Redmi A4 5G Price in India and Compatibility with Indian Networks
The Redmi A4 5G has recently launched in India as an affordable 5G smartphone, priced under ₹10,000. While it boasts impressive features, including the globally debuting Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset, the phone comes with a significant caveat: its compatibility with Indian 5G networks. Specifically the Redmi A4 5G supports only Jio’s standalone (SA) 5G network making it incompatible with Airtel’s non-standalone (NSA) 5G infrastructure. This article will delve into the details of this limitation, explain the differences between SA and NSA 5G, and assess the phone’s overall value.
The budget smartphone market has seen numerous exciting launches this year, and the Redmi A4 5G is among the latest contenders. With its Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset and a competitive price of Rs 8,499, it presents itself as an affordable 5G smartphone. However, it comes with a major limitation regarding its 5G connectivity. Let’s explore the Redmi A4 5G’s strengths and shortcomings in this detailed review.
Verdict
The Redmi A4 5G is a reasonable choice for those seeking a dependable 5G smartphone with good software support, excellent battery life, and satisfactory performance. However, its lack of Airtel 5G support and average camera performance may give some potential buyers pause.
5G Connectivity
Positioned as one of the most affordable 5G phones in India, the Redmi A4 5G is a promising option. However, its lack of support for NSA (non-standalone) 5G bands, used by Airtel’s network, limits its usability for Airtel users. This restriction is clearly stated on the phone’s retail box. On the other hand, Jio users can experience reliable high-speed internet with this device.
Design and Display
The Redmi A4 5G’s design evokes nostalgia, reminiscent of the Redmi Note 7 from 2018. The phone features a waterdrop notch display with thick bottom bezels, a larger screen, and an overall bigger build. Despite its size, the device exudes a premium feel, thanks to its glass-like rear panel and the soft pastel “Sparkle Purple” color. The large camera island is prominent yet well-balanced, ensuring the phone doesn’t tilt when held.
With a 3.5mm headphone jack, a Type-C port, and a down-firing speaker grille, the phone’s flat-edged design adds a modern touch. However, it’s slightly bulky due to its size and weight. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button is responsive and enhances the overall user experience.
Display Comparison:
| Feature | Redmi A4 5G | Tecno Spark 30C | Itel Color Pro 5G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.88-inch LCD | 6.67-inch LCD | 6.6-inch LCD |
| Brightness | 600 nits | 480 nits | NA |
The phone sports a 6.88-inch LCD panel with an HD+ resolution (1640 x 720p), a 120Hz refresh rate, and 600 nits peak brightness. While the display is standard for its price, the inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate is a welcome feature in the budget segment. Outdoor visibility is adequate but not exceptional, and the down-firing speaker’s audio quality could be better.
Cameras
The Redmi A4 is equipped with a 50MP primary camera, an auxiliary lens, and a 5MP front camera. While daylight performance is satisfactory for its price, low-light conditions reveal significant weaknesses, with soft details and noise even in night mode. The selfie camera struggles with facial detail and produces noisy images, highlighting the limitations of its small sensor.
Daylight Performance
When compared to competitors like the Tecno Spark 30C and Itel Color Pro, the Redmi A4 5G’s daylight shots exhibit closer-to-natural colors, albeit with less contrast and detail. The Tecno Spark 30C delivers higher contrast and better social media-ready images, while the Itel Color Pro’s sharper output sometimes appears overprocessed.
Selfies
In selfie comparisons, the Tecno Spark 30C preserves details better, while the Itel Color Pro excels in accurate skin tone reproduction. The Redmi A4’s images are slightly saturated, with noticeable noise upon closer inspection.
Low-Light Performance
Low-light photography is a challenge for the Redmi A4 5G. While it portrays scenes decently, the details remain soft with visible noise. The Tecno Spark 30C offers better illumination but introduces an unnatural green tint. The Itel Color Pro stands out as the best performer in this price bracket, capturing sharper images with distinct hues and details.
Performance and Software
The Redmi A4 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset, coupled with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, expandable via MicroSD. Built on a 4nm process, the chipset delivers decent performance for its price. While its synthetic benchmark scores trail behind competitors like the Tecno Spark 30C and Itel Color Pro, real-world performance remains comparable.
Benchmark Scores
| Metric | Redmi A4 5G | Tecno Spark 30C | Itel Color Pro 5G |
| AnTuTu (higher is better) | 281,000 | 295,000 | 300,000 |
| Geekbench Single-Core | 690 | 720 | 735 |
| Geekbench Multi-Core | 1,980 | 2,020 | 2,050 |
During testing, the Redmi A4 5G handled basic tasks well, with occasional lags during intensive browsing or YouTube usage. Gaming performance, however, was slightly below par, with average frame rates and occasional crashes while playing titles like COD: Mobile. For gaming enthusiasts, alternatives like the Itel Color Pro or POCO M6 Pro are more suitable.
Software Experience
Running Android 14-based HyperOS, the Redmi A4 5G offers two years of OS updates and four years of security updates. Interestingly, the UI resembles older MIUI designs rather than the modern HyperOS layout seen on other Xiaomi devices. This choice may reflect a strategy to ensure smooth performance on budget hardware.
Pre-installed apps, including third-party games, are abundant but mostly uninstallable. The interface includes an option to hide the waterdrop notch, though it slightly reduces visible screen space.
| Feature | Redmi A4 5G | Tecno Spark 30C | Itel Color Pro 5G |
| Pre-installed Apps | 59 | 44 | 45 |
| Software Updates | 2 years OS, 4 years security | 2 years security | NA |
Battery
The Redmi A4 5G is powered by a 5,160mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. Notably, the retail box includes a 33W charger, unlike the Tecno Spark 30C. The phone’s battery performance is impressive, scoring high on benchmark tests and lasting a full day of heavy use.
Battery Test Results
| Metric | Redmi A4 5G | Tecno Spark 30C | Itel Color Pro 5G |
| PCMark Battery Score | 16 hours | 15 hours | 15.5 hours |
| Charging Speed | 18W | 18W | 18W |
| Charging Time (20-100%) | 99 minutes | 120 minutes | 112 minutes |
The phone’s battery dropped only 20% during two hours of heavy use, including gaming and video streaming. The 33W charger takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to fully recharge the device, which is acceptable given the excellent battery life.
Limited Compatibility: Why Airtel 5G Won’t Work
The Redmi A4 5G is engineered to support standalone (SA) 5G networks exclusively, as clearly stated on its product page. Unfortunately, this means it does not support non-standalone (NSA) 5G architecture, which Airtel currently uses in India.
What is SA 5G?
Standalone 5G is a next-generation network setup that operates on dedicated frequency bands and utilizes advanced radio technologies tailored exclusively for 5G connectivity. This setup offers improved efficiency, lower latency, and potentially faster speeds.
What is NSA 5G?
Non-standalone 5G leverages the existing 4G LTE infrastructure, sharing some frequency bands with 4G. It is cost-effective for telecom operators and easier to deploy since it relies on older systems rather than entirely new ones.
Why Doesn’t Redmi A4 5G Work with Airtel?
Airtel’s 5G network is currently built on NSA architecture, making the Redmi A4 5G incompatible. Conversely, Jio operates its 5G network on SA architecture, aligning perfectly with the Redmi A4 5G’s capabilities.
From a user experience standpoint, both SA and NSA 5G are capable of delivering speeds up to 1Gbps, meaning the difference may not be noticeable for everyday tasks. However, SA 5G is considered the superior technology in terms of future-proofing and performance potential.
Airtel’s Plans for SA 5G
Airtel has announced its intention to roll out SA 5G across India and has already begun testing in select locations like Bhubaneswar, Rewari, and Chennai. However, the timeline for a nationwide deployment remains uncertain. For now, Redmi A4 5G buyers relying on Airtel will miss out on the 5G experience unless they switch to Jio.
This makes the redmi a4 5g price in india even more relevant for users looking to decide between networks, as its affordability is offset by its limited compatibility.
Redmi A4 5G Features and Pricing
Despite its compatibility limitations, the Redmi A4 5G offers an excellent value proposition for users seeking an entry-level 5G device. Here’s a closer look at its specifications and pricing:
Specifications:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset.
- Display: A vibrant screen that complements everyday use and media consumption.
- Storage Options:
- Base model: 4GB RAM + 64GB internal storage.
- Higher variant: 4GB RAM + 128GB storage.
- 5G Connectivity: Limited to SA architecture, making it ideal for Jio users.
- Pricing:
- Base model: ₹8,499.
- Higher variant: ₹9,499.
The phone will go on sale starting November 27th via Amazon, Mi.com, and select retail stores.
The Importance of Network Compatibility
For users in India, the redmi a4 5g price in india is undoubtedly attractive, especially for a 5G-enabled device. However, the lack of NSA 5G support could be a dealbreaker for Airtel subscribers. Potential buyers should carefully consider their choice of network before making a purchase, as switching to Jio might be necessary to fully utilize the Redmi A4 5G’s capabilities.
Who Should Buy the Redmi A4 5G?
- Jio Users: The phone is an excellent choice for Jio subscribers who can leverage its full 5G potential.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: At under ₹10,000, the phone provides solid hardware and connectivity for its price.
- Future-Proofing: While Airtel plans to roll out SA 5G, there’s no clear timeline. Users with Jio connections will benefit immediately, while Airtel users may face delays.
Airtel vs. Jio: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Airtel 5G (NSA) | Jio 5G (SA) |
|---|---|---|
| Network Architecture | Non-standalone (uses 4G infrastructure) | Standalone (dedicated 5G setup) |
| Speed | Up to 1Gbps | Up to 1Gbps |
| Latency | Higher latency | Lower latency |
| Redmi A4 5G Support | Not supported | Fully supported |
This comparison highlights the clear advantage Jio users have when it comes to the Redmi A4 5G.
Conclusion
The Redmi A4 5G is a commendable addition to India’s budget smartphone market, offering advanced features at a competitive price point. However, its incompatibility with Airtel’s NSA 5G network limits its appeal for a significant portion of the Indian audience. With a redmi a4 5g price in india starting at just ₹8,499, the phone is an attractive option for Jio users but may require Airtel subscribers to wait for the telecom provider’s SA 5G rollout or consider alternative devices.
For users prioritizing affordability and connectivity, the Redmi A4 5G remains a solid choice, provided they align with the right network. As SA 5G gains traction in India, the phone’s limitations may become less relevant, but for now, its compatibility constraints underscore the importance of network selection when purchasing a 5G smartphone.