The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 and Samsung Galaxy M51 represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to different priorities. The Note 10 aims for a balanced experience, while the M51 aggressively prioritizes battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day (and multi-day) battery life, the Samsung Galaxy M51 is the clear winner, boasting a 156-hour endurance rating. However, the Redmi Note 10 offers a more modern chipset and faster charging, making it a better choice for those who value performance and convenience.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 04 | 2020, August 31. Released 2020, September 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 16 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) | 163.9 x 76.3 x 9.5 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant (market/region dependent) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 1100 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| 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 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio, RDS |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 25 min, 100% in 74 min | 25W wired, 100% in 115 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 7000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Shadow Black (Onyx Gray), Frost White (Pebble White), Aqua Green (Lake Green) | Celestial Black, Electric Blue, White |
| Models | M2101K7AI, M2101K7AG | SM-M515F, SM-M515F/DSN |
| Price | € 159.99 | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 1.38 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 0.61 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 110h
| Endurance rating 156h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.2 LUFS (Good)
|
-28.5 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 218788 (v8)
GeekBench: 2860 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 266620 (v8)
GeekBench: 1774 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
- Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups
- More modern and efficient Snapdragon 678 chipset
- Slightly brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Significantly shorter battery life (110h endurance)
- Lacks reverse wired charging functionality
Samsung Galaxy M51
- Exceptional 156-hour battery life for multi-day usage
- More powerful Snapdragon 730G processor for smoother performance
- Reverse wired charging for powering other devices
- Slower 25W charging – takes over 90 minutes for a full charge
- Slightly dimmer display compared to the Redmi Note 10
Display Comparison
Both the Redmi Note 10 and Galaxy M51 feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical for AMOLED panels. However, the Redmi Note 10 edges out the M51 in peak brightness, achieving 682 nits compared to the M51’s 677 nits. While the difference is minimal, it translates to slightly better visibility under direct sunlight. Both phones lack high refresh rate panels, focusing instead on power efficiency. The lack of detailed panel specifications (like PWM frequency) makes it difficult to assess potential eye strain, but both are likely adequate for most users.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a 'Photo / Video' camera experience, but lack specific details in the provided data. Given the market positioning, we can infer that the M51 likely features a more versatile camera system. Samsung typically prioritizes camera features in its M-series, potentially including larger sensors or more advanced image processing algorithms. The Redmi Note 10, while capable, likely focuses on providing a solid, reliable camera experience without pushing the boundaries of innovation. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera comparison is impossible, but the M51 likely holds an advantage.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M51’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm) represents a significant step up in processing power compared to the Redmi Note 10’s Snapdragon 678 (11nm). The 8nm process node of the 730G is more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz Kryo Gold core configuration, the 730G’s Kryo 470 cores are a generation newer and offer improved IPC (Instructions Per Clock). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the M51. The Redmi Note 10 will handle daily tasks adequately, but the M51 is the better choice for demanding users.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M51’s defining feature is its exceptional battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 156 hours – a substantial 46-hour advantage over the Redmi Note 10’s 110 hours. This difference is primarily due to the M51’s larger battery capacity (not specified in the data, but known to be 7000mAh). While the Redmi Note 10 compensates with faster 33W charging (50% in 25 minutes, 100% in 74 minutes), the M51’s 25W charging takes a significantly longer 115 minutes for a full charge. The M51 also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Note 10, allowing it to function as a power bank for other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 if you need a phone that balances battery life with responsive performance for everyday tasks and occasional gaming. Its 33W charging is a significant advantage for quick top-ups. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M51 if you absolutely need the longest possible battery life, even at the expense of charging speed and processing power. This phone is ideal for users who frequently travel or have limited access to power outlets.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 730G in the Galaxy M51 get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 678 in the Redmi Note 10?
While both chipsets are efficient, the Snapdragon 730G's higher performance ceiling means it will generate more heat under sustained load. However, the 8nm process node helps mitigate this, and Samsung typically implements thermal management solutions in its M-series phones. The Redmi Note 10's 678 will likely remain cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Given the slower charging speed of the Galaxy M51, is it practical to top it up frequently, or is it best suited for overnight charging only?
The M51's 25W charging is best suited for overnight charging. Frequent top-ups will take considerably longer than on the Redmi Note 10. The M51 is designed for users who prioritize minimizing charging frequency over quick charging bursts.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 46-hour endurance rating difference make in typical daily usage?
The 46-hour difference translates to potentially an extra day or more of usage on a single charge for the Galaxy M51, depending on your usage patterns. Heavy users will see a more significant benefit than light users. If you frequently forget to charge your phone or travel extensively, the M51's battery life is a game-changer.
