I’ve tested more ultra-cheap Android phones than I’d like to admit, and the pattern is usually the same: great headline feature, painful compromises everywhere else. The Redmi A5 looked like it might finally break that cycle. On paper, a Rp 1.5–1.6 million phone with a 120 Hz display and IP52 splash resistance sounds like a minor miracle. Then I looked deeper.
The reality is more complicated, especially for a device that just ranked as the 10th best-selling smartphone worldwide in Q1 2026, according to Counterpoint Research — and the only one in that list that isn’t an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy.
The Only Non-iPhone, Non-Galaxy in the Global Top 10
Counterpoint’s Q1 2026 numbers are a big win for Xiaomi’s entry-level strategy. Redmi A5 has muscled its way into the global top-10 best-selling phones, in 10th place, surrounded entirely by iPhones and Galaxy models.
That’s a huge visibility bump. It also marks the return of the Redmi A series to global bestseller status after the list had basically turned into an Apple–Samsung monopoly. For Xiaomi, this is proof that the ultra-budget formula still works in volume.
But being a bestseller doesn’t automatically make it a good buy for you. It usually means one thing: tight carrier deals, aggressive offline presence, and just enough specs to keep people from returning it.
Price Creep on a “Budget Hero”
In Indonesia, the Redmi A5 now sells for Rp 1.599.000 for the 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage variant on Xiaomi’s official site. That’s a pretty big jump from its original launch price in the Rp 1.1 million range.
Xiaomi blames the increase on a broader wave of price hikes starting April 2026, triggered by a global memory supply crunch linked to the AI boom. Fair enough — DRAM and NAND pricing have been a mess. But for buyers who expect Redmi A-series phones to sit firmly around the Rp 1.1–1.3 million mark, nearly Rp 1.6 million stings.
Yes, it’s still one of the cheapest entry-level phones with 128 GB storage and IP52. But once you start creeping closer to mid Rp 1 million territory, expectations change. You stop excusing compromises just because it’s “only” an entry-level device.
120 Hz Display on a 720p Panel: Win or Gimmick?
The spec Xiaomi loves to shout about is the screen. You get a 6.88-inch IPS LCD with 1640 x 720 resolution, 260 ppi, 120 Hz refresh rate, and up to 450 nits of brightness.
On a budget phone, 120 Hz is rare and genuinely nice for scrolling through social feeds and light UI animations. It makes basic tasks feel smoother than they have any right to on a cheap device.
But there are trade-offs:
– 720p at 6.88 inches and 260 ppi means text and icons aren’t razor-sharp.
– 450 nits brightness is “okay” outdoors, not great under harsh sunlight.
If you care more about smoothness than sharpness, this is a win. If you read a lot or watch video at close distance, you’re going to notice the softness. Xiaomi clearly prioritized refresh rate as the marketing bullet point, and it shows.
Unisoc T7250: Just Enough Power, Nothing More
Under the hood, the Redmi A5 runs a Unisoc T7250, a 12 nm octa-core chip clocked up to 1.8 GHz. This is paired with either 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB storage, expandable via microSD.
This is not a performance phone, even by budget standards. On a 12 nm process with modest clocks, you’re looking at basic social apps, messaging, web browsing, and lightweight games. It will run, but don’t expect miracles with multitasking or heavier workloads.
The 4 GB RAM variant at Rp 1.599.000 is the one officially listed, and while Android 14 Go Edition helps keep things lean, 4 GB in 2026 is bare minimum. Load a few heavy apps, keep a couple of browser tabs open, and you’ll feel the limits.
Given the sales numbers, clearly a lot of buyers don’t care. But for enthusiasts or power users shopping for a secondary phone, it’s very easy to push this hardware to its ceiling.
Camera: Resolution Down, Selfie Up
The rear camera setup is a 32 MP main sensor with f/2.0 aperture plus an additional lens (Xiaomi doesn’t even bother specifying it in detail, which tells you how important it is). On the front, you get an 8 MP f/2.0 selfie camera.
Compared to the Redmi A4, this is a strange shuffle. The previous generation offered a 50 MP main camera. Now, you get 32 MP instead. In exchange, the front camera jumps to 8 MP from a lower-res sensor on the A4.
That’s the opposite of what a lot of users want. Rear camera quality usually matters more for travel, family photos, and general use. Boosting the selfie cam while dialing back main camera resolution feels like a TikTok-driven optimization: better for front-facing content creators, worse for traditional photography.
You can still get acceptable shots in good light, but anyone expecting an upgrade over Redmi A4 on the main camera will be disappointed. This is a sideways move, not progress.
Battery, Charging, and Everyday Practicality
Redmi A5 packs a 5,200 mAh battery, slightly above the usual 5,000 mAh standard in this price tier. Combined with a 12 nm chip, 720p display, and Android 14 Go Edition, battery life should be a strong point.
The problem is charging speed. You’re stuck with 15 W fast charging over USB-C. On a 5,200 mAh cell, that’s going to feel slow if you’re used to 33 W or even 25 W on other budget and lower mid-range phones.
On the plus side, you do get basics like a fingerprint sensor, face unlock, Wi-Fi, and FM radio. IP52 splash resistance is a rare and genuinely useful perk at this price, especially in markets with tropical climates where rain is a daily risk.
The physical profile is manageable for a big-screen device: 171.1 x 77.8 x 8.26 mm and 193 grams. It’s large, but not unreasonably heavy.
Android 14 Go Edition: Lean, But Also Limiting
Xiaomi hasn’t overloaded this device with a full-fat Android skin. Redmi A5 runs Android 14 Go Edition, which is tuned for low-end hardware.
That’s good news for performance and storage footprint, but Go Edition also means stripped-back features, simplified Google apps, and sometimes a worse experience if you’re used to full Android. Enthusiasts might find it annoying; basic users will probably be fine.
What Xiaomi hasn’t said is how long this phone will receive updates or security patches. For a phone selling on volume at this price, software longevity tends to be an afterthought.
So, Should You Care That It’s a Bestseller?
The Redmi A5 being one of the world’s best-selling phones is a big headline, but it says more about global buying power than about the phone’s excellence.
You’re getting:
– A big 120 Hz 720p display
– Respectable battery capacity
– Android 14 Go Edition for smoother basics
– IP52 splash resistance
In exchange, you’re living with:
– A weaker main camera than last gen (in pure resolution terms)
– Modest Unisoc performance
– Slow 15 W charging
– A price that’s crept up from “no-brainer cheap” to “think twice”
For someone upgrading from a much older, laggy device with tiny storage, Redmi A5 still makes sense, especially if you’re price-sensitive and just need something that works. For enthusiasts, or anyone willing to spend a bit more, it feels like another missed chance for Xiaomi to push the low-end forward instead of juggling specs to hit marketing talking points.
Check back soon as this story develops.