Xiaomi has given all of the features that people expect from a new Redmi Note device every year — a new Qualcomm midrange chipset, more than adequate RAM as well as storage, and a pair of improved cameras. Starting at a price of Rs 13,999, the Note 5 Pro can be termed as one of the most value-for-money budget smartphones that one can buy in India currently. However, at exactly Rs 13,999, Xiaomi also sells another of its highly-appreciated budget midrange smartphones — the Mi A1. Currently one of our favourites, the Mi A1 is one of the first few smartphones to taste Android 8. Also read: Therefore, if you are looking for an affordable midrange offering with good build quality, notable everyday performance and a pair of decent cameras from Xiaomi, which is the right one to choose? Build, Design: The Redmi Note 5 Pro is a smartphone from 2018, which means you get a big 18:9 5. With narrow bezels up front, the Note 5 Pro definitely attracts attention. The display is protected by an undisclosed variant of Gorilla Glass. The rear panel has plastic ends on the top and bottom for housing the antenna, which negates the requirement for putting thick visible antenna lines. Also read: In comparison, the Mi A1 looks a tad dated with its 16:9 display. However, the display is a big 5. The dual camera setup is laid out horizontally, similar to the iPhone 7 Plus. Out of the two, the Redmi Note 5 Pro is a newer smartphone and therefore comes with a better build and a more pleasing design. Winner: Redmi Note 5 Pro Specifications, Performance: In keeping with the tradition, Xiaomi has blessed the Redmi Note 5 Pro with a brand new Snapdragon 636 chipset, which accompanied with up to 6GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage, makes the spec sheet look interesting. It sports a 5. The only sore point in this setup is the Android 7. The Mi A1 was the darling of the media industry and Mi fans when it came out last year. With a standard 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, the Mi A1 also pleases those who prefer extra in the memory department. In terms of performance, its hard to find faults with both of them. In fact, both these midrange Xiaomis are evenly capable of dealing with casual usage inputs such as browsing through social media apps, streaming videos, playing games and photography. With a bigger display on almost the similar form factor, the Note 5 Pro offers a bigger viewing experience with better dynamic range and viewing angles. The Mi A1 goes the other way with a clean, bloat-free UI and a limited number of pre-loaded apps, thereby making it pretty easy to navigate through the interface. The learning curve on the Mi A1 is far lesser than the Note 5 Pro's MIUI 9. Winner: Mi A1 Battery life: The Redmi Note 5 Pro is supposed to be an all-rounder smartphone delivering equally on all fronts. If battery is your primary concern, then look no further than this beast. Winner: Redmi Note 5 Pro Also read: Value: Both the smartphone are made by Xiaomi, which is why both of them are immense value for money in comparison to offerings from rivals. However, between of them, we feel the Mi A1 is slightly better value for money than the Note 5 Pro — thanks to the Android One ROM. Android One is a leaner and lighter version of Android OS compared to MIUI and therefore is able to get Android updates before any other smartphone. The Mi A1 is already on the Android 8. Therefore, one is assured of an eager software support on the Mi A1. Make no mistake, the Redmi Note 5 Pro is also tremendous value for money when you consider all the features on offer — a pair of incredibly capable cameras and a superfast chipset makes it a swift everyday performer. However, MIUI 9 lags behind timely software updates, which is one of the major drawbacks with this one. Winner: Mi A1 Verdict: Tie Despite pitting them against each other, both of them come out to be equally armed and capable. One exceeds with modern features and capable hardware whereas the other gets the basics right with a solid software experience. However, instead of leaving you at a dilemma, we will elect one as the slightly better option depending on what you prefer — If you are a geek and care about things such as timely Android updates and a slick user experience, then the Mi A1 is your best bet. It might fall behind in terms of aesthetics and camera performance but is otherwise a reliable companion on an everyday basis. However, if you like a lively and customisable user experience and a pair of extremely capable of cameras, then the Redmi Note 5 Pro makes sense as a better buy. It delivers on all those fronts that makes a casual user happy. Update: We have tested the Redmi Note 5 Pro's Face Unlock feature. Click on Deccan Chronicle and for the latest and. Follow us on ,.
