TCL 40R vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the TCL 40R and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G. Both pack decent specs, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive in and find out.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi Note 10 5G edges out the TCL 40R thanks to its slightly faster charging and potentially better camera performance (though both are mid-range). However, the TCL 40R might offer a more appealing design or software experience depending on individual preferences. It's a close call!

PHONES
Phone Names	TCL 40R	Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - T771K, T771K1	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
	7, 28, 66, 71, 78 SA/NSA - T771A	-

Launch
Announced	2022, October 26	2021, March 04
Status	Available. Released 2022, October 21	Available. Released 2021, April 28

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	164.5 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 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	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	192 g (6.77 oz)	190 g (6.70 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 12, TCL UI 4.0	Android 11, MIUI 12

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	UFS 2.2

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	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	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0
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, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	15W wired	18W wired
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Stardust Purple, Starlight Black	Chrome Silver, Graphite Gray, Nighttime Blue, Aurora Green
Models	T771K, T771K1, T771H, T771A	M2103K19G, M2103K19C
Price	About 240 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 40R

Potentially more stylish design
Clean software experience
Good value for money

Slower charging (15W)
Potentially less impressive camera
Lower peak brightness display

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G

Excellent battery life (121h endurance)
Faster charging (18W)
Potentially better camera system
5G connectivity

Xiaomi's MIUI software can be polarizing
Design might be less appealing to some

Display Comparison

Both phones feature similar displays with a 1795:1 contrast ratio. The Redmi Note 10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 492 nits, which is slightly higher than what's typically expected from the TCL 40R, suggesting potentially better outdoor visibility. Both likely use IPS LCD panels, offering good color accuracy but not the vibrancy of OLED.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a key differentiator. While both have 'Photo / Video' capabilities listed, the Redmi Note 10 5G likely has a more advanced camera system, potentially including features like optical image stabilization (OIS) or a higher-resolution main sensor. The TCL 40R's camera is likely adequate for casual photography, but the Redmi Note 10 5G should offer better image quality, especially in low light.

Performance

Powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, both devices offer comparable performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. While the CPU architecture is identical, real-world performance can vary based on software optimization and RAM management. Expect smooth scrolling and app loading, but don't expect flagship-level speeds.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 10 5G boasts an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. The TCL 40R's battery life is likely still good, but not quite as stellar. The Redmi Note 10 5G also has slightly faster 18W wired charging compared to the TCL 40R's 15W.

Buying Guide

The TCL 40R is a good choice for users prioritizing a clean software experience and potentially a more stylish design. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G is ideal for those who want slightly faster charging and potentially a more versatile camera system, especially if 5G connectivity is a must.