Univers Freebox offers you today the test of the Xiaomi Redmi 10, a smartphone for small budgets that had something to attract attention. With this model, the Chinese manufacturer was indeed showing its desire to “reinvent” the entry-level experience.
Before going to the test, here are the main technical characteristics of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 which costs 179 euros in cash at Free Mobile for a 4 + 64 GB configuration. It can also be obtained for 4.99 euros per month as part of the ‘Free Flex offer.
Xiaomi Redmi 10 technical sheet:
Processor: octa-core up to 2.0 GHz (MediaTek Helio G88 chipset)
RAM: 4 or 6 GB of LPDDR4x RAM
Screen: 6.5-inch IPS panel with a definition of 2400 x 1080 pixels
and a 90Hz refresh rate
Audio: dual stereo speaker
Storage: 64 or 128 GB expandable from 512 GB by MicroSD (dedicated slot)
SIM management: two Nano-SIM slots
4G compatibility: support B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / B5 / B7 / B8 / B20 / B28 / B38 / B40 / B41 bands
5G compatibility: no
Quadruple photo sensor on the back in a square block:
50 + 8 + 2 + 2 Megapixels (main + 120 degree ultra wide-angle + macro portrait)
Front photo sensor: 8 Megapixels in a centered punch
3.5 mm headphone jack: yes (top edge)
Charging connection: USB-C (lower edge)
Wi-Fi support: Wi-Fi version 5
Bluetooth connectivity: version 5.1
NFC: yes
Battery: 5,000 mAh non-removable
Wired charging: 18 Watts charging support (22.5 Watts charger supplied)
Wireless charging: no
Operating System: Android 11 with MIUI 12.5 interface
Unlock solutions: facial recognition
or fingerprint reader on the right side
Security patches installed during our test: October 2021
Dimensions: 161.95 x 75.53 x 8.92 mm
Weight: 181 grams
Head SAR: 0.586 W / kg
Trunk SAR: 0.978 W / kg
SAR limbs: 1.992 W / kg
An entry-level smartphone that makes a good impression
We are facing a smartphone at 179 euros. And yet, several people interviewed by us saw in him a smartphone at 350-400 euros. It must be said that the finish of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 is exemplary in terms of its price positioning (the real one), whether in materials or in the assembly. The first contact is in any case more conclusive than with a Samsung Galaxy A22 5G yet at 259 euros. Better to prevent maniacs on the other hand: the back and the screen quickly and enormously catch fingerprints. The protective case supplied automatically will therefore not be a luxury, and not only to protect the smartphone from drops and scratches.
In the hands, the impression is just as good. No low-end plastic. No hollow sound at the time of a knock-knock on the back. No questionable noise when you run your finger over the buttons. The smartphone really gives a feeling of robustness. Still in terms of handling, the rear photo unit appears really well integrated. It’s not perfect, but more than acceptable at this level of the range.
90 Hz display, dual stereo speaker
The screen of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 ticks a lot of boxes. Its screen is Full HD +, supports 90Hz refresh rate and chooses punch for the front camera. On the other hand, it ignores AMOLED technology with its more vivid colors and deeper blacks.
In terms of functionality, we find the classic Reading Mode (warmer tone) and Dark Mode, but also the settings of the refresh rate (60 or 90 Hz) and the color scheme (standard, saturated or intense). Enough to meet different preferences and different usage scenarios.
On the sound side, we have a double stereo speaker, but nothing extra either. The asymmetry between the top speaker and the bottom speaker is very marked, while the rendering appears too loaded in treble. Good news for those who still have an old wired headset on hand: the mini-jack is present, at the level of the upper edge.
Lots of photo sensors, but two really interesting
The Xiaomi Redmi 10 multiplies the sensors, offering four on the back and one on the front. In fact, the proof is once again made that a good sensor is better than a lot of sensors that do not all provide something relevant in terms of experience. The main 50 Megapixel sensor indeed offers beautiful, well-detailed photos when using the 50 Megapixel mode. The ultra-wide-angle sensor helps out on occasion, but distorts a little too much. The two 2 Megapixel sensors are mainly there to inflate the technical sheet. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 is finally quickly dropped when the brightness runs out. It is clearly not a night owl. As for the 8 Megapixel sensor for selfies, it gets the job done, but nothing fancy either.
Below, a photo speaking of ultra wide angle up to 10x zoom:
*
Two photos with macro mode (“Macro” in the Hamburger menu at the top right):
A photo with background blur (“Portrait” in the options row):
A photo with the 50 Megapixel mode (“Plus / 50M”):
Two night photos, then their versions corrected by the dedicated mode (“More / Night”):
Two selfies with portrait mode:
No 5G
Regarding mobile network compatibility, the Xiaomi Redmi 10 is limited to 4G with dual-SIM management thanks to two Nano-SIM slots at the lower edge. No 5G, however.
Below, flow rates obtained indoors:
And other flow rates, measured outdoors:
Modest performance
With its SoC Helio G88 on board, the Redmi 10 allows you to play, but not in ideal conditions. To the limits in the graphics options are added the loading times a little long and the few jerks at times. Nothing surprising though, with a smartphone for less than 200 euros. Our friend is doing for the daily tasks, but will therefore show his limits in the face of greedy tasks. Good point on the other hand concerning the heating. We did not notice anything in particular. Lukewarm at worst.
The internal memory of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 does not spark. The Disk Speed tool has also confirmed this: 128 MB / s in writing and 177 MB / s in reading. Failing to provide fluidity in all circumstances, the internal memory can be extended by 512 GB, thanks to a dedicated MicroSD slot. What to avoid feeling cramped too quickly.
Good autonomy
The Xiaomi Redmi 10 has a 5,000 mAh battery, a capacity that heralds good autonomy. The first day will indeed be a formality. It will be possible to reach 1 and a half or 2 days depending on the uses.
Below, a follow-up of use: departure at 12:06 p.m. with 100% and arrival the next day at 10 p.m. with 7%
- 45 minutes of streaming with smartphone sound
- 55 minutes of play with smartphone sound
- 1 hour and 55 minutes of YouTube with Bluetooth headphones
- Gmail / Twitter / LinkedIn consultation and alerts
- Internet surfing
- A short call
- SMS / MMS
- 4 app downloads
- 12 app updates
- Pictures
- 1 hour and 30 minutes of 4G sharing
- Flow tests
- Continuous operation of TousAntiCovid
The Xiaomi Redmi 10 supports 18 Watts wired charging. The manufacturer even provides a slightly more powerful block, capable of delivering 22.5 Watts. Note that the smartphone can provide reverse wired charging, with a power of 9 Watts. No wireless charging, however.
Below, a bit long wired charge tracking at the end:
- 9:57 am: 10%
- 10:02 am: 15%
- 10:07 am: 20%
- 10:23 am: 36%
- 10:34 am: 45%
- 11:21 am: 86%
- 11:30 am: 91%
- 11:48 am: 96%
- 12:06 p.m .: 100%
Android 11 with MIUI 12.5
With the Xiaomi Redmi 10 we had a MIUI 12.5 interface based on Android 11.
This is accompanied by some applications and games preinstalled within the framework of commercial partnerships: Amazon Store, Facebook, TikTok, WPS Office, Amazon Music, Trip.com, eBay, Booking.com, LinkedIn, Agoda, AliExpress, Block Puzzle Guardian, Tile Fun, Bubble Shooter with Friends, Jewels Blast, Dust Settle, PUBG Mobile, Lords Mobile, Opera, and Netflix. All this little world can be uninstalled.
It also offers some practical functions, including:
- Advanced management of gestures and shortcuts (on the power button or the fingerprint reader)
- One-handed mode with three diagonals (3.5, 4 and 4.5 inches)
- The choice of whether or not to have the application drawer
- The floating window
- The Game Turbo application to easily manage your games
Let’s finish on the security part. The fingerprint reader on the side is very responsive, with an almost instant landing on the home screen, while facial recognition with the camera takes a bit more time, with a landing after 2- 3 seconds on the home screen. During our test, a 452MB update took us from the July 2021 patches to the October 2021 patches. Not the last ones, but almost.
VERDICT:
Out of the box, the Redmi 10 makes a pretty good impression with an exemplary (but messy) finish, especially given its price positioning below the 200 euros mark. In use, this smartphone does not sparkle, but offers a screen that is pleasant to use, a dual stereo speaker that can be improved but always welcome for multimedia, a main photo sensor that is quickly convincing and honest followers in the absence of be exceptional. Always on the positive side, there is also this MicroSD extension with a dedicated slot, this welcome mini-jack connector and these accessories indeed present in the box (protective shell and charger more powerful than necessary). On the interface side, the Redmi 10 benefits from practical functions and is accompanied by a number of applications, but having the merit of being able to be uninstalled. Finally, there is this charge requiring a good two hours. It is explained by the large capacity in order to guarantee a good autonomy, but also by a choice to contain the final price. This is not ideal in terms of experience, but ultimately forgivable.
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Xiaomi Redmi 10 test available at Free Mobile: what experience with this low-cost smartphone?