Both the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10T 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 5G occupy a competitive space in the mid-range 5G smartphone market. The Redmi Note 10T focuses on delivering 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, while the Nord CE 5G aims for a more balanced experience with faster charging and a brighter display. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a brighter, more visible display, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is the better choice. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the 607 nits peak brightness makes it more usable outdoors. However, the Redmi Note 10T 5G remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 20 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 26 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| | Splash proof | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Metallic Blue, Mint Green, Chromium White, Graphite Black | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | M2103K19I, M2103K19Y | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 0.86 W/kg (head) 0.80 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.9 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9)
GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10T 5G
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
- Less refined software experience
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Faster 30W charging (70% in 30 min)
- Brighter 607 nits display
- More efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Higher price compared to Redmi Note 10T 5G
- Similar battery endurance despite faster charging
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 607 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Redmi Note 10T 5G. This difference is crucial for outdoor usability, where the Nord CE 5G will remain far more legible in direct sunlight. While both displays are likely to utilize IPS LCD technology given the price bracket, the Nord CE 5G’s higher brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggest better overall visual quality. The Redmi Note 10T 5G’s display specifications are less detailed, making a direct comparison difficult, but it likely prioritizes cost savings over premium display features.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a precise comparison is impossible. However, given OnePlus’s history, the Nord CE 5G likely employs more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The Redmi Note 10T 5G, while capable, likely focuses on providing a functional camera experience rather than pushing boundaries in image quality. The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography, and any 2MP macro lenses included should be considered marketing features rather than genuinely useful tools.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Redmi Note 10T 5G uses the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm), while the Nord CE 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm). The Snapdragon 750G, built on an 8nm process, generally offers better power efficiency and sustained performance compared to the 7nm Dimensity 700. Both CPUs feature a similar core configuration – octa-core with 2x2.2 GHz performance cores and 6x lower-clocked efficiency cores – but the Kryo 570 cores in the Snapdragon 750G are architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A76/A55 combination in the Dimensity 700. This translates to a slight edge for the Nord CE 5G in demanding tasks and gaming. The Redmi Note 10T 5G will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Nord CE 5G provides a smoother experience for power users.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing charging capabilities. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing it to reach 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The Redmi Note 10T 5G is limited to 18W charging, resulting in considerably longer charging times. While both phones will likely last a full day with moderate use, the Nord CE 5G’s faster charging mitigates range anxiety and provides greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10T 5G if you need a truly affordable 5G experience and are willing to compromise on charging speed and display brightness. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prefer faster charging, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and a slightly more refined software experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 750G in the Nord CE 5G powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver the absolute highest performance, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience, especially considering the phone's price point. The 8nm process also helps with thermal management during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Redmi Note 10T 5G with the 18W charger?
Given the 18W charging speed, a full 0-100% charge on the Redmi Note 10T 5G will likely take around 2.5 to 3 hours. This is significantly slower than the Nord CE 5G's 30W charging, which can reach 70% in 30 minutes. If quick top-ups are important to you, the Redmi Note 10T 5G's charging speed is a major drawback.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 5G support VoLTE and VoWiFi on all carriers?
Carrier compatibility for VoLTE and VoWiFi can vary. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to confirm support for the OnePlus Nord CE 5G before purchasing. OnePlus generally provides good carrier support, but regional variations exist.
