The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the BLU G71 and Xiaomi Redmi 10C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take drastically different approaches to achieving this, particularly in their core processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi 10C is the clear winner. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a substantial performance advantage over the BLU G71’s older Cortex-A53 CPU. While the G71 may appeal to those prioritizing absolute minimal cost, the Redmi 10C’s faster charging and improved efficiency make it a more practical choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 19. Released 2021, February 19 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Red | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | - | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 80 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
BLU G71
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Functional for basic communication tasks
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Redmi 10C
- Slow 10W charging
- Older CPU architecture
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- 18W fast charging
- Improved multitasking and app responsiveness
- May be slightly more expensive than the BLU G71
- Software experience can vary (MIUI)
- Build quality may not be premium
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the provided data, a detailed display comparison is limited. However, it's reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on the underlying performance that drives the user interface displayed on these screens.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s common for phones in this price range to prioritize megapixel count over sensor size and image quality. We can assume both devices will feature a primary camera and potentially additional sensors of lower resolution. The Redmi 10C’s more powerful chipset likely allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in better photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The G71's older processor may struggle with complex image algorithms.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a modern chipset featuring a combination of 2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. This contrasts sharply with the BLU G71’s Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, an older architecture known for its lower efficiency and processing power. The 6nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 680 also contributes to better thermal management and power efficiency, meaning sustained performance is likely higher on the Redmi 10C. Users will notice a substantial difference in app loading times, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, the charging wattage provides a clear advantage to the Redmi 10C. Its 18W wired charging is significantly faster than the BLU G71’s 10W charging. This translates to a quicker top-up time, reducing downtime and increasing usability. Even with a similar battery capacity, the Snapdragon 680’s improved efficiency could result in longer battery life on the Redmi 10C, as it consumes less power during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU G71 if you need a smartphone solely for basic communication – calls, texts, and light app usage – and are operating on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10C if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday tasks, occasional gaming, and appreciate the convenience of faster 18W charging. The Redmi 10C is the better option for anyone who doesn't want to constantly fight with a sluggish phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 10C handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi 10C is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but likely at medium graphics settings and frame rates. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense scenes. The BLU G71’s Cortex-A53 CPU would struggle significantly with these titles.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the BLU G71 noticeably slow in daily use?
Yes, 10W charging is considerably slower than the 18W charging on the Redmi 10C. Expect a full charge to take significantly longer – potentially over 3 hours – compared to the Redmi 10C’s faster charging time. This can be inconvenient for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi 10C get hot during prolonged use?
The Snapdragon 680 is built on a 6nm process, which is more efficient than older nodes. While it can get warm during extended gaming or heavy multitasking, it’s less prone to overheating and throttling compared to the BLU G71’s older Cortex-A53 processor.
