The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ and Samsung Galaxy A05s represent two compelling options, but cater to different priorities. The A1+ focuses on affordability, while the A05s attempts to deliver a more balanced experience with a newer chipset and improved display. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset provides significantly better performance than the Redmi A1+'s Helio A22, making it more responsive for everyday tasks and capable of handling light gaming. While the A1+ is cheaper, the A05s' improved display and faster charging justify 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 23 | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), 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 | 220733SFG | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | About 80 EUR | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.91 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
- Functional for basic tasks
- Potentially longer standby time (due to less powerful processor)
- Significantly slower performance
- Likely inferior display quality
- Slow charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Much faster and smoother performance
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher price than the Redmi A1+
- Battery life, while good, isn't exceptional
- Camera quality likely still limited by budget constraints
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 468 nits compared to an assumed lower brightness on the Redmi A1+ (typical of this price segment). This translates to better visibility outdoors. Furthermore, the A05s’ 1418:1 contrast ratio indicates a more vibrant picture. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the A05s’ superior specifications suggest a more pleasant viewing experience, especially for media consumption. The Redmi A1+’s display specs are not provided, suggesting it’s a cost-saving component.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are limited, but the context suggests a focus on basic functionality for both. The A05s’ inclusion of 'Photo / Video' implies a more versatile camera experience, though sensor size and aperture details are missing. It’s reasonable to assume the A05s benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processing capabilities, potentially leading to better image quality in various conditions. The Redmi A1+ likely relies on MediaTek’s processing, which is less refined. Without further data, it’s difficult to assess the quality beyond basic point-and-shoot capabilities.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A05s’ Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, features an octa-core CPU (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) offering a significant leap in processing power over the Xiaomi Redmi A1+'s MediaTek Helio A22 (12nm) quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53. The 6nm node of the Snapdragon 680 also implies better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling. This means the A05s will handle multitasking, app loading, and even light gaming far more smoothly than the A1+.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s shines in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 11 hours and 32 minutes. While the Redmi A1+'s battery capacity is unknown, the A05s’ efficiency is further enhanced by its 25W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the A1+'s 10W charging. This faster charging is a crucial advantage for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi A1+ if your absolute priority is minimizing cost and you primarily need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media. It's a functional device for those on a very tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you value a smoother user experience, better performance for apps, and a more enjoyable viewing experience. The A05s is the better all-rounder for most users willing to spend a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s capable of playing modern mobile games?
The Snapdragon 680 can handle many popular mobile games at medium settings. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it's a significant step up from the Helio A22 and will provide a playable experience in titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A05s with the 25W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, the 25W charging on the Galaxy A05s should fully charge the device in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably faster than the Redmi A1+'s 10W charging.
❓ Does the Redmi A1+ have enough storage for apps and photos?
The Redmi A1+’s storage capacity isn’t specified, but budget phones often come with limited internal storage. Users may need to rely on a microSD card for expanding storage, especially if they plan to download many apps or take a lot of photos and videos.
❓ Will the Helio A22 in the Redmi A1+ struggle with everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Helio A22 is a very basic processor. While it can handle simple tasks like browsing and social media, you may experience noticeable lag and slowdowns, especially when multitasking or using demanding apps.
