The budget 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the ZTE Blade A72 5G and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G are two contenders vying for your attention. Both offer 5G connectivity at an affordable price, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Both phones share the same Dimensity 700 chipset. The Redmi Note 10 5G edges out the Blade A72 5G due to its potentially better display brightness and a slightly more refined software experience, though both offer excellent value for their price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 10 | 2021, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 10 | Available. Released 2021, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.5 x 9.2 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) | 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 211 g (7.44 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Chrome Silver, Graphite Gray, Nighttime Blue, Aurora Green |
| Models | 7540N | M2103K19G, M2103K19C |
| Price | About 160 EUR | € 96.62 / £ 107.59 |
| SAR | - | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1795:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.0 LUFS (Good)
|
ZTE Blade A72 5G
- Clean Android experience
- Compact design (likely)
- Affordable price
- Potentially less bright display
- Less established brand
- Slower charging (likely)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G
- Potentially brighter display
- Established brand reputation
- Good battery life (claimed)
- Polished MIUI interface
- MIUI can be bloated
- Slower charging (18W)
- Design may be less appealing to some
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar displays, likely LCD panels with a 90Hz refresh rate (assumed for Redmi Note 10 5G). The Redmi Note 10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 492 nits, which could offer better visibility in direct sunlight. The contrast ratio is nominally similar, but real-world performance may vary. The Blade A72 5G's display is likely slightly smaller.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. Both likely feature a primary sensor and potentially an ultrawide lens. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Expect decent results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The Redmi Note 10 5G might have a slight edge due to Xiaomi's generally better camera software.
Performance
Powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, both phones offer comparable performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. The CPU configuration is identical. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization and RAM management.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 10 5G claims an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Blade A72 5G's battery capacity is likely similar, but real-world usage will vary. Both support 18W wired charging, which is relatively slow by modern standards.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A72 5G is a good choice for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and a slightly more compact design. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G is ideal for those who value a potentially brighter display and a more established brand reputation, along with a slightly more polished MIUI interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between MIUI and stock Android?
MIUI is Xiaomi's custom Android skin, offering additional features and customization options but potentially more bloatware. Stock Android (used by ZTE) is a cleaner, more minimalist experience.
❓ Is 5G available in my area?
Check with your mobile carrier to confirm 5G coverage in your location. Both phones require a 5G-compatible SIM card and plan to utilize 5G connectivity.
