The Tecno Camon 18i and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money, focusing on performance, charging speed, and overall usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is the better choice. Its Helio G95 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Camon 18i’s Helio G85, and the 33W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Camon 18i remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 01 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 01 | Available. Released 2021, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~271 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 1100 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Sea, Frost Silver, Tranquil Green | Deep Sea Blue (Ocean Blue), Shadow Black (Onyx Gray), (Frost White) Pebble White |
| Models | CG6 | M2101K7BG, M2101K7BI, M2101K7BNY, M2101K7BL |
| Price | About 150 EUR | € 101.48 / £ 135.82 / ₹ 13,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.07 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Camon 18i
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- May offer longer battery life due to less powerful chipset
- Slower performance compared to Redmi Note 10S
- Significantly slower charging speed (18W)
- Less capable ISP for image processing
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S
- Faster and more responsive performance with Helio G95
- Significantly faster 33W wired charging
- Improved image processing capabilities
- Potentially higher price point
- May experience slightly faster battery drain due to more powerful chipset
- Could run slightly warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power draw and therefore comparable display capabilities. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing, the focus here is on performance. The Redmi Note 10S’s slightly higher processing power could translate to smoother animations and faster app loading times, indirectly enhancing the display experience. However, without knowing the panel technology (IPS vs AMOLED) or refresh rate, a definitive display winner is impossible to declare.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Redmi Note 10S’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G95 chipset suggests better image processing capabilities. This could result in improved dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Camon 18i’s G85 ISP is capable, but likely won’t match the Redmi Note 10S in complex scenes. It’s reasonable to assume both phones include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but the Redmi Note 10S is likely to deliver more refined results.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 10S features the Mediatek Helio G95, utilizing two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, alongside six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This is a step up from the Tecno Camon 18i’s Helio G85, which employs two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. The A76 cores in the G95 offer improved single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G95 translate to a tangible performance advantage, particularly for gaming and demanding applications. The Redmi Note 10S will handle graphically intensive games with higher frame rates and fewer stutters.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 10S’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Tecno Camon 18i’s 18W charging. This translates to substantially faster charging times – potentially reducing a full charge from over two hours on the Camon 18i to under an hour on the Redmi Note 10S. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed mitigates any potential disadvantage if the Camon 18i has a slightly larger battery. Users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their phone will greatly benefit from the Redmi Note 10S’s faster charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18i if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and prioritize maximizing battery life over raw performance. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S if you prefer a smoother experience for gaming, multitasking, and content consumption, and value the convenience of significantly faster charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 10S’s Helio G95 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G95 is more powerful, it's a 12nm chip and thermal management will depend on Xiaomi’s implementation. It’s likely to get warmer than the Camon 18i’s G85 during extended gaming, but shouldn’t reach critical temperatures that cause performance throttling unless in extremely hot environments. The phone's cooling system will be a key factor.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G85 and Helio G95 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable, especially when multitasking or launching apps. The Helio G95’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a significant boost in single-core performance, resulting in snappier responsiveness. While both chips handle basic tasks adequately, the G95 offers a smoother and more fluid experience overall.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 10S support fast charging protocols beyond 33W?
The Redmi Note 10S supports Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 3.0, allowing it to work with a wider range of chargers. However, to achieve the full 33W charging speed, it’s best to use the included charger or a compatible Power Delivery charger.
