1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm | 146.5 × 68.1 × 9.4 mm | The Redmi Note 10 Pro is significantly larger, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed. The Zenfone 10 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 193g | 172g | The Zenfone 10 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Redmi Note 10 Pro feels heavier and might be less comfortable for long periods. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 5.92" | The Redmi Note 10 Pro offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. The Zenfone 10 is more compact, suitable for one-handed use, though screen space is reduced. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have identical resolutions, ensuring sharp images and text |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 445 | The Zenfone 10 offers a slightly sharper image due to higher pixel density. Small details will appear clearer on the Zenfone 10, though both will generally look sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones have vibrant colours and deep blacks due to AMOLED tech. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Zenfone 10 offers slightly smoother animations and scrolling. Most users will barely notice the 24Hz difference though, both are generally very smooth. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1100 nits | The Redmi Note 10 Pro is a bit brighter, offering slightly better visibility under direct sunlight, though both will be adequately bright in most conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Zenfone 10 is significantly faster, offering much better performance for demanding apps and games. The Redmi Note 10 Pro is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with high-end games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 397,200 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone 10 has drastically higher benchmark scores, indicating smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and superior gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 740 | The Zenfone 10 has a much more powerful GPU, resulting in smoother and more detailed graphics for games and video editing. The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a lower-end GPU. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a higher megapixel count but that doesn't mean it will always produce better results. Megapixels are not the only factor when it comes to image quality. |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1/1.52" Samsung S5KHM2 | 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a slightly larger sensor, which can capture more light, although the difference is small. The Zenfone uses a very high quality sensor. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.70 µm | 1.00 µm | The Zenfone 10's larger pixels capture more light for each pixel, making it better in low-light conditions. The Redmi Note 10 Pro has smaller pixels which may struggle more in low-light situations. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 32MP | The Zenfone 10 has a higher resolution front camera, which captures more detail in selfies, however, it also has a smaller pixel size, so it's not a clear win here. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor | 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a slightly larger sensor. The sensor size difference is minimal however, so it won't impact image quality significantly. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 1.00 µm | 0.70 µm | The Redmi Note 10 Pro's larger pixel size on the selfie camera means it will perform slightly better in low-light conditions |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | N/A | The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a dedicated wide angle lens while Zenfone does not have it as a separate module. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP | N/A | The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor which is used for creating a background blur on portrait photos |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | N/A | The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-ups, while the Zenfone 10 doesn't have a separate one but uses it's wide-angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 13MP | The Zenfone 10 includes a wide angle/macro lens on the rear module. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | The Zenfone 10 has much better video recording capabilities, supporting higher resolutions and framerates, as well as having HDR and EIS on all video options |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | The Zenfone 10 has electronic image stabilisation (EIS) which will mean less shake and wobble in videos. |
| Slow-motion | 960fps | 480fps | The Redmi Note 10 Pro can record slow motion video at a higher framerate. |
| Other Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Night Mode | Dual camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Gimbal, PDAF, Omnidirectional PDAF | The Zenfone 10 has more advanced stabilization and focus features, which will lead to sharper, less shaky pictures and videos. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5020 mAh | 4300 mAh | The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a larger battery, meaning longer battery life. This is especially helpful for heavy users. The Zenfone 10, though smaller, might require more frequent charging for heavy use. |
| Charging | 33W wired | 30W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wired | The Redmi Note 10 Pro charges slightly faster using a wired connection. The Zenfone 10 offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, which are absent on the Redmi Note 10 Pro. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 5W reverse wired charging | The Zenfone 10 is more versatile due to its wireless and reverse wired charging abilities, while the Redmi note 10 pro doesn't have these features. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | The Zenfone 10 has a newer version of Android, offering the latest features and security updates. The Redmi Note 10 Pro runs an older version. |
| Max Version | 13 | 15 | The Zenfone 10 will get at least 2 more android updates compared to Redmi Note 10 Pro |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 | The Zenfone 10 supports the latest WiFi standards, providing much faster speeds, lower latency, and access to 6GHz and other bands. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The Zenfone 10 uses a newer Bluetooth version with better audio codecs like Apt-X and LDAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Zenfone 10 supports more GPS bands and satellites, ensuring more accurate navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones have standard dual SIM capabilities. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB | The Zenfone 10 offers a maximum of 512GB of storage. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 16 GB | The Zenfone 10 offers higher RAM options, leading to smoother multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Zenfone 10 has noise cancelling mics and two mics, which will mean higher quality audio recording. The Redmi Note 10 pro has Dolby Atmos, which is good for creating a immersive experience |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Security Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have standard fingerprint sensors. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Zenfone 10 has better screen protection, reducing the risk of damage from drops and scratches. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Zenfone 10 has more sensors to be used in games and other apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Display: A bigger screen is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking, though it reduces pocketability.
- Larger Battery: Offers longer battery life, beneficial for heavy usage without frequent charging.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Although this doesn't mean better quality, having more megapixels provides a larger image, which some users might prefer.
- Lower price: The Redmi Note 10 Pro is significantly cheaper than the Asus Zenfone 10.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth sensor: It has a dedicated macro and depth sensor, something that the Zenfone 10 lacks
Asus Zenfone 10 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides superior performance, much better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Compact and Lightweight: Easier to handle and carry, more suitable for one-handed use.
- Higher Pixel Density: Offers a sharper image, although both phones have good displays.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient and versatile charging without wires.
- Better Video Recording: Supports higher video resolutions (8K) and framerates, and includes HDR and EIS, crucial for content creators.
- More advanced stabilization: The Zenfone 10 has optical stabilization, and uses a gimbal in conjunction with OIS, to give much better results for shaky videos
- Newer Software: Runs Android 13 with a future-proof upgrade path, meaning you get the latest features and security.
- More advanced connectivity: WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 provide much faster speeds and lower latency
- More RAM and storage options: Comes in 8/16GB RAM, and up to 512GB storage.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better screen protection.
- More GPS satellite bands: Provides more accurate GPS location tracking.
- Better Audio recording: Includes a noise cancellation microphone and dual mics for better audio recording.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10 Pro, while cheaper, has significantly lower performance and an older OS. It does, however have a larger battery and a slightly brighter screen.
- The Asus Zenfone 10, while providing top-tier performance, has a smaller screen and a smaller battery. It also costs significantly more. It does however have far superior video recording capabilities, wireless charging, the latest software and better connectivity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who want a large display for media consumption, and a good battery for long usage time.
- Use Cases: Casual gaming, social media, watching videos, basic photography. Ideal for those who don't need high performance for demanding tasks.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for users focused on screen size and battery life on a lower budget.
Asus Zenfone 10:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, and content creators who value performance, superior video recording, and the latest features in a compact size.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, professional photography, running demanding apps. Perfect for those who prioritize performance and advanced features over screen size.
- Price-to-Value: Justifies its higher price with top-tier performance, advanced camera capabilities, cutting-edge connectivity, and a premium build, offering significant future proofing for the price.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions for buyers to consider:
What is your budget?
- If you are on a tight budget, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is a more affordable option with a large screen and battery.
- If your budget allows, the Asus Zenfone 10 justifies its cost with superior performance, camera, and features.
What is your priority: performance or battery life?
- If you prioritize battery life and a larger display, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is a better choice.
- If you prioritize high performance, fast video recording, wireless charging, the latest software, and excellent connectivity the Asus Zenfone 10 is a much better option.
Do you prefer a larger display or a compact size?
- If you want a larger screen for media consumption and multitasking, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is preferable.
- If you prefer one-handed use and portability, the Asus Zenfone 10 is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and basic tasks, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro offers good value with a large display and battery.
- Gamer/Power User: If you play high-end games, edit videos, or run demanding applications, the Asus Zenfone 10 provides the performance and features you need.
- Budget User: If you have a tight budget and need the basics, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is a more affordable option.
- Content Creator: If you need top tier video recording, high quality photos, and advanced stabilization features, the Asus Zenfone 10 is the better option.
My choice:
Given my priorities as a power user, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 10. While the Redmi Note 10 Pro is a good phone for its price, the massive performance jump from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, along with the better camera, display, wireless charging, and newer software and connectivity are features I value more than a large display and battery. The Zenfone 10's compact size, advanced features, and future-proofing make it the better option for my use case.
