1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 164 × 76.5 × 8.1 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | Very similar overall size; Redmi Note 11S 5G is slightly thicker but negligible in real use. |
| Weight | 193g | 195g | Virtually identical weight, unlikely to feel different in hand. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-foldable designs |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Very similar screen size, negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness; Images will look equally detailed. |
| PPI | 395 | 399 | Virtually identical pixel density; Image clarity will be similar. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Major difference: AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colours, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Redmi Note 10 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations; a noticeable advantage for gaming and fast UI interactions. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | Major difference: Redmi Note 10 Pro is much more visible outdoors under bright sunlight. The 11S 5G brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Different architectures; Dimensity 810 is newer and slightly more efficient. |
| Antutu Score | 397,200 | 438,700 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has slightly better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 (Qualcomm Adreno 618) | Mali-G57 MC2 (Mali-G57 MC2) | Different graphics processors; may perform differently in games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" sensor (Samsung S5KHM2, 0.70 µm pixels) | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor (Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64 µm pixels) | Major difference: Redmi Note 10 Pro has a higher resolution camera with a larger sensor and pixel size, likely resulting in better image quality and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" sensor (Sony IMX471 Exmor RS, 1.00 µm pixels) | 13MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 10 Pro has a higher resolution front camera, potentially capturing more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor (Sony IMX355, 1.14 µm pixels) | 8MP, f/2.2 | Both have similar wide angle capabilities. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor (GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75 µm pixels) | N/A | Redmi Note 10 Pro offers dedicated depth sensing for better portrait effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor (Omnivision OV5675, 1.12 µm pixels) | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 10 Pro offers higher resolution macro lens for better details in close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 960 fps slow-mo | 1080p@30/60fps, 120 fps slow-mo | Redmi Note 10 Pro supports higher 4K video resolution. Both support slow motion video with different frame rates. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile: 65 (Photo 50, Video 83) | Only the 11S 5G has DXOMark scores. Indicating a general camera performance level with good video capabilities. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5020mAh | 5000mAh | Very similar battery capacity; expected comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Both support fast charging; no significant difference in charging speed. |
| Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion Polymer | Both use very similar battery chemistries. No practical difference in real-world use. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, Max version: 13 | Android 11 | Redmi Note 10 Pro has a stated maximum version of Android 13, meaning it will likely get future updates. The update path for the 11S 5G is unknown. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot, Direct, Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot, Direct, Display | Identical WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | 5.1 LE, A2DP, LE, aptX, LDAC, AAC | Both have similar basic features, but 11S 5G offers superior Bluetooth audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Redmi Note 10 Pro has better satellite system support for more accurate location data. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano), Dual Standby | Dual SIM (Nano), Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB | Redmi Note 10 Pro offers more internal storage at 256 GB |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB | Redmi Note 10 Pro offers a higher RAM of 8GB |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No expandable storage on either phone |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both offer high-quality audio. Redmi Note 11S 5G potentially has better audio separation with an additional microphone. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Standard fingerprint security on both phones. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi Note 10 Pro has better screen scratch and impact resistance |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity sensor | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity sensor | Redmi Note 10 Pro includes a gyroscope, important for certain games and AR apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and higher peak brightness provides a significantly better viewing experience with vibrant colours, smoother animations, and superior outdoor visibility.
- Better Main Camera: 108MP main sensor with a larger size offers better photo quality, especially in low light, and greater detail.
- More versatile camera setup: The inclusion of a dedicated depth sensor and a higher resolution macro lens, provides better portrait mode and close-up photos, which provides greater flexibility.
- Gyroscope Sensor: The inclusion of a gyroscope makes it more capable for certain games and augmented reality applications.
- Higher RAM Option: 8GB RAM allows for smoother multi-tasking and better gaming performance.
- More Storage Option: A 256GB variant of this phone is available.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better scratch resistance compared to Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- More GPS Satellites: Supports Beidou satellite system which gives more precise location data
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Better Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset provides slightly better benchmark performance.
- Better Bluetooth Audio: AptX, LDAC and AAC support which offers higher quality audio transmission.
- Better Video Scores: Based on DXOMark, it seems to have much better video recording.
- Dual Microphones: The inclusion of 2 microphones can improve audio capture quality, especially in noisy environments.
- Potentially Newer Software Support: While both phones have Android 11, the 11S 5G might have slightly longer software update support, though this is not explicitly clear.
- Slightly Smaller Build: The phone is 0.7 mm thinner which some users may find preferable.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10 Pro excels in display and camera quality, but has a slightly older chipset and lower benchmark scores.
- The Redmi Note 11S 5G offers a marginal performance boost and better audio capabilities but compromises on display quality, camera versatility and some sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is ideal for:
- Media consumers: Users who frequently watch videos or browse social media will benefit from the vibrant AMOLED display and smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality and versatility, particularly for low light photography, will appreciate the 108MP camera, depth sensor, and macro lens.
- Gamers: Users who like to play graphically demanding games will benefit from the 120Hz display and gyroscope sensor.
- Users in bright environments: The higher brightness is better for use in bright conditions.
- Users who store a lot of photos and files: They will benefit from the 256GB version of the phone.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is ideal for:
- Gamers and power users: Those who prioritize performance over other features, despite the marginal performance gain.
- Audio enthusiasts: Users who listen to music via Bluetooth frequently will benefit from better Bluetooth codecs.
- Users who frequently record video: They will benefit from the high video recording performance.
- Users who need reliable audio recording: 2 microphones offer better audio capture.
Price-to-Value:
- The Redmi Note 10 Pro likely offers better value for users who prioritise display and camera quality.
- The Redmi Note 11S 5G may provide better value for gamers and audio enthusiasts with its slightly better performance and better audio codecs, but the differences are relatively minor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If vibrant colors, high contrast, and excellent outdoor visibility are critical, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is superior due to its AMOLED screen and high brightness.
- Which matters more, general picture quality or video recording performance? If high-resolution and detail photos matter, the Redmi Note 10 Pro has a better main camera setup. If you record videos, the Note 11S 5G has a much better video recording setup.
- Are you an audio enthusiast? If Bluetooth audio quality is critical, you may want to consider the Redmi Note 11S 5G for its Bluetooth codecs.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Daily media consumption and casual photography. The Redmi Note 10 Pro is the better choice due to its superior display and versatile camera system.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and performance-heavy use. The Redmi Note 11S 5G, with its slightly better performance in benchmarks, is a marginally better option, even though the Note 10 Pro offers a 120Hz display.
- Scenario 3: Photography is a priority. The Redmi Note 10 Pro, with a 108MP sensor, has better photo performance, unless you prioritise video recording performance.
- Scenario 4: If you want longer term software updates: The Redmi Note 10 Pro is the better choice as it has a stated maximum supported version of Android 13, whereas the 11S 5G's future software support is not known.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro.
While the Redmi Note 11S 5G offers slightly better performance and audio codecs, the Redmi Note 10 Pro's superior AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a game-changer for everyday use. The vibrant colours, smooth animations, and significantly better outdoor visibility of the AMOLED screen make a big difference in media consumption and overall user experience. I also value the better main camera, more versatile camera setup, and gyroscope sensor, which are all useful to me for various purposes, like photography and gaming. The extra storage is also a good benefit. I am willing to sacrifice the slightly better performance and Bluetooth audio codecs for the major gains in display, camera versatility and sensors.
