Redmi A4 5G Review: Setting a New Standard for Budget Smartphones

The budget smartphone market has always been about balancing affordability with functionality. Manufacturers walk a tightrope, trying to pack in features without pushing the price into the mid-range territory. Xiaomi, with its Redmi series, has long been a key player in this segment, delivering high-value devices for users on a budget. With the introduction of the Redmi A4 5G, the company takes a bold step toward democratizing 5G connectivity while offering a package that punches well above its weight.

In this detailed review, we’ll delve deep into every aspect of the Redmi A4 5G—its design, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and more—to determine whether it lives up to the hype.

Design and Build: A Budget Device That Doesn’t Look Cheap

From the moment you unbox the Redmi A4 5G, it’s clear that Xiaomi has put thought into its design. The device exudes a minimalist aesthetic with clean lines, a matte finish, and slightly curved edges that make it comfortable to hold. Despite being constructed from polycarbonate, the phone feels durable and surprisingly premium.

• Key Highlights of the Design:
  • Color Options: The Redmi A4 5G comes in three attractive shades: Arctic Blue, Graphite Gray, and Sunrise Gold. Each option caters to different tastes, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
  • Ergonomics: Weighing approximately 195 grams, the phone strikes a good balance between heft and usability. Its slim profile ensures it doesn’t feel bulky, even during extended usage.

A noticeable addition is the side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. This placement not only saves space but also ensures quick and accurate unlocking. While it’s not as fancy as an in-display sensor, it works reliably and is ergonomically positioned.

Display: Immersive and Smooth

Budget phones rarely offer stellar displays, but the Redmi A4 5G changes that narrative. Its 6.6-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD panel is a joy to use, especially considering its 120Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate ensures fluid animations and scrolling, enhancing the overall user experience.

Key Display Specifications:

• Resolution: 1080 x 2408 pixels, offering a pixel density of 400 PPI, ensuring crisp visuals.
• Refresh Rate: The 120Hz refresh rate makes interactions feel smooth, whether you’re gaming or navigating the UI.
• Brightness: With a peak brightness of 500 nits, the display remains easily readable even in bright outdoor conditions.

When watching videos on platforms like YouTube or Netflix, the display truly shines. Colors are vibrant without being oversaturated, and the viewing angles are wide, making it ideal for group viewing. While the IPS LCD lacks the deep blacks of an AMOLED, it compensates with sharpness and accurate color reproduction.

Performance: Powerful and Efficient

The Redmi A4 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chipset, a mid-range processor built on a 6nm architecture. This chipset is optimized for performance and power efficiency, making it a standout choice for a budget device.

• Daily Performance: The phone handles everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and multitasking with ease. Switching between apps is seamless, thanks to the LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage.
• Gaming: Popular titles such as BGMI, Free Fire Max, and Call of Duty: Mobile run smoothly at medium graphics settings. While you may experience occasional frame drops in demanding scenarios, casual gamers will find the performance more than adequate.

RAM and Storage:

The Redmi A4 5G comes in two configurations:

1. 4GB RAM + 64GB storage
2. 6GB RAM + 128GB storage

Both options support expandable storage via a microSD card, allowing users to store their media and apps without worrying about running out of space.

Camera: Decent for the Price

Cameras on budget smartphones are often hit-or-miss, but the Redmi A4 5G delivers a commendable performance in this department.

Primary Camera:

• 50MP sensor: The main camera captures sharp and detailed images in good lighting conditions. Colors appear natural, and the dynamic range is decent, thanks to the built-in HDR.
• Night Mode: Low-light photography sees a boost with Night Mode, which reduces noise and enhances brightness. While it’s not comparable to flagship devices, the results are satisfactory for this price range.

Secondary Camera:

• A 2MP depth sensor aids in portrait photography. The edge detection is accurate, and the bokeh effect is smooth, adding a professional touch to portrait shots.

Front Camera:

• The 8MP selfie shooter does a good job for social media-ready photos. It supports features like AI beautification and HDR, ensuring your selfies look great, even in tricky lighting.

Battery Life: Built to Last

Battery life is often a critical factor for budget phone buyers, and the Redmi A4 5G doesn’t disappoint. Its 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day of heavy use. From social media scrolling to gaming and video streaming, the phone keeps going without frequent top-ups.

• Charging: The phone supports 18W fast charging, which, while not the fastest in the segment, gets the job done. A full charge takes around 90-100 minutes, which is reasonable given the battery size.

Real-World Battery Test:

• Video Playback: 12 hours of continuous video playback.
• Gaming: Approximately 7 hours of gaming on a single charge.
• Standby: Over 36 hours with light usage.

Software Experience: MIUI at Its Best

Running on MIUI 14 based on Android 13, the Redmi A4 5G offers a polished software experience. Xiaomi has made significant strides in optimizing MIUI, and it shows in the fluidity and responsiveness of the interface.

Key Software Features:

• Customization: Themes, wallpapers, and icon packs allow users to personalize their experience.
• Reduced Bloatware: While some pre-installed apps are present, they can be uninstalled, giving users more control over their devices.
• Game Turbo Mode: Enhances gaming performance by allocating system resources efficiently.

Security updates are regular, ensuring the device stays protected against emerging threats.

5G Connectivity: Affordable and Future-Ready

The standout feature of the Redmi A4 5G is its 5G support, which includes compatibility with seven 5G bands. During testing in areas with 5G coverage, download speeds exceeded 500 Mbps, making it ideal for streaming high-definition content, online gaming, and large file transfers.

While 5G networks are still expanding, owning a device that’s ready for the future ensures your investment won’t feel outdated anytime soon.

How It Compares to the Competition

The Redmi A4 5G competes with devices like the Realme Narzo 60x and Samsung Galaxy M14. Let’s see how it fares:

While competitors offer marginally better charging speeds or larger batteries, the Redmi A4 5G delivers a well-rounded package at a more aggressive price point.

Verdict: An Unbeatable Budget 5G Smartphone

The Redmi A4 5G is more than just an entry-level smartphone; it’s a statement that budget devices can offer premium features. From its 120Hz display and future-ready 5G connectivity to its capable cameras and efficient processor, the phone ticks almost every box.

While it has its limitations—such as slower charging and the absence of an ultra-wide camera—these are minor trade-offs in an otherwise exceptional package.

For anyone looking for an affordable yet feature-rich smartphone, the Redmi A4 5G is not just a great option; it’s a game-changer. Xiaomi continues to prove that affordability and quality can go hand in hand, and the Redmi A4 5G is a testament to that philosophy