Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro vs. Asus ROG Phone 5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.5 x 8.1 mm | 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm | Asus is taller and thicker, less pocketable. Xiaomi is slimmer. |
| Weight | 193g | 238g | Xiaomi is lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | Asus has a slightly larger screen, providing more viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2448 | Virtually identical sharpness; differences are negligible. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical pixel density, same perceived sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus provides slightly smoother animations, especially in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Asus's brightness is not available |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Asus offers significantly faster processing, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 397,200 | 883,000 | Asus performs over twice as well in benchmarks, indicating superior overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 660 | Asus has a more powerful GPU, better for graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5020mAh | 6000mAh | Asus has a larger battery, offering longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Asus offers additional battery management features. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 108MP | 64MP | Xiaomi captures more detailed images on paper, but real world performance will be dependent on software processing. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 | Asus has a slightly wider aperture, theoretically better low-light performance, but difference may be minor. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | 1/1.7" | Xiaomi has a larger sensor, potentially better for light capture, but again, software also plays a large role. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 24MP | Asus captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2.8" | Asus has a slightly larger sensor, potentially better for low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 8MP | 13MP | Asus captures more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.5 | Xiaomi has a wider aperture, potentially better for low-light wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated depth sensor, improving portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens Resolution | 5MP | 5MP | Both capture macro photos with the same resolution. |
| Macro Lens Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.0 | Asus has a slightly wider aperture, which may improve macro low light. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | Asus captures significantly higher resolution and higher framerate videos for smoother slow motion. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, RAW | Triple Camera, Optical Zoom, PDAF | Different camera strengths; Xiaomi offers a dedicated depth sensor, while Asus has a telephoto lens for better zoom, manual focus controls, and superior autofocus |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 11 (up to 12) | Xiaomi has potentially longer software update lifespan. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 802.11ad | Asus supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Asus has a newer Bluetooth version with potentially improved performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus has more satellite options for more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Asus has higher max storage, suitable for more media or apps. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | Asus offers higher RAM options for smoother multitasking, faster app switches. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | DTS / DTS X, 4 Microphones | Asus has more audio features including noise cancellation microphone for better recording |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi's side fingerprint is more advanced, possibly faster and more reliable |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 6 | Asus has slightly more scratch-resistant screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall | Xiaomi has virtual proximity sensor while Asus has a dedicated proximity and hall sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable for single-handed use and carrying around.
- Better Outdoor Visibility: With 1200 nits brightness, it's significantly easier to use in direct sunlight.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor More advanced, potentially faster and more reliable unlock experience.
- Lower price point: Typically cheaper, offering good value for the features.
- Dedicated Depth sensor: Provides more natural bokeh effect in portrait mode.
- RAW photo support: Better flexibility for advanced editing.
Practical Implications: The Redmi Note 10 Pro is a more practical daily driver with its lighter build, better display in bright conditions, and lower price.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides a major performance advantage for gaming and demanding apps.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life for extended usage and gaming sessions.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging allows for quicker charging, reducing downtime.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display offers smoother animations and a more fluid gaming experience.
- Superior Audio: DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, and 4 microphones provide superior audio quality.
- Higher Storage & RAM Options: Can handle more apps and multitasking.
- Superior Video capabilities: 8K video and high frame-rate video recording for professional quality video.
- More advanced GPS: Provides more accurate positioning with more satellite support.
Practical Implications: The ROG Phone 5 is primarily built for performance, offering a superior experience in gaming and demanding applications. It excels in areas requiring maximum speed and graphic fidelity.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: Lower performance, less battery, and less powerful camera system
- Asus: Significantly heavier, larger and less bright display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro:
- Ideal User: General user looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone with a good screen and camera.
- Use Cases:
- Daily usage such as browsing, social media, and media consumption
- Casual photography and video recording
- Users who prioritize a lightweight device
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking good value
- Strengths: Better outdoor visibility, slimmer and lighter build, good general performance for its price.
Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Ideal User: Hardcore gamers, power users, and those who need the best performance.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with demanding graphics and high refresh rates
- Heavy multitasking with numerous apps running simultaneously
- Video editing, graphic design, and other performance-intensive tasks
- Users who value top-tier performance
- Those who need longer battery life for extended use
- Strengths: Superior gaming performance, better battery life, faster charging, and advanced audio capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, daily use, media consumption, etc.)
- How important are portability and comfort? (Weight and dimensions)
- What is your budget? (Cost is a major differentiating factor)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you're a casual user on a budget: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro provides a good balance of features and price, with better display brightness.
- If you're a serious gamer or power user: The Asus ROG Phone 5 offers significantly better performance and features that are tailored for demanding use.
- If outdoor visibility is critical: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro has the better display.
- If you want the absolute best photo and video features: Neither phone is ideal, but the Asus ROG Phone 5 offers an 8K recording capability.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro offers a brighter display and a more compact design, I prioritize performance for both gaming and productivity. The Asus's significantly more powerful chipset, larger RAM options, and superior video capabilities better align with my usage, which includes demanding mobile games, some video editing, and multitasking. I also prefer the faster charging and larger battery capacity for my personal workflow and usage habits, even if it means dealing with a bulkier device.
