Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. Huawei nova 11 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | Huawei is slightly taller and thinner, which might feel different in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 188g | Xiaomi feels lighter, beneficial for prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | Huawei offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2652 | Huawei provides sharper visuals, leading to clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 409 | 429 | Huawei has slightly higher pixel density, resulting in marginally sharper visuals |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of OLED-type screens |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei provides smoother scrolling and animations, noticeably better for gaming and browsing. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 950 nits | Xiaomi is brighter, improving visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Huawei's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster performance and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 592,297 | Huawei provides a much smoother experience with faster app loading and better multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 642L | Huawei's GPU is significantly better for graphically intensive tasks and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Huawei captures slightly higher resolution images, but Xiaomi may perform slightly better in low-light due to wider aperture |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV13B10 | 60MP, f/2.4, 1/2.8", Omnivision OV60A | Huawei captures significantly more detailed selfies with higher resolution and larger sensor |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | N/A | Xiaomi offers dedicated wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Xiaomi has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1 | N/A | Xiaomi offers dedicated macro shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei provides a combined wide angle and macro option, potentially more versatile. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 720p@960fps (with EIS) | Xiaomi can shoot higher resolution videos, while Huawei offers higher frame-rate slow-motion. |
| Camera Features | Quad camera, Night Mode | Dual camera, Continuous autofocus, PDAF, RAW | Xiaomi has more lenses, while Huawei offers better autofocus and raw capture for more flexible editing. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Xiaomi is expected to offer longer battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Huawei charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android Based | Huawei's Android version is not specified. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Huawei supports faster Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Huawei offers better audio codec support and slightly improved range and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | Huawei supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Huawei offers significantly more storage options |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Huawei provides significantly more RAM, leading to better multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi has a slight advantage with Hi-Res Audio support. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Xiaomi offers a more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi offers better scratch resistance with the Gorilla Glass. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Xiaomi offers Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor, while Huawei offers a standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility due to higher brightness.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life for extended use.
- More Camera Lenses: Dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors for more versatile photography.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers better audio quality for audiophiles.
- Better Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenient and fast unlocking.
- Screen Protection: Comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for better scratch resistance.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: Faster performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother display experience for everyday use, and especially for gaming.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper images, better for media consumption.
- Larger Display: More screen real estate for multitasking and media.
- Much Faster Charging: 100W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Superior Selfie Camera: Higher resolution with larger sensor for high-quality selfies.
- More RAM: Better multitasking performance and responsiveness.
- More Storage Options: More options to store media and apps.
- Better GPS: Supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy.
- Better Bluetooth: Offers support for higher quality codecs and newer standards.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi trades performance and charging speed for a bigger battery, more versatile camera setup, and a brighter screen.
- Huawei prioritizes performance, display quality, and charging speed, while lacking dedicated macro/depth sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Prioritizing a good value for basic smartphone needs.
- Users Seeking a Reliable Daily Driver: Focus on battery life, good display, and practical everyday camera features.
- Casual Photographers: Appreciate the extra camera lens options.
- Users Who Need Great Outdoor Visibility: The brighter display is better suited for use in the sun.
Music Lovers: Hi-Res Audio support will be appealing.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication and social media
- Casual photography and video capture
- Moderate gaming
- Longer battery life for travel
Huawei nova 11 Pro Ideal Users:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Demanding smoother performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Media Consumers: Enjoying higher-resolution content on a larger display with smoother refresh rate.
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Prioritizing a high-quality front camera.
- Users Who Value Fast Charging: Prefer to minimize charging time with 100W speeds.
Users Who Need More Storage: More storage and RAM options.
Use Cases:
- Demanding gaming
- Heavy multitasking with many open apps
- High-resolution media consumption
- Capturing detailed selfies and quality videos
- Users that prioritize speed and responsiveness
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance and a smooth display, or longer battery life and versatile cameras?
- Is fast charging a must-have, or is slightly longer battery life more important?
- Do you need a high-quality front camera for selfies, or do you prefer having a wide-angle, depth, and macro cameras?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: "I want a budget-friendly phone with solid battery life and a decent camera."
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is the better choice.
Scenario 2: "I need a phone for gaming and multitasking, and I want it to charge quickly."
- Recommendation: Huawei nova 11 Pro is the superior choice.
Scenario 3: "I take a lot of selfies and want the best front camera."
- Recommendation: Huawei nova 11 Pro is the better choice.
Scenario 4: "I use my phone outdoors a lot and need a bright screen."
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 offers the better screen brightness.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Huawei nova 11 Pro. While the Redmi Note 10 has some advantages like a brighter screen, slightly longer battery life, and more camera lenses, the performance difference between the two is significant. The Snapdragon 778G chipset on the Huawei offers much smoother and faster performance which, in my opinion, is more important than the other advantages. I also appreciate the smoother 120hz screen for everyday use. The substantially faster 100W charging also makes the phone much more convenient to use day-to-day.
Although I would be missing out on a dedicated macro and depth sensors, the main and wide-angle camera on the Huawei should be adequate for most situations and the significantly better selfie camera on the Huawei is a bonus. For a smoother experience with significantly better performance, the nova 11 Pro is more of what I am personally looking for.
