The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the Coolpad Cool 10A and Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G are two key contenders. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take drastically different approaches to achieving this, particularly in their core processing power. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and smoother performance, the Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Coolpad’s Unisoc SC9863A, making it better suited for multitasking, gaming, and handling demanding applications. However, the Coolpad remains a viable option for basic users on a very tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 29. Released 2021, March 29 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76 x 8.8 mm (6.50 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Graphite Gray, Chrome Silver, Aurora Green |
| Models | - | 22041219G, 22041219NY |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Coolpad Cool 10A
- Extremely affordable price point.
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
- Likely long battery life due to efficient processor (though slow to charge).
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Redmi 10 5G.
- Outdated 28nm chipset.
- Slow 10W charging.
Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G
- Superior performance thanks to the Dimensity 700 chipset.
- Faster 18W charging.
- Better 5G connectivity and future-proofing.
- Slightly higher price than the Coolpad Cool 10A.
- May still exhibit some performance limitations with very demanding games.
- Likely similar display quality to the Coolpad.
Display Comparison
Neither Coolpad nor Xiaomi provide detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given the price points, we can infer both likely utilize LCD panels. The Redmi 10 5G, benefiting from a more modern chipset, may have a slightly higher peak brightness and potentially better color calibration. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting cost-saving measures in both designs. The absence of high refresh rate technology is expected in this segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The Redmi 10 5G likely benefits from the image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 700, potentially offering better image processing and noise reduction. The Cool 10A’s Unisoc chipset likely has a less capable ISP. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and should not be a deciding factor.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, fabricated on a 7nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the Coolpad Cool 10A’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) provide a much stronger single-core performance boost compared to the Cool 10A’s Cortex-A55 cores (4x1.6 GHz & 4x1.2 GHz). This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load. The Cool 10A will struggle with demanding tasks and may exhibit noticeable lag.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both phones likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this price bracket. The key difference lies in charging speed: the Redmi 10 5G supports 18W wired charging, while the Cool 10A is limited to 10W. This means the Redmi 10 5G will charge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity is always preferable, the faster charging of the Redmi 10 5G effectively mitigates any potential difference in overall battery life for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 10A if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, enjoy mobile gaming occasionally, and want a device that will remain usable for a longer period thanks to its superior processing capabilities and 5G connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the Coolpad Cool 10A struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
While the Coolpad Cool 10A can run basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, you may experience noticeable lag and slower loading times, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. The Unisoc SC9863A is simply not powerful enough for a fluid multitasking experience.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Redmi 10 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing feature?
The 5G connectivity on the Redmi 10 5G is genuinely useful if you live in an area with 5G coverage. It provides significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G, enabling smoother streaming, faster downloads, and a more responsive online experience. However, its benefit is dependent on network availability.
❓ Can I play PUBG Mobile on either of these phones?
PUBG Mobile is playable on both phones, but the experience will differ drastically. The Redmi 10 5G, with its Dimensity 700, can run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The Coolpad Cool 10A will likely struggle even at the lowest settings, with significant frame drops and lag.
