I still spend most of my time at home, which means I devote hours and hours of my day on my phone. I use it to read and send emails, do some light writing and editing, and post on social media. After work hours and during the weekend, I use it to stream Netflix and play games. Because of this, it makes sense that I need a smartphone that can keep up with all of the different things I do every day.

I was pleasantly surprised to find an affordable 5G smartphone that could meet my demands – and priced at less than PHP 10,000 to boot! The Redmi Note 10 5G, Xiaomi’s latest 5G-ready mid-range smartphone, is one of the most affordable 5G smartphones and boasts a 5000mAh battery and 18W fast charging – perfect for those who spend a lot of time on their phones during the day and prefer to power up real fast.

We got to try out the phone and here’s what we learned:

6.5-inch big and immersive screen

First things first, at 6.5 inches and with a 1080×2400 resolution, the screen is big and clear enough to enjoy all of the details of each game that you play and every show or movie that you watch.

However, weighing in at only 190g, it is still light enough to ensure that your arms and hands won’t get numb or tired even after holding the phone for a long period of time. This makes it easy to carry around, too.

For those who enjoy choosing pretty colors for their phones, the Redmi Note 10 5G comes in different colors to suit different styles and personalities. We got it in Nighttime Blue, but the phone is also available in Chrome Silver, Graphite Gray, and Aurora Green.

Powerful 5000 mAh battery

We put the gaming capabilities to the test, as well, by checking the battery before and after playing our usual rounds. We started with the very Tita game, Match 3D, and only lost 9% of battery after playing for an hour. Conversely, we also tried the more graphics-heavy Mobile Legends for an hour, and only lost 14% of power. That means you can play more than 7 hours straight before completely draining the battery. Depending on how long each game lasts, that would roughly be up to 30 Ranked games.

In terms of streaming, Xiaomi said this smartphone can play videos for 22 hours straight.* We haven’t tried that yet, but we’re so excited to binge Netflix shows during the weekend!

Super-fast internet, thanks to 5G capability

What makes using the Redmi Note 10 5G exciting is that it’s a 5G smartphone. It uses the MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G chipset, which claims to deliver a peak download speed of up to 2.77Gbps. This basically means that it can provide super-fast internet. If you’re an ML player, your Internet connection could definitely make or break each game, so you can finally say goodbye to being a feeder and being considered AFK with this phone in your hands.

This makes it helpful for online classes, especially if you’re looking for a portable and affordable 5G smartphone that can get the job done. No longer will you experience lags during graded recitations or Zoom groupwork sessions nor will you miss any important details in class. It even offers a Reading Mode 3.0, which offers a paper-like reading experience when you’re reading e-books or modules.

Faster gaming experience

That aside, the phone also has a 90Hz refresh rate, which refers to the number of times per second the display is able to draw a new image. This offers a much sleeker gaming experience for games that support it, including Vainglory and Marvel Contest of Champions. 90 frames per second is actually 50% more frames than normal smartphones with 60Hz displays. How awesome is that?

Additionally, the 6.5” FHD+ AdaptiveSync Display automatically adjusts the screen’s performance depending on the type of content you are using the phone for. It will switch to 90Hz refresh rate when you’re playing a game, for example, and move to 60Hz when you’re just streaming a video. This is good for the battery as it ensures that you don’t waste more power than you need to.

If you’re the type of person who uses their phone in the dark, the Redmi Note 10 5G has 360° light sensors that adjust the brightness to your surroundings so you won’t strain your eyes when you tell yourself you’re going to watch “just one” more episode on Netflix before bed.

Overall, this all-around 5G smartphone has definitely proven itself worthy for all of my work-and-play needs. Whether you’re a casual gamer, a student who takes online classes, or simply need an efficient phone and fast connection for work or socializing; the Redmi Note 10 5G is a great option that won’t break the bank!

This smartphone is available in two variants at the following price points:

4GB+128GB – Php 9,990
8GB+128GB – Php 11,490

There’s also a Redmi Note 10S (priced at Php 11,990) with redesigns and updates, which comes in 8GB+128GB.

This 5G-enabled smartphone is now available on Lazada, Shopee, authorized Mi Stores, and official retailers.

* All data on this page regarding charging and battery life are obtained from Xiaomi laboratories. Actual results may vary according to differences in software version, environment, and phone edition, and may not reflect the actual product.