1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 7.9 mm | Redmi Note 10 Pro is slightly taller, both are similar in width and thickness. Poco X5 Pro might feel a bit more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 193g | 181g | Poco X5 Pro is lighter by 12g, which can be noticeable during extended use, making it more comfortable for long periods |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Identical screen size for both, no difference in viewing area |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, both provide crisp and clear image quality |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical pixel density, leading to comparable clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast ratios |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10 Pro is significantly brighter, making it much better for outdoor use in sunlight, while the Poco X5 Pro brightness is not specified, which could be a problem in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Poco X5 Pro has a more powerful and modern processor, which translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 397,200 | 609,106 | Poco X5 Pro has a significantly higher benchmark score, indicating superior overall performance, 53% higher performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L | Poco X5 Pro's more advanced GPU means better graphics in games and smoother operation |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5020mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, expect similar battery life for typical usage |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco X5 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing wait times and providing convenience |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard non-removable battery in both |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" | Identical main cameras; expect comparable performance for daylight photos |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" | Poco X5 Pro has a slightly wider aperture and smaller sensor, but a different sensor, which should perform similarly, with potentially better low light capability due to the aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | Redmi Note 10 Pro has a larger sensor for the wide-angle lens, potentially leading to slightly better image quality, especially in lower light. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Redmi Note 10 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effects, while Poco X5 Pro does not. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 10 Pro has a higher-resolution macro lens, capturing more detailed close-up shots |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | Both offer 4K video recording with different EIS implementations, the Poco X5 Pro supports higher frame rate at 1080p for slow motion. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera | Triple camera | Redmi Note 10 Pro has an additional dedicated portrait lens, while the Poco X5 Pro supports Ultra stable video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Poco X5 Pro launches with a newer version of Android, offering a potentially better initial experience |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Poco X5 Pro has a newer WiFi standard for faster speeds and more reliable connections |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Poco X5 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version, with support for high quality codecs such as LDAC |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | Poco X5 Pro has more satellite systems for potentially more precise location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Poco X5 Pro has a higher starting storage, both have the same maximum, neither supports expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Both offer similar RAM options for multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage, so choosing the storage tier is important |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Redmi Note 10 Pro offers Hi-Res Audio, While the Poco X5 Pro has two microphones. Both offer Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both offer a convenient and reliable way to unlock the phone |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both offer the same level of screen scratch and damage protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a specific ultrasonic proximity sensor while the Poco X5 has a standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Screen Brightness: With 1200 nits, it's much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. This makes a huge difference for users who are frequently outdoors.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, providing potentially better bokeh effects.
- Higher Resolution Macro Lens: The 5MP macro lens will capture more detailed close-up shots compared to the Poco X5 Pro's 2MP lens.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, better audio separation and immersion, better for audiophiles who care about sound quality.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: A specific type of sensor that can sometimes offer better proximity detection compared to a standard sensor.
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: The Snapdragon 778G 5G offers much higher performance for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging significantly reduces charging time, improving user convenience.
- Newer WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 provides faster and more reliable wireless connectivity.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 offers better efficiency and support for high-quality codecs like LDAC, with wider support for different codecs.
- Better Video Stabilization: Includes electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother video recording, which is great for vlogs.
- More Satellite Systems: Supports additional satellite systems (QZSS, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1)) for more accurate location tracking.
- Dual Microphones: Enhanced audio recording with two microphones.
Trade-offs:
- Screen Brightness: The Poco X5 Pro's lack of specified brightness could be a downside for heavy outdoor users, even though it has an AMOLED display.
- Camera Setup: While the Poco X5 Pro offers a newer sensor for the selfie camera and EIS for video, the Redmi Note 10 Pro offers a dedicated depth sensor and higher resolution macro, making it better suited to users who take a lot of portraits and macro photos.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize excellent outdoor screen visibility, value portrait and macro photography, and appreciate high-quality audio with wired headphones.
- Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography and content creation in bright conditions.
- Casual users who want decent performance, good display, and don't need the most powerful processor.
- Users who enjoy listening to music with wired headphones and care about audio quality.
- Price-to-Value: Potentially more affordable, making it a good option for budget-conscious buyers seeking a great display and camera for a lower price point.
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, gaming, fast charging, and seamless connectivity with modern standards.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, heavy multitasking, and running demanding apps.
- Users who frequently need fast charging due to busy lifestyles.
- Users who require a newer phone with better connectivity options (WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2)
- Price-to-Value: A better choice for performance-oriented users who want the latest and fastest features and are willing to pay a bit more for better speed and charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility to me? (If very important, Redmi Note 10 Pro is a better option)
- How important is fast charging and top-tier performance? (If very important, Poco X5 Pro is a better option)
- Which camera features are more important to me? (Portraits and Macro? or Video and stabilization?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A user works outdoors and needs a phone with excellent screen visibility, and enjoys taking a lot of portrait and macro photos.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
- Scenario 2: A gamer who values performance, speed, and fast charging, and prioritizes faster wireless connectivity.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro
- Scenario 3: A casual user who wants good performance for daily use with a decent camera and battery and is looking for the best value for money.
- Recommendation: Based on the pricing, If the price difference between the two is not significant, the Poco X5 Pro is a better choice given the performance boost, however, if the price difference is large, then the Redmi Note 10 Pro is still a decent choice.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro. While I value a good screen, and especially good brightness, the fact that the X5 Pro's brightness is not specified leads me to suspect that it may not perform well under bright sunlight, and considering that my use case is primarily focused on performance and smooth operation (I value seamless multitasking, quick app loading and an all around responsive phone) the Snapdragon 778G 5G is the superior choice by far. The significantly faster charging and more modern connectivity standards are also a bonus. The difference in the camera, while present, is negligible for my use case, as both phones offer similar quality, except for the macro lens, which I don't particularly use. The lack of a dedicated depth sensor on the Poco X5 Pro is not a deal breaker either. Ultimately, the enhanced performance, faster charging, and better connectivity standards make the Poco X5 Pro the more compelling option for me. The better software is also a plus.
