The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi A1 and Samsung Galaxy A05s represent two popular choices, but cater to different priorities. The Redmi A1 focuses on affordability, while the A05s attempts to deliver a more well-rounded experience with a more modern chipset and improved display. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you decide which best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset provides significantly better performance and future-proofing than the Redmi A1’s Helio A22. While the A1 is cheaper, the A05s’s brighter display and faster charging justify the price difference for all but the most budget-constrained buyers.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 09 | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition), MIUI 12 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 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, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Light Green, Light Blue, Black | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | 220733SI, 220733SG, 220733SL, 220743FI, 220733SH | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.85 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi A1
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable for basic communication
- Lightweight and portable
- Poor performance for multitasking
- Outdated chipset
- Likely low-quality display
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Significantly better performance
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Faster 25W charging
- Longer battery life
- Slightly higher price
- May still struggle with demanding games
- Camera quality is likely average
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a significantly more appealing display. With a measured peak brightness of 468 nits, it’s considerably brighter than what’s typically found in the Redmi A1’s segment, making it more usable outdoors. The 1418:1 contrast ratio further enhances visual clarity. While the Redmi A1’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be a lower-resolution panel with inferior brightness and contrast. This difference is crucial for users who consume a lot of video or browse the web frequently.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature cameras, but details are limited. The Samsung Galaxy A05s is described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, suggesting a standard camera setup. The Redmi A1’s camera specs are not provided. Given the price point, it’s reasonable to assume both phones will feature a primary camera and potentially a depth or macro sensor. However, the image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 680 in the A05s will likely result in better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. We can expect the A05s to offer more consistent results.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A05s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), an octa-core processor with a mix of 2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. This contrasts sharply with the Xiaomi Redmi A1’s MediaTek Helio A22 (12nm) quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53. The Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process node offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, leading to less throttling under sustained loads. The A05s will handle multitasking and moderately demanding apps with ease, while the A1 will struggle with anything beyond basic operations.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s shines in battery life, achieving an active use score of 11 hours and 32 minutes. While the Redmi A1’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the A05s’s efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset and optimized software contribute to its impressive endurance. Furthermore, the A05s supports 25W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Redmi A1’s slower 10W charging. This means less time tethered to a wall outlet and more time using the device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi A1 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your smartphone usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you prioritize smoother performance for multitasking, occasional gaming, a more vibrant display for media consumption, and faster charging to minimize downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 680 can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Don't expect high-end graphics or consistently smooth performance during intense firefights. The Helio A22 in the Redmi A1 will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A05s compared to the Redmi A1’s 10W charging?
25W charging will significantly reduce charging times. While exact figures depend on battery level and usage, the A05s can likely go from 0-100% in around 2 hours, whereas the A1 could take 3-4 hours with its 10W charger.
❓ Is the camera on the Galaxy A05s good enough for casual social media photos?
Yes, the Galaxy A05s’s camera, powered by the Snapdragon 680’s image signal processor, should be adequate for casual social media photos in good lighting conditions. Expect decent detail and color accuracy, but don’t expect flagship-level performance.
❓ Does the Redmi A1 support software updates, and for how long?
Xiaomi typically provides limited software update support for its entry-level devices like the Redmi A1. Expect at least one major Android version update, but long-term security updates are less certain. The Galaxy A05s is likely to receive slightly better software support from Samsung.
