1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-16 | 2022-08-25 | The Z Fold4 is significantly newer, benefitting from newer tech and software. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold4 offers a larger screen when unfolded, while the Redmi Note 10 is a standard slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm | Redmi Note 10 is taller and thicker, while Z Fold4 is wider when unfolded but thinner. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 263g | Redmi Note 10 is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended single-hand use. Z Fold4 is heavier, but this is expected for a foldable device. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 7.6" | Z Fold4 offers a significantly larger screen for enhanced media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1812x2176 | Z Fold4 has a sharper display, leading to clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 373 PPI | Redmi Note 10 is slightly sharper on paper, but the difference is marginal. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Redmi Note 10 has an AMOLED screen with better color reproduction, contrast, and power efficiency compared to whatever the Samsung has. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Z Fold4 provides a much smoother visual experience, especially for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10 screen is more visible in bright sunlight. The Samsung specification is incomplete. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Z Fold4 has a much more powerful processor, ensuring smoother performance for all tasks, especially gaming and demanding apps. |
| Antutu Score | 277,254 | 1,232,800 | Z Fold4 has significantly better performance, resulting in snappier overall user experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 730 | Z Fold4’s GPU provides better graphics rendering for high-end gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | Redmi Note 10 offers better battery endurance due to higher capacity. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Redmi Note 10 charges faster with 33W charging. |
| Features | Reverse charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | Z Fold4 has a comprehensive charging suite, including wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, that the Redmi Note 10 is lacking. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | Z Fold4 has a larger sensor capturing more light and detail, but the aperture is marginally worse |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | Redmi Note 10 has a higher resolution selfie camera, but the Z Fold4 has a slightly wider aperture and bigger pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9" | Z Fold4 offers dedicated telephoto zoom for better quality at range. | |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | Z Fold4 has a higher-resolution wide-angle camera, but the Redmi Note 10 has a larger sensor. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 10 has a dedicated portrait lens. | |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Redmi Note 10 has a dedicated macro lens. | |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps | Z Fold4 records higher quality video, while also having superior stabilization. |
| DXOMark Score | 124 (Mobile) | Z Fold4 has a respectable camera rating, the Redmi Note 10 has not been tested. | |
| Features | Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization | Optical zoom, Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Under display camera | Z Fold4 offers more advanced features like OIS, laser autofocus, RAW output. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 12 | Android 12, up to 16 | Z Fold4 will receive more software updates, keeping it current longer, it also is on a newer Android version at the start. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Z Fold4 supports newer WiFi standards providing faster and more reliable connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Z Fold4 has more advanced Bluetooth capabilities. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Z Fold4 offers more accurate location tracking with more supported systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Z Fold4 allows for digital SIM usage via eSIM, while Redmi Note 10 allows two physical SIMs |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Z Fold4 offers much greater storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 12GB | Z Fold4 provides smoother multitasking due to higher RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer stereo speakers, Z Fold4 has Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio, Redmi Note 10 features Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | side-mounted | side-mounted | Both have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Z Fold4 has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Z Fold4 has additional environmental sensors and more specific motion sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Lower Price: Significantly more budget-friendly, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
- Lighter & More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around.
- Better Battery Endurance: Larger battery and less powerful processor potentially provides longer usage time between charges.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging fills up the battery more quickly.
- Dedicated Macro Lens & Depth Sensor: Additional camera versatility for different shots.
- AMOLED Screen - provides better contrast and colors
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Advantages:
- Foldable Display: Large internal screen providing immersive media and multitasking experiences.
- Much Higher Performance: Flagship-level processor offering superior speed and responsiveness.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto lens, OIS, and higher quality main sensors for better photography.
- Superior Video Recording: Records video at higher resolutions and better stabilization.
- More Storage and RAM: Larger internal storage and faster multitasking.
- Modern Connectivity: Support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
- Wireless and Reverse Wireless Charging - convenient for charging and charging other devices.
- Better Screen Protection - superior scratch resistance.
- More OS updates - guaranteed a longer software support life.
- More accurate location tracking
Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10: While budget-friendly, it lacks the advanced features and premium performance of the Z Fold4.
- Z Fold4: Is significantly more expensive and heavier compared to traditional smartphones. The inner display is not protected from damage, and requires more care to maintain than a standard smartphone.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10:
- Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers who need a reliable smartphone for daily tasks.
- Users who prioritize a long-lasting battery and faster charging.
- Casual users who don't need demanding performance or advanced camera features.
- Use Cases:
- Daily communication, social media, and browsing.
- Streaming videos and playing less graphically demanding mobile games.
- Users who prefer a lightweight and easy-to-handle phone.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for basic usage and budget buyers.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4:
- Ideal User:
- Power users who need the most out of their smartphones.
- Tech enthusiasts who want the latest technology and a unique form factor.
- Users who multitask heavily and need a larger screen for productivity.
- Content creators and photography enthusiasts who need top-tier video and photo capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Professional multitasking, document editing, and media consumption.
- Gaming at high settings.
- Content creation, high-quality photos and videos.
- Those who value premium performance and a unique experience.
- Price-to-Value: High price point, but provides an unmatched feature set and premium experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 10 is a budget-friendly option, while the Z Fold4 is much more expensive.
- What do you value most? Consider whether you value a large display, unique form factor, peak performance and top camera quality, or a compact and reliable phone with good battery life.
- What are your primary use cases? Are you a heavy multitasker and a power user, or a casual user who needs a simple phone for everyday tasks?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Shopper: Choose the Redmi Note 10 if you prioritize affordability, a lighter weight, long battery life and a competent set of features.
- Scenario 2: Heavy Multitasker: Choose the Z Fold4 if you want a premium phone with a larger screen, better multitasking capabilities, and excellent performance.
- Scenario 3: Content Creator/Photographer: Choose the Z Fold4 due to the more advanced camera system, higher quality video recording, more advanced video options, and a telephoto lens.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User If you need a phone for calls, texts, social media, and some media consumption, the Redmi Note 10 is a reliable and cost-effective choice.
My Choice
Given the choice, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 despite its much higher price. The main reason is that I would gain the ability to seamlessly use the large screen for productivity. I am not a gamer on my smartphone, but I do often read and write on my phone, and the big screen is more comfortable and far better for multitasking. The Z Fold4 also excels in video quality for recording personal experiences, and is much more future-proof due to its higher chipset capabilities and superior software support. The additional features like wireless charging and an advanced camera are also significant draws for me. The Redmi Note 10 is a good phone, but the Z Fold4 is far more capable.
