Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. Xiaomi Poco F4
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 163.2 × 76 × 7.7 mm | Poco F4 is taller & wider, Note 10 is thicker. Poco F4 might feel slightly less comfortable in one hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 195g | Redmi Note 10 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Material | (Not specified in detail) | (Not specified in detail) | Impacts perceived quality and durability - information not available in provided data. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.67" | Poco F4 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same level of detail; sharp image quality on both devices. |
| PPI | 409 | 395 | Very similar pixel density; practically no visible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast for a superior visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco F4 provides noticeably smoother scrolling, animations and gaming experience, making the UI feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1300 nits | Poco F4 is better for outdoor visibility, especially under bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Poco F4 offers a much faster and more efficient processor; significantly improved performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 861,200 | Poco F4 has over 200% higher benchmark score indicating drastically better performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 (Qualcomm Adreno 612) | Adreno 650 (Qualcomm Adreno 650) | Poco F4 has a much more powerful GPU, delivering noticeably better gaming performance with higher framerates and improved graphics. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.80µm | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B, 0.70µm | Poco F4 captures higher-resolution photos with more details; potential for better low-light performance although the sensor size is same. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV13B10, 1.12µm | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2", Sony IMX596, 0.80µm | Poco F4 offers higher resolution selfies and a larger sensor resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856, 1.12µm | Redmi Note 10 has a larger sensor for wide-angle shots, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Redmi Note 10 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots, allowing more accurate background blur. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | Similar macro cameras; both phones offer limited macro capabilities due to the lower resolution and sensor size. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; No stabilization; slow-motion: 960fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; Yes stabilization; slow-motion: 960fps | Poco F4 offers more advanced stabilization and 60fps 4k recording making it better for video recording, especially for action and vlogging scenarios |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital zoom, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, etc. | Triple Camera, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, PDAF, etc. | Poco F4 has superior features like Optical Image Stabilization, Ultra-stable video mode for smoother footage, and Manual focus. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Redmi Note 10 offers slightly better battery life due to its larger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco F4 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Redmi Note 10 can act as a power bank for other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Lighter: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life for users who need it.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, a handy feature for emergencies.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Better portrait mode (background blur) functionality.
- Wider Sensor for Wide-Angle: Better low light perfomance on wide-angle lens.
Practical Implications: Better for users who value comfort, battery endurance, and a dedicated depth sensor in a camera.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Much faster overall performance, better for gaming, heavy multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother and more responsive user experience.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- Improved Main Camera: Higher resolution images.
- Significantly Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution with larger sensor leading to superior low light selfies.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Reduces motion blur and captures sharper videos.
- Faster Charging: Quickly refuels the phone, reducing downtime.
- Better Video: 4K 60 fps and better stabilization.
- Newer Bluetooth Version & Wi-Fi 6: Offers better connectivity and faster speeds.
- More RAM: Up to 12GB of RAM, ensures smooth performance even with demanding tasks.
- More Storage Options: Up to 256GB internal storage.
- Better Audio Features: Offers spatial audio and better microphone for sound recording.
- Newer Operating System: Starts with Android 12 offering better features.
Practical Implications: Better for users who prioritize performance, gaming, media consumption, and camera features (especially video).
Trade-offs: The Redmi Note 10 offers a larger battery and reverse charging capabilities at the cost of overall performance, display smoothness, and camera quality. The Poco F4 prioritizes performance, advanced features, and a superior display at the expense of a slightly smaller battery and higher weight.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users
- Users who prioritize battery life and reverse charging
- Users who prefer a lighter and thinner phone
- Users with basic smartphone needs (browsing, social media, light gaming)
- Users who value a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots.
- Users who use the wide-angle lens frequently in low-light
Use Cases:
- Daily driver for average smartphone tasks
- Extended use without frequent charging
- Backup phone or second device
- Users who prefer lighter phones
Xiaomi Poco F4 Ideal User:
- Performance enthusiasts and gamers
- Users who prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience
- Users who consume a lot of media
- Users who take photos and videos regularly
- Users who value superior camera features, especially video recording
- Users who value faster performance, smooth UI and enhanced features.
Use Cases:
- Gaming on the go
- High-intensity multitasking
- High-quality video recording
- Regular social media posting and media consumption
- Users who prefer a more premium experience
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? - This will heavily influence the choice, as the Poco F4 is expected to be pricier.
- What is my primary use case? - Gaming, media, or basic daily tasks? This will determine the importance of performance vs battery.
- Which features are most important to me? - Smoother screen, camera quality, reverse charging, or overall performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is tight and you need a decent phone for daily tasks, the Redmi Note 10 is the better choice due to its lower cost while still providing an AMOLED display and basic smartphone experience with a larger battery.
- Scenario 2: Gaming Enthusiast: The Poco F4 is the clear choice for gaming due to its superior processor, GPU, and higher refresh rate display. It will deliver a much more enjoyable gaming experience with smoother frame rates and better graphics.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumer: While both have AMOLED displays, the Poco F4's larger, brighter screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and enhanced audio makes it better for media consumption. The video recording capabilities are far superior too.
- Scenario 4: Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: The Poco F4 wins here due to higher resolution, selfie camera, OIS, and 4k 60 FPS video recording, and superior overall camera features.
- Scenario 5: Prioritize Battery Life: If battery is of the highest priority, then the Redmi Note 10 has a slightly larger battery capacity. However, consider that the Poco F4 charges much faster.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4.
Here's why:
- Performance: The performance difference is significant. The Snapdragon 870 chipset in the Poco F4 is far superior to the Snapdragon 678 in the Redmi Note 10. This means smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a much better gaming experience.
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate of the Poco F4’s display is a feature I highly value, making the user interface feel far more responsive and smoother than the 60Hz panel of the Redmi Note 10. Also the higher brightness is ideal for outdoor use.
- Camera: While the Redmi Note 10 has a depth sensor, the Poco F4 has better front and back sensors and overall camera features. OIS, 4K60 and better video stabilization are essential features.
- Charging Speed: The 67W charging on the Poco F4 is a game-changer, reducing the time I spend tethered to a charger. Even though the battery is slightly smaller, the faster charging mitigates this issue.
- Features: The Poco F4 comes with more advanced features like better audio, newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions, and an improved operating system.
While the Redmi Note 10 is a decent phone, the Poco F4's superior performance, display, camera, and faster charging make it the better choice for my needs and preference for a more advanced and feature-rich smartphone experience.
