Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Flip3 offers a unique, compact foldable design for enhanced portability and a 'wow' factor. The Redmi Note 10 is a traditional slab design. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 166 × 72.2 × 6.9 mm | The Z Flip3 is slightly taller and thinner when unfolded, but the Redmi Note 10 has less depth while taking less space in pocket when folded, resulting in a bulkier feel in the hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 183g | Both phones are similar in weight, so neither is significantly more pocketable in terms of mass. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | The Z Flip3 offers a slightly larger display for more immersive viewing of videos and other content. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | The Z Flip3 has a slightly sharper display, but the difference is not very noticeable to the naked eye for most tasks. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 426 PPI | Both displays have similar pixel density, meaning both appear sharp and crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | The Redmi Note 10's AMOLED display provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast for a more visually engaging experience. The Z Flip3 has an unspecified display tech. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Z Flip3's higher refresh rate provides a significantly smoother experience when scrolling, gaming, and navigating the user interface. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | The Z Flip3's display is slightly brighter, which translates to better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Z Flip3's Snapdragon 888 is significantly more powerful, providing a much faster overall user experience, improved multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| Antutu Score | 277,254 | 898,700 | The Z Flip3 provides a much smoother and faster experience overall, especially in demanding tasks such as gaming or video editing, given its higher score. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 660 in the Z Flip3 provides considerably better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard Camera | 48MP (f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm) | 12.2MP (f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm) | The Redmi Note 10 has a higher resolution sensor, but the Z Flip3 has a larger pixel size on its main camera, which results in better low-light performance despite the resolution disparity. |
| Rear Wide Angle Camera | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm) | 13MP (1/3.06", 1.12µm) | The Z Flip3 has higher resolution on wide angle camera while Redmi has larger sensor size. |
| Rear Portrait Lens | 2MP (f/2.4, 1.75µm) | Not Available | Redmi Note 10 has dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Rear Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm) | Not Available | Redmi Note 10 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Front Camera | 13MP (f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm) | 10MP (f/2.4, 1/3.2", 1.22µm) | Redmi Note 10 has a higher resolution front sensor, while Z Flip3 has a wider aperture and bigger pixel size which can help with light gathering. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Both record videos up to 4k quality. Z Flip3 has better video stability due to OIS, HDR, 1080@240fps for slow motion and 720p@960fps for super slow motion. |
| DxoMark Score | Not Available | 111 (Mobile), 118 (Photo), 110 (Video) | The Z Flip3 has been tested by DxoMark and got scores for mobile, photo, and video, while the Redmi Note 10 has not been tested. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3300mAh | The Redmi Note 10 has a significantly larger battery, which is likely to offer much longer battery life, especially when combined with its less powerful processor and 60Hz display. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | The Redmi Note 10 charges much faster, reducing time spent plugged into the wall. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | The Z Flip3 will receive longer software support from Samsung. |
| Other | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Z Flip3 supports the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard for superior network speeds and reliability. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 | The Z Flip3 has a newer Bluetooth version with more features for connectivity with accessories. |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | The Z Flip3 offers more base storage and a higher maximum storage option. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB | The Z Flip3 has significantly more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and better handling of resource-intensive applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers much longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the Z Flip3's 15W.
- AMOLED Display: The AMOLED screen offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours compared to the unspecified display on the Z Flip3.
- Dedicated Depth & Macro Lenses: It offers more camera versatility for portrait and close-up photography.
- Hi-Res Audio: It has Hi-Res Audio for better audio quality and immersion.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a unique and pocketable form factor that stands out.
- Much Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 888 provides considerably faster performance for gaming and multitasking.
- 120Hz Display: The higher refresh rate makes the user experience noticeably smoother.
- Better Screen Protection: It features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus which provides better screen protection than Redmi Note 10.
- Higher Brightness: Better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Better Software Support: Guaranteed software upgrades for a longer time.
- Better Connectivity: Offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for better wireless performance.
- Better Camera System: The main camera has a larger pixel size that may result in better low light performance with a proper processing.
- OIS, 4k@60fps and 1080@240 fps Video Recording: It has Optical Image Stabilization and 1080p @ 240 fps for a better video quality.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Battery Life: The Z Flip3's smaller battery results in shorter battery life compared to the Redmi Note 10.
- Charging Speed: The Z Flip3's slower charging can be inconvenient for those who need quick power top-ups.
- Price: The Z Flip3 is significantly more expensive than the Redmi Note 10.
- Camera versatility: The Z Flip3 does not have depth or macro lenses for more versatile photography.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals seeking good performance and features at an affordable price.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: People who need their phone to last all day without needing to charge.
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize basic tasks like browsing, social media, and occasional photography.
- Users who want a dedicated depth and macro lenses.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication and social media usage.
- Long browsing sessions and content consumption.
- Occasional photography and video recording.
- Users who want a good phone without high price tags.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Ideal User:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest technology and innovative features.
- Power Users: Individuals who require high performance for gaming, multitasking, and content creation.
- Fashion-Conscious Users: Those who want a unique, stylish, and portable device.
- Users Prioritizing a Premium Experience: People who are willing to pay more for a premium build, a high-quality display, better performance and better connectivity.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.
- Video editing and content creation.
- Multitasking between multiple apps.
- Wanting a unique, portable, and pocketable phone.
- Wanting a great screen and camera system with OIS, 4k@60 fps and 1080p@240 fps video recording.
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 offers excellent value for its price, providing a good balance of features and performance for budget-conscious consumers.
- The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is a premium device with a high price tag, but it justifies its cost with cutting-edge technology, high performance, and a unique user experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Z Flip3 is significantly more expensive.
- How important is battery life to you? The Redmi Note 10 has a much larger battery.
- Do you prioritize performance or design? The Z Flip3 excels in performance and offers a unique foldable design, while the Redmi Note 10 has good performance for its price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is a primary concern:
- Recommendation: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10. It provides excellent value with a good set of features for a lower price.
- Scenario 2: Need all-day battery life:
- Recommendation: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10. Its larger battery capacity will last you longer between charges.
- Scenario 3: Seeking top performance and a premium design:
- Recommendation: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. Its high performance and unique foldable design justify the higher price.
- Scenario 4: Wanting the best camera experience and high quality video recording:
- Recommendation: Choose Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. It offers better low-light performance with its main camera, and has 4k@60 fps video recording with HDR, 1080p @ 240fps slow motion and OIS for better quality.
- Scenario 5: Wanting the best and most convenient charging times:
- Recommendation: Choose Xiaomi Redmi Note 10. It offers faster 33W charging.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the two, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. Despite its higher price, the combination of a unique foldable design, significantly higher performance, a smoother 120Hz display, better wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1, better software support, and better video quality makes it a much more compelling choice for me. Although the Redmi Note 10 is a good phone with better battery life and faster charging, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. The Z Flip3’s high performance, better camera, better wireless connectivity and the innovative foldable form factor are more appealing to me as a tech enthusiast who wants cutting-edge features. I am willing to trade off battery life for better camera performance, and a more unique experience, but I would carry a power bank just in case.
