1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | Xiaomi is slightly thinner, making it more pocketable. |
| Weight | 193g | 203g | Xiaomi is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and clarity. |
| PPI | 395 | 394 | Practically indistinguishable pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 800 nits | Xiaomi offers better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 732G | Snapdragon 720G | Xiaomi has a slightly faster CPU and GPU leading to smoother performance in apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 397,200 | 285,000 | Xiaomi is significantly faster for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 | Identical graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" sensor | 64MP, f/1.8, sensor model not listed, 0.80 µm | Xiaomi captures more detail, Samsung has better low-light sensitivity (due to aperture size) |
| Telephoto + Portrait | None | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor | Samsung offers optical zoom and portrait capabilities not found in Xiaomi |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" sensor | 32MP, f/2.2, sensor model not listed | Samsung captures higher detail in selfies, and with slightly wider aperture it may have a slight edge in low-light |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | 12MP, f/2.2, sensor model not listed | Samsung captures more detail in wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | 5MP, f/2.4, sensor model not listed | Similar macro performance |
| Video | 4K@30fps, No EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | Samsung offers electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother videos. |
| DxoMark | N/A | 92 overall, 100 photo, 78 video | Samsung's camera quality is officially tested and scored; Xiaomi's camera lacks an official rating. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5020mAh | 5000mAh | Virtually identical battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Xiaomi charges faster, reaching full capacity in less time. |
| Charger | Not specified | 15W Fast Charger included | Samsung has charger included, making it ready to use out of the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 13 | Android 11, upgradeable to 12 | Xiaomi gets one extra OS upgrade. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Similar Wi-Fi performance and features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 | Xiaomi has slightly newer Bluetooth with better energy efficiency; Samsung has more Bluetooth profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer similar location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer ample storage; Xiaomi provides a lower 64GB storage variant. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 6/8GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, which could limit storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Xiaomi has slightly better audio quality for audiophiles due to Hi-Res support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi's side-mounted sensor is faster and more convenient. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Xiaomi has better scratch and impact resistance on the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Xiaomi has more proximity sensor; Both phones have similar motion tracking capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother user experience, especially when gaming or scrolling.
- Brighter Screen: 1200 nits brightness offers superior outdoor visibility under direct sunlight.
- Faster Performance: Snapdragon 732G and higher AnTuTu score result in faster app loading and smoother overall operation.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging will get the phone charged quicker.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio quality.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better protection against scratches and minor impacts
- Extra OS Upgrade: Gets upgraded to Android 13, ensuring a longer lifespan with the latest software features.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom capabilities provide better image quality when zooming and portrait capabilities with more realistic results.
- Better Selfie Camera: 32MP front camera captures higher detail.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Reduces blur in photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Camera scores: Known camera performance.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 15W fast charger in the box.
- Bluetooth Profiles: Wide range of Bluetooth profiles makes it compatible with a variety of accessories.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: Sacrifices camera versatility (telephoto lens), and OIS but gains in performance, screen quality and charging speed.
- Samsung: Sacrifices overall performance, display smoothness and charging speed for camera versatility and OIS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The 120Hz refresh rate and better chipset make this phone ideal for mobile gamers who seek smooth performance.
- Outdoor Users: The higher brightness screen is perfect for users who often use their phones in bright sunlight.
- Budget-Conscious Performance Seekers: Offers high performance features without breaking the bank.
- Multimedia Consumers: Hi-Res audio allows better immersion into content.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games with high frame rates.
- Watching videos in bright environments.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously without noticeable lag.
- Listening to music/audiobooks on high quality headphones.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: The telephoto lens, OIS, and tested camera performance cater to users who prioritize photo and video capabilities.
- Users Who Value Battery Life: While both have similar battery capacity, Samsung's features focus on conserving power for more consistent battery life.
- Users that do not require heavy processing power Users that do not do heavy gaming or require heavy processor work, will benefit from better camera quality.
Use Cases:
- Taking photos and videos in various situations, including zoomed shots and low-light environments.
- Sharing photos and videos on social media.
- Recording videos with more stability.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance and a smoother display, or better camera capabilities?
- Do you frequently use your phone outdoors, requiring high screen brightness?
- Are you planning to do a lot of video recording?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: You are a gamer and value smooth performance
- Recommendation: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro for its 120Hz display, better processor and faster charging.
Scenario 2: You are a photography enthusiast and often take photos/videos
- Recommendation: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its versatile camera system with OIS, Telephoto lens and tested camera performance.
Scenario 3: You frequently use your phone outdoors
- Recommendation: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro for its higher brightness screen.
What I would choose and why:
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro. Although the Samsung A72 has a better camera on paper, the 120hz screen, the faster processor and the faster charging offered on the Xiaomi provide a much better experience for my needs. Since I do not zoom often when taking pictures and the standard camera sensor is already of excellent quality, the telephoto lens offered by the Samsung doesn't provide enough of an incentive to trade down the performance of the Xiaomi. The slightly better selfie camera of the Samsung is also not enough to beat the other advantages offered by the Xiaomi, as its selfie camera is already very good. The higher brightness is also a huge benefit, as I often use my phone outdoors. The slightly better screen protection is also a major plus.
