Budget smartphones are a dime-a-dozen in 2021, but the new Redmi 10 from Xiaomi is potentially one of the most interesting releases so far this year. Trying to craft a good mix of specs and features — all while maintaining a reasonable price — is easier said than done. A company can use a bleeding-edge processor and display, but then camera quality suffers. There could also be outstanding battery life at the expense of a cheap-feeling device. It's a very fine tightrope to walk, and it's one that certain brands do better than others.
Taking a look at budget/affordable Android phones launched in 2021, there's been a nice variety of options. One of the most recent releases is the Google Pixel 5a. It doesn't have the best specs on paper, but it delivers good performance, excellent battery, and unmatched cameras for $449. Another decent option is the Moto G Power (2021). It doesn't have the best cameras or display, but it touts 3-day battery life, expandable storage, and can often be purchased for just $199. Affordable smartphones have gradually gotten better in the U.S., but there are regularly better options available in other parts of the world.
A prime example of this is the recently-announced Xiaomi Redmi 10. Xiaomi is one of the largest smartphone companies on the planet, and while its phones aren't sold in North America, it's become extremely popular in regions like Europe, China, and India. The Redmi 10 is just one of many devices in Xiaomi's portfolio, but it's already shaping up to be one of the company's best values yet for the money.
Why The Xiaomi Redmi 10 Is So Impressive
From a design perspective, the Redmi 10 is a good-looking handset. It comes in few colors (one of which has shifting hues), an intricate camera hump design, and a large 6.5-inch display with minimal bezels. That display touts a Full HD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080, along with a variable refresh rate that can switch between 45Hz, 60Hz, and up to 90Hz. Flipping the phone over, the camera hump houses a 50MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. And, for folks who haven't jumped on the wireless earbud bandwagon yet, there's a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Under the hood, the Redmi 10 keeps impressing. It's powered by a MediaTek Helio G88 processor, 4 or 6GB of RAM, and comes with either 64 or 128GB of storage. Also included is a 5,000 mAh battery (larger than the Pixel 5a) with 18W fast charging — and a fast charger included right in the box.
What makes all of this so compelling is that the Redmi 10 will cost around $179 when it goes on sale on August 20. Smartphones under $200 are pretty uncommon in the U.S., and when they are available, they're often nowhere near the caliber seen by the Redmi 10. That's not to say the Redmi 10 is perfect, but the spec-to-price ratio is undeniably strong. It's disappointing the Redmi 10 won't be coming to the States anytime soon, but here's to hoping other companies use it as inspiration to up their budget strategy regardless.
Source: XDA Developers