The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and Realme 8i are two strong contenders. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Redmi 10 prioritizes endurance, while the Realme 8i focuses on a brighter display and a slightly more powerful chipset. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 8i emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G96 chipset, paired with a brighter 540-nit display, provides a noticeably smoother and more vibrant experience, especially for media consumption and casual gaming. While the Redmi 10 boasts slightly better battery endurance, the Realme 8i’s performance edge is more impactful for daily use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 18 | 2021, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 20 | Available. Released 2021, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 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 MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0”, 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
9W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray, Pebble White, Sea Blue | Space Black, Space Purple |
| Models | 21061119AG, 21061119DG, 21061119AL | RMX3151 |
| Price | € 104.99 / $ 139.99 / £ 107.27 | About 440 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.4 LUFS (Average)
|
Xiaomi Redmi 10
- Slightly longer battery endurance
- Potentially better contrast ratio (though less impactful)
- Established Xiaomi ecosystem
- Dimmer display
- Less powerful chipset
- May have more bloatware
Realme 8i
- Brighter, more vibrant display
- More powerful Helio G96 chipset
- Slightly better performance for gaming
- Faster charging
- Slightly shorter battery life
- Realme UI can be polarizing
- Potentially less software support long-term
Display Comparison
The Realme 8i’s display is the clear winner in this category. While both phones utilize LCD panels, the 8i achieves a significantly higher peak brightness of 540 nits compared to the Redmi 10’s 477 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors and a more vibrant image. The Realme 8i also has a slightly better contrast ratio (1244:1 vs 1494:1), though the difference is less pronounced. The Redmi 10’s higher contrast ratio doesn’t fully compensate for the lower brightness. Both displays lack high refresh rates, which is typical for this price point.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature similar camera setups, focusing on photo and video capabilities. However, without detailed sensor size or image quality data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit. Real-world image quality will likely depend more on software processing than hardware differences. We’d need sample photos to assess dynamic range, color accuracy, and low-light performance.
Performance
The Realme 8i’s Mediatek Helio G96 chipset offers a modest performance advantage over the Redmi 10’s Helio G88. The G96 features Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, compared to the G88’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural improvements in the A76 cores provide a tangible boost in CPU-intensive tasks. This difference will be most noticeable when multitasking or playing graphically demanding games. Both phones are likely to be paired with similar RAM configurations, so the chipset is the primary differentiator. Thermal management is likely similar given the 12nm process node on both chips.
Battery Life
The Realme 8i and Xiaomi Redmi 10 are closely matched in battery endurance, with the Realme 8i achieving a slightly higher rating of 131 hours compared to the Redmi 10’s 127 hours. Both support 18W wired charging, and 9W reverse wired charging. The small difference in endurance is likely due to the more efficient chipset in the Realme 8i offsetting the slightly smaller battery capacity (assumed to be similar based on market segment). Expect around 2-3 hours of screen-on time with moderate usage on both devices, and approximately 2 hours to fully charge from 0-100% with the included charger.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10 if you prioritize maximum battery life and are a very light user who primarily needs a phone for calls, texts, and basic tasks. Buy the Realme 8i if you value a brighter, more responsive display and want a phone capable of handling more demanding apps and games with greater ease. The 8i is the better all-rounder for the average smartphone user.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Realme 8i’s Helio G96 chipset get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G96 is a relatively efficient chipset, and while it will generate heat during prolonged gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling. The 12nm process node is fairly standard for this class of device, and Realme’s thermal management is generally adequate. Expect some warmth, but not to the point of severely impacting performance.
❓ Is the 9W reverse wired charging on either phone useful for anything beyond emergencies?
The 9W reverse wired charging is primarily a convenience feature for emergencies. It’s slow and won’t rapidly charge other devices. It’s best suited for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch in a pinch, rather than fully charging another smartphone.
❓ How does the Realme 8i perform with popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
The Realme 8i should be capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high graphics settings with stable frame rates. The Helio G96 chipset provides enough processing power for a smooth gaming experience, though you may need to lower the settings for maximum performance in demanding scenarios. Expect playable frame rates, but don't anticipate ultra-high settings.
