Xiaomi Redmi 5A — Full Specifications, Features & Price in Pakistan

The Xiaomi Redmi 5A was 2017's cheapest proper smartphone: a compact 5-inch HD screen, Snapdragon 425 chip, 13MP camera and 3,000mAh battery at a rock-bottom launch price. Discontinued long ago, it now trades as one of the cheapest used phones around. This guide covers its verified specifications — including the features it skips — so you know exactly what a used 5A offers.

Key Specifications at a Glance

Design and Build Quality

At 140.4 x 70.1 x 8.4 mm and just 137 g, the 5A is genuinely compact — a one-hand phone in an era of giants. The build pairs a glass front with an aluminium back and frame, which felt premium for its launch price. There is no fingerprint sensor anywhere on the phone; you unlock with a PIN, pattern or password. Colours documented are Gold, Dark Gray, Rose Gold and Blue.

Display Features

The 5.0-inch IPS LCD runs at 720 x 1280 — classic 16:9 HD at about 296 ppi. It is small and sharp enough for its size, with decent IPS viewing angles. By modern standards the screen is simply tiny, but that is also its charm: this is one of the few phones you can comfortably use one-handed. Brightness is modest, so outdoor readability in strong sun is limited.

Processor and Performance

The Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) is a quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 chip with Adreno 308 graphics — the weakest processor in the 2017 Redmi family. It manages calls, SMS, WhatsApp and light browsing, but even basic multitasking can feel slow, and modern apps open sluggishly. Consider the 3GB RAM version if you can find it; the 2GB version struggles the most. This is a patience-required phone, not a daily driver for anyone in a hurry.

RAM and Storage

Options are 2GB/16GB or 3GB/32GB (eMMC 5.1). One genuine plus: the microSDXC slot is dedicated, so you can run two SIMs and a memory card at the same time — unlike its Redmi 5 sibling. With 16GB base storage, a memory card is practically mandatory for photos and offline media.

Camera Features

The 13MP rear camera (f/2.2, PDAF) with LED flash and HDR takes acceptable daylight photos — surprisingly decent for the cheapest phone of its year. Low light is poor, with heavy noise and no night mode. Video is 1080p at 30fps. The 5MP front camera (f/2.0) is fine for video calls. Keep expectations modest: this camera documents, it does not impress.

Battery and Charging

The 3,000mAh battery was a comfortable full-day cell in 2017 thanks to the small screen and frugal chip. On a used unit nearly a decade old, real capacity will be lower — ask to test it, or budget for a battery replacement at a repair shop. Charging is standard-speed via microUSB.

Software and Updates

Launched on Android 7.1.2 with MIUI 9, upgradable to Android 8.1 with MIUI 12 — and nothing since. No security updates for years means this phone must not handle banking, payments or sensitive logins. Some banking, payment and government apps now require newer Android versions, so verify any essential app still supports Android 8.1 before depending on this phone for it.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Network support is GSM/HSPA/LTE — 4G only. Despite the low price, Xiaomi included an infrared blaster, FM radio and a 3.5mm jack — genuinely useful extras. You get Wi-Fi b/g/n with Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.1, and GPS/GLONASS/BDS. No NFC. Sensors are limited to accelerometer and proximity — no fingerprint, no gyro, no compass.

Variants, Colours and Availability

Configurations are 2GB/16GB and 3GB/32GB in Gold, Dark Gray, Rose Gold and Blue. Discontinued since 2018, so every unit today is used. Xiaomi phones at Zohaan Mobile Gallery list the Redmi 5A at Rs. 15,000 — among the cheapest listings in the store. Confirm the unit's RAM, battery health and physical condition in hand.

Price in Pakistan and PTA Information

Zohaan Mobile Gallery lists the Redmi 5A at Rs. 15,000 on its website (checked 2026-10-11). This listing predates the October 2026 market movement and is not a verified current market price — confirm the latest price with the store. The store page describes the unit as 'brand new, box packed'; this model was discontinued years ago, so treat any listing as used or refurbished and verify condition in hand.

PTA approval belongs to the individual handset, not to the model line. A 2017-2019 Redmi changing hands today may be PTA-approved, tax-payable, or blocked, depending on its own IMEI history. Check the specific unit by sending its IMEI by SMS to 8484 before you pay. Zohaan Mobile Gallery's guide on how to check PTA approval walks through the process.

Main Advantages and Limitations

Main Advantages

• One of the cheapest working smartphones you can buy — ideal spare-phone money.
• Compact, light, one-hand-friendly 5-inch body with aluminium back and frame.
• Dedicated microSD slot: dual SIM plus memory card together.
• IR blaster, FM radio and 3.5mm jack included despite the price.
• Frugal chip and small screen sip battery.

Main Limitations

• No fingerprint sensor — PIN/pattern only.
• Weakest chip of the 2017 Redmi family; noticeably slow with modern apps.
• Years past security updates — never for banking or sensitive accounts.
• 2-3GB RAM, 16-32GB storage; 16GB needs a memory card.
• Tiny screen and modest brightness by modern standards.

Who Should Consider This Phone?

The 5A suits exactly two buyers: someone needing the absolute cheapest working spare phone, or someone wanting a tiny, simple handset for calls and WhatsApp — a child's first phone or a grandparent's easy-to-hold device. Look elsewhere if: you need any speed, a fingerprint sensor, or a phone for daily work — then browse the Xiaomi collection or all mobiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price of Redmi 5A in Pakistan?

Zohaan Mobile Gallery lists it at Rs. 15,000 (checked 2026-10-11) — confirm the current price with the store.

Does the Redmi 5A have a fingerprint sensor?

No. The 5A has no fingerprint sensor — unlike the Redmi 5 and 5 Plus. You unlock it with a PIN, pattern or password.

How is it different from the Redmi 5?

The 5A is smaller (5-inch vs 5.7-inch), slower (Snapdragon 425 vs 450), and lacks a fingerprint sensor — but it is cheaper and has a dedicated microSD slot. The Redmi 5 is the better phone if the price gap is small.

What processor does it use?

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 425: quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 with Adreno 308 graphics.

Is it worth buying in 2026?

Only as an ultra-cheap spare or a simple phone for basic calls and WhatsApp. It is too slow and too outdated to be anyone's main phone.

Is it PTA approved?

PTA status is per-device. Verify the specific unit's IMEI by SMS to 8484 before purchase.

Final Verdict

The Redmi 5A remains what it always was: the cheapest way into a working smartphone. Its compact size, dedicated microSD slot and honest basics still have a niche — but no fingerprint sensor, a slow chip and dead software support confine it to spare-phone duty. At its listed price it is fair value if, and only if, the used unit checks out in hand.

Call to Action

Browse used mobiles at Zohaan Mobile Gallery, read the safe used-phone buying guide, or WhatsApp us at +92 305 8452080 for the confirmed current price and the unit's condition. You can also visit our Rahim Yar Khan store to inspect the phone before you buy.

Because this is a long-discontinued model, buy it the way you would any used phone: inspect the screen, test the battery, speakers, charging port and fingerprint sensor in hand, and confirm the IMEI's PTA status. Zohaan Mobile Gallery's guide to buying a used mobile safely is a good checklist to bring along. The store lists the Redmi 5A at Rs. 15,000 — confirm the current price and the unit's condition before you commit.