The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The HTC A101 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G represent compelling options for users prioritizing affordability and next-generation connectivity. However, significant differences in chipset architecture and display capabilities mean one phone will likely be a better fit depending on your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a more efficient 7nm process, delivers noticeably better performance than the HTC A101’s Unisoc Tiger T618. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Redmi Note 10 5G’s faster 18W charging provides a convenience advantage.
| 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, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 04 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August | Available. Released 2021, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 241.5 x 160.3 x 8.4 mm (9.51 x 6.31 x 0.33 in) | 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 530 g (1.17 lb) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 MP2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Chrome Silver, Graphite Gray, Nighttime Blue, Aurora Green |
| Models | - | M2103K19G, M2103K19C |
| Price | About 300 EUR | € 96.62 / £ 107.59 |
| SAR | - | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1795:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.0 LUFS (Good)
|
HTC A101
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Affordable price point
- Acceptable battery life
- Slower Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited display information
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Potential for software bloat (typical of Xiaomi)
- Build quality may not match more expensive devices
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 492 nits compared to the HTC A101’s unspecified brightness. Both share a 1795:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction quality. However, the Redmi Note 10 5G’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. The lack of detailed display specs for the A101 makes a precise comparison difficult, but the Redmi Note 10 5G clearly has the edge in usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given Xiaomi’s history of incorporating competitive camera systems even in budget devices, it’s reasonable to assume the Redmi Note 10 5G offers a more refined camera experience. The A101’s camera is likely to be a more basic implementation focused on everyday snapshots.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) utilizes more modern Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, offering a significant performance uplift over the HTC A101’s Unisoc Tiger T618 (12nm) with its 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. The 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. While both feature an octa-core configuration with similar Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Redmi Note 10 5G will handle demanding apps and games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both the HTC A101 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G achieve an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Redmi Note 10 5G’s 18W wired charging is significantly faster than the A101’s 10W charging. This translates to a quicker top-up, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed gives the Redmi Note 10 5G a practical advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC A101 if you prioritize a simple, no-frills experience and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a viable option for basic tasks and light usage. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G if you demand smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and faster charging, making it ideal for users who stream video, browse social media, or play mobile games regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the Redmi Note 10 5G capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Dimensity 700 is a capable chipset for PUBG Mobile. While you may need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience, it will provide a playable experience, unlike the Unisoc Tiger T618 in the A101 which will struggle with higher settings.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the HTC A101 with its 10W charging?
With 10W charging, a full charge from 0% on the HTC A101 will likely take over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4. This is significantly slower than the Redmi Note 10 5G’s 18W charging, which can achieve a full charge in around 2 hours.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Mediatek Dimensity 700 supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G bands for faster and more stable connections, provided your carrier supports it. The HTC A101's 5G capabilities are less well-defined.
❓ What type of storage does the Redmi Note 10 5G use, and is it expandable?
The Redmi Note 10 5G typically uses UFS 2.2 storage, which is faster than the eMMC storage often found in budget phones. It also includes a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage, allowing you to add up to 512GB of additional space.
