The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best balance of features and performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and a brighter display, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 1280 chipset, while not a flagship, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi 10 Prime+'s Dimensity 700, and the brighter 728 nit display enhances outdoor visibility.
| 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, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver, Blue | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | - | SM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360 |
| Price | - | £ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9)
GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable 5G connectivity
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful processor
- Likely dimmer display
- Slower charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
- More powerful Exynos 1280 chipset
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 25W charging
- Generally higher price
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive
- Potential for software bloat
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G boasts a significant advantage in display quality with a measured peak brightness of 728 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be considerably dimmer. Samsung’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a VA panel, offering deeper blacks, while the Redmi likely uses an IPS panel. This difference impacts media consumption and overall visual experience, favoring the A33.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G. The Galaxy A33 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more consistent and vibrant photos. Without knowing the main sensor size on the Redmi, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A33, if present, would further enhance image quality and video stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G’s Exynos 1280 (5nm) utilizes Cortex-A78 cores, offering a performance uplift over the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G’s Dimensity 700 (7nm) and its Cortex-A76 cores. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1280 also translates to improved power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. While both CPUs feature 6x Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the A33’s higher clock speeds on its performance cores will result in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G’s 25W wired charging is significantly faster than the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G’s 18W charging. This translates to quicker top-ups, reducing downtime and providing more convenience for users who frequently need to recharge their devices. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed gives the A33 an edge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G if you need a reliable 5G connection on a very tight budget and prioritize simplicity. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, and faster charging capabilities, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A33 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1280 isn't a flagship chip, its 5nm fabrication process and Samsung's thermal management solutions generally prevent significant overheating during typical gaming. However, extended, graphically intensive gaming may lead to some throttling to maintain stable performance. The Redmi 10 Prime+'s Dimensity 700, being on a 7nm process, may throttle more readily.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included for marketing purposes but rarely deliver truly impressive macro photography. Expect soft images and limited dynamic range. The larger the main sensor on the phone, the better the overall image quality will be, including any digital zoom used to approximate a macro effect.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G reliably maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Exynos 1280 should be capable of maintaining 60fps in PUBG Mobile at medium to high graphics settings. However, achieving consistently smooth frame rates will depend on the specific game settings and background processes running on the device. Expect some frame drops during intense action sequences.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G with the 18W charger?
With an 18W charger, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Redmi 10 Prime+ 5G is likely to take around 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on battery capacity and usage during charging. This is considerably slower than the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G's 25W charging.
