Both the TCL 10 5G UW and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. The TCL leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G, while the Redmi Note 10 5G opts for MediaTek’s Dimensity 700. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery endurance to determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and potentially better sustained performance, the TCL 10 5G UW with its Snapdragon 765G is the stronger choice. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G offers comparable battery life and a decent display at a potentially lower price point, making it a solid all-rounder.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 66, 260, 261 mmWave | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 27. Released 2020, October 29 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) | 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | - | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Diamond Gray | Chrome Silver, Graphite Gray, Nighttime Blue, Aurora Green |
| Models | - | M2103K19G, M2103K19C |
| Price | About 340 EUR | € 96.62 / £ 107.59 |
| SAR | - | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1795:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.0 LUFS (Good)
|
TCL 10 5G UW
- Potentially better GPU performance with Snapdragon 765G
- More advanced ISP for potentially superior image processing
- Qualcomm’s architecture may offer better sustained performance
- No specified peak display brightness
- 18W charging is relatively slow
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G
- Measured 492 nits peak brightness for better outdoor visibility
- Excellent 121-hour endurance rating
- Potentially lower price point
- Dimensity 700 CPU is less powerful than Snapdragon 765G
- No specified camera sensor details
Display Comparison
Both devices feature displays with a 1795:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 492 nits, providing a brighter viewing experience, especially outdoors. While TCL doesn't provide a specific brightness figure, the Redmi Note 10 5G’s higher measured output gives it an edge in direct sunlight readability. Both lack high refresh rate panels, focusing on efficiency rather than fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) generally provides more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance on the TCL 10 5G UW. The absence of detailed camera specs suggests both phones target casual photographers rather than enthusiasts.
Performance
The TCL 10 5G UW’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G utilizes a tri-cluster CPU configuration (Kryo 475 Prime, Gold, and Silver) clocked up to 2.4 GHz, designed for a balance of performance and efficiency. In contrast, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 700 employs a dual-cluster setup with Cortex-A76 and A55 cores, peaking at 2.2 GHz. The Snapdragon 765G generally offers superior GPU performance, making it better suited for graphically intensive games. The 7nm process node is shared by both chipsets, but Qualcomm’s architecture often translates to better sustained performance under load, mitigating thermal throttling.
Battery Life
Both the TCL 10 5G UW and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G share an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. Both devices support 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0 compatibility on the TCL. While the battery capacity isn’t specified, the similar endurance ratings suggest efficient power management on both sides. The 18W charging, while not exceptionally fast, is adequate for topping up the battery overnight.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 10 5G UW if you frequently engage in demanding tasks like mobile gaming or video editing and need a phone that can handle them without significant throttling. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G if you prioritize all-day battery life, a balanced feature set, and are looking for a reliable daily driver without breaking the bank. The Redmi Note 10 5G is ideal for users who primarily browse, stream, and use social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the TCL 10 5G UW support sub-6GHz 5G or mmWave 5G?
The 'UW' designation in the TCL 10 5G UW indicates support for Ultra Wideband (mmWave) 5G, in addition to sub-6GHz 5G. This means it can potentially leverage the fastest 5G speeds available, but only in areas with mmWave coverage. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G typically supports only sub-6GHz 5G.
❓ How does the Dimensity 700 handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile on the Redmi Note 10 5G?
The MediaTek Dimensity 700 can run PUBG Mobile, but you may need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. While capable, it won’t deliver the same level of sustained performance as the Snapdragon 765G in the TCL 10 5G UW, which can handle higher settings with less throttling.
❓ Is the 18W charging speed on either phone considered fast charging in 2024?
No, 18W charging is relatively slow by 2024 standards. Many phones now offer 30W, 65W, or even faster charging speeds. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours with either the TCL 10 5G UW or the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G.
