Realme Narzo 50A vs. Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance

The Realme Narzo 50A and Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they achieve this through different approaches to chipset design and overall feature sets. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best balance of performance, efficiency, and value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and sustained performance, the Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Narzo 50A’s Helio G85, particularly in demanding tasks and prolonged gaming sessions.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme Narzo 50A Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, September 242022, March 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 07Available. Released 2022, September 23
Body
Dimensions164.5 x 75.9 x 9.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.38 in)164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight207 g (7.30 oz)200 g (7.05 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 570 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 11, Realme UI 2.0Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.2
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired 5W reverse wired18W wired
Type6000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsOxygen Blue, Oxygen GreenGraphite Gray, Chrome Silver, Aurora Green
ModelsRMX343022041219G, 22041219NY
PriceAbout 130 EURAbout 100 EUR
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.60 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)

Realme Narzo 50A

  • Potentially lower initial purchase price.
  • Adequate for basic smartphone tasks.
  • 18W charging with 5W reverse charging.

  • Less powerful chipset (Helio G85).
  • Likely more prone to thermal throttling.
  • Potentially shorter battery life.

Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G

  • More powerful and efficient chipset (Dimensity 700).
  • Better sustained performance for gaming and multitasking.
  • Likely longer battery life due to 7nm process.
  • 5G connectivity.

  • May be slightly more expensive.
  • 18W charging is standard, not particularly fast.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness, color gamut) are missing. The focus here is on the chipset, as display performance is often limited by the GPU's ability to drive the panel. We can assume both offer adequate viewing experiences for everyday use, but neither will impress display enthusiasts.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of a camera, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a role in image processing speed. The Dimensity 700’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Redmi 10 5G will likely result in faster image capture and potentially better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. It's reasonable to assume both phones include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but the Redmi 10 5G has the processing headroom to execute these more effectively.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) is a clear upgrade over the Realme Narzo 50A’s Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm). The 7nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling. The Dimensity 700’s CPU, with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, also offers a clock speed advantage over the Narzo 50A’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This means faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Redmi 10 5G. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural improvements in the Dimensity 700 provide a tangible benefit.

Battery Life

Both phones feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds (around 2 hours for a full charge). While battery capacity isn't specified, the Dimensity 700’s superior power efficiency in the Redmi 10 5G will likely translate to longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Narzo 50A. The 7nm process inherently consumes less power than the 12nm process of the Helio G85, extending usage time between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme Narzo 50A if you prioritize a slightly lower initial cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and a more future-proof chipset that will handle software updates and demanding apps more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Redmi 10 5G's Dimensity 700 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Mediatek Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio G85 in the Narzo 50A, especially during prolonged gaming sessions due to better thermal management.
❓ Does the Realme Narzo 50A's Helio G85 chipset suffer from significant throttling under heavy load?
The Helio G85, being built on a 12nm process, is more susceptible to thermal throttling than the Dimensity 700. This means that under sustained heavy load, such as during extended gaming or video recording, the chipset's performance will likely decrease as it heats up, leading to frame drops and lag.
❓ How much faster is the 5G connectivity on the Redmi 10 5G compared to 4G on the Narzo 50A?
5G speeds on the Redmi 10 5G can be significantly faster than 4G speeds on the Narzo 50A, potentially offering download speeds several times higher depending on network availability and coverage. However, real-world 5G speeds vary greatly based on carrier, location, and network congestion.