Xiaomi Redmi A4 is the latest addition to Xiaomi’s budget-friendly lineup, but don’t let its price tag fool you. Packed with surprising features like 5G connectivity, a sleek design, and a capable Snapdragon chipset, this phone aims to redefine what you can expect at this price point. Here’s a detailed review of what makes the Redmi A4 a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Design and Build: Stylish Yet Practical
The Redmi A4 strikes a perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Its glass front and back lend a premium feel, while the plastic frame ensures durability without adding extra weight. At 212.4 g, it’s slightly heavier than some competitors, but this gives it a reassuring heft. With dust and splash resistance, the phone can handle minor accidents, a feature rarely seen in this price segment.
Available in Sparkle Purple and Starry Black, the colors are vibrant yet classy, appealing to users who like their phones to stand out.
Display: Large and Fluid
The 6.88-inch IPS LCD display is one of the standout features. Its 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and transitions, making it ideal for social media browsing and casual gaming. Although the 720 x 1640 resolution falls short of Full HD, the display compensates with 600 nits of peak brightness, offering decent visibility even in bright sunlight.
The ~84% screen-to-body ratio ensures minimal bezels, giving users a more immersive viewing experience.
Performance: Smooth Multitasking on a Budget
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (4nm) chipset, the Redmi A4 delivers excellent performance for day-to-day tasks. Whether you’re switching between apps or streaming videos, the octa-core CPU (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) handles it all with ease. The Adreno GPU ensures smooth graphics performance for casual gaming.
The phone runs on Android 14 with HyperOS, promising up to two major Android upgrades, which makes it future-proof in terms of software.
Memory and Storage: Expandable Options
With storage variants of 64GB/128GB, paired with 4GB RAM, the Redmi A4 offers enough space for essential apps, photos, and files. Plus, the dedicated microSDXC slot allows for expandable storage, a feature that’s becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones.
Cameras: Decent for Everyday Photography
The 50 MP main camera is impressive for a budget phone, capturing sharp and detailed photos in good lighting. The f/1.8 aperture ensures decent low-light performance, though results may vary depending on conditions. Features like LED flash and HDR add versatility.
The 5 MP selfie camera, while basic, works well for video calls and casual selfies. Both cameras support 1080p@30fps video recording, delivering adequate performance for creating memories on the go.
Battery Life: A Reliable Workhorse
The Redmi A4 houses a robust 5160 mAh battery, ensuring a full day of usage even with heavy tasks like streaming or gaming. With 18W wired charging, it might not be the fastest, but it’s efficient enough for most users.
Connectivity: Future-Proof with 5G
One of the biggest highlights of the Redmi A4 is its 5G connectivity, ensuring you’re ready for the next-gen network speeds. Other connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, and a USB Type-C port, providing modern and reliable options for various needs. However, the lack of NFC might be a downside for users who rely on contactless payments.
Price: Unbeatable Value
Priced at just $220, the Redmi A4 is an absolute steal for what it offers. Few smartphones in this range can match its combination of performance, display quality, and 5G connectivity.
Xiaomi Redmi A4 vs Xiaomi Redmi A3
Xiaomi has consistently delivered great value in its Redmi A series, and the Redmi A4 and Redmi A3 exemplify this. While the Redmi A4 brings notable upgrades, the Redmi A3 remains a solid choice for its time. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of these two budget-friendly smartphones.
Category | Xiaomi Redmi A4 | Xiaomi Redmi A3 |
---|---|---|
Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
Launch | Announced: 2024, October 16 Release: Expected 2024, November 27 | Announced: 2024, February 14 Release: 2024, February 23 |
Body | Dimensions: 171.9 x 77.8 x 8.2 mm Weight: 212.4 g Build: Glass front/back, plastic frame Features: Dust and splash resistant | Dimensions: 168.3 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm Weight: 193 g / 199 g Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass or eco-leather back, plastic frame |
Display | Type: IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450–600 nits Size: 6.88 inches (~84% screen-to-body ratio) Resolution: 720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi) | Type: IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits Size: 6.71 inches (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) Resolution: 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi) Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Platform | OS: Android 14, HyperOS (2 major Android upgrades) Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (4 nm) CPU: Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) GPU: Adreno | OS: Android 14, MIUI Chipset: MediaTek Helio G36 (12 nm) CPU: Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) GPU: PowerVR GE8320 |
Memory | Internal: 64GB 4GB RAM / 128GB 4GB RAM (UFS 2.2) Card Slot: microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Internal: 64GB (2GB/3GB/4GB RAM), 128GB (3GB/4GB/6GB RAM) (eMMC 5.1) Card Slot: microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
Main Camera | Single: 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide) Features: LED flash, HDR Video: 1080p@30fps | Single: 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide) + 0.08 MP (auxiliary lens) Features: LED flash, HDR Video: 1080p@30fps |
Selfie Camera | Single: 5 MP, f/2.2 (wide) Video: 1080p@30fps | Single: 5 MP, f/2.2 (wide) Video: 1080p@30fps |
Sound | Loudspeaker: Yes 3.5mm jack: Yes | Loudspeaker: Yes 3.5mm jack: Yes |
Comms | WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band Bluetooth: 5.3 Positioning: GPS NFC: No Radio: Unspecified USB: USB Type-C 2.0 | WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band Bluetooth: 5.4 Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS NFC: Yes (region-specific) Radio: FM radio USB: USB Type-C 2.0 |
Sensors | Fingerprint: Side-mounted | Fingerprint: Side-mounted Extras: Accelerometer, compass, virtual proximity sensing |
Battery | Type: 5160 mAh, non-removable Charging: 18W wired | Type: 5000 mAh, non-removable Charging: 10W wired |
Misc | Colors: Sparkle Purple, Starry Black Price: ₹8,499 | Colors: Midnight Black, Forest Green, Star Blue Price: Varies by market |
Key Differences
- Performance:
- The Redmi A4 uses a more powerful Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (4nm) chipset, making it significantly faster than the MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm) in the A3.
- Redmi A4 also features UFS 2.2 storage for faster read/write speeds compared to the eMMC 5.1 in the A3.
- Camera:
- The Redmi A4’s 50 MP main camera is a massive improvement over the 8 MP sensor on the A3, delivering much sharper and detailed photos.
- Battery and Charging:
- The Redmi A4’s 5160 mAh battery offers slightly longer battery life and faster 18W charging compared to the 5000 mAh and 10W charging on the A3.
- Display:
- The A4’s 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and transitions, a clear advantage over the 90Hz display on the A3.
- 5G Connectivity:
- The Redmi A4 supports 5G, making it future-proof, while the A3 is limited to LTE.
- Build and Weight:
- While both phones feature a glass front, the A3 has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for better durability, whereas the A4 lacks explicit mention of glass protection.
- The A3 is lighter (199 g max) than the A4 (212.4 g).
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose the Redmi A4 if you prioritize 5G connectivity, better camera performance, smoother display, and faster overall performance.
- Choose the Redmi A3 if you prefer a slightly lighter device with Gorilla Glass protection and NFC support, especially if 5G isn’t a priority for you.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Xiaomi Redmi A4?
The Xiaomi Redmi A4 is perfect for students, first-time smartphone users, or anyone seeking a reliable device without breaking the bank. Its sleek design, smooth performance, and future-proof 5G connectivity make it a standout choice in the budget segment. While it may not cater to photography enthusiasts or power users, it’s hard to argue against the incredible value this phone provides.
If you’re looking for a budget phone that feels premium, performs smoothly, and lasts all day, the Xiaomi Redmi A4 is a no-brainer.