Xiaomi Redmi 9C vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date August 12, 2020 April 28, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 114.28 cm³ 108.43 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.33 "/g 3.42 "/g
Weight 196 g 190 g
Height 164.9 mm 161.8 mm
Width 77 mm 75.3 mm
Thickness 9 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Midnight Gray
  • Sunrise Orange
  • Twilight Blue
  • Chrome Silver
  • Graphite Gray
  • Nighttime Blue
  • Aurora Green

Display

Screen Size 6.53 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.1 % 83.7 %
Pixel Density 269 PPI 405 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 400 nits 400 nits
HBM Brightness N/A 500 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 117.26 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.75 mAh/cm³ 46.11 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 Mali-G57 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features microUSB 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 11
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CXiaomi Redmi Note 10 5GPractical Impact
Dimensions164.9 x 77 x 9 mm161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mmRedmi Note 10 5G is slightly more compact, potentially easier to handle for some users.
Weight196g190gMinimal weight difference, unlikely to be noticeable.
Build Quality (Screen Protection)UnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 3Redmi Note 10 5G offers better protection against scratches and minor impacts.
Fingerprint SensorRear-mountedSide-mountedSide-mounted sensors are generally considered more convenient and faster to access.

Display

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CXiaomi Redmi Note 10 5GPractical Impact
Size6.53"6.5"Negligible difference in screen size.
Resolution720x16001080x2400Redmi Note 10 5G has a significantly sharper and clearer display, better for viewing videos and photos, and reading text.
PPI269405Higher pixel density on Redmi Note 10 5G translates to finer details and less pixelation.
TechnologyIPS LCDIPS LCDSimilar viewing angles and color reproduction.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzRedmi Note 10 5G's 90Hz display offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience more fluid.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsUnable to determine brightness based on provided data.

Performance

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CXiaomi Redmi Note 10 5GPractical Impact
ChipsetMediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Redmi Note 10 5G's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score110,490381,300Demonstrates the large performance gap, making the Note 10 5G a much better choice for demanding applications.
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G57 MC2Redmi Note 10 5G's GPU is considerably more powerful, resulting in better graphics performance in games and other visually intensive applications.

Camera

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CXiaomi Redmi Note 10 5GPractical Impact
Main Camera13MP, f/2.248MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensorRedmi Note 10 5G captures much more detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Wider aperture allows for better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera5MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.0Redmi Note 10 5G produces sharper and brighter selfies.
Portrait Mode (Depth)2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Similar performance in creating background blur for portrait shots.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Comparable macro capabilities for close-up shots.
Video Recording1080p@30fps1080p@30fpsBoth phones can record Full HD videos.
Slow MotionNoYes, 120 fpsRedmi Note 10 5G can record slow-motion videos for creative effects.
Camera FeaturesDigital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night ModeRedmi Note 10 5G offers 4K video recording, digital image stabilization, and a dedicated Night Mode for improved low-light photography.

Battery

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CXiaomi Redmi Note 10 5GPractical Impact
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhSimilar battery life, potentially lasting a full day of moderate use.
Charging10W18WRedmi Note 10 5G charges significantly faster, reducing charging time.
Battery FeaturesNon-removableReverse charging, Non-removableRedmi Note 10 5G can act as a power bank to charge other devices.

Connectivity and Storage

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CXiaomi Redmi Note 10 5GPractical Impact
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/acRedmi Note 10 5G supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections on compatible networks.
Bluetooth5.05.1Minor improvements in connection stability and efficiency with Bluetooth 5.1 on the Note 10 5G.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeidouGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoRedmi Note 10 5G has slightly better GPS accuracy due to Galileo support.
Storage Options32GB/64GB/128GB64GB/128GB/256GBRedmi Note 10 5G offers a larger maximum storage option, suitable for users with extensive media libraries.
RAM Options2GB/3GB/4GB4GB/6GB/8GBRedmi Note 10 5G offers more RAM, which leads to smoother multitasking and better app performance.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone allows for external storage expansion.

Software and Audio

FeatureXiaomi Redmi 9CXiaomi Redmi Note 10 5GPractical Impact
OSAndroid 10Android 11Redmi Note 10 5G comes with a newer version of Android, potentially offering more features and security updates.
Audio QualityBasic audio featuresHi-Res AudioRedmi Note 10 5G provides better audio fidelity when using compatible headphones or speakers.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Redmi 9C Advantages:

  • Potentially lower price point (depending on current market prices).
  • Slightly taller and wider, may feel more comfortable for some users with larger hands.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G Advantages:

  • Significantly better performance: The Dimensity 700 chipset offers a huge performance boost, making it suitable for gaming and demanding apps.
  • Superior display: Higher resolution and 90Hz refresh rate provide a much smoother and more enjoyable viewing experience.
  • Better camera system: The 48MP main camera captures more detail, and features like 4K video recording and Night Mode enhance its versatility.
  • Faster charging: 18W charging reduces downtime compared to the Redmi 9C's 10W charging.
  • 5G Connectivity: Enables faster download and streaming speeds where available.
  • Hi-Res Audio: Better audio playback.
  • Better build quality: Gorilla Glass 3 offers better screen protection.

Trade-offs:

  • The Redmi Note 10 5G might be slightly more expensive.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Redmi 9C - Ideal User:

  • Users on a very tight budget.
  • Those with very basic smartphone needs (calling, texting, simple browsing).
  • Individuals who prioritize battery life over performance.

Use Cases:

  • A secondary phone for emergencies.
  • A basic phone for elderly users who only need essential features.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G - Ideal User:

  • Users who want a well-rounded smartphone experience.
  • Gamers and media consumers who value performance and display quality.
  • Users who want a future-proof phone with 5G connectivity.
  • Users who value camera quality and features.

Use Cases:

  • Playing mobile games.
  • Streaming videos and movies.
  • Taking high-quality photos and videos.
  • Using demanding apps and multitasking.

4. Decision Framework

Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:

  1. What is your budget? The Redmi 9C is a more affordable option. If budget is the primary concern, it might be sufficient.
  2. What are your performance needs? If you plan to play games, use demanding apps, or want a smooth multitasking experience, the Redmi Note 10 5G is the clear winner.
  3. How important are display quality and camera features? The Redmi Note 10 5G offers a much better display and a more versatile camera system.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Tight budget, basic needs. Choose the Xiaomi Redmi 9C.
  • Scenario 2: Moderate budget, desire for a good all-around experience. Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G.
  • Scenario 3: Prioritize performance, display, and camera above all else. Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G.

Personal Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would definitely pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G. The significant performance boost offered by the Dimensity 700, coupled with the superior display, better camera, faster charging, and 5G connectivity, make it a far more compelling device for a modern smartphone user. While the Redmi 9C might be cheaper, the Redmi Note 10 5G provides a much better overall experience and is a more future-proof investment. The smoother performance, sharper display, and improved camera capabilities would greatly enhance my daily usage, making it well worth the extra cost.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.