Nokia XR21 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: A Detailed Showdown

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The Nokia XR21 promises rugged durability and a clean Android experience, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) boasts impressive specs and fast charging. Let's break down these two contenders to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) takes the lead with its significantly faster charging, more powerful chipset, and vibrant display. However, the Nokia XR21's rugged build and promise of longer software support make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing durability and a clean Android experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia XR21 Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, May 032021, May 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, June 11Available. Released 2021, June 02
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in)163.3 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight231 g (8.15 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
 IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliantIP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density)
Size6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 12Android 11, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4 (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by JBL
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD2.0, QC367W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 42 min
TypeLi-Po 4800 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Pine GreenStargaze Black, Wave Blue, Cloud White
PriceAbout 570 EURAbout 200 EUR

Nokia XR21

  • Rugged and durable build
  • Clean Android experience
  • Guaranteed software updates
  • Water and dust resistant (IP68)
  • Decent battery life

  • Lower performance compared to competitors
  • Less impressive camera
  • Slower charging speed
  • IPS LCD display (less vibrant than AMOLED)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China)

  • Fast charging (67W)
  • Powerful Dimensity 1100 chipset
  • Vibrant Super AMOLED display
  • Excellent camera system
  • Good value for money

  • MIUI software (can be bloated)
  • Potentially less durable than XR21
  • Software update support may be less consistent than Nokia

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) features a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The XR21 has a 6.43-inch IPS LCD display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The Redmi Note 10 Pro's display is noticeably superior in terms of color accuracy, brightness, and smoothness.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) typically features a 108MP main camera, offering excellent detail and dynamic range. The XR21 has a dual-camera system, likely around 64MP + 5MP. While the XR21's camera is capable, the Redmi Note 10 Pro generally delivers superior image quality, especially in low light.

Performance

The Dimensity 1100 in the Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) provides significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 695 in the XR21. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi Note 10 Pro. The XR21 is adequate for everyday tasks but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) wins hands down with its 67W fast charging, capable of fully charging the battery in around 42 minutes. The XR21's 33W charging is slower, taking considerably longer to reach a full charge. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh), but the Redmi Note 10 Pro's charging speed is a major advantage.

Buying Guide

The Nokia XR21 is ideal for users who need a durable phone for outdoor activities or demanding work environments and value a clean, bloatware-free Android experience with guaranteed updates. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) is a better choice for users prioritizing performance, a high-quality display, and incredibly fast charging, especially within a budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Nokia XR21 waterproof?
Yes, the Nokia XR21 is IP68 rated, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
❓ How long will Nokia support the XR21 with software updates?
Nokia promises 3 years of software updates and 4 years of security updates for the XR21.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 10 Pro have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) typically includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.