While premium smartphones continue to set the benchmark high for mobile phone innovations, brands like Xiaomi haven't lost focus of the entry-level segment, which attracts the masses in India. As Chinese brands have disrupted the market, Indian companies have taken a major hit. But one of the biggest Indian-origin mobile brands, Micromax, is fighting back to regain consumers' confidence.
Micromax's online sub-brand called YU Mobiles has been off the grid for almost a year, but it is now back with the launch of ultra-affordable YU Ace smartphone, which challenges Xiaomi's popular Redmi 5A. YU, at the launch of Ace smartphone on Thursday, took a jibe at Xiaomi with the punch-line "forget M I. Yu Decide."
YU Ace, like the Redmi 5A, comes in 2GB + 16GB configuration that is priced Rs 5,999. Despite the similar pricing, YU Ace offers some extras that could convince consumers to go for Micromax's offering instead of Xiaomi Redmi 5A. Let us take a look at how both smartphones fair against each other.
Design and display
Xiaomi Redmi 5A comes with a polycarbonate back with a metallic look, while the YU Ace shiny back that looks like glass. The display on the YU Ace is slightly bigger than the one found on the Redmi 5A. YU Ace offers a 5.4-inch HD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio whereas the Redmi 5A comes with a 5-inch HD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio.
The YU Ace complies with the trending tall display unlike the Redmi 5A with thick bezels around the display.
Camera
The camera configuration on both phones is identical. There's a 13MP rear-facing camera on YU Ace as well the Redmi 5A and the front camera on both phones comes equipped with a 5MP sensor. We've reviewed the Redmi 5A where you can check out our camera samples, and we are waiting to see if the YU Ace matches or exceeds Xiaomi Redmi 5A's camera.
CPU, RAM, Storage
Xiaomi's phones in India always run Qualcomm chipsets. The Redmi 5A is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset, which is paired with 2GB/3GB RAM, which handles day-to-day operations pretty easily. On the other hand, YU Ace comes with MediaTek MT6739WW chipset with 2GB RAM. We are yet to test its performance.
On the storage front, both phones have 16GB onboard storage. Also, both phones run Android Oreo, but the Xiaomi handset uses its own custom skin MIUI on top of it.
Battery
Xiaomi Redmi 5A sports a 3,000mAh battery, which can easily last a day with mixed usage. As for the YU Ace, there's a bigger 4,000mAh unit that can outperform the Redmi 5A. As said earlier, we are yet to test the handset to confirm the same.
Add-ons
YU Ace really takes the lead on this one by offering a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and Face Unlock feature, which is standard in most phones these days but the Redmi 5A fails to offer them. In this regard, YU Ace offers better value for money. Both phones have dual SIM card slots, 4G support and standard connectivity options.
Availability
Xiaomi Redmi 5A is available on Mi.com and Flipkart. But the handset is currently out-of-stock. YU Ace, on the other hand, will be available exclusively on Flipkart starting September 6, 2018. Given the low pricing and great specs, it is likely to be a flash sale, so be prepared.
