Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. Motorola Moto G04s
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm | Moto G04s is slightly taller, Redmi Note 10 is slightly thicker; both are very similar in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 178.8g | Both phones feel virtually the same in weight, no practical difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.56" | Moto G04s offers a slightly larger viewing area, marginally better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1612 | Redmi Note 10 has a much sharper display; text and images will look significantly clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 269 PPI | Redmi Note 10 has a significantly crisper and detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Redmi Note 10 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colours, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto G04s will have slightly smoother scrolling and animations; noticeable in daily use. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10 will be much more visible under direct sunlight; Moto G04s visibility is unknown and a potential problem. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 678 (11nm) | Unisoc T606 (12nm) | Redmi Note 10 is expected to have noticeably better overall performance, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 220,000 | Redmi Note 10 will load apps faster and have smoother multitasking performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Redmi Note 10 is better for gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both phones should offer comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 10 will charge much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Redmi Note 10 can charge other devices, while both have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | Redmi Note 10 likely has better low-light performance due to larger sensor size, but Moto G04s has a slightly higher resolution. |
| Front Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" | 5MP, f/2.2 | Redmi Note 10 takes more detailed selfies with better sharpness. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | None | Redmi Note 10 offers more versatile photography with a wide-angle camera. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Redmi Note 10 can capture images with depth of field, useful for portraits. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | Redmi Note 10 can capture detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Redmi Note 10 can record higher resolution videos. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Moto G04s can record smoother videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 14 | Moto G04s ships with a newer version of Android, which may get additional updates and features longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, MiMO | 802.11ac | Redmi Note 10 may have slightly better Wi-Fi speeds with MiMO support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Redmi Note 10 has more bluetooth profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Moto G04s has added SUPL support. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both phones offer dual SIM functionality, allowing use of two phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 64GB, 128GB or 256GB | Moto G04s offers the potential of more storage for apps and media. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 4GB | Redmi Note 10 with 6GB RAM will handle multitasking more smoothly. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports additional storage via microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | Redmi Note 10 offers stereo sound for better audio quality and immersion; Moto G04s offers a more optimized software audio experience |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both provide a convenient and fast way to unlock the phone. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both screens provide basic scratch resistance and durability. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Xiaomi includes compass and virtual proximity, Motorola has standard proximity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with significantly higher resolution and brightness offers a much better viewing experience.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 678 chipset provides noticeably better performance for gaming and app usage.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging allows for significantly quicker battery replenishment.
- Versatile Camera System: Additional wide-angle, macro, and depth cameras provide more photography options and 4K video recording capability.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio support and Stereo Speakers provide superior audio quality.
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14, potentially offering longer software support.
- Smoother Refresh Rate: 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations.
- Higher Main Camera Resolution: The 50MP main camera captures more detail, and it comes with OIS.
- Optical Zoom and Video Stabilization: This will offer more versatility to the camera.
- Potentially more storage: A 256GB storage option exists.
Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10 has an older operating system, with only one more major update possible (if at all).
- Motorola G04s lacks an AMOLED screen and has lower screen resolution.
- Motorola G04s has an inferior processor, resulting in slower overall performance and less capable gaming.
- Motorola G04s has a less versatile camera system, lacking wide-angle, macro and depth lenses.
- Motorola G04s has no information available for screen brightness, which could be an issue in sunlight.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize display quality and want vibrant colours, deep blacks, and clear text.
- Users who want good overall performance, for daily use, social media, and moderate gaming.
- Users who need a fast-charging phone to minimize downtime.
- Users who value camera versatility and want various shooting options like wide-angle and macro.
- Users who consume multimedia regularly and want stereo sound with higher audio quality.
- Users who prioritize a strong performance for the price.
Use Cases for Redmi Note 10:
- Watching videos and movies, browsing social media, playing graphic-intensive games.
- Taking various photos including wide-angle and close-up shots, recording high-quality videos.
- Daily use with frequent charging, multitasking between apps.
Motorola Moto G04s is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize a newer Android version and potential future updates.
- Users who want slightly smoother scrolling due to the higher refresh rate display.
- Users who need a basic phone for everyday use and are budget-conscious.
- Users who want a device with some storage options.
- Users who prioritize optical zoom and stabilization.
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G04s:
- General day-to-day use, casual web browsing and social media.
- Taking quick photos.
- Users who prioritize a newer version of Android.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (AMOLED vs. IPS LCD, higher vs lower resolution and brightness)
- What level of performance do you require? (Gaming, intensive apps vs. light daily use)
- Which features of the camera are more important? (Versatility and 4K video vs. optical zoom and stabilization)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you value a superior viewing experience, better performance, and a versatile camera system: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10.
- If your priority is a newer Android version, slightly smoother scrolling, and prefer an optical zoom/stabilization camera: Choose the Motorola Moto G04s.
- If you're on a tight budget and mostly use the phone for basic tasks: The Motorola Moto G04s is a basic but decent phone, though you will be sacrificing image and general performance quality.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10. The primary reason is the significantly superior display quality. The AMOLED screen with its higher resolution and brightness will make a far more enjoyable experience for daily use, watching videos, and browsing. Additionally, the Snapdragon 678 processor provides significantly better performance, which will translate to a much smoother user experience overall and more pleasant gaming sessions. While the Moto G04s has some advantages like a newer version of Android and a slightly smoother refresh rate, they are not enough to offset the large gap in display quality and performance. The camera versatility with 4K video recording and additional lenses of the Redmi Note 10 are also big pluses for me. Although I am aware the Redmi Note 10 is older, it's the better phone in the long run due to the hardware quality.
