The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the Huawei nova Y70 Plus and Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G are two key players. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and reveals which phone offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Huawei’s Kirin 710A, despite the slightly slower charging speed. The Redmi 10 5G offers a better balance of processing power and efficiency for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Europe | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 26, 28, 38, 66 - Europe | 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 |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Africa | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 20 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 01 | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm (6.63 x 3.06 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 | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.1% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Blue, Midnight Black, Pearl White | Graphite Gray, Chrome Silver, Aurora Green |
| Models | MGA-LX9, MGA-LX9N, MGA-LX3 | 22041219G, 22041219NY |
| Price | £ 195.00 / € 119.94 | 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) |
Huawei nova Y70 Plus
- Faster 22.5W wired charging
- Potentially more refined software experience (region dependent)
- Huawei’s brand recognition
- Older Kirin 710A chipset
- Less efficient 14nm process
- Potentially lower performance in demanding tasks
Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G
- More modern Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
- More efficient 7nm process
- Better performance for multitasking and gaming
- 5G connectivity
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing
- Potentially less brand recognition in some markets
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the core difference lies under the hood. Without specific display specs, we can infer that the Redmi 10 5G’s chipset may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially leading to more vibrant colors. The Huawei’s older chipset may struggle with demanding display tasks. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be typical for budget LCDs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera and several auxiliary lenses (likely including a depth and macro sensor). The Redmi 10 5G’s image signal processor (ISP), integrated within the Dimensity 700, benefits from newer algorithms and potentially better noise reduction capabilities. The Huawei’s Kirin 710A ISP is older and may produce less refined images, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of a larger sensor (if any) on either device would be a key advantage, but this information is unavailable.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) utilizes more modern CPU cores – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – compared to the Huawei nova Y70 Plus’s Kirin 710A (14nm) with its 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. The 7nm process node of the Dimensity 700 translates to greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, meaning less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. While both are octa-core, the A76 cores in the Redmi 10 5G offer a substantial architectural advantage over the A73 cores in the Huawei, resulting in faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
The Huawei nova Y70 Plus features 22.5W wired charging, slightly faster than the Redmi 10 5G’s 18W charging. However, the Dimensity 700’s superior power efficiency could offset this difference. The Redmi 10 5G is likely to offer comparable, if not better, real-world battery life due to its more efficient chipset. A full charge on the Huawei might be quicker, but the Redmi 10 5G will likely last longer on a single charge with typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova Y70 Plus if you prioritize a potentially more refined software experience (depending on region and HMS availability) and are comfortable with a chipset that, while capable, is showing its age. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G if you prioritize raw performance, 5G connectivity, and a more modern chipset architecture for smoother multitasking and gaming, even if it means sacrificing some potential software polish.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 10 5G’s Dimensity 700 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Mediatek Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The chipset’s GPU is adequate for casual gaming, but don’t expect flagship-level performance. The Huawei’s Kirin 710A will likely struggle more with higher settings.
❓ How does Huawei’s AppGallery and HMS Core impact the software experience on the nova Y70 Plus?
Huawei’s AppGallery and HMS Core are alternatives to Google’s Play Store and Google Mobile Services. While AppGallery has grown, it still lacks some popular apps. HMS Core provides essential services, but compatibility issues with certain apps can occur. The experience varies by region and app developer support.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on both phones compatible with all 5G networks?
Both phones support 5G, but compatibility depends on your carrier and region. They likely support sub-6GHz 5G bands, which are the most common. However, mmWave 5G support is unlikely in this price range. Check with your carrier to ensure compatibility before purchasing.
