The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Xiaomi Redmi 11A and the Samsung Galaxy A05s aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches: the Redmi 11A prioritizes affordability, while the A05s attempts to balance features with a more modern chipset and faster charging. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Redmi 11A’s processor, and the 25W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Redmi 11A is cheaper, the A05s’ improved user experience justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | Yes | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | 22120RN86C | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | - | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi 11A
- Extremely affordable price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Decent battery life for basic usage
- Slow processor and limited performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely lower quality display
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- 25W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Slightly higher price than the Redmi 11A
- Camera details are limited
- May still struggle with very demanding games
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a measured peak brightness of 468 nits and a 1418:1 contrast ratio, indicating a significantly more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the Redmi 11A’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to have lower brightness and contrast, resulting in a less engaging viewing experience. The A05s’ superior contrast ratio will translate to deeper blacks and more defined colors, benefiting media consumption. The lack of detailed display specs for the Redmi 11A suggests it’s a cost-cutting area.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but details are sparse. The A05s likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 680, offering better image processing capabilities. Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the A05s’ chipset suggests superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Redmi 11A’s camera is likely to be adequate for basic snapshots but will lack the refinement of the A05s.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A05s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a split configuration of 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. This 6nm process node is more efficient than the likely older process used in the Redmi 11A’s octa-core 2.0 GHz CPU. The Snapdragon 680’s architecture and higher clock speeds will deliver noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The Redmi 11A will struggle with demanding applications and may exhibit lag during intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s shines with its 25W wired charging, a significant advantage over the Redmi 11A’s 10W charging. This translates to much faster top-up times, minimizing downtime. While the A05s’ battery capacity isn’t specified, its active use score of 11:32h demonstrates excellent battery life. The Redmi 11A will require considerably longer to charge, and its battery life, while likely decent, won’t match the A05s’ efficiency due to the less efficient chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 11A if your primary need is an extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and you are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster charging, and a more capable processor for multitasking and occasional gaming, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 680 is a relatively efficient chipset built on a 6nm process. While it will warm up during extended gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling, providing a more consistent gaming experience than the Redmi 11A’s processor.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A05s with the 25W charger?
With the included 25W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A05s can be fully charged from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, a substantial improvement over the Redmi 11A’s slower charging time.
❓ Is the Redmi 11A suitable for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Redmi 11A’s processor and likely limited RAM will struggle with multitasking. Running several apps concurrently may result in noticeable lag and slowdowns, making it less ideal for users who frequently switch between applications.
❓ What type of USB port do both phones use?
Both the Xiaomi Redmi 11A and the Samsung Galaxy A05s utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, ensuring compatibility with modern accessories and chargers.
