Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and the Google Pixel 8. I’ll be focusing on how these specs translate to real-world usage, so you get a clear picture of what each phone offers.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key specs, comparing both devices side-by-side:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 10 | Google Pixel 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm | 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm | The Redmi 10 is noticeably larger and might feel bulkier in hand, while the Pixel 8 is more compact and easier to handle one-handed. |
| Weight | 181g | 187g | Redmi 10 is slightly lighter, but the difference is minimal and unlikely to be a significant factor in daily use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.2" | Redmi 10 offers a larger viewing area, which may be preferable for media consumption. Pixel 8 is slightly smaller, better for portability. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer crisp visuals at FHD+ resolution, meaning text and images will appear sharp. |
| PPI | 405 | 428 | Pixel 8's higher pixel density results in slightly sharper images, although the difference is subtle. |
| Technology | OLED | Pixel 8's OLED display delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and superior contrast, leading to a much better visual experience, particularly for HDR content and general viewing quality. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Pixel 8's higher refresh rate will result in smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel snappier. Redmi 10 is still decent but not as fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Pixel 8's much higher peak brightness provides vastly improved visibility outdoors in bright sunlight, a crucial factor for practical daily usage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4nm) | Pixel 8's cutting-edge chipset is vastly more powerful, delivering a much smoother and faster overall experience, particularly for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,600 | 876,512 | Pixel 8's benchmark score is 246% higher, indicating substantially better performance for all tasks, including app launches, multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Pixel 8's GPU offers significantly superior graphics performance, enabling better gameplay and overall visual fidelity. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4575mAh | Redmi 10's larger battery may result in slightly longer usage between charges. But in real life tests, the difference in battery life is negligible. |
| Charging | 18W | 27W | Pixel 8's faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, minimizing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Reverse Charging, 9W wired charging | Reverse Charging | Redmi 10's reverse wired charging could be helpful in some situations where you need to charge another device using it. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.31", 1.2µm | Pixel 8's larger sensor and wider aperture result in better low-light performance and overall image quality with more detail and better light sensitivity. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 10.8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | Pixel 8’s front camera offers more detail and better dynamic range for selfies, and its larger pixel size would provide better quality in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | N/A | Redmi 10 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing broader scenes. Pixel 8 lacks this dedicated lens. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Redmi 10 includes a dedicated depth camera for enhanced portrait mode blur. Pixel 8 lacks this, using computational photography for this task. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Redmi 10 has a macro lens for extreme close-ups. Pixel 8 lacks this lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.9", 0.8µm | Pixel 8 features a combination lens for wide-angle and macro photography. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, slow-mo 120 fps | 4K up to 60fps, HDR, OIS/EIS, slow-mo up to 240fps | Pixel 8 supports vastly superior video recording with higher resolutions, better stabilization, and more advanced slow-motion options. |
| DXoMark Camera | N/A | Main 148, Photo 152, Video 148 | Pixel 8 has excellent camera scores, indicating top-tier performance. Redmi 10's camera quality is significantly lower. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, RAW | Noise reduction, OIS, Pro Video, NPU, RAW | Pixel 8 has advanced software processing capabilities, image stabilization, and AI-powered features for superior photo and video quality. Redmi 10 lacks these advanced features. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 14 | Pixel 8 has a more modern Android OS with the latest features and security updates, with guaranteed future updates as well. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 7 | Pixel 8 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster and more reliable connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Pixel 8 has a newer Bluetooth version with improved stability and performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Pixel 8 supports more satellite systems, offering better accuracy and reliability in location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Pixel 8 supports eSIMs for digital switching between carriers which makes it a better choice for travelers. Redmi 10 is limited to physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128 GB | 128GB or 256GB | Pixel 8 has much higher maximum storage capacity, suitable for users with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 8GB | Pixel 8 has more RAM, offering a smoother multitasking experience with better performance for demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic, 3 mics | Pixel 8's added noise-canceling microphone offers superior call quality and clearer audio recording, enhancing audio immersion and better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Redmi 10's side-mounted sensor is more convenient than Pixel 8's basic in-display fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Pixel 8's more robust screen protection offers better scratch and shatter resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Barometer | Pixel 8 includes more advanced environmental sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi 10 Strengths:
- Bigger Display: Offers a larger screen for media consumption.
- Larger Battery: May provide slightly longer battery life.
- More Versatile Cameras: Offers dedicated lenses for wide-angle, portrait, and macro photography.
- Reverse Wired Charging: Allows you to charge another device via the Redmi 10
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: This is often preferred by users for ease of access.
Google Pixel 8 Strengths:
- Superior Display: OLED technology, higher refresh rate, and much higher peak brightness for better visuals, particularly in bright sunlight.
- Much Higher Performance: The Google Tensor G3 chipset delivers vastly superior speed and responsiveness.
- Excellent Camera Quality: Larger sensor, wider aperture, and advanced software processing results in higher-quality photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Advanced Video Features: Supports 4K video recording with advanced stabilization, HDR, and slow-motion capabilities.
- Latest Android OS: Guaranteed software updates and access to the newest features.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi standards and has a newer Bluetooth version.
- Improved Audio Quality: Features noise cancellation microphone and 3 microphones for superior sound.
- Better Build Quality: Features Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi 10 is more budget-friendly, but comes with compromises in display, performance and camera quality.
- The Pixel 8 has a higher price tag, but offers superior performance, features and user experience.
- The Pixel 8 does not have a dedicated telephoto lens, instead using a combination wide angle + macro lens. The Redmi 10 has dedicated macro and wide angle lenses for more flexibility.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 10 is Best Suited For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability over high-end features.
- Casual Users: People who mainly use their phone for basic tasks like social media, browsing, and calls.
- Users Requiring Extra Camera Flexibility: The Redmi 10 offers more dedicated lenses at a cheaper price.
Google Pixel 8 is Best Suited For:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want the latest features and cutting-edge performance.
- Photography Lovers: Users who want to capture high-quality photos and videos with excellent dynamic range and low light performance.
- Heavy Smartphone Users: Individuals who demand high performance, responsiveness, and consistent software updates.
- Professional users that need the best audio, camera and video recording quality.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask Yourself These Questions:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend? Is performance or price a more important factor?
- Primary Usage: What do you use your phone for the most? Photography, gaming, media consumption, or general use?
- Longevity: Do you need a phone that will receive software updates for a long time?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual Daily User: If you just need a phone for basic tasks, the Redmi 10 can be a good budget choice for casual users who do not need demanding performance, but note that its performance isn't as smooth as that of the Pixel 8.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: The Google Pixel 8 is the clear winner, offering vastly superior image and video quality with its advanced AI capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Gaming and Performance User: The Pixel 8 provides much smoother experience with significantly better speed, faster loading times and smoother multitasking.
Final Choice and Reasoning
If I had to choose between these two phones for myself, I would choose the Google Pixel 8.
Here’s why: As someone who values performance, camera quality, and cutting-edge features, the Pixel 8 ticks all the right boxes. The OLED display is a game-changer, offering incredible colors and brightness. The Tensor G3 chip would provide a much smoother and responsive experience for my daily tasks and gaming. The camera, with its vastly superior sensor and AI processing, produces excellent images and videos that I am more than satisfied with. Although the Redmi 10's dedicated lenses are nice for flexibility, the Pixel 8 does not disappoint and produces stunning photos for all situations. Plus, the promise of long term software updates and the latest version of Android are significant factors for me.
While the Redmi 10 has some appeal, its compromises in performance and display quality make it difficult to recommend over the Pixel 8, unless budget is the primary and only concern. The Pixel 8's superiority in key areas, makes the additional cost easily justifiable, in my opinion.
