Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs Oppo Reno 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 and Oppo Reno 5G represent different approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The Redmi Note 10 prioritizes endurance and affordability, while the Reno 5G aims for a more premium experience with a significantly more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and value, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is the better choice. However, the Oppo Reno 5G’s Snapdragon 855 delivers a substantial performance uplift, making it ideal for demanding users and gamers willing to sacrifice some battery longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Oppo Reno 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global
5G bands-78 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - IndiaCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, March 042019, April. Released 2019, May
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 16Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)162 x 77.2 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight178.8 g (6.31 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant (market/region dependent)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 1100 nits (peak)AMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 612Adreno 640
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/3.0, 130mm (periscope telephoto), 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS; video rec. only with main camera
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRLED flash, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radio, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging33W wired, 50% in 25 min, 100% in 74 min20W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4065 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsShadow Black (Onyx Gray), Frost White (Pebble White), Aqua Green (Lake Green)Ocean Green, Jet Black
ModelsM2101K7AI, M2101K7AGCPH1921
Price€ 159.99About 880 EUR
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.59 W/kg (head)     0.97 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 110h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.2 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 218788 (v8) GeekBench: 2860 (v5.1) GFXBench: 7.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10

  • Exceptional battery life (110h endurance)
  • Fast 33W charging
  • Bright 682 nit display

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 678 chipset
  • Potentially limited gaming performance

Oppo Reno 5G

  • Flagship-level Snapdragon 855 performance
  • Smoother multitasking and gaming
  • Potentially better camera image processing

  • Slower 20W charging
  • Likely shorter battery life

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 10 boasts a display capable of reaching 682 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Reno 5G’s display specifications aren’t provided, Oppo typically focuses on color accuracy in this range. The Redmi Note 10’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard IPS panel, likely lacking the dynamic range of OLED displays found in some competitors. The lack of refresh rate information for the Reno 5G means it may not offer the smoother scrolling experience that is becoming increasingly common.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the Reno 5G’s positioning, it likely features a more sophisticated camera system with potentially larger sensors and more advanced image processing. The Redmi Note 10’s camera performance will likely be adequate for everyday use, but may struggle in low-light conditions compared to a device with a flagship chipset and optimized image signal processor. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera comparison is impossible.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno 5G’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a flagship-level processor from 2019, offering a significant performance advantage over the Redmi Note 10’s Snapdragon 678 (11nm). The 855 features a Kryo 485 architecture with a prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, compared to the 678’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. However, the 7nm process of the 855 offers better power efficiency than the 11nm process of the 678, but the higher clock speeds and core count of the 855 will likely result in more heat generation under sustained load, potentially leading to throttling.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 10 shines with an endurance rating of 110 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. Its 33W wired charging allows for a 50% charge in 25 minutes and a full charge in 74 minutes. The Reno 5G, with only 20W wired charging, will take considerably longer to fully charge. While the Reno 5G’s battery capacity is unknown, the more powerful Snapdragon 855 will likely consume more power, potentially offsetting any capacity advantage. The Redmi Note 10’s faster charging and longer endurance make it the clear winner for users prioritizing battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 if you need exceptional battery life, a bright display for outdoor use, and a reliable daily driver without breaking the bank. Buy the Oppo Reno 5G if you prioritize smooth performance for gaming and demanding applications, and are comfortable with potentially shorter battery life and slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in the Oppo Reno 5G experience throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While Oppo likely implemented thermal management solutions, prolonged gaming at high settings may lead to some performance throttling to prevent overheating. The Redmi Note 10’s Snapdragon 678, while less powerful, is less prone to significant throttling due to its lower thermal output.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Redmi Note 10 compared to the Reno 5G in real-world use?
The Redmi Note 10’s 33W charging is significantly faster than the Reno 5G’s 20W charging. Expect a full charge in approximately 74 minutes on the Redmi Note 10, while the Reno 5G will likely take well over 90 minutes, potentially exceeding two hours depending on battery capacity.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 678 and 855 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference in performance will be minimal. Both phones will handle these tasks smoothly. However, the Snapdragon 855 will provide a more responsive experience when switching between multiple apps or performing more demanding tasks like video editing.