Redmi A4 5G: Affordable 5G Smartphone with a Catch—No Airtel 5G Support

The Redmi A4 5G, one of India’s most affordable 5G smartphones, was recently released, with excellent features and the latest Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 CPU. However, there is a huge limitation: this phone does not support Airtel’s 5G network. Are you wondering why? Let us break it down.

Redmi A4 5G support Airtel 5G

According to the official product website, the Redmi A4 5G is solely designed to support Standalone (SA) 5G networks. However, it is incompatible with Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G, the architecture used by Airtel’s 5G network in India.

Comparison between SA and NSA 5G

• Standalone (SA) 5G: Utilizes specialized 5G network bands and advanced radio technologies solely for 5G, resulting in improved network efficiency.
• Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G: Uses existing 4G LTE infrastructure to implement 5G, making it more cost-effective but less future-proof.

Airtel’s 5G network employs NSA architecture, whereas Jio 5G uses SA. Thus, the Redmi A4 5G is compatible with Jio 5G but not with Airtel 5G.

What Does This Mean for Airtel users

While SA 5G has a minor technological advantage, both SA and NSA 5G can achieve blazing-fast speeds of up to 1Gbps, assuring a flawless user experience. As a result, most consumers may not notice a substantial impact from the lack of Airtel 5G support for the time being.

Interestingly, Airtel is testing SA 5G networks in select cities such as Bhubaneshwar, Rewari, and Chennai, with ambitions to eventually bring them out nationally. However, there is no set timescale for its widespread adoption. Until then, Jio users will have an advantage with the Redmi A4 5G.

Pricing and Availability

• The 4GB/64GB variant costs ₹8,499.
• The 4GB/128GB variant costs ₹9,499.
• Beginning November 27th, it will be available through Amazon, Mi.com, and some offline retailers.

Is the Redmi A4 5G worth

For anyone using Jio 5G, the Redmi A4 5G is a good, affordable option. However, Airtel customers may wish to wait for the company to expand its SA 5G network or consider using an alternate phone that supports NSA architecture.