The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the itel A50 and Xiaomi Redmi 10A are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to provide essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point, but they achieve this with different chipsets and subtle design choices. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Xiaomi Redmi 10A emerges as the better choice. While both phones offer 10W charging and similar basic features, the Redmi 10A’s Helio G25 chipset provides a noticeable edge in everyday tasks and light gaming.
| 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 | LTE | 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 | 2024, May | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | Available. Released 2022, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 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, 480 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T603 | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition) | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP
auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 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 | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Shimmer Gold, Суаn Blue, Lime Green, Misty Black | Charcoal Black, Sea Blue, Slate Grey |
| Models | A507LXU | 220233L2C, 220233L2G, 220233L2I |
| Price | - | € 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) |
itel A50
- Extremely affordable price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Potentially longer software support from itel
- Unisoc T603 chipset offers lower performance
- Likely limited multitasking capabilities
- Basic camera system
Xiaomi Redmi 10A
- More powerful Mediatek Helio G25 chipset
- Smoother performance for everyday tasks
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Slightly higher price than the itel A50
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- Xiaomi's MIUI can be resource intensive
Display Comparison
Neither itel nor Xiaomi provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The real difference lies in how the chipsets drive them. The Redmi 10A’s Helio G25, while not a powerhouse, has a slightly more capable GPU which *could* translate to smoother scrolling and video playback. Without knowing the peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the G25’s architecture suggests a marginal advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are likely to feature basic camera setups, and detailed sensor information is scarce. It's safe to assume both will include a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. Given the price point, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the slightly more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G25 chipset *could* result in marginally better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. Users shouldn't expect flagship-level photography from either device.
Performance
The core of the difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10A features the Mediatek Helio G25, a 12nm process chipset with an octa-core CPU configuration split into 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The itel A50, conversely, uses the Unisoc T603. While both are octa-core, the Helio G25’s higher clock speeds on its primary cores provide a performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. The 12nm process node of the Helio G25 also offers a slight efficiency advantage, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load. This translates to quicker app launches and smoother multitasking on the Redmi 10A.
Battery Life
Both the itel A50 and Xiaomi Redmi 10A are equipped with 10W wired charging. This is a relatively slow charging speed by today’s standards, meaning a full charge will take several hours. Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data, but typical capacities for phones in this segment range from 4000mAh to 5000mAh. The efficiency of the chipset plays a crucial role here. The Helio G25’s 12nm process *may* offer slightly better power efficiency, potentially translating to a bit more screen-on time for the Redmi 10A, but the difference is likely to be minimal.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel A50 if you need a supremely affordable device for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and are comfortable with a potentially less responsive user experience. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10A if you prefer a phone that can handle multitasking, streaming, and casual gaming with a bit more fluidity, even if it means spending a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 10A struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Helio G25 chipset in the Redmi 10A is capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. However, running multiple apps simultaneously or using more demanding features within these apps might lead to some slowdown. It's designed for light to moderate usage.
❓ Is the Unisoc T603 in the itel A50 sufficient for basic web browsing?
Yes, the Unisoc T603 is adequate for basic web browsing, but expect slower page loading times compared to devices with more powerful chipsets. Avoid opening too many tabs simultaneously for a smoother experience.
❓ Can either of these phones handle games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Neither the itel A50 nor the Xiaomi Redmi 10A are well-suited for playing graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile. While you might be able to run them at the lowest settings, expect significant frame rate drops and a generally poor gaming experience. These phones are better suited for casual games.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run, and will they receive updates?
Both phones likely ship with Android Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited resources. Software update support is often limited on phones in this price range, but Xiaomi generally provides more consistent updates than itel. Don't expect major Android version upgrades.
