Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. Samsung Galaxy M35
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-16 | 2024-05-24 | Samsung is significantly newer (over 3 years), suggesting more modern features and software support. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 162.3 x 78.6 x 9.1 mm | Samsung is slightly larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. Xiaomi is slimmer and may feel better in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 222g | Xiaomi is much lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. Samsung feels heavier, may impact portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.6" | Samsung offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Virtually identical sharpness; differences not noticeable in everyday use. |
| PPI | 409 | 390 | Both displays are very sharp, differences are negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Samsung offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing user experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi offers significantly brighter display for outdoor visibility. Samsung brightness is unknown and may be problematic in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Samsung's newer chipset is significantly more powerful and power efficient, leading to faster performance and better battery management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 578,500 | Samsung is more than twice as powerful, much better for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Samsung's GPU is newer and more powerful, resulting in smoother gameplay. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Samsung has a larger battery, potentially offering longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Xiaomi has faster charging. Battery type differences generally do not impact typical usage. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Xiaomi can reverse-charge other devices. Samsung does not. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 50MP | Samsung has slightly higher resolution. Image quality depends more on sensor and image processing. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Xiaomi has slightly wider aperture, potentially better low light. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2" | Both share the same sensor size |
| Main Camera Sensor Model | Sony IMX582 | Sony LYT-600 | Samsung has a more modern and potentially better sensor. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Samsung's larger pixels may result in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 13MP | 13MP | Both phones have comparable selfie camera resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Samsung has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better low light for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera Res | 8MP | 8MP | Both phones offer comparable wide angle camera performance. |
| Portrait Camera Res | 2MP | N/A | Xiaomi has a dedicated depth sensor; Samsung doesn't |
| Macro Camera Res | 2MP | 2MP | Both phones offer comparable Macro camera performance. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps w/ EIS | Samsung includes EIS for all resolutions, offering more stable video. Xiaomi provides 1080p@60fps. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Samsung offers electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother video recording. |
| Slow Motion | 960 fps | 480 fps | Xiaomi offers higher slow motion frame rate |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital Stabilization | Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS) | Samsung offers OIS which is better than digital stabilization; Xiaomi has additional depth camera |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (max 12) | Android 14 | Samsung has a much newer OS, will receive more software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Samsung offers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Samsung has a newer version with improved speed and battery efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Samsung supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both offer dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Samsung has more storage, which is critical for media-heavy users. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Samsung has more RAM, offering better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Samsung offers enhanced spatial audio, potentially better audio immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both offer standard side-mounted fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass Victus | Samsung offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Compass | Hall, Geomagnetic | Both phones have very similar basic motion and proximity sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Lighter and Slimmer: More comfortable for one-handed use and extended use.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is quicker than the Samsung's 25W.
- Reverse Charging: Can reverse charge other devices.
- Depth Camera: Dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode photography.
- Higher Slow Motion Frame Rate: Can record slow motion videos at 960fps
Practical Implications for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10:
- More comfortable for one handed use, better visibility in sunlight, and faster charging.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful: Significantly better performance due to newer chipset and GPU, leading to smoother usage, gaming and multitasking.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life, reduces the need for frequent charging.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother display for better visual experience.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box, likely to receive more software updates.
- Better Camera Sensor: The LYT-600 sensor may result in superior image quality compared to IMX582.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Offers better video stabilization.
- More RAM and Storage: Better for multitasking and storing more files.
- Better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Faster and more efficient wireless connectivity.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Enhanced audio experience, great for multimedia.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection against scratches and breakage.
- Wider Selfie Camera Aperture: Better low-light selfies
- Enhanced Sensor Suite: Includes Hall, Geomagnetic sensors for better navigation.
Practical Implications for Samsung Galaxy M35:
- Better performance for gaming, smoother display experience, longer battery life, better multimedia, more storage and better future software support.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung is significantly heavier and bulkier, potentially impacting ergonomics.
- The Samsung's display brightness is unknown, which is a major potential disadvantage in bright environments.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize comfort and portability, and need a lightweight device for everyday use.
- Users who frequently use their phone outdoors in sunny conditions.
- Users on a tight budget who need a basic, reliable phone.
- Users who like slow motion video recording.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10:
- Basic social media, browsing, and messaging
- Outdoor photography and video in bright environments
- Light gaming
- Users who prefer a less bulky device.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Users who consume a lot of media (videos, games) and want a smoother display.
- Users who value future software support and OS updates.
- Users who need good all-round camera capabilities with better video recording and a variety of camera modes
- Users who require plenty of storage and RAM.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy M35:
- Intensive mobile gaming
- Video editing and graphic design
- Power users who multitask heavily
- Multimedia consumption
- Users that want better video recording.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy M35 offers superior performance and modern features compared to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10. However, the value proposition depends on individual budget constraints and priorities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Portability? Do you need a powerful device for gaming or intensive tasks, or is a lightweight, more comfortable device more important?
- Outdoor Usage: Do you often use your phone in bright sunlight, or will you primarily be using your device indoors?
- Budget: Are you willing to pay more for the latest features and future proofing, or are you looking for the most affordable option?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If your primary focus is affordability and you are not concerned about having the latest tech, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 may be more suitable.
- Performance User: If you prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, and the latest software, the Samsung Galaxy M35 is a much better choice.
- Outdoor User: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is the better option for outdoor usage, due to the brighter display. However, the Samsung Galaxy M35 display brightness might be adequate for most users, if the brightness is not a major issue.
- Multimedia User: The Samsung Galaxy M35 is the superior choice for a better display experience, audio, performance and superior video stabilization.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M35. Although the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 has its advantages, the significant performance difference between the two phones makes the Samsung a better long-term investment. The Samsung Galaxy M35 offers a much smoother display due to the higher refresh rate, a much more powerful processor, better video recording due to EIS and OIS capabilities, a much newer OS, more RAM and storage, a larger battery and better audio. For me, the superior performance, display quality and future-proofing features of the Samsung outweigh the lighter form factor and slightly better brightness of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10. Also, the lack of official information regarding the brightness of the Samsung Galaxy M35 display is a concern, but most users do not typically use the phone in direct sunlight, thus, if not a major issue, the Samsung Galaxy M35 is the better all-round phone.
