The Realme Narzo 10A and Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point, but they diverge significantly in their core processing power. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the chipset choices impact real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and demanding app performance, the Realme Narzo 10A is the clear winner. Its Helio G70 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a substantial performance advantage over the Redmi 9i Sport’s Helio G25. However, the Redmi 9i Sport remains a viable option for basic tasks and users on a very tight budget.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 11. Released 2020, May 22 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.35 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | So Blue, So White | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | RMX2020 | - |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 1.13 W/kg (head) 0.69 W/kg (body) | - |
Realme Narzo 10A
- Superior processing power with the Helio G70 chipset.
- More responsive user experience due to Cortex-A75 cores.
- Better gaming performance for smoother gameplay.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi 9i Sport.
- 10W charging is relatively slow.
Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport
- Extremely affordable price point.
- Decent battery life for basic usage.
- Suitable for first-time smartphone users.
- Significantly weaker processing power with the Helio G25.
- Struggles with demanding apps and games.
- Less responsive user interface.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing, but we can infer similar performance. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are likely substantial on both, and color accuracy will be standard for budget phones. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO is expected.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, given the focus on affordability. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and a depth sensor, with the Redmi 9i Sport potentially including a macro lens (often of limited utility). Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. Image processing will likely be basic on both, prioritizing speed over detail. The Narzo 10A’s stronger processing power *could* allow for slightly better image processing algorithms, but the difference will likely be marginal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Narzo 10A’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm) features a dual-cluster CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a significant boost in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Redmi 9i Sport’s Helio G25 (12nm). The G25 utilizes 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores – a less efficient and less powerful configuration. The A75 cores in the Narzo 10A will translate to snappier app launches and a more responsive user interface. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural advantage of the G70 is substantial. Gaming performance will be noticeably better on the Narzo 10A, allowing for higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn’t specified, both likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, common for this segment. The Narzo 10A’s more efficient chipset *could* translate to slightly better battery life under heavy use, as the G70 is optimized for power efficiency alongside performance. However, for typical usage – calls, texts, and light browsing – battery life will likely be comparable.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 10A if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming, multitasking, and smoother app transitions. It’s ideal for students or users who occasionally play mobile games. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport if you prioritize extreme affordability and only require a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media use. It’s a good choice for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme Narzo 10A handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Realme Narzo 10A, with its Helio G70 chipset, is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. However, don't expect a consistently smooth experience at the highest settings. The G70 provides a significant advantage over the G25 in gaming performance, making it the better choice for mobile gamers.
❓ Is the Redmi 9i Sport suitable for video streaming and social media?
Yes, the Redmi 9i Sport is perfectly adequate for video streaming (YouTube, Netflix) and social media browsing. Its Helio G25 chipset is sufficient for these tasks, although you may experience occasional lag when multitasking or loading heavier webpages. It's best suited for users who primarily use their phone for these basic activities.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging?
Unfortunately, neither the Realme Narzo 10A nor the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport supports fast charging. Both are limited to 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take approximately 2-3 hours. This is typical for phones in this price range.
