Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use; Note 10 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 224g | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. Xiaomi is slightly more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same clarity. |
| PPI | 409 | 388 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is slightly sharper, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra provides much smoother scrolling and animations, significantly enhancing the user experience, especially for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers vastly superior performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 277,254 | 1,532,000 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly faster for all tasks, future-proof and can handle demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 750 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly superior graphics processing power. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.79, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra generally performs better in low light due to the larger sensor and larger pixels |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 32MP f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.70µm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra captures more detailed selfies; Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 has slightly larger pixels which could help with low light |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP f/2.4 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities for distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 13MP f/2.2, 1.12µm | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra captures wide-angle shots with more detail. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 allows for better portrait effect. |
| Macro lens | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 allows for capturing macro photos. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps with HDR, EIS | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra records higher-resolution videos with more frame rate options, advanced stabilization, and HDR. |
| DxOMark | N/A | 125 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a decent camera score according to DxOMark. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is untested. |
| 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 | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Gimbal, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), PDAF Omnidericional, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more advanced features including optical image stabilization and RAW image capture which are better for photography enthusiasts. Xiaomi has night mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra should offer slightly longer battery life, especially with its more powerful processor. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 10W reverse wired | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers wireless charging and reverse wired charging, while Redmi Note 10 only has wired reverse charging. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (max 12) | Android 14 (max 16) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra will have access to newer features, better security and longer support. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra supports newer Bluetooth standards, offering faster and more efficient connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more accurate location tracking and wider global compatibility. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support Dual SIM. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra provides more storage space for media and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 12GB/16GB | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra allows for smoother multitasking and supports more demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage, so the provided space is the maximum. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra provides slightly better audio recording capabilities, and clearer calls. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 offers a more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra uses a more scratch and impact-resistant glass for better durability. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 uses a different proximity sensor, while the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra has a standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry, better for one-handed use.
- Slightly higher PPI: Slightly sharper display, though likely not noticeably.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Often faster and easier to use than in-display sensors.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers better portrait mode photos.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Allows for specific close-up photography
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly higher performance: Much faster processor and more RAM for demanding tasks, gaming and multitasking.
- Superior Display: Larger, brighter, and much smoother with a 144Hz refresh rate.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, with a telephoto lens for zoom and better video capabilities, including 8K recording.
- Longer Battery Life and Faster Charging: Larger battery and faster charging reduce downtime and improve endurance.
- Newer OS: Comes with the newer Android version with more feature updates and security improvements.
- More Storage: Provides significantly more internal storage for media and apps.
- More Modern Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- Better Audio Recording: Noise cancellation microphones and multiple microphones offer enhanced clarity during calls.
- Wireless Charging: Offers the convenience of wireless charging.
- Better Build Quality: Uses more robust screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is much bigger and heavier which could be a trade-off for people who prefer smaller, lighter devices.
- Price: The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a significantly higher priced device due to the much newer and premium hardware.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users seeking a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks, media consumption and casual gaming.
- Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing and communication.
- Watching videos and listening to music.
- Casual gaming.
- Users who prioritize portability and a lightweight design.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for its price point, focusing on core functionality and portability.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Performance-focused users seeking top-tier features for gaming, photography, videography, or intensive multitasking.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with high frame rates and responsiveness.
- Professional-grade photography and video capture.
- Demanding tasks like video editing and running complex applications.
- Users who want the latest software features and long-term support.
- Those who need a display that performs well in various lighting conditions.
- Price-to-Value: Provides top-tier specifications, justifying its higher price tag for users seeking a premium experience, especially if they will take advantage of the performance benefits.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use: What do you primarily use your phone for (gaming, photography, everyday use)?
- Display Preference: Do you prefer a smaller, more portable screen, or a larger, more immersive display with higher refresh rates?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If you're on a tight budget and need a reliable phone for basic tasks, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is a solid choice, provided the smaller size and less powerful hardware are acceptable.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: If you prioritize smooth gameplay and high performance, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner, thanks to its powerful processor and high refresh rate display.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you value photography features like optical zoom and RAW image capture, along with professional video features, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is much more capable and offers significantly higher quality.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User with Performance Needs: If you want a phone that can handle all tasks smoothly and provide a premium user experience, even while web browsing, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is worth the investment.
My Choice:
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would select the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Reasoning:
While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is a decent budget phone, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is just so much better, it is a no brainer. The massive improvements in performance, the quality of the display, camera system, newer software, better build quality and modern connectivity standards make it a more attractive option. The Redmi Note 10 would be an option only if my budget is very limited.
Although the size of the Zenfone 11 Ultra is a bit on the larger side and it is heavier, the benefits of using the phone are overwhelming. In the long run, it will provide a better overall experience thanks to its powerful processor, improved camera capabilities, and much smoother display with a higher refresh rate, making it worth the premium price.
