Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera vs. Mi A2 (Mi 6X): A Detailed Showdown

Xiaomi's Redmi and Mi series have consistently delivered impressive value for money. The Redmi Note 5 AI and Mi A2 were popular choices, offering compelling features at competitive prices. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall user experience to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi Note 5 AI takes the crown for battery life and sunlight display visibility. However, the Mi A2 boasts a slightly faster processor and a cleaner Android experience. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: endurance and screen brightness versus performance and software.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera	Xiaomi Mi A2 (Mi 6X)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 - Taiwan	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China

Launch
Announced	2018, March. Released 2018, March	2018, July 24. Released 2018, July
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	158.6 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.24 x 2.97 x 0.32 in)	158.7 x 75.4 x 7.3 mm (6.25 x 2.97 x 0.29 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	181 g (6.38 oz)	166 g (5.86 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version)	-
Resolution	1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)	1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size	5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio)	5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)	Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm)	Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm)
GPU	Adreno 509	Adreno 512
OS	Android 8.0 (Oreo), MIUI 9	Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), Android One

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	No
Internal	32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM	32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Dual	12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF Auxiliary lens	12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.9", 1.25µm 20 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.8", 1.0µm, PDAF
Features	Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@120fps

Selfie camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash, HDR
Single	13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm	20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS
Radio	FM radio	No
USB	microUSB 2.0	USB Type-C 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	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	18W wired, QC3	18W wired, QC3 (Global) 18W wired, QC4 (India)
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Black, Gold, Rose Gold, Blue, Flame Red	Black, Gold, Blue, Red, Rose Gold
Models	M1803E7SG, M1803E7SH	M1804D2SG, M1804D2SI, Mi A2, Mi 6X
Price	About 180 EUR	About 270 EUR
SAR	0.79 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body)	0.96 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	1.16 W/kg (head) 0.66 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -90.5dB	-
Battery life	Endurance rating 92h	Endurance rating 73h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1893 (nominal), 3.393 (sunlight)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 68dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 84dB	Voice 89dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 89dB
Performance	AnTuTu: 115195 (v7) GeekBench: 4918 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 130927 (v7), 172886 (v8) GeekBench: 4625 (v4.4), 1157 (v5.1) GFXBench: 8.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera

Exceptional battery life
Excellent sunlight display visibility
AI scene detection for camera
Larger display

Slightly slower processor than Mi A2
MIUI software can be cluttered
Design is a bit dated

Xiaomi Mi A2 (Mi 6X)

Slightly faster processor
Clean, near-stock Android experience
Compact design
Good camera with accurate colors

Shorter battery life
Less impressive sunlight display
No dedicated microSD card slot

Display Comparison

Both phones feature 6-inch displays with a 18:9 aspect ratio. The Redmi Note 5 AI has a slightly higher contrast ratio (1893 vs 1600 nominal, 3393 vs 2900 sunlight), making it noticeably better in bright conditions. The Mi A2's display is still good, but the Note 5 AI's sunlight performance is a clear advantage.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature dual rear camera setups. The Redmi Note 5 AI's AI scene detection is a highlight, enhancing photos in various conditions. The Mi A2 generally produces more accurate colors and better dynamic range, thanks to its optimized software. Low-light performance is comparable on both devices.

Performance

The Mi A2's Snapdragon 660 offers a slight edge in performance over the Redmi Note 5 AI's Snapdragon 636. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly, the Mi A2 will feel a bit snappier, especially when multitasking or playing less demanding games. The Mi A2's CPU clock speeds are higher, contributing to this difference.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 5 AI's massive battery (4000mAh) provides significantly longer battery life than the Mi A2 (3000mAh). The endurance rating of 92h versus 73h is a substantial difference, making the Note 5 AI a clear winner for users who need all-day (and then some) power.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera? Users prioritizing long battery life, excellent outdoor screen visibility, and a slightly larger display. Who should buy the Xiaomi Mi A2 (Mi 6X)? Those seeking a smoother, near-stock Android experience, a slightly faster processor for everyday tasks, and a more compact design.