Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A launches with a selfie-centric variants

By JC Torres/Aug. 22, 2017 3:27 am EST

It may have been eclipsed by the Android Oreo reveal but Xiaomi fans will devour this new smartphone model nonetheless. The Chinese smartphone giant has just launched the latest addition to its mid-range phablet line, the Redmi Note 5A, and it's no surprise that there's a focus on selfies in two the three models available. What's a bit surprising is how Xiaomi seems to be eschewing dual cameras that is in fashion, even among some cheaper smartphones.

While they are all called "Redmin Note 5A", there are actually two models here. Three if you consider that the second has two memory configurations. There is a base Redmi Note 5A model and a higher end Redmi Note 5A "S" variant. The "S" in the latter may stand for "selfie", considering that's one of the core differences of that model. Visually speaking, however, the two are nearly identical, except for an extra hole on the Redmi Note 5A S' face.

The basic Redmi Note 5A is the epitome of a mid-range phone. It has a 5.5-inch HD screen and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425. There's only 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage. The 13 megapixel PDAF camera may be acceptable, except for the small f/2.2 aperture. Then again, this is a budget smatphone after all. The 5 megapixel front camera definitely has nothing on the higher end model.

• Operating System: Android 7.0, MIUI 9• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 425• RAM: 2 GB• Storage: 16 GB• Display: 5.5-inch HD• Main Camera: 13 MP, f/2.2 PDAF• Secondary Camera: 5 MP, f/2.0• Battery: 3,080 mAh

The other Redmi Note 5A "S" gets the same 5.5-inch HD screen but is now driven by a more recent Qualcomm Snapdragon 435. There is a choice between 3 GB of RAM with 32 GB of storage or 4 GB of RAM with 64 GB of storage. While it has the same 13 megapixel f/2.2 PDAF main camera, they greatly diverge in the front shooter. That one has a 16 megapixel sensor, a slightly larger f/2.0 aperture, and a soft light flash.

• Operating System: Android 7.0, MIUI 9• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 435• RAM: 3 or 4 GB• Storage: 32 or 64 GB• Display: 5.5-inch HD• Main Camera: 13 MP, f/2.2 PDAF• Secondary Camera: 16 MP, f/2.0, soft flash• Battery: 3,080 mAh

Of course, you do pay for that those extras. The base Redmi Note 5A goes for only 699 RMB, roughly $105. The Redmi Note 5A "S" with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage retails at 899 RMB or $135. Finally, the highest model with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage will sell for 1,199 RMB, around $180. Still dirt cheap smartphones, exactly the way Xiaomi likes to make them.

SOURCE: Xiaomi (Redmi Note 5A), (Redmi Note 5A S)