The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G and vivo Y21 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving this. The Redmi 10 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset, while the Y21 focuses on a streamlined experience with a power-efficient, albeit older, processor. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and faster data speeds, the Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the vivo Y21’s Helio P35, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications. While both offer 18W charging, the Redmi 10 5G’s superior processing power justifies its slightly higher price.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 20 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 20 | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Diamond Glow, Midnight Blue | Graphite Gray, Chrome Silver, Aurora Green |
| Models | V2111 | 22041219G, 22041219NY |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 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) |
vivo Y21
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 700)
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More efficient chipset for potentially longer battery life
- May be slightly more expensive than the Y21
- Potentially less optimized software experience (depending on MIUI version)
Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G
- More affordable price point
- Simple and streamlined user experience
- Potentially longer battery life for very light usage
- Outdated and less powerful processor (Helio P35)
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset's impact on UI smoothness. The Redmi 10 5G’s Dimensity 700 will provide a more responsive experience when scrolling and navigating the interface, even if the resolution and refresh rate are similar. The Y21’s Helio P35 may exhibit occasional lag during transitions.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature entry-level camera systems. The Redmi 10 5G likely benefits from the Dimensity 700’s improved image signal processor (ISP), potentially resulting in better image quality and faster processing times. The Y21’s Helio P35 ISP is older and less capable. While both may include multiple lenses, the primary sensor quality will be the determining factor, and the Redmi 10 5G likely has an edge here due to its more modern chipset.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the vivo Y21’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm). The Dimensity 700 features more powerful Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) compared to the Y21’s Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.35 GHz & 4x1.8 GHz). This translates to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks and real-world usage. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Redmi 10 5G is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The Y21’s Helio P35 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. However, the Dimensity 700 in the Redmi 10 5G is more power-efficient than the Helio P35 in the Y21. This means the Redmi 10 5G, despite potentially having a similar battery capacity (specs not provided), could offer slightly longer battery life due to reduced power consumption. The Y21’s older chipset will draw more power for the same tasks, potentially requiring more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y21 if you need a reliable device for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and prioritize long battery life over raw performance. You'll appreciate its simplicity and affordability. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, enjoy faster download speeds with 5G, and anticipate using your phone for more than just essential communication. It’s the better choice for users who want a device that will remain relevant for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 10 5G's 5G connectivity actually make a difference in my daily use?
The benefit of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with strong 5G signals, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds, making streaming, gaming, and large file transfers much quicker. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the difference will be minimal.
❓ Is the Helio P35 in the vivo Y21 powerful enough for playing games like PUBG Mobile?
While PUBG Mobile may be playable on the vivo Y21, you'll likely need to use the lowest graphics settings and accept noticeable frame rate drops. The Helio P35 simply lacks the processing power and GPU performance to deliver a smooth gaming experience on more demanding titles. The Redmi 10 5G with its Dimensity 700 will provide a much more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the Dimensity 700 compared to the Helio P35 in real-world scenarios?
In everyday tasks, the Dimensity 700 feels noticeably snappier. App launch times are faster, multitasking is smoother, and web browsing is more responsive. Benchmarks show a 30-40% performance increase, but the real-world difference is even more apparent when switching between apps or running demanding applications.
