Early Verdict: Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 10 5G is shaping up to be an accessible 5G device, based on our unboxing on it for the version offered in the Philippines. Its specs tick all the boxes of what you’d expect from an entry-level 5G device. However, the price of its competitors will determine just how accessible this 5G device can be.
Pros
- 5G under Php 10K
- Hi-Res quality audio for plugged headsets
Cons
- The display is a downgrade from the Redmi Note 10 Pro
- Mono-speaker
Redmi Note 10 5G Specs
- Mediatek Dimensity 700 5G
- 4GB / 8GB RAM
- 128GB
- 6.5-inch FHD+ IPS LCD DotDisplay, 2400×1080 resolution, 90Hz refresh rate
- 48-megapixel main camera f/1.79, 2-megapixel macro camera, 2-megapixel depth sensor f/2.4
- 8-megapixel f/2.0
- 4G / 5G
- Wifi, Bluetooth 5.1, side-mounted fingerprint scanners
- 5000 mAh, 18W fast-charging
- Android 11, MIUI 12
Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 10 5G hopes to position itself as an accessible 5G device. Will its specs live up to that title or should we wait until a budget-friendlier alternative comes along? Read our Redmi Note 10 5G Hands-on review to find out:
Unboxing and Packaging Contents
The Redmi Note 10 5G‘s is packaged in a box that shows you how the device looks like in its three other colorways. While our review unit comes in Graphite Gray, other color options include Chrome Silver and Nighttime Blue.
Inside the box you get a 22.5W charging brick, charging cable, a protective case, a sim ejector, a quick start guide, and its warranty card.
Design and Display
Compared to the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the Redmi Note 10 5G drops the glossy finish and sports a matte plastic rear that looks more premium. So getting fingerprints on its back shouldn’t be an issue. The camera module is also slightly different considering that it only has three cameras.
The fingerprint scanner that doubles as a power button is located on the device’s right side below the volume buttons. You also get the option of using AI face unlock if you prefer that over the fingerprint scanner.
On its left side is a hybrid SIM tray that can accommodate two SIMS or a MicroSD card. Our unit gets a 4GB/128GB memory configuration, though the phone will also be available in an 8GB/128GB memory configuration.
You get a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top where the IR blaster and another mic are placed. Soundwise, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G gets a built-in mono speaker. Plugging in a headphone may offer better sound quality thanks to its Hi-Res Audio Certification.
For charging, the Redmi Note 10 5G has a USB Type-C charging port that is flanked by a speaker grille and microphone pinhole.
The Redmi Note 10 comes with a 6.5-inch FHD+ IPS LCD Dot display with a 90 Hz refresh rate. This is a downgrade from the Redmi Note 10 which comes with an AMOLED screen and a higher refresh rate. The selfie camera is housed in a punch-hole notch near the top, at the middle.
Because not all content is made the same, the smartphone’s AdaptiveSync display comes into play to automatically adjust your screen whether you’re scrolling through your social media feed at 60 Hz or if you’re playing games to 90 Hz. Users are promised a smooth experience without draining much of the device’s battery.
Cameras
On the back of the device is a triple camera module. For its main camera, it gets a 48-megapixel sensor, accompanied by a 2-megapixel macro camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. Seeing that the Redmi Note 10 Pro comes with a better set of cameras, this version forgoes offering larger sensors to draw users who prefer their phones with a good camera. This is most likely Redmi had to compromise in order to strike a balance for price and 5G capability.
However, just because this 5G phone doesn’t sport a 108-megapixel camera doesn’t mean that it’s all bad – though we’ll still have to see what the cameras can do in our full review. It does however still come with several shooting options for those who like to use their smartphones for creative shoots, including night mode shooting as well as slow-motion and time-lapse shooting modes.Â
Performance, Software, and battery
Powering the Redmi Note 10 5G is a Mediatek Dimensity 700 5G chip made with a 7nm process. This allows the device to deliver high performance while consuming less power.
Most budget 5G phones nowadays run MediaTek’s 5G-capable Dimensity line of SoCs. The Dimensity 700 is equipped with high-performance Arm Cortex-A76 cores that have clock speeds of up to 2.2GHz, and low-performance Arm Cortex-A55 cores that run up to 2GHz. It comes with an Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and only has support for 90Hz refresh rates, which explains the panel on the phone. It stacks up well VS Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 480 chipset on similarly-specc’d phones.
Speaking of power, this comes with a 5000 mAh battery that comes with 18W fast charging.
Wrap-up and early verdict
Our Redmi Note 10 5G hands-on review lets us see if this device is good enough to be considered a 5G device for all. So far its specs should be enough to tick all the boxes of what you’d expect from an entry-level 5G smartphone. This does come at the price of shedding better specs like improved cameras compared to the Redmi Note 10 Pro version. The Redmi Note 10 5G may face close competition to another Xiaomi 5G device that’s also targeting the same demographic.
Stick around for our full review as this should tell us if its specs and price are enough for the Redmi Note 10 5G to own the title of “5G-for-all.”
Redmi Note 10 5G Redmi Note 10 5G Unboxing Price Philippines
Redmi Note 10 5G in the Philippines will come in two variants – 4GB+128GB, and 8GB+128GB and will retail at Php 9,990 and Php 11,490 respectively. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 10S 8+128GB variant will be available at PHP 11,990. Both products will be available on Lazada, Shopee, and Authorized Mi Stores and official retailers starting June 5, 2021.
