The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Nokia G10 and Xiaomi Redmi 9T aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Nokia G10 prioritizes a clean Android experience, while the Redmi 9T focuses on a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9T emerges as the stronger choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Nokia G10’s MediaTek Helio G25, translating to smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience. The 18W charging also significantly reduces downtime compared to the G10’s sluggish 10W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 08 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 26 | Available. Released 2021, January 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| | Splash protection | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 - 64GB
UFS 2.2 - 128GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.1, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5050 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dusk, Night | Carbon Gray, Twilight Blue, Sunrise Orange, Ocean Green |
| Models | TA-1334, TA-1351, TA-1346, TA-1338 | J19S, M2010J19SG, M2010J19SY |
| Price | About 110 EUR | € 87.56 |
| SAR | 1.06 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | Rp 2,272,000 |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 168.78 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 150h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1594:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 177917 (v8)
GeekBench: 1400 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Nokia G10
- Clean Android experience
- Potential for guaranteed software updates (Nokia's strength)
- Competitive price
- Underpowered Helio G25 chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Less detailed display specifications
Xiaomi Redmi 9T
- More powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Faster 18W charging with reverse charging
- Brighter display (437 nits)
- Xiaomi's MIUI software can be bloated
- Potential for more ads in the UI
- Software update schedule less predictable than Nokia
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi 9T boasts a brighter display, measured at 437 nits, compared to the Nokia G10 (brightness data unavailable). While both share a 1594:1 contrast ratio, the higher peak brightness of the Redmi 9T makes it more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. The Nokia G10’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially lower-quality panel. Neither phone features high refresh rate technology, focusing instead on maximizing battery life.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi 9T’s price point suggests a more capable camera system overall. The Nokia G10 likely relies on a more basic camera setup to keep costs down. It's reasonable to assume the Redmi 9T will deliver better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, due to its more powerful image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 662.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi 9T’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) is architecturally superior to the Nokia G10’s MediaTek Helio G25 (12nm). The Snapdragon 662 utilizes Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores, offering a more balanced and efficient performance profile than the G25’s Cortex-A53 configuration. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Redmi 9T. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 662’s more modern architecture provides a clear advantage. The Redmi 9T also benefits from potentially faster RAM options (6GB vs. 4GB in the provided data), further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 150 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Redmi 9T’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Nokia G10’s 10W charging. This means the Redmi 9T can be topped up much faster, reducing downtime. The Redmi 9T also offers 2.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Nokia G10, allowing it to act as a power bank for smaller devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia G10 if you prioritize a guaranteed software update schedule and a stock Android experience, even if it means sacrificing performance. It’s ideal for users who primarily need a phone for basic communication and light tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9T if you value performance, faster charging, and a brighter display for media consumption. This phone is better suited for users who enjoy mobile gaming or frequently use demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 662 in the Redmi 9T capable of handling popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 662 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio G25 in the Nokia G10, which may struggle with consistent performance even at lower settings.
❓ How does Xiaomi's MIUI software compare to the stock Android experience on the Nokia G10?
MIUI is a heavily customized Android skin known for its features and customization options. However, it often comes with pre-installed apps (bloatware) and can display advertisements. The Nokia G10 offers a near-stock Android experience, providing a cleaner and more streamlined interface with faster updates, but fewer customization options.
❓ What is the real-world charging time difference between the 10W and 18W charging on these phones?
The Redmi 9T's 18W charging will significantly reduce charging time. While exact times vary, expect the Redmi 9T to charge from 0-100% in approximately 2.5-3 hours, whereas the Nokia G10's 10W charging could take 4-5 hours or longer.
❓ Does the Redmi 9T's reverse charging feature work with any device?
The Redmi 9T's 2.5W reverse wired charging works with devices that charge via USB-C or Micro-USB. However, the charging speed is very slow and is best suited for topping up small devices like wireless earbuds or smartwatches, rather than fully charging a smartphone.
