[Trying Xiaomi Redmi 10] A Well-Balanced Budget Smartphone at an Affordable Price

Xiaomi smartphone 'Redmi 10'

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Xiaomi's budget LTE smartphone 'Redmi 10' is a fairly well-balanced product considering its affordable price.

The first thought upon turning on the Redmi 10 was familiarity. Although Xiaomi's user interface (UI) 'MIUI' applied to the Redmi 10 might feel somewhat unfamiliar, since it is based on the Google Android operating system (OS), users who have previously used Samsung or LG products would likely adapt easily. Minimizing the adjustment period could be an important factor for a foreign phone challenging the domestic market, considering the demand for budget devices.

Xiaomi smartphone 'Redmi 10'

The first impression was not bad either. The unit tested was in 'Carbon Gray' color, which subtly changed hues depending on the angle of light, preventing it from feeling dull. The rounded corners provided a generally good grip. Above all, despite housing a large 5000mAh battery, the weight was only 181g, making it comfortable to use with one hand. It was also interesting that the package included not only a charger but also a soft case.

The biggest disappointment was the display. It features a 6.5-inch Full HD+ resolution display, but overall the colors were pale and the contrast ratio was lacking. Even when the brightness was set to maximum, it did not feel overwhelming but rather somewhat stifling. Compared to recent high-end smartphones that offer dazzlingly bright screens, the difference was quite noticeable. Additionally, the relatively thick bezels at the top and bottom might bother some users.

Xiaomi smartphone 'Redmi 10'

However, the support for a 90Hz refresh rate is a noteworthy aspect. Although many products now support 120Hz, considering this is a much more affordable budget device, the 90Hz high refresh rate is quite an attractive feature. Furthermore, it applies AdaptiveSync technology to increase the refresh rate only when content requires it, thereby extending battery life.

The camera was somewhat disappointing as well. The Redmi 10 is equipped with a quad-camera setup on the rear, including a 50-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide, a 2-megapixel macro, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. It also supports various shooting modes and filters such as Pro, Portrait, and Night, which raises expectations on paper. However, in actual use, some environments revealed shortcomings. Photos taken in well-lit daytime conditions were generally acceptable, but in low-light environments or when zooming in, noticeable noise was present.

Xiaomi smartphone 'Redmi 10'

Ultimately, Xiaomi's product should be evaluated alongside its price. The list price of 249,700 KRW offers sufficient purchase incentive considering the overall balance of the product. The fact that it provides 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage at a price in the 200,000 KRW range, along with dual SIM support allowing two USIM cards in one device, is also positive. However, the raised expectations of domestic consumers, persistent distrust of Chinese products, and unremarkable performance may act as factors causing hesitation in purchasing.