Xiaomi's Redmi series consistently delivers impressive value for money. The Redmi 9C NFC and Redmi 10C are two popular contenders in the budget smartphone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi 10C is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset offers significantly better performance, faster charging, and improved efficiency compared to the Redmi 9C NFC's Helio G35. While the 9C NFC remains a budget option, the 10C provides a noticeable upgrade.
| 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, 38, 40 | 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 | 2020, August 27. Released 2020, August 27 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% 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 (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Gray, Sunshine Yellow, Twilight Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | M2006C3MNG | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 100 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC
- Extremely affordable
- NFC connectivity
- Large battery (5000mAh)
- Decent display for the price
- Slow performance
- Slow charging (10W)
- Mediocre camera
- Outdated chipset
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Improved performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Better camera quality
- More efficient chipset
- Sleek design
- Slightly more expensive than the 9C NFC
- Still a budget phone – don't expect flagship features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.53-inch HD+ display. While the resolution is similar, the Redmi 10C's slightly improved panel and potentially better color accuracy (though not drastically) give it a slight edge. Viewing angles and brightness are comparable.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 10C generally offers better image quality. While both have a 13MP main camera, the 10C's image processing and potentially a slightly better sensor contribute to more detailed and vibrant photos. The 10C also often has a better selfie camera. Low-light performance is improved on the 10C.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 10C shines. The Snapdragon 680 is a much more powerful chipset than the Helio G35. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 10C. The 9C NFC can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 5000mAh battery, offering excellent all-day battery life. However, the Redmi 10C's more efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset allows it to stretch that battery life even further. The 18W fast charging on the 10C is a significant advantage over the 9C NFC's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC is a good choice for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize NFC connectivity and don't need high performance. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, better camera capabilities, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi 10C worth the extra money compared to the Redmi 9C NFC?
Yes, the Redmi 10C offers a significant upgrade in performance, camera, and charging speed, making it well worth the extra investment for most users.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Redmi 10C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset. The Redmi 9C NFC struggles with demanding games.
