The sub-$250 5G market is heating up, and the Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G and Oppo F21 Pro 5G are two strong contenders. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to chipset choice and charging technology. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a more efficient chipset, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 695 (6nm) offers a slight performance edge and significantly faster 33W charging, making it ideal for those on the go. However, the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G remains a viable option for users less concerned with charging speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, April 12 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, April 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | - | 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| | - | IPX4, dust and water resistant
RGB ring lights around the cameras (notifications, charging progress) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Schott Xensation glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, PD, 31% in 15 min, 100% in 63 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver, Blue | Rainbow Spectrum, Cosmic Black, Dawnlight Gold, Starlight Black |
| Models | - | CPH2341, CPH2455 |
| Price | - | About 330 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G
- Potentially lower price point
- MediaTek Dimensity 700 offers solid 5G connectivity
- May offer longer sustained performance in specific scenarios
- Slower 18W charging
- Less efficient 7nm chipset
- Potentially more thermal throttling under load
Oppo F21 Pro 5G
- Faster 33W charging with PD support
- More efficient 6nm Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Potentially better image processing
- May be slightly more expensive
- CPU core clock speed is slightly lower
- Potential for software bloat (typical of Oppo)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood; display specs are not provided, but the focus here is on internal performance. Bezels are expected to be similar, and color accuracy will likely be adequate for everyday use, but not professional color work.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones will rely heavily on software processing. The Oppo F21 Pro 5G may have a slight edge due to Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) being generally regarded as strong in mid-range chipsets. The presence or absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device would be a critical differentiator, but this information is unavailable. Expect both to include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, but image quality will likely be heavily dependent on lighting conditions.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. The Oppo F21 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) benefits from a more modern fabrication process compared to the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). This 6nm process generally translates to improved power efficiency and potentially lower thermal throttling during extended gaming or demanding tasks. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz core configuration, the Snapdragon’s Kryo 660 Gold cores are architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A76 in the Dimensity 700, offering a slight performance advantage. The Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G may offer a more raw CPU performance due to the core count, but the Snapdragon 695's efficiency is a significant advantage.
Battery Life
The Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G’s 18W charging is significantly slower than the Oppo F21 Pro 5G’s 33W charging. Oppo claims a 31% charge in 15 minutes and a full charge in 63 minutes, a substantial advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 695’s superior efficiency in the Oppo F21 Pro 5G could offset a potentially smaller battery size, resulting in comparable real-world battery life despite the charging speed difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Oppo F21 Pro 5G if you value faster charging, a more modern chipset fabrication process (6nm vs 7nm), and a slightly more refined user experience. Both phones offer 5G, but the F21 Pro's chipset is more likely to handle sustained workloads efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Oppo F21 Pro 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 695's 6nm process and Qualcomm's thermal management features are designed to mitigate overheating. While it won't match flagship performance, it should handle moderate gaming sessions without significant throttling, offering a more consistent experience than the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G's Dimensity 700 under similar conditions.
❓ Does the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G support VoWiFi (Wi-Fi Calling)?
Support for VoWiFi varies by region and carrier. Xiaomi's documentation should be consulted to confirm compatibility with your specific provider. The Oppo F21 Pro 5G's VoWiFi support is similarly dependent on carrier and regional availability.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Oppo F21 Pro 5G compare to other phones in this price range?
33W charging is relatively fast for phones under $250. Many competitors in this segment offer only 15W or 18W charging, making the Oppo F21 Pro 5G a clear winner in terms of charging speed. The ability to reach 100% in approximately 63 minutes is a significant convenience factor.
