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Le Parisien tested: three 5G smartphones for less than 250 euros

2021-07-12T15:43:32.173Z


Yes, you can surf in 5G without (too much) breaking the bank. If the plans remain relatively expensive, the compatible telephones, they do not cost p


The 5G network is (gently) weaving its web in France.

And contrary to what we observed at the launch of 4G, compatible smartphones are not overpriced.

For those who want to try their hand at the latest generation mobile network without breaking their PEL, we tested three compatible Android smartphones, sold for less than 250 euros: the realme 8 5G, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G and the Motorola G50.

But at this price, it will be necessary to make some concessions ...

Design and finishes: Redmi Note 10 5G advantage

To contain prices, the three brands have given up the most expensive materials. Exit therefore the glass, ceramic or aluminum, place to the plastic which dresses the back and the contours of the three models tested. Overall, it is the finishes of the Redmi Note 10 5G which are, in our eyes, the most worked: the matt plastic seems more qualitative than among the competitors and the photo unit on the back is more elegantly integrated. Note also that Xiaomi declines its device in four colors, against only two for its challengers. A detail that may be important for some ... The design of the Motorola, without being repulsive, seems a little dated: fingerprint sensor on the back (and not on a slice), selfie camera in the shape of a water drop, wide borders… all this is not really in tune with the times.

On the left, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10;

above, the Motorola G50;

at the bottom, the realme 8 5G.

A magic square?

Adrien lablanche

Screen: realme 8 5G advantage

To limit manufacturing costs, again, the three manufacturers have opted for an LCD screen rather than Oled, a technology that guarantees truly black blacks and brilliant contrasts. On the other hand, they did not balk at the fluidity since the three panels offer a refresh rate of 90 frames per second (90 Hz). A good point. In use, it is the screen of the realme which seemed to us the most pleasant: Full HD + (2400 x 1080 pixels), bright, it displays very good contrast and fairly faithful colors. That of the Redmi Note 10 5G, Full HD + too, is pleasant, even if its brightness is lower, just like its contrasts. Red card for Motorola, which delivers a screen with a far too weak definition: barely 1600 x 720 pixels (ie HD +). Even if the whole remains readable,it is not uncommon to see the pixels and it stings the eyes a bit… To offer such a panel in 2021 is not acceptable.

The screen of the realme (in the center), thanks to excellent contrasts and good brightness, stands out.

That of the Motorola (right), on the other hand, is disappointing because its definition is too low.

Adrien lablanche

Autonomy: equality between the realme 8 5G and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G

The three phones all have a large 5000 mAh battery.

And all three enjoy a comfortable autonomy of about a day and a half in mixed use (social networks, streaming, WhatsApp, a little game ...).

It is therefore difficult to separate them on this aspect, even if the Xiaomi and the Realme seemed to us a bit more enduring than the Motorola.

The latter recharges in about 2h25m.

It's very long.

Longer, in any case, than with its two competitors who need about 2 hours to refuel (which is long, there too).

The difference can therefore be made on this point.

Read also The Parisian has tested: the Xiaomi Mi 11, it has (almost) everything of a great

Photography: realme 8 5G advantage

We find, on the three models, a main module of 48 Megapixels (MP). To support it, Xiaomi and Motorola are betting on a combo composed of two sensors: one dedicated to the macro, the other used to measure the depth. Realme prefers to opt for a macro sensor / black and white sensor duo. No ultra wide-angle, or even telephoto, so ... Too bad. What must be remembered is that the interest of these secondary sensors is very questionable, the quality not being here. Instead, let's focus on the main module. By day, on a clear day, it is often the realme that has taken the best shots. The colors are rather natural and there is no too pronounced smoothing effect. The Motorola is not doing too badly either, showing a fairly colorful and contrasting result, even if the sharpness is a little less good.Xiaomi's phone suffers from poor dynamic management. Photos are often underexposed and the phone struggles to "unblock" dark areas. In addition, the color rendering is often a bit dull. At night, only the realme offers a fairly clean rendering, where the Motorola and the Xiaomi deliver photos that are too dark and too blurry. Regarding selfies, the three mobiles all have the same flaw: too smooth the face. But this observation is less valid with the realme, perhaps because its sensor at the front rises to 16 MP against 13 MP on the G50 and barely 8 MP on the Xiaomi.only the realme offers a fairly clean rendering, where the Motorola and the Xiaomi deliver photos that are too dark and too blurry. Regarding selfies, the three mobiles all have the same flaw: too smooth the face. But this observation is less valid with the realme, perhaps because its sensor at the front rises to 16 MP against 13 MP on the G50 and barely 8 MP on the Xiaomi.only the realme offers a fairly clean rendering, where the Motorola and the Xiaomi deliver photos that are too dark and too blurry. Regarding selfies, the three mobiles all have the same flaw: too smooth the face. But this observation is less valid with the realme, perhaps because its sensor at the front rises to 16 MP against 13 MP on the G50 and barely 8 MP on the Xiaomi.

Photo taken with the realme 8 5G.

Adrien lablanche

Photo taken with the Motorola G50.

Adrien lablanche

Photo taken with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G.

The dynamics are poor.

Adrien lablanche

Performance: equality

The three mobiles, in their basic variation, have the same configuration: 4 Gb of RAM + 64 Gb (expandable for the G50 and the Realme) of storage memory.

It may seem fair.

But on a daily basis, they are quite swift, even when several applications have been opened and are running in the background.

On the game side, they all manage to launch gourmet titles, like Call of Duty mobile or PUBG.

But no miracle: it will be impossible to push the graphics to the limit.

Read also Everything you need to know to choose the right Android smartphone

Verdict

If you want to enjoy 5G on the cheap, the realme 8 5G may be your best bet right now. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 does not demerit either. Its finish is more successful than that of the realme but its screen and its performance in photos remain a notch below. We don't recommend the Motorola G50, in large part because of its age-defining display and somewhat dated look. Especially since it is more expensive than its two competitors (around 250 euros against 230).

That said, we must keep in mind that, to achieve this lowest price, manufacturers have all had to make big compromises, mainly on the quality of the screen (LCD against Oled), the finishes (long live the plastic) and the photo experience (overall rendering, versatility). If 5G is not essential in your eyes, it is better to move towards much more balanced and cheaper 4G models like, for example, the excellent Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 or the very good realme 8, which cost around 200 euros.

realme 8 5G:

229 euros (4 Gb + 64 Gb), 259 euros (6 Gb + 128 Gb). Two colors available: black and blue (our test version).

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G:

229.90 euros (4 Gb + 64 Gb), 269.90 euros (4 Gb + 128 Gb). Four colors available: silver, midnight blue, graphite gray (our test version) and green.

Motorola G50:

249 euros (4 Gb + 64 Gb). Two colors available: gray and blue (our test version).

Source: leparis

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