The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ and the Samsung Galaxy A10. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A10 edges out the Redmi 9 Activ thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset and generally better software support. While the Redmi 9 Activ offers a larger battery, the A10's overall performance and brand recognition make it a more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 24 | 2019, February 28. Released 2019, March 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 24 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 155.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.35 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Exynos 7884 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Purple | Blue, Black, Red, Gold |
| Models | - | SM-A105F, SM-A105G, SM-A105M, SM-A105FN |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 0.19 W/kg (head) 1.20 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 2GB RAM | - | $ 122.17 |
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ
- Larger Battery
- Larger Display
- Affordable Price
- Lower Performance
- Less Refined Software
- Slow Charging
Samsung Galaxy A10
- Better Performance
- Samsung Brand Reputation
- Slightly Better Camera
- Smaller Battery
- Less RAM (typically)
- Basic Design
Display Comparison
Both phones feature HD+ displays, but the Galaxy A10's screen often exhibits slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. The Redmi 9 Activ's larger size might appeal to those who consume a lot of media.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A10 typically captures slightly better images in various lighting conditions, thanks to Samsung's image processing. Both phones offer basic camera features, but the A10's software often provides more intuitive controls.
Performance
The Exynos 7884 in the Galaxy A10 generally outperforms the Helio G35 in the Redmi 9 Activ, offering smoother multitasking and app loading times. While both are entry-level chips, the A10's Cortex-A73 cores provide a noticeable boost.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9 Activ boasts a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life under heavy usage. However, the Galaxy A10's more efficient chipset can help offset this difference.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a larger display on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A10 is a better fit for those seeking a smoother user experience, reliable brand support, and a slightly more modern design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A10 generally handles games better due to its more powerful chipset, although both phones are primarily suited for casual gaming.
❓ Does the Redmi 9 Activ support expandable storage?
Yes, the Redmi 9 Activ typically includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage, which is a significant advantage for media-heavy users.
