Xiaomi consistently delivers impressive value in the budget phone market. The Redmi 10C and Poco M5 are two contenders vying for your attention, offering compelling features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco M5 edges out the Redmi 10C thanks to its superior performance from the Helio G99 chipset and slightly better display. While both offer excellent battery life, the Poco M5’s overall package provides a more polished and enjoyable user experience for a similar price.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 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 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 23 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| 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 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL | 22071219CG |
| Price | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 386311 (v9)
GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Reliable and simple
- Good battery life
- Affordable price
- Decent design
- Underwhelming performance
- Average display
- Slower charging (though 18W is standard)
- Less premium feel
Xiaomi Poco M5
- Better performance (Helio G99)
- Slightly better display
- Good battery life
- Competitive price
- Design can be polarizing
- 18W charging is slow
- Camera not flagship-level
Display Comparison
The Poco M5 boasts a slightly better display with a measured 448 nits of brightness and a high 1363:1 contrast ratio, offering more vibrant colors and better visibility in bright conditions. The Redmi 10C's display is adequate but lacks the same level of visual pop. Both utilize an HD+ resolution, so pixel density isn't a major differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature decent camera setups for their price range. The Poco M5 generally produces slightly more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is comparable on both devices. Video recording capabilities are similar, offering 1080p recording on both.
Performance
Here, the Poco M5 takes a clear lead. The Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides significantly better performance than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Poco M5. The Redmi 10C is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the Redmi 10C and Poco M5 excel in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 121 hours. You can easily expect a full day of use, and potentially even longer, on either device. Charging speeds are identical at 18W wired.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for users prioritizing a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. The Poco M5 is a better choice for those who want a smoother experience for gaming, multitasking, and enjoy a slightly better camera and display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Poco M5 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G99 chipset. It will handle games with higher graphics settings and smoother frame rates.
❓ Does the Redmi 10C have 5G?
No, neither the Redmi 10C nor the Poco M5 support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G devices.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Both phones are typically available in 32GB and 64GB storage options, expandable via microSD card.
❓ Which phone has a better build quality?
The Poco M5 feels slightly more premium in hand, although both phones primarily use plastic construction. The Redmi 10C's design is more understated.
