1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a breakdown of the key specifications for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 and the Huawei nova 8i, focusing on their practical implications:
Design & Build
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm | Huawei is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling marginally larger in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 190g | Xiaomi is lighter, which might be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Details are missing, but weight differences suggest materials differences. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.67" | Huawei has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2376 | Both are very similar, resulting in a comparable visual experience. |
| PPI | 409 | 391 | Both are very similar, meaning equally sharp images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Xiaomi's AMOLED offers richer blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colours, and better battery efficiency when using dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard 60Hz refresh rate, smooth scrolling and animations is not a key selling point |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi display is much brighter, making it significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight conditions. The 0 nits for the Huawei is likely a mistake |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Xiaomi's chipset is slightly newer and more powerful leading to better performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 201,000 | Xiaomi is significantly faster in benchmarks, leading to smoother multitasking and faster app loading. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 610 | Xiaomi's Adreno 612 is slightly more powerful, offering better gaming performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4300mAh | Xiaomi has a larger battery, offering potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Huawei charges much faster, useful for quick top-ups throughout the day. |
| Features | Reverse charging | None | Xiaomi can act as a power bank for other devices. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, Sony IMX582, 0.80µm | 64MP, f/1.9, 0.80µm | Huawei has higher resolution for capturing more detail, Xiaomi has a slightly wider aperture for better low light shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, Omnivision OV13B10, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.0 | Huawei offers a higher resolution and a wider aperture, leading to better low light selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX355, 1.14 µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | Comparable wide-angle performance. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Comparable depth sensing performance. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Comparable macro performance. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps; 960 fps slow-mo | 1080p@30fps; 120fps slow-mo | Xiaomi records in 4K, offering higher quality videos and has better high-speed slow-motion |
| Features | 4K Video, Night Mode, Digital image stabilization | Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Panorama, Digital image stabilization | Each offers a different set of features that can be relevant to different user needs |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen provides richer colours, better blacks, contrast, and is more efficient in dark mode. It also has much better brightness.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 678 chipset offers better performance for daily tasks and gaming. The phone scores significantly higher in benchmarks.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer battery life.
- 4K Video Recording: Xiaomi can record higher quality video at 4K.
- Reverse Charging: It can be used as a power bank to charge other devices.
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging is significantly quicker than the 33W on the Xiaomi.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 16MP selfie camera with a wider aperture for better selfies in low-light conditions.
- More Audio Features: Better call quality and audio separation.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: While it has a better screen and performance, its charging speed is much slower, and it doesn't have the best audio features.
- Huawei: Faster charging and good selfies come at the cost of a less vibrant display and lower performance. The display brightness is unknown, but if it's much dimmer than the Xiaomi, it will be unusable in sunny conditions.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who value a high-quality display for watching videos, browsing social media, and enjoying games.
- Everyday Users: People seeking a phone that handles day-to-day tasks smoothly and provides a long-lasting battery.
- Photo Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy taking photos and want the flexibility of 4K video recording and an AMOLED display for post-editing.
Huawei nova 8i Ideal User:
- Power Users with Charging Needs: Users who need to quickly top up their phones throughout the day and don't have long charging opportunities.
- Selfie Lovers: Those who prioritise selfie quality and want a front-facing camera that performs well in low light.
- Audio Lovers: Those who want high quality audio for calls.
Use Cases:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 10: Watching movies/videos, gaming, long travel days where battery life is critical, mobile photography, and outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Huawei nova 8i: Quick charging at work/school, video calls, and selfie enthusiasts who value front-facing camera quality.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to ask when choosing between these phones:
How much do I value display quality?
- If you need the best screen, choose the Xiaomi for its AMOLED and high brightness.
How important is fast charging?
- If quick charging is a priority, the Huawei is the better option.
What is my main use case?
- If you need performance for gaming or mobile photography, choose the Xiaomi. If you use the front-facing camera a lot and want the best selfies, or often find yourself running out of battery and need to top up quickly, then the Huawei would be better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are always on the go and need a quick charge during the day: Huawei nova 8i is the recommended choice with its 66W fast charging despite the lacklustre screen.
- Scenario 2: You spend a lot of time watching videos and browsing in bright environments: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is the recommended choice with its AMOLED and higher brightness.
- Scenario 3: You want good performance and a good screen for daily tasks and games, with a great battery: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is the recommended choice here with its much better all-round performance for these use cases.
- Scenario 4: You need the best selfie camera and audio experience: Huawei nova 8i is the recommended choice here with a wider aperture front facing camera and better audio quality for calls.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10. The primary reason for this choice is the superior display quality of the AMOLED panel, which provides a significantly better viewing experience in all conditions, as well as superior performance for my usage, and slightly better battery life which I also value. Although the faster charging of the Huawei is a significant benefit, the overall performance and superior display of the Xiaomi are more important to me. The 4K video capability of the Redmi Note 10 also makes it a much more versatile camera for general use.
