Redmi A2+ Review: A Practical Budget Smartphone

August 6, 2023

Picture this – the ultimate budget-friendly phone that not only fits your wallet but also works well. Enter the Redmi A2 series by Xiaomi, the most affordable gem in the company’s smartphone lineup, with the price starting at a jaw-dropping 10,499. It consists of two phones – Redmi A1 and A1 Plus which are the successors to last year’s A1 and A1 Plus. In this review, I’ll be talking about the Redmi A2 Plus, which is basically the A2 but with a fingerprint scanner.

I used the Redmi A2+ for quite a month, so let me share my firsthand experience and insights to help you make an informed decision. Now, let’s dive in and explore what this budget-friendly gem has to offer!

Redmi A2+ Specifications:

Dimensions: 164.9 mm x 76.8 mm x 9.1 mm, 192 gm, glass front/plastic back
Display: 6.52-inch LCD panel, 60Hz refresh rate, 400 nits brightness(peak)
Resolution: 720 x 1600 pixels, 269 PPI, 20:9 aspect ratio
Chipset: MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm)
CPU: Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU: PowerVR GE8320
Memory: 2/3GB LPDDR4X RAM, 32GB storage (expandable up to 1TB)
Software & UI: Android 13 Go-Edition
Rear Camera: Dual (with LED flash);
– 8MP f/1.8 primary lens
– Depth sensor
Front Camera: 5MP f/2.2 (water-drop)
Audio: single speaker
Biometrics: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, 3.5mm headphone jack, micro-USB port
Battery: 5000mAh with 10W Charging
Color Options: Light Blue, Light Green, Black
What’s Inside The Box: Redmi A2+, USB-A to micro-USB cable, 10W power adapter, SIM ejector tool, User manual, and other documents
Price in Nepal: NPR 11,499 (2/32GB), 11,999 (3/64GB)

Buy Redmi A2+ Here

Redmi A2+ Full Review

Design and Build

164.9 mm x 76.8 mm x 9.1 mm (192 gm)
Plastic Back, Plastic frames

As a consumer looking for a budget-friendly smartphone, I find the design and build quality of the Redmi A2+ quite impressive. It brings back a sense of nostalgia with its resemblance to the A1 variant. The cute color options and leather-like textured finish add a touch of elegance to the phone. It comes in light green, black, and a soothing baby blue color, which you personally find appealing.

On the positive side, I’m glad that the fingerprint sensor is included in the A2+, as it is the only feature that sets it apart from the A2-only variant. The camera placement is also similar to the previous version and looks great. The speaker is positioned at the top, providing loud and clear audio. Moreover, it has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, allowing you to use earphones, which is not common in many modern phones.

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One thing I was hoping for in this upgraded version was a Type-C port, but unfortunately, Redmi still went with the micro-USB port. That was a bit disappointing since most phones nowadays come with Type-C, offering faster charging and data transfer speeds.

Display

6.52” HD+ LCD
60Hz refresh rate

When it comes to the display, the Redmi A2+ comes with its 6.52-inch LCD screen, offering the same quality as the A1 variant but at a lower price. It boasts a decent HD resolution, making YouTube videos look not that bad, considering its budget-friendly aspect. For basic usage like scrolling through Facebook & Instagram and playing YouTube, the display quality is quite acceptable.

However, I must admit that for users like me who enjoy watching Netflix and Prime TV, the display does have its limitations. It can only handle SD-resolution content, which is a bit of a downer. I would say that Redmi A2+ is made for everyday tasks and casual media consumption, where it still manages to deliver a satisfactory experience.

So, while this display might not be the top recommendation for heavy media consumption, it definitely punches above its weight for its price range, offering a delightful viewing experience for everyday use. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between affordability and functionality!

Performance

MediaTek Helio G36 4G (12nm)
Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53
PowerVR GE8320 GPU

When it comes to the performance of the Redmi A2+, Xiaomi has made some improvements from the A1 variant. The phone now features the Mediatek Helio G36 octa-core chipset, which is quite commendable for its budget-friendly nature. I played low-end games like Piano Tiles and Temple Run, and the performance was smooth without any lag, and I was quite satisfied.

However, it’s essential to keep realistic expectations, especially for heavy gaming enthusiasts. While the Helio G36 chipset is an upgrade, it still is not ideal for running high-end games like PUBG. During my testing, I noticed that even average games like Subway Surfer didn’t offer a completely smooth experience. The phone comes with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, which is not sufficient for installing and running high-end games. However, we also get a 3GB RAM and 64GB storage variant.

I tried scrolling through the TikTok app on the Redmi A2+, and it felt a bit laggy to me, which was unexpected. Initially, the phone seemed OK for the first couple of days, but after using it for a month, the performance degraded. Thus, it is only reliable for basic tasks like scrolling through Facebook and making calls.

One helpful tip is to install “lite” versions of applications for a smoother experience. Overall, for basic tasks, the Redmi A2+ is suitable, but it might not be the best choice for those who are heavy smartphone users.

Software and UI

Android 13 Go-Edition
MIUI

Xiaomi has provided Android 13 on the Redmi A2+, based on the GO edition. As a result, it includes only essential Android features and doesn’t have excessive bloatware.

However, one drawback I noticed is that background apps don’t run smoothly on this version. This can make multitasking a bit cumbersome. Despite this limitation, the Redmi A2+ still offers a decent user experience for basic tasks. The GO edition strikes a balance between functionality and the phone’s processing power. It may have some limitations, but it provides the necessary features for everyday use.

The Redmi A2+ supports only Wi-Fi 4G and single-band Bluetooth, operating on the 2.4 GHz frequency. It’s only suitable if you don’t heavily rely on high-speed internet or advanced Bluetooth peripherals.

Cameras

Dual (8MP + 0.08 MP depth)
5MP selfie

Normal images

The camera performance is quite inconsistent, and it struggles to maintain consistent exposure in different lighting conditions. Furthermore, when zooming in, the pictures lack details and clarity.

Redmi A2+ Daytime

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Portrait images

As you can see, the Redmi A2+ faces challenges in properly detecting edges in portraits, resulting in less accurate portrait shots. Additionally, similar exposure issues persist just like in normal images; the camera struggles to maintain consistent exposures.

Portrait

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Selfie images

The Redmi A2+ features a 5MP front camera, which performs decently for basic selfie needs. While it may not deliver exceptional results or stand out in terms of clarity and vibrancy, it manages to provide passable selfie shots. The images appear slightly washed out, but considering its budget-friendly price, it’s understandable.

Selfies

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Lowlight images

In low light conditions, the Redmi A2+ suffers from significant noise. Additionally, the lack of sharpness in objects further impacts the overall image quality. These issues can be a drawback for those looking to capture clear and detailed photos, especially in challenging lighting situations.

Lowlight images

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Videography

Getting to the videos, the phone can only record 1080p 30fps videos from both the front and back. The videos came out extremely shaky and also, and the Redmi A2+ cannot maintain the lighting and exposure in the videos as well.

Battery

Non-removable Li-Po 5000mAh battery
10W charging

I am quite impressed with the Redmi A2+’s battery aspect, as it comes with a 5000 mAh battery. It is one of the strongest features of this budget smartphone Redmi A2+. I experienced using it for an entire day and still had some charge left with normal usage. Even on days when I spent hours scrolling through social media, the battery easily lasted a full day.

However, one downside is that it comes with a 10W charger so, it takes a bit longer to charge the phone fully.

Redmi A2+ for Primary Use: The Conclusion

As for myself, I would not consider purchasing the Redmi A2+ for my primary use. From my own experience, I believe it is best suited as a secondary smartphone. If I were looking for a budget-friendly option to fulfill basic needs such as making calls, occasionally social media scrolling, and watching YouTube videos, the Redmi A2+ would be a practical choice. Additionally, for individuals like office workers who require dual smartphones, this phone could serve as one of the best secondary options.

However, if I anticipate heavy usage or multitasking, the Redmi A2+ might not be the most suitable choice due to its limitations. The display may not be as satisfactory for tasks that require higher resolution; performance and storage capacity are also insufficient.

In summary, the Redmi A2+ serves well for essential tasks and basic use only and not for heavy usage and more demanding tasks. Nonetheless, for its price range, it offers a practical solution for individuals seeking a budget-friendly smartphone.