Earlier this week, Redmi announced a new smartphone in its brand new entry-level Redmi A-series lineup, the Redmi A1. The phone brings entry-level hardware in a stock Android UI at an affordable price tag. What’s interesting is that the phone does not come with MIUI skin but runs on Android 12 Go Edition, so it should offer a better experience than other MIUI-powered Xiaomi models in its price segment.
Today, we decided to compare two entry-level Redmi smartphones in the Indian market – the Redmi A1 model vs the Redmi 9A Sport. If you recall, the Redmi 9A sport was announced nearly a year ago, but still offers excellent value for money, thanks to the Helio G35 on board.
So, let’s check out how these two smartphones fare against each other.
Redmi A1 vs Redmi 9A Sport
| Redmi A1 | Redmi 9A Sport | |
|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 164.9 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm , 192 g |
164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm, 194 g |
| DISPLAY | 6.52 inches, 700 x 1600 pixels IPS LCD | 6.52 inches, 700 x 1600 pixels IPS LCD |
| PROCESSOR | Mediatek Helio A22 quad-core @ 2.0GHz | Mediatek Helio G35 octa-core @ 2.0GHz |
| MEMORY | 2GB RAM – 32GB ROM | 2GB RAM – 32GB ROM, 3GB RAM – 32GB ROM |
| SOFTWARE | Android 12 GO Edition | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/n, Bluetooth 5 LE, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/n, Bluetooth 5, GPS |
| CAMERA | 8MP + 0.3MP 5 MP f/2.5 front camera |
13MP primary camera 5 MP front camera |
| BATTERY | 5000 mAh, charging at 10W | 5000 mAh, charging at 10W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | 4G, dual SIM | 4G, dual SIM, water repellent |
DESIGN
We have always said that design is a subjective department. Both smartphones come with pretty decent build quality and style. Gone are the days when cheaper smartphones looked cheap. Recently, the $100 phones have started to adopt newer styling and fresh colors that wouldn’t reveal its cheaper identity.
For example, the new Redmi A1 comes in fresh color options of Light Blue, Classic Black, or Light Green. The light colors along with the rounded design give it a pretty good feel. On the other hand, the Redmi 9A Sport comes in Carbon Black, Coral Green, and Metallic Blue. Again, apart from the black color option for the 9A Sport, the remaining two color options give it a premium feel.
The dimensions are more or less similar among both devices. The Redmi A1 comes in a 164.9 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm body while the 9A Sport features a 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm body. Even their weights are similar, 192 grams on the A1 vs 194 grams on the 9A Sport.
However, the rear camera designs differ a bit. The Redmi A1 comes with a dual camera module, which is more like a rectangular design, in line with other phones of 2022. On the other hand, the Redmi Sport 9A comes with an older looking pill shaped design with a single camera module.
Overall, we prefer the design of the newer Redmi A1 model as it looks both modern and fresh. On the other hand, the Redmi 9A sport features a decent design but the camera module design might look a bit old for many users.
DISPLAY
Given that these are entry-level devices, they both feature the exact same entry-level panels too. Both the devices come with a 6.53-inch 720 x 1600 pixels resolution IPS LCD panel with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 400 nits brightness. As mentioned above, these are basic entry-level screens that are found on most phones in this price range. So there is nothing really differentiating between these two devices in the display department.
SPECS
This is one area where the two phones differ significantly. The newer Redmi A1 model comes with a Helio A22 chipset, which is a quad-core entry-level chipset. On the other hand, the Redmi 9A Sport brings a lot more power, thanks to the Helio G35 chip on board featuring an octa-core architecture clocked at 2.0GHz.
While the Redmi A1 maxes out at 2GB RAM and 32GB of storage, the 9A Sport brings even more powerful 3GB RAM and 32GB storage options.
Notably, both phones feature a dedicated MicroSD Card slot.
While entry-level phones are not meant for gaming or highly intensive tasks, but its clear that the Redmi 9A Sport has an advantage in the processing department with a much more powerful chipset.
However, the Redmi A1 might still offer a smooth user experience because it’s powered by Google’s Android 12 Go edition. On the other hand, the Redmi 9A Sport still runs on Android 10-based MIUI 12.
CAMERAS
Like other smartphones in this price segment, cameras will never be the biggest selling point of these devices. The Redmi A1 brings a dual camera setup with an 8MP primary camera. But the second camera is just for show. That’s because the secondary camera on board is a 0.3MP shooter.
On the other hand, the Redmi 9A Sport comes with a 13MP single primary shooter at the back.
As for selfies, both phones come with a 5MP front-facing camera.
It’s hard to say which one would be better off in the camera department, but the Redmi 9A Sport could have an edge in this department, despite featuring a single camera at the back.
BATTERY
Both phones come with a 5000mAh battery on board and come with a 10W charger in the box.
PRICING
The Redmi A1 was launched in a single 2GB + 32GB memory configuration priced at ₹6,499 ($81) in India. On the other hand, the Redmi 9A Sport’s 2GB RAM and 32GB storage variant can be bought for a similar ₹6999($88) price in India.
Overall, if you look at the specs alone, the Redmi 9A Sport still looks like a better buy despite being a year-old device. It comes with a much more powerful Helio G35 chipset which offers faster processing power. On the other hand, the Redmi A1 with its Android Go edition onboard also makes a compelling case without all the bloatware that you usually find on MIUI OS.
Redmi A1 vs Redmi 9A Sport: Pros and Cons
Redmi A1
Pros
- Fresh colors and modern Design
- Cleaner Android GO OS
- Cheaper
Cons
- Slower Processor
Redmi 9A Sport
Pros
- Faster Processor
Cons
- Older Design
