Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro vs. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | Motorola Edge 30 Pro is slightly thicker, but overall size is very similar. |
| Weight | 193g | 196g | Both phones feel virtually the same weight in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp, clear viewing experience. |
| PPI | 395 | 393 | Pixel density is virtually identical, providing similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola's slightly higher refresh rate may result in subtly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi is far brighter and much better for outdoor visibility in sunlight. The lack of brightness data for the Motorola is a significant disadvantage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola's chip provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 397,200 | 1,061,400 | Motorola offers a dramatically faster experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | Motorola provides a vastly superior graphics processing for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | Xiaomi has higher resolution for detailed photos, especially when cropped. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 | Motorola's wider aperture allows more light, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | 1/1.55" | Xiaomi's slightly larger sensor captures slightly more light, better detail in some situations. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 60MP | Motorola captures more detail in selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Motorola's wider aperture will likely result in slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2.8" | Motorola's sensor is larger than the Xiaomi and will produce better detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | None | Xiaomi offers dedicated wide angle camera for wider shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both provide depth sensing for portrait mode shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | Xiaomi allows close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 50MP | Motorola combines wide-angle and macro into one. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Motorola can record higher resolution videos with much better stabilisation. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | Motorola videos are much more stable and smooth. |
| DXOMark | N/A | 101 | Motorola's camera scores well in tests, while Xiaomi has not been tested. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5020mAh | 4800mAh | Xiaomi has a slightly larger battery for potentially longer use. |
| Charging | 33W | 68W | Motorola charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 15W | Motorola can be wirelessly charged. |
| Reverse Charging | No | Yes | Motorola can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Motorola has a slightly more up-to-date base OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Motorola has a newer WiFi standard providing better speeds and latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Motorola offers a newer version with better audio codec support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Motorola offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Motorola has higher ram options for better performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both provide good audio but Xiaomi has "Hi Res" capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi has more comprehensive sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The 1200 nits brightness makes it much more suitable for outdoor use in direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery may offer a little longer use between charges.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lens: Offers more flexible photography.
- Hi-Res Audio: Supports high resolution audio.
- Superior Screen Protection: Uses Gorilla Glass 5 compared to Gorilla Glass 3 on the Motorola.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Offers an ultrasonic proximity sensor in addition to standard sensors.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a vastly superior user experience in terms of app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 68W charging means faster top-ups.
- Superior Video Recording: Higher quality recording with 8K capabilities with stabilisation.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Adds convenience for users.
- Better Selfie Camera: The 60MP selfie camera will offer more detailed and higher quality photos and videos.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Bluetooth 5.2 provides better audio codec support and more stable connections.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate offers smoother animations.
- More Storage Options: Offers a 512GB storage option.
- Camera Performance: Superior photo and video performance (based on DXOMark score).
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi sacrifices raw power and some premium features for a lower price point, brighter display, larger battery, and dedicated lenses.
- Motorola prioritizes performance and premium features at the expense of a less bright display, smaller battery, and a potentially higher price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Looking for the best value for money.
- Outdoor Users: Who need a very bright screen to be able to easily see their phone in the sun.
- Casual Photographers: Who want a wide range of shooting options, including dedicated macro and wide angle lenses.
- Users who listen to a lot of high resolution music: The dedicated support for "Hi-Res" audio provides better audio quality for compatible headphones and sound systems.
- Users who prioritize battery life: The larger battery offers longer use.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and social media.
- Taking photos in diverse conditions, including close-ups and wide-angle shots.
- Listening to music, particularly high-resolution audio.
- Using the phone outdoors a lot.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Who need the fastest possible mobile performance.
- Gamers: Who need smooth graphics for demanding titles.
- Content Creators: Who need the best quality video and stabilisation.
- Power Users: Who utilize many resource-intensive apps.
- Users who value quick charging and convenience: The wireless charging capabilities are invaluable.
- Users who prioritise high-quality selfies: the 60MP selfie camera will provide exceptional detail.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with the latest graphics.
- Video recording and editing.
- Demanding multitasking.
- Quick top-ups with fast charging capabilities.
- Taking professional-grade selfies.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance to you? Do you need the best possible performance for gaming, or will the Xiaomi's performance be acceptable?
- What are your camera needs? Do you need a wide array of lenses or the better raw performance of the Motorola?
- Do you require wireless charging or do you require a bright screen?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor User on a Budget - The Xiaomi is the better choice due to its bright screen and lower price point.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Hungry Gamer - The Motorola is the clear winner with its top-tier processor and better GPU.
- Scenario 3: Content Creator Prioritizing Video - The Motorola has much better video quality and stabilization, along with faster charging.
- Scenario 4: Average User who is primarily indoors - The Xiaomi has the better battery life and is cheaper, but if video, speed and wireless charging are important the Motorola is a better pick.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Motorola Edge 30 Pro.
Here's why:
While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro has advantages like a brighter screen and a larger battery, its performance is significantly behind the Motorola. I value the sheer speed and responsiveness that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 provides. The dramatically higher AnTuTu score and the newer GPU means everything will load faster, run more smoothly, and games will be more enjoyable.
Also, the video capabilities of the Motorola, particularly the 8K recording and image stabilisation, are appealing, as are the convenience of wireless and reverse charging. I also prefer the Motorola's approach to the camera system, focusing on the overall quality of the images, as indicated by the DXOMark score, rather than simply the number of lenses. The 60MP selfie camera is another big win for me.
For my usage, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro provides a superior experience in terms of performance, video quality, convenience, and overall camera system performance, which outweighs the benefit of a brighter screen on the Xiaomi, which is not a feature I desperately need. While the Xiaomi is a solid phone at its price point, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro caters better to my specific needs and priorities.
