Umidigi G5A review
The G5A suits someone who values battery life and a large screen for basic tasks on a tight budget and doesn't mind using an older processor or slow charging. Anyone who multitasks, games, or shoots video should spend a bit more for a newer budget phone with a faster chip and a sharper display.
This review is based on Umidigi’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Umidigi G5A, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Umidigi G5A is a bare-bones budget phone built for essential tasks: calls, texts, browsing, and light apps on a 6.52-inch screen. Its 5000 mAh battery lasts two days on light use and it costs about 70 EUR, making it a solid pick for someone in the global south who prioritizes longevity and value over performance or camera quality.
Design & build
At 195 grams and 8.8 mm thick, the G5A is slim and light for its size—a genuine comfort in hand and pocket. The body feels durable enough for everyday carry, and the 6.52-inch span is large without being unwieldy. Dual Nano-SIM support, FM radio, and a 3.5 mm jack are genuine perks in markets where these remain essential; many competitors at this price have already ditched them. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is responsive and sits in a natural reach. There is no official IP rating, so don't expect water resistance.
Display
The 6.52-inch IPS LCD runs 720 by 1600 pixels, which works out to 269 ppi—visibly soft for text and photos. At this physical size, 720p sits behind what modern budget rivals now ship; a 1080p panel at similar cost is becoming standard below 100 EUR. Colors are reasonably accurate for an LCD, and the 82.7% screen-to-body ratio keeps bezels reasonable, but squinting at fine text or reading small fonts in apps is a real wear point after a day of use.
Performance
The Helio A22 is a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 from 2018, and it shows. Everyday tasks—calls, messaging, social media browsing, light maps—run without hiccups. Switching between apps is smooth enough. But demanding games lag noticeably, and heavy multitasking (multiple browser tabs plus streaming music) will stutter. For 2023, this chipset is already aging; newer budget entrants pair more recent processors that run circles around it. If you value a snappy, responsive phone, you will feel the ceiling quickly.
Software
Android 13 is current for the G5A's 2023 launch, and Umidigi's skin is light on bloat. The OS runs cleanly without intrusive preinstalls, which counts for something on a low-spec device. Updates are not guaranteed; Umidigi's track record on long-term support is weak, so expect this to remain on Android 13 or receive sporadic patches.
Camera
The 13 MP main shooter with f/2.2 aperture and autofocus handles daylight well enough, producing snapshots suitable for social sharing. The LED flash helps in dim indoor lighting. But low-light photos turn grainy fast, and there is no night mode to soften that compromise. Video maxes out at 1080p at 30 fps, which is workable but feels dated; even budget phones now shoot 1080p at 60 fps or higher. The 5 MP selfie camera is fine for video calls but little else.
Battery & charging
The 5000 mAh battery is the G5A's strongest asset. On light to moderate use—messaging, calls, casual browsing—expect 1.5 to 2 days per charge. Heavy social media, video streaming, or games drain it to a single day, but that is normal for any phone. The real sore spot is 10W charging: a full recharge from empty takes three to four hours, which is slow even by 2023 budget standards. Rivals now hit 18–22W for similar money, cutting charge time nearly in half. If you lose charge mid-day, you will lose afternoon productivity waiting by an outlet.
Value & verdict
At about 70 EUR, the G5A sits in the true budget basement, competing with older flagship castoffs and newer ultra-low-cost phones alike. It wins on battery longevity and dual-SIM flexibility, but loses on display clarity, charging speed, and processor snappiness. The lack of 5G and older processor mean it is not future-proofed, but that matters less in markets where mid-tier specs and two-year-old internals are the norm. If your needs are purely calls, messages, light browsing, and offline music with zero gaming, the G5A delivers. If you want a responsive feel or decent video, look elsewhere at the same price.
Verdict
The G5A suits someone who values battery life and a large screen for basic tasks on a tight budget and doesn't mind using an older processor or slow charging. Anyone who multitasks, games, or shoots video should spend a bit more for a newer budget phone with a faster chip and a sharper display.
- 5000 mAh battery with two-day endurance on light use, a genuine advantage at this price point
- Dual SIM, FM radio, and headphone jack still present—useful in regions where these matter
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor and USB Type-C are standard touches that work well
- Helio A22 handles daily tasks without stuttering despite its age
- 10W charging is slow even by budget standards; rivals now push 18–22W, so full recharge takes three to four hours
- 720p display at 6.52 inches is visibly soft; text and detail lack crispness compared to modern budget phones that ship with 1080p at this diagonal
- Helio A22 is already aging; newer budget chips offer noticeably better performance for the same money
Umidigi G5A Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Software | Android 13 |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 8.8 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C |
Umidigi G5A FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the G5A support 5G?
No. The G5A tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the G5A use?
The G5A runs on the Mediatek Helio A22 (12 nm).
What display does the G5A have?
A 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density).
How big is the G5A battery?
The G5A has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 10W wired.
Does the G5A have NFC?
No, the G5A does not list NFC support.
Does the G5A support a microSD card?
Yes, the G5A supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Does the G5A have a headphone jack?
Yes, the G5A has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the G5A isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
G9A
G5 Mecha
G3 Plus
G9T
Galaxy XCover 7
