Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. Apple iPhone 15 Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | iPhone 15 Plus is slightly wider, Redmi Note 10 is slightly thicker. Minimal practical difference in pocketability. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 201g | Redmi Note 10 is lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Screen protection for the Xiaomi: Corning Gorilla Glass 3; Screen protection for Apple: unknown | ||
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | iPhone 15 Plus offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1290 x 2796 | iPhone 15 Plus has a significantly sharper display, noticeably better image clarity. |
| PPI | 409 | 460 | iPhone 15 Plus has a sharper display, resulting in finer details and more crisp images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar technology, both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have a standard refresh rate, no difference in screen fluidity. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Plus is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | iPhone 15 Plus has a much faster processor, leading to smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 1,470,000 | iPhone 15 Plus offers vastly superior performance, noticeable in app loading times, and overall system responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Apple 5-core GPU | iPhone 15 Plus has a much more powerful GPU, better for graphics-intensive tasks and games. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 6GB | Both are suitable for moderate multitasking. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.5", 1.0µm | iPhone 15 Plus has a larger sensor, and wider aperture leading to better low-light performance and improved image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 12MP, f/1.9, 1.12µm | iPhone 15 Plus has a wider aperture, better low-light selfies. Redmi Note 10 offers slightly higher resolution. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 12MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi has a dedicated wide-angle lens. iPhone 15 Plus has a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | Up to 4K@60fps HDR, 1080p@240fps HDR | iPhone 15 Plus offers much more versatile video recording options with HDR and better stabilization. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Main Score: 145, Photo: 147, Video: 153 | iPhone 15 Plus has a much more performant camera based on its score. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | Cinematic Mode, Noise reduction, Face unlock, Pro Video Mode, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Dual camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Dual PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | iPhone 15 Plus offers more advanced camera features like OIS, RAW capture, and Cinematic Mode for enhanced video and photography. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4383 mAh | Redmi Note 10 has a larger battery, potentially better battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 10 has faster wired charging. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Non-Removable | Non-removable, 15W MagSafe Wireless, 7.5W Qi Wireless | iPhone 15 Plus offers wireless charging options, Redmi Note 10 has reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | iOS 17 (upgradable to 18) | iPhone 15 Plus gets the latest iOS updates for longer, usually with better software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | iPhone 15 Plus has newer Wi-Fi technology for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | iPhone 15 Plus has a newer version of Bluetooth with better performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | iPhone 15 Plus supports additional satellite systems (QZSS) for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | iPhone 15 Plus allows for digital SIM cards for added convenience. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | iPhone 15 Plus offers much more storage space. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | iPhone 15 Plus likely has better audio quality overall with better noise cancellation, the Xiaomi has Hi-Res audio output. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Face unlock | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 has a physical fingerprint sensor. iPhone 15 Plus is rumored to have Face Unlock. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | The Xiaomi has an additional fingerprint sensor. The iPhone 15 has an additional Barometer sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Lighter: Significantly lighter than the iPhone 15 Plus, improving comfort for extended use.
- Larger Battery: Has a larger capacity battery which may lead to longer battery life.
- Faster Wired Charging: Offers faster wired charging capabilities.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers higher quality audio playback for audiophiles.
- Dedicated additional lenses: Includes a wide angle, a portrait and macro lens
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides significantly faster performance for all tasks.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a much crisper and clearer display.
- Brighter Screen: Much higher maximum brightness improves outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: Larger sensor, wider aperture, and advanced software result in superior photo and video quality.
- Advanced Video: Capable of recording HDR videos at higher framerates.
- Wireless Charging: Supports both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging standards.
- More Storage Options: Offers much more internal storage capacity.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi: Has newer wireless connection standards for better connectivity.
- Better Software Support: iOS typically receives more updates and longer software support compared to Android.
- eSIM support: Allows users to use a digital sim, removing the need for a physical card.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10 is more affordable but suffers significantly in performance and camera quality.
- The iPhone 15 Plus is a significant investment but provides top-tier performance and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users looking for a decent smartphone for basic daily tasks.
- Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing and messaging.
- Casual gaming.
- Media consumption.
- Users who need reverse charging capabilities.
- Users who value a lightweight design.
- Users who prioritize a dedicated wide-angle, portrait and macro camera
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for users on a strict budget.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus:
- Ideal User: Users willing to invest in a premium device with top-tier performance, display, and camera.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Intensive mobile gaming.
- Demanding multi-tasking.
- Users who need excellent screen visibility in sunlight.
- Users who prefer an iOS ecosystem.
- Users who value wireless charging options.
- Users who need an eSIM
- Price-to-Value: Provides a high level of performance and features, but at a premium price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: What tasks will you primarily use the phone for (basic use vs. heavy gaming/multimedia)?
- Camera Priorities: How important is photo and video quality to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Conscious: If you have a tight budget and prioritize functionality over performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 will meet your needs and save you money.
- Scenario 2: Performance Focused: If performance is key and you can afford a higher price, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is the superior option and will offer a smoother user experience.
- Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast: If you value a premium camera experience with superior photo and video capabilities, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would choose the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 has a few advantages such as a lighter weight and a larger battery, the iPhone 15 Plus provides a superior experience in almost every other area. Its vastly superior performance, significantly better display, and much more capable camera system make it a more future-proof and all-around better device. Although it comes at a higher price, the long-term benefits in terms of software updates, overall performance, and the enhanced user experience make it the better option for me. I would gladly pay more for the smoother experience and better camera offered by the iPhone 15 Plus.
