The Redmi A4 5G does not support Airtel 5G in India.
The problem arises due to differences between SA and NSA 5G modes used by Jio and Airtel.
Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi A4 5G in India. The device aims to offer 5G connectivity to users at an affordable price. However, the phone is only compatible with Jio 5G, and it does not support Airtel’s 5G network. This is a huge drawback for Airtel users looking for a budget 5G device. Here are the details.
Airtel 5G Not Supported on Redmi A4 5G
Xiaomi’s product page for the Redmi A4 5G mentions that the device only supports SA (standalone) 5G networks. However, Airtel’s 5G network in India is based on the NSA (Non-Standalone) architecture. This makes the Redmi A4 5G incompatible with Airtel 5G, and users can only use Airtel 4G on their phones.
Official product page of Redmi A4 5G
On the other hand, Jio’s 5G network is based on the SA architecture, which is supported by the device. Hence, Redmi A4 5G users will be able to use 5G networks only if they have a Jio SIM.
SA and NSA are two different architectures on which 5G networks are deployed. Here’s a quick explanation of them:
Standalone (SA) 5G: Dedicated network bands are used to deploy 5G. It also uses newer radio technologies, which are exclusively used for 5G.
Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G: It uses the existing infrastructure of LTE 4G. Some frequency bands are shared by NSA 5G and 4G. It is easier to deploy since it uses older radio systems.
SA 5G is comparatively better than NSA 5G. However, users will not experience any major difference in their daily usage. Both technologies are capable of delivering speeds of up to 1Gbps.
So, if you are an Airtel user, keep in mind that you will not be able to use 5G on the Redmi A4 5G. You will have to either get a Jio SIM or port your number from Airtel to Jio.
It is worth noting that Airtel has already announced plans to deploy SA 5G networks in India. However, it is currently being tested in some parts of Chennai, Bhubaneshwar, Rewari, and other cities. It is NOT available widely across India.
Airtel will eventually roll out SA 5G networks all over India. However, the process will take time, and one cannot be sure when it will be available in their city. Hence, the Redmi A4 5G is only suitable for Jio 5G users at the moment.
