 x 3.11 x 0.34 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 | 168 g (5.93 oz) | 137 g (4.83 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~296 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~77.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.0 cm2 (~69.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | S-PureLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.1, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, 480p@210fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.1 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | Direct Wave Receiver
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 410 h (2G) / Up to 450 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 22 h 30 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red | Gold, Dark Gray, Rose Gold, Blue |
| Models | 304SH, 404SH | MCG3B, MCI3B |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
Sharp Aquos Xx
- Superior Performance
- Potentially Better Display
- Likely Better Camera
- Faster App Loading
- Higher Price
- Potentially Shorter Battery Life
- May be Older Model
Xiaomi Redmi 5A
- Excellent Value for Money
- Longer Battery Life
- Reliable Performance for Basic Tasks
- Compact and Lightweight
- Lower Performance
- Less Vibrant Display
- Basic Camera
- Limited Storage
Display Comparison
The Aquos Xx likely features a higher resolution and potentially a more vibrant display due to its higher-end chipset. The Redmi 5A has a standard HD display, adequate for everyday use but lacking the sharpness and color accuracy of the Aquos Xx. We're assuming the Aquos Xx has a larger screen size as well.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are missing, the Aquos Xx's more powerful chipset likely translates to better image processing capabilities. The Redmi 5A's camera is decent for its price range, but won't match the Aquos Xx in low-light conditions or overall image quality. We'll assume the Aquos Xx has better video recording capabilities as well.
Performance
This is where the Aquos Xx truly shines. Its Snapdragon 810 chipset with an octa-core processor offers significantly more processing power than the Redmi 5A's Snapdragon 425 quad-core. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Aquos Xx. The Redmi 5A will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Redmi 5A is expected to have better battery life due to its lower power consumption chipset and potentially a larger battery capacity. The Aquos Xx's Snapdragon 810, while powerful, is known to be less efficient. Expect the Redmi 5A to last longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Sharp Aquos Xx is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a smoother user experience, and potentially a higher-quality display. The Xiaomi Redmi 5A is perfect for first-time smartphone users, those on a tight budget, or anyone needing a reliable and long-lasting device for basic tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Sharp Aquos Xx still worth buying?
It depends. If you need a powerful phone and can find it at a good price, it's still a capable device. However, newer phones offer better features and efficiency.
❓ What is the Redmi 5A best used for?
The Redmi 5A is ideal for basic tasks like calling, texting, browsing the web, and using social media. It's a great entry-level smartphone.
