Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro. It's always interesting to see how Xiaomi differentiates its offerings within a similar price bracket, and these two phones showcase some of those choices quite clearly.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 10 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm | Poco M4 Pro is more compact, slightly easier to handle; Redmi 10 has larger overall volume |
| Weight | 181g | 179.5g | Negligible difference in weight, both feel similarly balanced in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.43" | Very similar screen sizes, a negligible difference in practice. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp, clear images at Full HD+ resolution. |
| PPI | 405 | 409 | Both have sharp displays, with slightly higher pixel density on the Poco M4 Pro |
| Technology | (IPS LCD) | AMOLED | Poco M4 Pro's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and better colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness; needs further testing under real-world conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm) | Poco M4 Pro's Helio G96 is noticeably more powerful, better for gaming and demanding apps |
| Antutu Score | 253,600 | 438,700 | Poco M4 Pro demonstrates a significantly higher benchmark performance |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco M4 Pro's GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks more smoothly. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer all-day battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Poco M4 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging (9W) | Non-removable | Redmi 10 can act as a portable power bank, a feature Poco M4 Pro lacks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Both offer decent standard photography, identical sensors. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Poco M4 Pro has higher resolution and pixel size, leading to better selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Both phones have equivalent wide-angle lens performance. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Redmi 10 has a depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Redmi 10 has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, slow-mo 120fps | 1080p@30fps, slow-mo 60fps | Redmi 10 offers slightly better slow motion, both are capable for regular video recording. |
| Camera Features | 4K, RAW, Quad camera | Ultra stable video, Dual cam, night mode | Redmi 10 has 4K video recording and RAW image capture, Poco M4 Pro is more suited for videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both phones are based on the same Android 11 version, but their experiences are different. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have equivalent Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, APT-x | 5.1, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | Poco M4 Pro supports higher quality audio codecs via bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco M4 Pro might have slightly better positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | Redmi 10 has more base storage options than Poco M4 Pro | |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | Redmi 10 has more RAM options than Poco M4 Pro. | |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Sp, 2 mics | Poco M4 Pro offers significantly better audio output with surround sound, higher quality, and microphone setup. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted FP sensor | Side-mounted FP sensor | Both have fast and reliable fingerprint scanners. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both are equally protected from scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Comprehensive sensor suite | Comprehensive sensor suite | Both have very similar sensor systems. |
2. Key Insights
Poco M4 Pro's Strengths: The Poco M4 Pro shines with its superior AMOLED display, significantly more powerful chipset (Helio G96), and faster 33W charging. The enhanced audio features with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio are also notable. Its selfie camera is also superior in resolution.
Redmi 10's Strengths: The Redmi 10 offers a more versatile camera setup with additional depth and macro lenses, as well as the ability to shoot 4K video and capture RAW images. It also boasts reverse charging and provides more RAM/Storage options.
User Experience Differences:
- Gaming/Performance: Poco M4 Pro wins, providing much smoother and more responsive performance, especially in graphics-intensive tasks.
- Display Quality: AMOLED on the Poco M4 Pro is a noticeable upgrade, offering richer colours and better viewing angles.
- Photography/Video: Redmi 10 provides a more versatile set of features for capturing moments, though the Poco M4 Pro may have better image processing.
- Daily Use: The faster charging on the Poco M4 Pro will make it more convenient to use throughout the day, while the slightly smaller form factor might be preferable to some users.
- Audio: The Poco M4 Pro has superior audio output, enhancing media consumption.
- Trade-offs:
- Poco M4 Pro sacrifices a few camera lens and RAW recording, and reverse charging in favor of superior performance, a better screen, and faster charging.
- Redmi 10 offers a more versatile camera system and battery features, but compromises in raw processing power and screen quality.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 10 is Best For:
- Users who value a versatile camera system with macro and depth lenses.
- Those looking for a phone with reverse charging capabilities, letting them charge other devices.
- Individuals who might not play graphically intense mobile games.
- Budget-conscious users looking for decent specs and storage.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is Best For:
- Users who value a higher quality display and superior performance, even if slightly more expensive.
- Gamers or heavy app users who need a phone to handle demanding tasks.
- Those who prioritize superior audio quality for media consumption.
- Users who appreciate fast charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself these questions:
- How important is gaming or running demanding applications to you?
- If it’s crucial, the Poco M4 Pro is the clear choice with its significantly more powerful processor.
- How much do you value display quality?
- If you value deep blacks, vibrant colors, and better viewing angles, the AMOLED on the Poco M4 Pro is hard to beat.
- Do you need specific camera features like macro lenses or 4K video recording or RAW photography?
- If so, the Redmi 10 will suit your needs better. The Poco M4 Pro is simpler and better for the average person.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you primarily browse the web, use social media, and take the occasional photo, the Poco M4 Pro offers a better user experience due to its superior display, faster charging and faster performance.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: The Poco M4 Pro will be a much better experience due to its stronger processor and GPU and a better screen.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast on a Budget: While neither is a flagship camera, the Redmi 10 has more versatility, offering more lenses and 4K/RAW photos and video capability.
- Scenario 4: Multimedia Consumption: The Poco M4 Pro has far better speakers and sound through headphones, and is thus better for consuming media such as movies and music.
My Choice
If I were to pick one of these devices, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro. The AMOLED display and the significantly more powerful Helio G96 chipset are the clear deciding factors for me. The screen is just so much nicer to use, and the extra performance will ensure the phone remains smooth and responsive, plus the audio setup is better. While I appreciate the versatility of the Redmi 10's camera system, I don't often find myself relying on macro lenses, depth lenses, or RAW photos, and I prefer the superior image processing of the Poco M4 Pro. The faster charging is also a huge convenience and is something that I would use every day, making this the right choice for me. The Poco M4 Pro offers a better overall package for my typical use cases.
