1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G and the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.8 × 75.3 × 8.9 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | The Poco M4 Pro 5G is slightly taller and wider, but nearly the same thickness; might feel a tad larger in hand, but minimal. |
| Weight | 190g | 195g | The Redmi Note 10 5G is slightly lighter which could be a bit more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | A minor 0.1" difference which is not noticeable for most use cases. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness and clarity; both displays are FHD+. |
| PPI | 405 | 399 | Negligible difference in pixel density; both will appear equally sharp to the eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both have similar color reproduction, viewing angles and black levels which are typical of IPS LCDs. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations compared to 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness specifications are unavailable, making a comparison impossible. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | The Dimensity 810 is slightly more powerful and energy-efficient, leading to smoother performance and better battery life in the Poco M4 Pro 5G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 381,300 | 438,700 | The Poco M4 Pro 5G demonstrates better performance for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Identical GPUs with different configurations; the difference is likely marginal, indicating similar graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | Redmi Note 10 5G has a wider aperture and larger sensor, which translates to better low-light performance. The Poco M4 Pro has higher resolution, resulting in potentially more detail, however a smaller sensor and aperture will likely impact low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" sensor | The Poco M4 Pro 5G will capture more detailed selfies due to the higher resolution and larger pixels on the sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Poco M4 Pro 5G allows for ultra-wide angle photos which may be useful for landscapes and group photos. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Redmi Note 10 5G can take photos with a depth of field or a bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | None | The Redmi Note 10 5G can take close-up photos of small objects with more detail. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; Slow-motion: 120fps | 1080p@30/60fps; Slow-motion: 60fps | The Poco M4 Pro 5G offers 60 fps video capture, resulting in smoother motion in videos. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Triple camera | Dual camera, Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Continuous shooting | The Redmi Note 10 5G supports 4K video, and has a triple camera setup, while the Poco M4 Pro 5G provides video stabilization and additional manual camera control features. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Identical battery size; both should offer similar battery life under typical use. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 33W fast charging | The Poco M4 Pro 5G charges significantly faster, which translates to less time plugged in. |
| Features | Reverse charging, non-removable | Non-removable | The Redmi Note 10 5G can act as a power bank for other devices, while the Poco M4 Pro 5G lacks this feature. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | The Poco M4 Pro 5G is upgradeable, giving it access to newer features and security updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support dual-band WiFi but the Redmi Note 10 5G's MiMO technology may result in slightly more reliable connections in some environments. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (LE, A2DP, EDR, HID) | 5.1 (LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, AAC) | The Poco M4 Pro 5G has better audio codec support for higher quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco M4 Pro 5G has more comprehensive GPS support, which may provide more precise location tracking in certain regions. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 64/128/256 GB | 64/128/256 GB | Both come in various storage configurations allowing selection of the desired capacity. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Both have options for different RAM amounts catering for different users and needs for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows users to increase internal storage, which can be a limiting factor for users with large media libraries. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Poco M4 Pro 5G offers a more immersive sound experience and better recording capabilities with the two speakers and microphones. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G Advantages:
- Larger Primary Camera Sensor & Wider Aperture: Offers better low-light photography and shallower depth of field.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Triple Camera setup: Offers additional versatility.
- Macro Lens: Better for taking detailed close-up photos.
- Depth Sensor: Allows the user to take photos with a depth of field.
- Wi-Fi MiMO: Possibly better WiFi performance in some environments.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- More Powerful Chipset: The Dimensity 810 offers superior overall performance and battery efficiency.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Captures more detailed selfies.
- Wide Angle Lens: Allows for wider field of view photography.
- 60fps Video Recording: Smoother motion in videos.
- Stereo Speakers: Provides a better multimedia experience.
- Better Bluetooth Audio Codec Support: Provides better audio quality for wireless devices.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: Might offer more accurate proximity detection.
- Software upgrade: Offers longer software support.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10 5G trades overall processing power for a slightly better primary camera in low-light situations, and has a macro lens and depth sensor.
- The Poco M4 Pro 5G loses the macro lens and depth sensor, but provides a wider array of features and significantly better performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize low light camera performance, close-up and depth of field photos.
- Users who may need to charge other devices on the go.
- Users on a tight budget but need a versatile camera and a decent performance.
- Users who value reverse charging and good WiFi speeds.
Use Cases:
- Capturing photos in dim environments.
- Taking detailed close-up photos of small objects.
- Using the phone as a portable power bank.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who value faster charging and a more modern experience.
- Users who consume a lot of media and require better audio.
- Users who prefer more versatile camera experience, with the wide angle lens.
- Users who want more software support.
- Users who prioritize selfies.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and running intensive applications.
- Watching videos and listening to music.
- Taking photos and video with better video and audio features
- Taking group photos and landscape photos.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Is primary camera low light performance, reverse charging, a macro lens and depth sensor a priority, or is overall speed, faster charging, better audio and a wide angle lens more important?
- Will you need the extra performance for gaming and intensive applications that the Poco M4 Pro 5G provides?
- Is having longer software support important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-conscious user focused on photography: The Redmi Note 10 5G could be a slightly better choice, with better primary camera low-light performance, a macro lens, a depth sensor and reverse charging.
- Performance and multimedia-focused user: The Poco M4 Pro 5G is a better option with its faster processor, faster charging, better audio, and versatile camera experience with the wide angle lens.
- User wanting longer support: The Poco M4 Pro 5G may be a better choice because it's upgradeable to android 12, which means a longer software support.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G. While the Redmi Note 10 5G does have some advantages such as the macro lens, depth sensor, reverse charging and better primary camera in low light, the Poco M4 Pro 5G's overall performance, faster charging, superior audio, and better software support make it a more compelling option for my usage patterns. I tend to use my phone for a variety of tasks, from gaming and content consumption to photography, so the faster processor, better audio and wide angle lens on the Poco M4 Pro 5G would provide a better overall experience. The significantly faster charging is also a big plus for convenience. While the macro lens and depth sensor on the Redmi Note 10 5G are nice to have, I don't use those features enough to outweigh the benefits that the Poco M4 Pro 5G offers.
