Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and the Motorola ThinkPhone. We'll break down the specs, talk real-world usage, and figure out which phone might be right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 10 | Motorola ThinkPhone | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162 × 75.5 × 8.9 mm | 158.8 × 74.4 × 8.3 mm | Redmi 10 is slightly larger and thicker; ThinkPhone is more compact. Could affect pocket comfort and one-handed use. |
| Weight | 181g | 188.5g | Redmi 10 is a bit lighter, which might be more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Almost identical viewing area; marginal difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Sharp displays for both; no real difference. |
| PPI | 405 | 399 | Nearly identical sharpness; indistinguishable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | P-OLED | ThinkPhone uses P-OLED, resulting in richer colors, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles. Superior display. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone's higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations appear much smoother, particularly noticeable in fast-paced gaming and app transitions. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | ThinkPhone's significantly higher brightness makes it much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight. Redmi 10, not really usable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ThinkPhone uses a much more powerful, modern chip leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,600 | 1,232,700 | ThinkPhone has drastically higher performance, almost 4x faster. ThinkPhone offers better future-proofing. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 730 | ThinkPhone's superior GPU means dramatically better graphics rendering, especially in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor, 1.0µm | ThinkPhone has a larger sensor and larger pixels, capturing more light and better detail, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.45 | ThinkPhone's selfie camera captures much higher resolution images and more detail, but at the cost of low light performance due to a smaller aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 1.14µm | None | Redmi 10 has dedicated wide-angle shots, a distinct advantage for landscape photography. |
| Portrait (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar depth-sensing capabilities for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Redmi 10 can take dedicated macro shots for detailed close-ups. |
| Wide + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.4 | ThinkPhone has a wide-angle camera with macro capabilities. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; No Stabilization | 8K@30fps (HDR), 4K@30/60fps (HDR,EIS), Slow-mo | ThinkPhone offers far superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolutions, higher frame rate, HDR and stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera | Triple Camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), PDAF, Panorama | ThinkPhone has OIS and PDAF for better focus and stable images, but lacks macro camera and one additional lens. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have identical capacities, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging, 9W reverse wired | 68W fast charging, 15W wireless | ThinkPhone charges much faster, and has wireless charging capability, more convenient and faster charging. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Xiaomi Redmi 10 provides the option for reverse charging. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | ThinkPhone has a more modern version of Android and likely longer software support. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi MiMO | ThinkPhone offers faster, more stable Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE, APT-x | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | ThinkPhone has slightly newer version of Bluetooth with lower energy consumption, and Xiaomi has APT-x |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | ThinkPhone has additional GPS protocol. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB | ThinkPhone has more internal storage and no SD card slot. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 8 GB | ThinkPhone offers more RAM, making multitasking smoother. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | ThinkPhone has advanced audio features for a more immersive experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Redmi 10 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ThinkPhone has superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Redmi 10 has more sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi 10 Strengths:
- Budget-Friendly Price: The Redmi 10 is positioned as an affordable option, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
- Versatile Camera System: It offers a quad-camera setup with dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses, providing creative flexibility for photos.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to reverse charge other devices can be convenient in a pinch.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers faster and more convenient access.
- Lower weight: Slightly lighter and might be preferable for some users.
Motorola ThinkPhone Strengths:
- Premium Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers exceptional speed and power, ideal for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Superior Display: The P-OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate delivers a visually stunning and responsive experience.
- Significantly Higher Brightness: Much better outdoor visibility thanks to the 1200 nits brightness.
- Excellent Camera Quality: With a larger sensor and larger pixels on the main camera, it performs better in various lighting conditions.
- Advanced Video Capabilities: Supports up to 8K recording, HDR, EIS, and slow motion.
- Faster Charging: The 68W fast charging and wireless charging add convenience to daily use.
- Modern Software: Ships with Android 13, and better longevity for updates.
- Better Audio Experience: Equipped with Dolby Atmos, which greatly improves the spatial audio experience.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides great resistance to scratches and impacts.
- Higher internal storage and RAM: 256GB and 8GB of RAM provide better performance.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xiaomi Redmi 10: Significantly lower performance. Display is not comparable to the ThinkPhone. Slower charging.
- Motorola ThinkPhone: More expensive. No dedicated macro camera, wide-angle lens is combined with macro, heavier than the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and lacks a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 10:
- Budget-Conscious Users: This phone is ideal for those looking for a functional smartphone at an affordable price.
- Casual Photographers: The versatile camera system provides enough flexibility for everyday shots.
- Users Who Value Expandability: If you want to charge other devices with reverse charging, the Redmi is the better option.
Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Power Users: Perfect for those who require top-tier performance, multitasking, and intensive gaming capabilities.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Great for those who appreciate high-quality display, audio and video.
- Professional Users: Users who need a reliable device with fast charging, good camera capabilities and long software support.
- Users Who Want a Premium Experience: This device offers a superior display, build quality and features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
- How important is performance for you? If you need top-tier performance, the ThinkPhone is the clear winner. If you just need something to perform basic tasks, the Redmi 10 will do the job.
- What's your budget? The Redmi 10 is significantly more budget friendly. However, if you can afford it, the ThinkPhone offers much better performance and features.
- Which Features Are Most Critical for You? If you prioritize a great display, great audio and video, high performance and overall a premium experience, go for the ThinkPhone. If you need a dedicated macro camera, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, or reverse charging, the Redmi 10 might be more suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Budget-Conscious User
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi 10. It provides good-enough features at an affordable price.
- Scenario 2: The Performance Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Motorola ThinkPhone. Its high-end chipset delivers the best possible performance in this comparison.
- Scenario 3: The Photography Lover
- Recommendation: Motorola ThinkPhone. While the Xiaomi has a dedicated wide-angle and macro cameras, the image quality of the ThinkPhone, thanks to its large sensor, is far superior and it has OIS.
- Scenario 4: The All-Around User
- Recommendation: Motorola ThinkPhone. It offers superior quality in most features, which makes it a great device for everyday use.
My Choice:
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Motorola ThinkPhone. While the Redmi 10 offers value at a low price, the ThinkPhone is just on another level in almost every single area that matters in a phone, specially performance, the display and camera quality. It provides a superior overall experience, a more future-proof device and for me, it really shines where it matters: great performance and premium video capabilities. The faster charging, wireless charging and better build quality are other features that are well worth the price increase. While the lack of dedicated macro and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is a minor downgrade, the overall package is just better.
