Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. Xiaomi Redmi 10
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Xiaomi Redmi 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 162 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm | Redmi 10 is slightly taller and thicker, may feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 181g | Negligible difference, both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.5" | Very similar viewing area, negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer a Full HD+ viewing experience. |
| PPI | 409 | 405 | Negligible difference in pixel density; both displays are sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | - | Redmi Note 10 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors; better for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Redmi 10 provides smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid feel. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10 is significantly brighter and easier to see in direct sunlight. Redmi 10 brightness is not provided. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Redmi Note 10 offers slightly better performance in tasks and gaming due to a more optimized CPU. |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 253,600 | Redmi Note 10 benchmarks slightly higher, may be slightly faster overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Redmi Note 10's GPU is generally better for gaming, providing higher framerates. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Redmi Note 10 has a larger sensor which captures more light. Redmi 10 has slightly higher resolution. |
| Selfie | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV13B10, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | Redmi Note 10 has higher resolution for sharper selfies. Redmi 10 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | Identical wide-angle cameras on both devices. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Identical depth sensors on both devices. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Identical macro lenses on both devices. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps | Redmi Note 10 can record higher resolution 4K videos. |
| Features | 4K, Digital zoom, Quad camera, Digital stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO, Exposure, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K, Digital zoom, Quad camera, Digital stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO, Exposure, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Redmi Note 10 has Night Mode. Redmi 10 has continuous shooting and RAW capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have identical battery capacity for similar daily use. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Redmi Note 10 charges significantly faster. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 9W reverse wired charging | Redmi 10 offers 9W wired reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 12 | Android 11 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 has a confirmed OS upgrade, which is not specified on Xiaomi Redmi 10. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Both devices are very similar, with Redmi Note 10 additionally supporting MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | 5.1 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x | Redmi 10 uses newer Bluetooth with APT-x. Redmi Note 10 has EDR and HID features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Identical location capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Identical storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 4/6 GB | Identical RAM options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, a limitation for users with large media libraries |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Redmi Note 10 offers higher quality audio and better immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Identical fingerprint sensor location. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both phones have the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have the same sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen provides much better contrast, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks, significantly enhancing media consumption and visual experiences.
- Higher Brightness: 1100 nits peak brightness means much better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is much faster than 18W charging on Redmi 10, meaning less time plugged into the wall.
- Better Performance: Slightly higher AnTuTu score and better CPU and GPU performance provide a better experience.
- 4K Video Recording: Ability to record in 4K offers higher quality videos.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers a higher-quality audio experience through headphones.
- OS Upgrade: Confirmed Android OS upgrade to version 12.
Xiaomi Redmi 10 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 offers improvements in range and efficiency.
- Reverse Wired Charging: The capability to reverse charge other devices.
- Continuous Shooting and RAW capture: Additional camera features for the user.
Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10: Loses on the 90Hz refresh rate and reverse wired charging, plus a slightly older Bluetooth version.
- Redmi 10: Loses on display quality and brightness, as well as performance, charging speed and video recording quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is ideal for:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos or movies will benefit from the superior AMOLED screen and high-resolution audio capabilities.
- Outdoor Users: The significantly higher brightness makes it easier to use outdoors, especially in sunlight.
- Gamers: The slightly better GPU and overall performance make this a better budget option for gaming, but with limitations.
- Users Prioritizing Camera Quality: 4K video recording and higher resolution selfie camera are more suitable for content creators on a budget.
- Users who want long lasting devices: Given that it has a confirmed OS upgrade to version 12, this would mean a longer lifespan for the phone.
Xiaomi Redmi 10 is ideal for:
- Casual Users: Users who primarily browse the web, use social media, and do light tasks will appreciate the smoothness of the 90Hz refresh rate.
- Users who want to be able to reverse charge their other devices: The added capability of reverse wired charging is a bonus.
- Users who want additional camera features: The continuous shooting and RAW capture might be useful for some.
- Users who want the latest Bluetooth: The new bluetooth offers improvements.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: This is probably the lower-cost option, which is a priority for this kind of users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is screen quality and brightness to you? If the answer is "very important", then the AMOLED of the Redmi Note 10 wins. If the answer is "somewhat important", then both phones are viable options.
- Do you need 4K video recording or is 1080p enough? If 4k recording is a priority, the Redmi Note 10 is a better fit, otherwise both are good.
- Do you prioritize a smoother display or faster charging? If you value smooth scrolling and animations, the Redmi 10 with its 90Hz refresh rate will be better, otherwise, the Redmi Note 10 with it's 33W fast charge is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For media enthusiasts, gamers, or outdoor users: The Redmi Note 10 is the clear choice.
- For budget-conscious buyers with basic needs: The Redmi 10 offers a smoother experience and an extra charging feature at a possibly lower cost.
- For frequent travelers: The Redmi Note 10 has a more convenient faster charge, even though the Redmi 10 can reverse charge, the speed isn't nearly as important as being able to have a phone up and running in a limited amount of time when on the move.
Decision
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10.
Reasoning:
While the 90Hz display of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 is attractive, the superior AMOLED display, higher brightness, faster charging, slightly better performance, and 4K video recording capabilities of the Redmi Note 10 make it a more compelling overall package for my use cases, and generally, the target user for these kind of devices (budget to mid-range). The better screen is a key feature and the increased speed in charging is more practical than reverse charging other devices, plus, the added benefit of knowing that the device will be supported by at least another OS upgrade means longer term usage. The performance difference is notable and that alone pushes the scale towards the Redmi Note 10.
