Redmi Note 10T 5G: The Note series from Redmi is all about that perfect balance between price and performance. Xiaomi jumps into the future with the Redmi Note 10T 5G: a 5G phone available at an affordable price.
It’s not the flashiest phone in the world, but it’s ideal for anyone after reliable performance, decent cameras and futureproof connectivity – without busting the bank.
But does 5G alone make this phone unique? So let’s break it down and see how it performs in a daily setting.
Design & Build:
Pragmatic, Not Showy This thing isn’t sexy, nor should you expect it to be — it’s a collection of power tools at its core.
Design The Redmi Note 10T 5G has a simple, no-nonsense look about it. It’s not a loud design, it could look slightly cleaner, but it’s nice and solid. The polycarbonate back offers a matte finish in the hope of masking fingerprints and smudges, and the camera module sits nicely in the top corner of the rear side.
It’s also available in muted colors such as Metallic Blue, Chromium White, Mint Green, and Graphite Black.
At 190g and 8.9mm thin, it’s not the lightest or thinnest phone out there but it feels great in the hand.
An in-display fingerprint scanner underneath the power button is fast and reliable.
First the Screen: Smooth and Bright This article is part of the On Tech newsletter.
The phone comes with a 6.5-inch Full HD+ LCD display with 90Hz adaptive refresh rate. That is to say, it dynamically alters your phone’s refresh rate in response to your activity, optimizing for smoothness and battery efficiency.
Colors are decently punchy and the screen is bright enough to use comfortably indoors and in casual outdoor use. It’s not as deep in contrast as AMOLED panels, but the LCD’s sharp and has good viewing angles.
The front camera is a punch-hole cutout that doesn’t get in the way and makes the display look contemporary.
Performance: You Get What You Pay For
Underneath, the Note 10T 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, backed by up to 6GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. This is a build designed more for economy than speed.
It runs smoothly in real-world usage: browsing, social media, movies, and jumping in and out of apps.
Games such as Call of Duty: Mobile run on medium settings with little lag, though heavy multitasking can occasionally produce a hiccup.
One notable addition at this price is 5G support. Though 5G still isn’t widely available in some locations, the fact that it’s built in makes the phone more future-proof.
Camera: Subpar, but Still Able to Get the Job Done
There are decent shots from the 50MP primary rear camera in well-lit environments. Other It offers nice details and colors that look fairly true to life without being heavily processed.
But the phone’s lack of an ultra-wide or telephoto lens make the 2MP loke-sensor seem like a bit of a cheap afterthought.
The low-light performance is okay, but not it’s strongest feature. Sharpness and dynamic range fall off when the light does.
The 8-megapixel front is more than serviceable for selfies and video calls, but it struggles a bit with challenging lighting.
If you’re a casual photographer — in the habit of taking quick hits, sharing on social media and throwing in a few portraits on the side — it’s fine.
Battery & Charging: Reliable All-Day Use
According to Xiaomi, the phone can get you through a day of use despite a constant mix of streaming, gaming, and casual use, and given that it’s packed a with 5000mAh battery, it’s easy to believe the claim.
The Dimensity 700, a highly efficient chip, along with the adaptive refresh rate, helps conserve battery power.
It has 18W fast charging, which isn’t lightning fast by today’s standards but is serviceable. Plan for roughly 2 hours for a full charge, which isn’t bad for average times in the segment.
Software: MIUI with not as Many Bugs it seems
Out of the box, the phone operates on MIUI 12, based on Android 11. MIUI is loaded with features and you can customize it but it has some bloatware in place.
It may be worth you time uninstalling or disabling some apps you do not use.
The UI is generally smooth, but some ads popping up in system apps might be annoying to potential buyers.
Pros:
Cheap price 5G connectivity
Smooth 90Hz display
Dependable battery life
Decent performance from the main camera in good light
Solid and practical build
UFS 2.2 storage speeds
Cons:
No ultra-wide or macro lens
LCD panel instead of AMOLED
Slower to charge than rivals
Software is full of bloatware and ads
Not great for intense gaming or multitasking
Redmi Note 10T 5G Judgment: A Solid Budget Bet for the Future
The Redmi Note 10T 5G doesn’t try to do everything—instead, it sets out to provide a solid, dependable 5G handset with good performance and great battery life at a reasonable price.
If you’re the type of person who values practical features over spiffy specs, and you want a device that will be future-proofed as 5G networks grow, this phone is a strong contender.
It’s not perfect, but for the price, it’s well-constructed — and sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
