Xiaomi just pulled the wraps off the Redmi A5 here in the Philippines, and if you’ve been on the lookout for a seriously budget-friendly smartphone that doesn’t skimp too much on the essentials, this might just catch your eye. Forget the speculation from last week about a slightly higher starting price, because the official figures are looking pretty compelling.
Ready to talk numbers? The Redmi A5 kicks off at just P3,599 (roughly $65) for the base model, which comes with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. If you need a little more wiggle room, the variant with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage will set you back P4,099 ($74). Those are aggressive price points, for sure.
So when can you get your hands on one? The Redmi A5 goes live online starting May 20 via Xiaomi’s official Shopee and Lazada stores. If you prefer the brick-and-mortar experience, units will hit authorized Mi Stores nationwide a few days later, beginning May 23. You’ll have your pick of four colors: Midnight Black, Sandy Gold, Lake Green, and Ocean Blue.
This launch arrives as Xiaomi continues to be a significant force in the Philippine smartphone market. While some competitors faced challenges, data for the first quarter of 2025 indicates the company was the only major vendor to record positive year-on-year growth in the country. The consistent release of accessible devices such as the Redmi A5, which aim to package desirable features at lower price points, appears to be a key factor in maintaining that market momentum, particularly within the budget segment popular with many Filipino buyers.
Diving a bit deeper into what the Redmi A5 brings to the table, it sports a refreshed look that ditches the old circular camera module for a more modern pill-shaped cutout and a slick matte finish on the back of the Midnight Black and Sandy Gold variants. The Lake Green and Ocean Blue versions get a neat veined pattern.
Powering the smartphone is an octa-core UNISOC T7250 processor, which Xiaomi touts can hit a respectable Antutu score north of 260,000. Paired with up to 8GB of RAM via memory extension, it should handle everyday tasks and maybe even some light gaming without too much fuss.
The camera setup sees a pretty significant bump, too, now featuring a 32-megapixel AI dual camera on the back. Xiaomi says the larger sensor helps pull in more light for better low-light shots, and it’s supposed to handle tricky backlit situations well. Selfies are covered by an upgraded 8-megapixel front camera, which even uses a soft-light ring from the display for better-lit shots in dim environments. Keeping the lights on is a substantial 5200mAh battery that Xiaomi claims is good for over 20 hours of video playback. You also get a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, face unlock, and yes, blessedly, a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Redmi A5 specs
- 6.88-inch LCD display, HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
- 12nm Unisoc T7250 4G processor
- Mali-G57 MC1 GPU
- 3GB/4GB RAM
- 64GB/128GB storage
- Dual 32-megapixel main, AI rear cameras
- 8-megapixel front camera
- 5,200mAh battery with 15-watt charging
- Android 15 (Go Edition)
- Colors: Sandy Gold, Midnight Black, Ocean Blue, Lake Green
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