The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 and Realme 8 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a balanced experience, but diverge in their approach to performance and charging speed. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 8 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Redmi Note 10’s Snapdragon 678, and the significantly faster 50W charging (47 minutes to full) is a major convenience factor. While battery endurance is similar, the Realme 8 Pro offers a more responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 04 | 2021, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 16 | Available. Released 2021, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant (market/region dependent) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 1100 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 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 | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 25 min, 100% in 74 min | 50W wired, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 47 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Shadow Black (Onyx Gray), Frost White (Pebble White), Aqua Green (Lake Green) | Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, Punk Black, Illuminating Yellow |
| Models | M2101K7AI, M2101K7AG | RMX3081 |
| Price | € 159.99 | About 550 EUR |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 110h
|
Endurance rating 116h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
|
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 218788 (v8)
GeekBench: 2860 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1678 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
- Slightly higher peak display brightness
- Competitive battery endurance
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Less powerful Snapdragon 678 chipset
- Significantly slower charging speed
Realme 8 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 720G processor
- Much faster 50W charging
- Potentially better image processing
- Slightly lower battery endurance rating
- Potentially higher price point
Display Comparison
Both the Redmi Note 10 and Realme 8 Pro feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical for IPS LCD panels. However, the Redmi Note 10 boasts a measured peak brightness of 682 nits, suggesting a potentially more visible screen outdoors. While both lack high refresh rates, the Redmi Note 10’s brightness advantage could be crucial for users frequently exposed to direct sunlight. The lack of detailed panel specifications (like color gamut coverage) makes a definitive judgment difficult, but the Redmi Note 10 has a slight edge in visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both devices advertise photo and video capabilities, but lack specific sensor details in the provided data. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s chipset offers a more powerful image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance. Without knowing sensor sizes or aperture values, it’s difficult to make a definitive claim, but the Realme 8 Pro’s superior processing power gives it an advantage. The absence of information regarding video recording capabilities (resolution, frame rates) limits a full camera comparison.
Performance
The Realme 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) represents a clear architectural advantage over the Redmi Note 10’s Snapdragon 678 (11nm). The 8nm process generally translates to improved power efficiency and thermal performance. The 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, also outperform the Redmi Note 10’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold cores. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications like games and during heavy multitasking. While both phones are adequate for daily use, the Realme 8 Pro offers a smoother, more responsive experience.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve similar battery endurance ratings – 116 hours for the Realme 8 Pro and 110 hours for the Redmi Note 10. However, the Realme 8 Pro’s 50W charging dramatically reduces downtime, achieving a 50% charge in just 17 minutes and a full charge in 47 minutes. In contrast, the Redmi Note 10 takes 25 minutes for 50% and 74 minutes for a full charge. This charging speed difference is a significant practical advantage for the Realme 8 Pro, offsetting the slightly lower endurance rating.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 if you prioritize maximum battery endurance and are comfortable with a more modest processor for everyday tasks. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, message, and occasionally take photos. Buy the Realme 8 Pro if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly quicker charging times. This phone is better suited for users who demand a more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 8 Pro get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 678 in the Redmi Note 10?
While both chipsets are efficient, the Snapdragon 720G's higher performance ceiling means it will generate more heat under sustained load. However, the 8nm process node of the 720G generally allows for better thermal management than the 11nm process of the 678, potentially mitigating throttling. Real-world temperatures will depend on the game and ambient conditions.
❓ How much of a difference will the faster charging of the Realme 8 Pro make in daily use?
The difference is substantial. Being able to add 50% charge in 17 minutes versus 25 minutes is a significant time saver, especially for users who frequently find themselves with low battery levels. It reduces 'range anxiety' and allows for quick top-ups throughout the day.
❓ Given the similar battery endurance ratings, will I actually notice a difference in how long either phone lasts on a single charge?
The endurance ratings are based on standardized tests. In real-world usage, the Realme 8 Pro’s more efficient chipset *may* result in slightly longer battery life, but the difference will likely be minimal. The primary benefit of the Realme 8 Pro is the ability to quickly replenish the battery when needed.
