The Request: Hi Steve, please, between the itel A90, City 100 and the Redmi A5, which would you recommend for a mother of twin boys? Can you please compare them?
The above was the request, in which our reader mentioned three devices: the itel A90, the City 100, and the Redmi A5 from Xiaomi. But as you can see on the post heading, the itel A90 got filtered out even before the comparison began. The reason for this is because the a90, even though it is currently pricier than the base model of the Redmi A5, it lags behind the other two in display size, battery capacity, and even processing power, as a result, it got filtered out.
So in the article, I will be comprising only the itel City 100 to the Redmi A5, both of which have almost everything in common; from processing power, to display, as well as battery power, and in the end, I will make my recommendation based on my personal experience with the two brands. So, lets go.
itel City 100 or Redmi A5: Which is a Better Buy
Design and Build
Starting from design and build quality, the itel City 100 is the slimmer and lighter device, measuring 167.7 x 77.5 x 7.7 mm and weighing 185g. It also has a slight touch of ruggedness, since it has IP64 protection, meaning it’s dust-tight and resistant to water splashes. It is also drop-resistant up to 1.5 meters, a bonus if you’re worried about everyday drops.
Redmi A5, on the other hand, is slightly larger and heavier at 171.7 x 77.8 x 8.3 mm and 193g. It comes with basic splash resistance but lacks the full IP rating of the City 100. If you value durability, itel takes the lead here.
Verdict: itel City 100 wins for its slimmer build and better durability rating.
Display
The itel City 100 comes with a 6.75-inch IPS LCD that supports a 90Hz refresh rate and hits 700 nits of peak brightness. That’s a big plus if you’re often outdoors or using your phone in bright environments. The HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels) gives you decent sharpness for everyday tasks like reading, browsing, and watching videos.
Now, the Redmi A5 takes things up a notch on paper with a 6.88-inch display and a 120Hz refresh rate, which means smoother scrolling and animations. But its typical brightness is only 450 nits, which might be noticeable under direct sunlight.
So while the Redmi A5 gives you a larger, smoother display, the itel City 100 gives you better visibility in bright light. In the real world, that brightness difference might matter more than the refresh rate, especially if you’re not playing a lot of fast-paced games.
Bottom line: Redmi A5 wins for smoothness, itel wins for outdoor readability.
Performance and Software
Both phones are powered by the same Unisoc T7250 chipset, with an octa-core CPU and Mali-G57 MP1 GPU. In daily use, you can expect similar performance; good enough for social media, messaging, and light multitasking, but not built for heavy gaming or video editing.
Where things get interesting is in memory and software: The itel City 100 offers more flexibility, with options up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, and it uses UFS 2.2, which is noticeably faster than older storage types, like the one found on the Redmi A5.
The Redmi A5, by contrast, maxes out at 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, and it uses eMMC 5.1, which is slower when it comes to file transfers and app loading.
When it comes to software, Redmi A5 pulls ahead. It runs Android 15 (Go edition) and promises two major Android upgrades, which is rare in this price range. The itel City 100 ships with Android 14 and Pure OS 14.5, which may not be as future-proof given the company’s history.
Bottom line: itel is better for multitasking and storage; Redmi A5 is better for long-term software support.
Camera
Here’s where the difference is a bit more clear. The Redmi A5 packs a 32MP main camera that should takes sharper and more detailed photos, especially in good lighting. Apart from the Redmi A4, all other generation of the Redmi A-series have always shipped with an 8-megapixel main camera. So a leap to 32MP is a major leap for the series. The model supports HDR and 1080p video recording, which adds more value for casual photography and social media.
The itel City 100 comes with a 13MP main shooter, and while it handles basic tasks like scanning documents and taking daytime shots, it doesn’t compete with the Redmi in terms of clarity or detail. Both phones have 8MP selfie cameras, but only Redmi mentions support for HDR and full HD video recording on the front cam.
If you love taking photos or plan to use your phone for video calls or vlogs, the Redmi A5 is the obvious winner here.
Bottom line: Redmi A5 takes the lead with a much better rear camera and full HD video on both sides.
Battery and Charging
Both phones come with a solid 5200mAh battery, which is more than enough to get most people through a full day of moderate use; and maybe even a second day if you’re conservative.
When it comes to charging, the itel City 100 supports 18W wired charging and reverse charging, meaning it can act like a power bank in a pinch. The Redmi A5 supports 15W wired charging, which is slightly slower and doesn’t include reverse charging.
So if faster charging and the ability to top up another device are important to you, the itel City 100 offers more. You also getting a side-mounted fingerprint scanner on both. Also, the City 100 comes with a magnetic loudspeaker, an option not available on the Redmi A5, but you could always use any external speaker on any phone.
Bottom line: Both have strong batteries, but itel gives you faster and more flexible charging options.
My Recommendations
Choose the itel City 100 if you:
- Want more memory and faster storage (UFS 2.2)
- Prefer better build quality with splash and drop protection
- Need reverse charging or an infrared port
- Value a slightly brighter screen and lighter device
Choose the Redmi A5 if you:
- Care more about camera performance
- Want a smoother display experience (120Hz)
- Need better wireless connectivity and FM radio
- Like longer software support (2 major upgrades promised)
Final Verdict
So as mentioned from the introduction, it is not a straight win for either of these devices: If performance and rugged build are your top priorities, go with the itel City 100. But if you want a better camera, smoother display, and longer software life, then the Redmi A5 makes more sense.
Your choice depends on what matters most: durability and power (itel) or camera and software updates (Redmi). Either way, both are solid for their price. And talking about pricing, here is how both phones compare:
Pricing in Nigeria (May 2025)
- Redmi A5 (3GB+64GB): From ₦89,999
- Redmi A5 (4GB+128GB): ₦108,789
- itel City 100 (4GB+128GB): From ₦115,480
Verdict: Redmi A5 is more affordable, even for similar memory/storage configurations. But the 7K difference is well compensated for by the built quality and better display brightness nits on the itel City 100.
