The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Smart 7 (India) and Xiaomi Redmi 10A are two contenders vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point, but they achieve this with different hardware approaches. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best experience for the average user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 10A emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G25 chipset, fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Infinix Smart 7’s Unisoc SC9863A1, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the Redmi 10A’s CPU architecture provides a more responsive user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 22 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 27 | Available. Released 2022, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.6 x 9.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 12 | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Azure Blue, Emerald Green, Night Black | Charcoal Black, Sea Blue, Slate Grey |
| Models | X6517 | 220233L2C, 220233L2G, 220233L2I |
| Price | About 80 EUR | € 60.00 / $ 66.55 |
| SAR | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Smart 7 (India)
- Potentially lower price point.
- Adequate for very basic smartphone tasks.
- Likely similar battery life to Redmi 10A.
- Less powerful Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset.
- 22nm fabrication process less efficient.
- Likely slower app loading and multitasking.
Xiaomi Redmi 10A
- More powerful Mediatek Helio G25 chipset.
- 12nm fabrication process for better efficiency.
- Smoother multitasking and app performance.
- Potentially better sustained performance.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Infinix Smart 7.
- Camera quality likely similar to Infinix Smart 7.
- 10W charging is slow by modern standards.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are expected to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specifications (resolution, brightness) necessitates a focus on processing power to drive the UI smoothly. The absence of features like high refresh rates or even full HD+ resolution means the display experience will be largely defined by the chipset’s ability to render graphics efficiently.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are likely to feature basic camera setups, and detailed sensor information is unavailable. Given the price point, expecting high-quality photography is unrealistic. The focus should be on functional image capture for social media or quick snapshots. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Image processing will likely be basic on both, relying heavily on software algorithms to enhance photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10A’s Mediatek Helio G25 (12nm) utilizes Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, offering a performance advantage over the Infinix Smart 7’s Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm) and its Cortex-A55 cores peaking at 1.6 GHz. The 12nm fabrication process of the Helio G25 is more efficient, leading to potentially better thermal management and sustained performance. While both are octa-core, the architecture and clock speeds favor the Redmi 10A for tasks like web browsing and app switching. The Unisoc chip, while adequate for basic tasks, will likely exhibit more noticeable lag under moderate load.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix Smart 7 and Xiaomi Redmi 10A are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn't specified, both are likely to house batteries in the 5000mAh range, common for budget smartphones. This suggests comparable all-day battery life with moderate usage. The more efficient chipset in the Redmi 10A *could* translate to slightly longer battery life, but the difference will likely be marginal in real-world scenarios.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Smart 7 (India) if your primary needs are extremely basic – calls, texts, and light social media – and you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10A if you value a more fluid user experience, slightly faster app performance, and a chipset built on a more modern manufacturing process, even if it means spending a little more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A1 in the Infinix Smart 7 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Unisoc SC9863A1 can run these apps, users may experience noticeable lag when switching between them or loading media. The chipset is geared towards very basic tasks, and multitasking can strain its resources. The Redmi 10A’s Helio G25 will handle these apps more smoothly.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed on either phone sufficient for daily use?
10W charging is slow by today’s standards, requiring several hours to fully charge the battery. However, given the likely battery capacity (around 5000mAh), it’s adequate for overnight charging. Neither phone offers fast charging capabilities.
❓ Can either of these phones handle light gaming?
Both phones can handle very basic 2D games. However, demanding 3D games will likely be unplayable or experience significant frame rate drops. The Helio G25 in the Redmi 10A offers a slight advantage, but neither phone is designed for gaming.
❓ What type of storage does the Redmi 10A use, and will that impact performance?
While not explicitly stated, the Redmi 10A likely uses eMMC storage, which is slower than UFS storage. This can contribute to slower app loading times and overall system responsiveness, but it's typical for phones in this price range. The Infinix Smart 7 likely uses similar storage.
