Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G review

The competition

We've already established that the budget 5G segment is indeed one tiny niche and if you don't need 5G above all else, maybe you should try looking through some of the incredibly feature-rich phones offered by Xiaomi, Realme, Samsung, and others.

But if you are keen on having the fastest cellular connection, then the Redmi Note 10 5G seems like the way to do it. It has an integrated 5G modem with a decent processor and a particularly large battery, all hidden behind a good 90Hz LCD screen. If you like MIUI, then that's a bonus, too.

The 4/64 version of the Redmi Note 10 5G has a starting price of €229, which sounds reasonable. The entry-level 5G market has been expanding rapidly recently, so the Note 10 5G is not alone. Let's explore some of the offers.

The Realme 8 5G is probably the first phone that comes to mind when thinking of 5G on the cheap. It has a similar 90Hz LCD screen, the same Dimensity 700 chip, identical triple camera, and even the 5,000mAh battery with 18W charging is a match. The 6/64 model of the Realme 8 5G will be selling for €179 at launch and after this promotion expires, it will rise to €199 - still cheaper than the Redmi Note 10 5G.

OnePlus Nord N10 5G relies on a similar screen and gaming performance, but it trumps the Redmi Note 10 5G with stereo speakers, an additional ultrawide camera, and much faster charging. The Nord is available in one config only - 6GB/128GB and it costs €250 or as much as the 4GB/128GB Redmi Note 10 5G.

The Moto G50 is also priced closely to the Redmi Note 10 5G and matches most of its specs, including the 90Hz LCD, SoC performance, and battery capacity. It has lower screen resolution but makes up for that with splash-resistant design.

We can't but mention the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G. This one has 6.6" HD Super AMOLED limited to 60Hz, but you can play games really well thanks to the Snapdragon 750 5G chip. The Galaxy has a quad-camera setup on the back with an ultrawide shooter, while it's 5000mAh scored a 144h rating on our battery life test. The 4GB/128GB version of the Galaxy A42 5G costs about €30 or so over the Redmi Note 10 5G.

Realme 8 5G • OnePlus Nord N10 5G • Motorola Moto G50 • Samsung Galaxy A42 5G

We should look through Xiaomi's own offers, too, as there are plenty of inhouse alternatives. Take the Redmi Note 9T for example - it has a faster Dimensity 800U 5G chip, stereo speakers and even a water-repellent coating on the body. The 4GB/64GB Note 9T model is at least €40 cheaper than the Note 10 5G and the only downside is that the screen is limited to 60Hz refresh rate.

Then there is the Poco M3 Pro, which is currently the newest smartphone on the market. It's a Redmi Note 10 5G clone with a different rear panel. Even if it's €20 cheaper via the Mi.com stores, you can buy the Redmi Note 10 5G on third-party websites on the same price, so it's up to you to decide which design suits you better.

And if 5G isn't of such great importance, maybe you want to check the IP53-rated Poco X3 Pro with a 120Hz LCD screen, powerful Snapdragon 860 chip and stereo speakers that costs €220. Or the €250 Redmi Note 10 Pro with a 120Hz AMOLED screen, IP53 design, Snapdragon 732G chipset, stereo speakers, and a 108MP primary camera.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T • Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G • Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro • Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro

The verdict

Well, here we are, at the end of this review, and we still can't find one solid reason why you'd have 5G by compromising screen quality, performance, and camera skills. But if you have one, or more, the Redmi Note 10 5G is indeed one of the most affordable 5G smartphones out there and it won't fail you whatever the task.

Our only advice is to look through all options available to you, as this entry-level market has proven to be incredibly dynamic, and prices go up and down in the blink of an eye. Find the right price with the best features set possible and go for it. There is a good chance it could be the Redmi Note 10 5G - we can recommend it for what it is - an affordable entry-level 5G-enabled phone.

Pros

• 90Hz LCD IPS screen with great contrast.
• Excellent battery life.
• Good speaker quality.
• Smooth MIUI 12.
• Dependable camera day and night.
• Outstanding selfies.
• 5G, 3.5mm jack, IR blaster, NFC, microSD.

Cons

• The screen isn't that bright.
• Mediocre GPU performance.
• No ingress protection.
• No stereo speakers.
• No 4K video recording.