The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi 10C and Samsung Galaxy A14 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 edges out the Redmi 10C thanks to its slightly better display, more consistent performance (especially with the Exynos version), and Samsung's reliable software support. While the Redmi 10C offers a competitive price, the A14 provides a more polished and future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 21 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 23 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version AOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version B |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Affordable price
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Large display
- Expandable storage
- Slow charging
- Average camera quality
- Less polished software
- Display could be brighter
Samsung Galaxy A14
- Better display quality
- More consistent performance (Exynos version)
- Samsung's software support and updates
- Slightly better camera
- Slower charging
- Helio G80 version can be less performant
- Price slightly higher than Redmi 10C
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 generally boasts a slightly better display with more vibrant colors and potentially higher brightness. Both feature large screens, but Samsung's panel often offers a more immersive viewing experience. The Redmi 10C's display is adequate but lacks the same visual pop.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera systems for their price range. The Galaxy A14 often captures slightly more detailed and accurate photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is comparable, but Samsung's image processing tends to be more pleasing to the eye.
Performance
The Redmi 10C's Snapdragon 680 offers a slight edge in raw processing power, but the Samsung Galaxy A14, particularly the Exynos 850 version, provides more consistent performance in everyday tasks and multitasking. The A14's software optimization often results in a smoother user experience.
Battery Life
Battery life is a strong point for both devices. Both offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are a drawback for both, with both phones offering 15W or 18W charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern standards.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for users prioritizing affordability and basic functionality. It's a great option for first-time smartphone buyers or those needing a secondary device. The Samsung Galaxy A14 is better suited for users who value a smoother experience, a more vibrant display, and the longevity of Samsung's software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 is expected to receive longer software updates and security patches compared to the Redmi 10C, thanks to Samsung's commitment to software support.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi 10C powerful enough for gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 can handle casual games at lower settings, but demanding titles may struggle. The Galaxy A14 with the Exynos 850 generally offers a smoother gaming experience.
