Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. This is a classic David vs. Goliath matchup, where we'll see how a budget-friendly phone stacks up against a flagship powerhouse. I'll break it down as if we're chatting about phones over coffee, focusing on what really matters for daily use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 10 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Size | 162 × 75.5 × 8.9 mm | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm | S24 Ultra is a bit wider and slightly thinner; Redmi 10 might feel more compact but less premium in hand. |
| Weight | 181g | 232g | Redmi 10 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for long usage periods. S24 Ultra's weight feels substantial. |
| Build Material | Not Specified | Not Specified | (Likely Plastic vs. Premium Materials) - S24 Ultra likely feels more premium and durable |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | S24 Ultra gives a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | S24 Ultra has noticeably sharper and more detailed display, with 73% more pixels. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 405 | 505 | S24 Ultra's display is significantly crisper; text and images appear clearer. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24 Ultra's screen scrolls smoother; Redmi 10 screen is still pretty decent. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24 Ultra has vastly superior visibility under bright sunlight; Redmi 10 screen will be difficult to see in direct sunlight. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | S24 Ultra runs significantly faster, offering better performance in demanding tasks and gaming; Redmi 10 is adequate for basic usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,600 | 1,814,869 | S24 Ultra has a MASSIVE performance edge - games, apps launch noticeably faster. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 750 | S24 Ultra has superior graphics performance, ensuring smooth gaming experiences even on high settings. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 200MP f/1.7, 1/1.3" | S24 Ultra has superior resolution, low-light capability, and detail capture; Redmi 10 camera is decent for social media. |
| Telephoto Camera | Not Available | 10MP f/3.4, 50MP f/2.4 | S24 Ultra has optical zoom capabilities; Redmi 10 is limited to digital zoom. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 8MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" | S24 Ultra ultrawide is slightly better; still both are good for landscape photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 12MP f/2.2 | S24 Ultra has slightly more resolution; both are good enough for selfies. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Available | Redmi 10 provides a dedicated macro lens; S24 Ultra lacks macro mode. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Available | Redmi 10 has depth camera for portrait mode, S24 ultra relies on software; depth effect should still be better on S24 Ultra. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | S24 Ultra offers vastly superior video recording quality, resolution, and stabilization. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Main: 144 (Photo: 144, Video: 137) | S24 Ultra camera performance is exceptionally good with clear focus on professional usage. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life with regular use, but the S24 Ultra display and powerful processor might drain battery faster. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S24 Ultra charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 9W Reverse Wired Charging, Non-Removable | Bypass Charging, 15W Wireless Charging, 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging, Non-Removable | Samsung has additional charging options, like bypass charging. S24 Ultra is much better for charging. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | S24 Ultra has a more recent Android version and will get updates for years; Redmi 10 software is outdated. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6E | S24 Ultra supports WiFi 6E for faster and more reliable WiFi; S24 Ultra also supports Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | S24 Ultra supports newer Bluetooth version and additional features, like LDAC and SBC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | S24 Ultra has dual-band GPS, and supports more satellite systems, resulting in better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano Sim | Dual Nano Sim, eSIM | S24 Ultra also supports eSIM. |
| STORAGE & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB | S24 Ultra provides much more internal storage; Redmi 10 is limited for media-heavy users. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 12GB | S24 Ultra has significantly more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support microSD card. |
| AUDIO | Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers | S24 Ultra is better for audio separation. |
| SECURITY | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Redmi 10 has side-mounted sensor, while S24 Ultra has basic. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra features latest glass protection; Redmi 10 is relatively old. |
| SENSORS | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Proximity; Environmental: Barometer | S24 Ultra is superior with additional environmental sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi 10:
- Strengths: The Redmi 10 is a budget champion. It's lightweight, has a decent screen, acceptable performance for basic tasks, a big battery, and a versatile camera setup for its price point. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is a nice touch.
- Competitive Advantages: Its affordability is its biggest edge. If you're on a tight budget and just need a phone for calls, texts, browsing, and some social media, the Redmi 10 is a solid pick.
- Trade-offs: The Redmi 10 has a mediocre display, average camera performance, and limited processing power. It's a bit slow by modern standards, with a dim screen.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Strengths: The S24 Ultra is an absolute beast. It boasts a stunning display with high resolution and brightness, top-of-the-line performance, fantastic cameras with a versatile zoom, and a massive feature set. It's the pinnacle of Android smartphone technology.
- Competitive Advantages: The S24 Ultra excels in every category. If you want the best possible performance, camera capabilities, display, and overall user experience, this is the phone to get. Its software and hardware are cutting-edge.
- Trade-offs: The S24 Ultra comes at a steep price. It's also heavier and bulkier, which can be a concern for some users. Its feature-rich nature could be overwhelming for new users.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 10 is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a functional phone without breaking the bank.
- Light Users: People who mainly use their phone for basic tasks, like calls, texts, web browsing, and social media.
- First-Time Smartphone Users: It's a good option to start learning the ropes.
- Secondary Phone Users: As a backup or travel phone due to its simplicity.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is best for:
- Tech Enthusiasts and Power Users: Those who want the latest and greatest in smartphone technology.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Professionals and hobbyists who need top-notch camera capabilities.
- Gamers: People who want a phone with exceptional performance to run high-fidelity games smoothly.
- Productivity-Focused Individuals: Those who demand a device that can handle heavy multitasking, work, and creative tasks.
- Long Term Users: The S24 Ultra has superior support.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to consider:
- What is your budget? If you have a limited budget, the Xiaomi Redmi 10 is an obvious choice. If budget is not a constraint, then go for the Samsung S24 Ultra.
- What do you mainly use your phone for? For basic tasks, the Redmi 10 is fine. But, for intensive tasks, like gaming or photography, the S24 Ultra is the superior option.
- What is your priority: Budget or Performance? If cost is more important than features and raw power, go for the Redmi 10. If performance is the top priority, then the S24 Ultra is the right phone for you.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You want a basic phone for calls, texts, and light browsing. Go for the Xiaomi Redmi 10. It’s an affordable device that can handle these daily tasks without any problem.
- Scenario 2: You are an avid photographer and want the best possible camera on your phone. Go for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It is a camera beast and a top-tier phone.
- Scenario 3: You want a high-performance phone for playing games and running resource-intensive apps. Go for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Its top-notch chip and RAM can run any games smoothly.
- Scenario 4: You need a budget phone with decent capabilities for day-to-day tasks. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 can fit your needs without exceeding your budget.
- Scenario 5: You are a tech enthusiast and want the very best smartphone experience regardless of cost. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the ultimate smartphone device and has the best specifications.
My Choice
If it were my money on the line, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The main reason is the performance. The generational gap between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the Mediatek Helio G88 is monumental, as is the RAM. The S24 Ultra is future-proof, while the Redmi 10 would feel ancient. Additionally, the camera is very important for me. The S24 Ultra takes amazing images, and that would come in handy when I’m traveling.
While the Redmi 10 is appealing in terms of affordability, the trade-offs are way too extreme. The display on the Redmi 10 is very dim and difficult to see outdoors, while the S24 Ultra has best in class brightness. I am not a fan of low-quality displays as I often use my phone outside. Additionally, while the battery capacity is similar, the S24 Ultra charges much faster, thanks to its 45W charging capabilities. The software support is also a factor, as Samsung provides updates for a longer period of time, while the Redmi 10 is stuck with Android 11. Lastly, I often use my phone for mobile gaming, and with the S24 Ultra, the gaming experience would be significantly better.
So, in my case, the price would be worth it. In short, for me, it's all about the premium user experience.
