Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 163.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | Axon 40 Ultra is slightly taller and negligibly thicker. Difference is unlikely to be noticeable in daily use. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 204g | Redmi Note 10 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | Axon 40 Ultra offers a more immersive experience with a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1116 x 2480 | Axon 40 Ultra offers slightly sharper images due to higher resolution, but difference is not dramatic. |
| PPI | 409 | 400 | Both have very sharp displays. The difference in pixel density is minimal and likely imperceptible to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast typical of AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Axon 40 Ultra's 120Hz display provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid and responsive user experience, especially for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1500 nits | Axon 40 Ultra offers much better visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Axon 40 Ultra has a much more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and generally better long term performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 1,061,300 | Axon 40 Ultra has significantly higher performance, meaning it's much faster and more capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 730 | Axon 40 Ultra's GPU provides far better graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and better visual fidelity in apps and games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72", Sony IMX787 | Axon 40 Ultra should capture better photos in various conditions thanks to wider aperture, larger sensor, and more pixels. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", OV13B10 | 16MP, f/2.0, Omnivision | Axon 40 Ultra should capture better selfies in various conditions thanks to wider aperture and more pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", OV64B | Axon 40 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities not available on Redmi Note 10, for closer shots without loss of quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | None | Redmi Note 10 lets you capture more in your frame, useful in landscapes or group photos. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Axon 40 Ultra offers depth sensing capabilities for better portrait effects, though quality may not be exceptional. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Redmi Note 10 includes a dedicated sensor for creating depth-of-field effects in portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GC02M1 | None | Redmi Note 10 includes a dedicated sensor for taking close-up photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72", Sony IMX787 | Axon 40 Ultra provides a wider field of view and macro capabilities with a single, higher-resolution sensor. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | Axon 40 Ultra is capable of recording much higher-resolution video, offers more frame rate options, and has electronic image stabilization. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital Zoom, etc. | 8K Video, Optical Zoom, OIS, etc. | Axon 40 Ultra offers more advanced camera features, such as optical zoom and optical stabilization, which significantly improve photo and video quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, implying similar battery life, though real world usage may vary. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Axon 40 Ultra will charge significantly faster, reducing downtime waiting for the phone to charge. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Redmi Note 10 can act as a power bank to charge other devices. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Axon 40 Ultra has a newer OS, likely resulting in better optimization and newer features. It is also likely to receive software updates for longer. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Axon 40 Ultra supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, potentially offering faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE | Axon 40 Ultra has a more recent version of Bluetooth, potentially offering better connectivity and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1+L5, L1 | Axon 40 Ultra supports dual-band GPS and extra satellite systems, for greater location accuracy, particularly in urban areas. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1024GB | Axon 40 Ultra offers significantly more storage options, ideal for users with large media libraries and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 8GB, 12GB, 16GB, or 18GB | Axon 40 Ultra offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and demanding apps, and is also more future-proof. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage, so users are limited to the internal storage options. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Axon 40 Ultra provides better surround sound quality and better audio input for calls with its extra microphones. Hi-Res support on Redmi Note 10 allows for slightly improved audio quality with compatible headphones or speakers. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor generally provides faster and more convenient access. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi Note 10 has more information available regarding screen protection. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Redmi Note 10 provides a compass sensor, and an ultrasonic proximity sensor for a more complete set of features. Axon 40 Ultra includes a proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Wide Angle Camera Lens: Dedicated wide angle lens to capture larger scenes.
- Macro Camera Lens: Dedicated macro lens for extreme close-up photos.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Faster and more convenient biometric access.
- More Information on Build Quality: It has gorilla glass 3 for the screen which ensures a higher level of screen protection.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Much faster processor, more RAM, and superior GPU for demanding tasks.
- Larger, Smoother Display: Larger screen with higher refresh rate and brightness for better media and gaming experiences.
- Superior Camera System: Main camera is higher resolution, telephoto lens for optical zoom, and advanced features like 8K recording, OIS, and PDAF.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging reduces charging time significantly.
- Newer Software & Connectivity: New Android OS and WiFi 6 for better long-term use.
- Higher Storage Options: Significantly more internal storage with different RAM options to choose from.
- Better Audio: Immersive audio experience, and better voice capture in phone calls.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10 sacrifices performance and camera quality for lower cost and lighter weight.
- The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is heavier and does not have reverse charging, a wide-angle, macro, or dedicated portrait lens, and comes at a higher price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritize affordability.
- Casual Smartphone Users: Need a reliable device for basic tasks, media consumption, and casual photography.
- Users Who Prioritize Lightweight Devices: Those who prefer a lighter phone for extended use.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and communication.
- Casual photography and video recording.
- Users who need a secondary phone for use in specific situations.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and those who need high performance for demanding applications.
- Photography & Videography Enthusiasts: Users who want advanced camera capabilities and features.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who frequently watch videos and movies on their phone.
- Power Users: Those who need large amounts of storage and RAM.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming and video editing.
- Professional and high-quality photography and videography.
- Multitasking, running multiple apps at once.
- Heavy media consumption, high quality video playback.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 10 is a budget phone, while the Axon 40 Ultra is a higher-end device.
- How important is performance and camera quality? The Axon 40 Ultra is significantly superior in both.
- What specific features do you need? If you prioritize a lightweight device or need reverse charging, the Redmi Note 10 might be better, otherwise, the Axon 40 Ultra offers more advanced features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For basic tasks, light gaming, and affordability: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10.
- For serious gaming, high-quality camera usage, and high-end media consumption: ZTE Axon 40 Ultra.
- If battery and fast charging is a big concern: ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
- For lighter use, a secondary phone, and users with small hands: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10.
My Choice
I would choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is a respectable budget phone, the Axon 40 Ultra's superior performance, display, and camera system align better with my needs and priorities. The significantly faster processor and GPU will ensure a much smoother experience for all usage cases, and the inclusion of high refresh rate and higher resolution display is great for a superior viewing experience. The camera system is also much more advanced and feature rich. Although it is more expensive and heavier, the overall user experience is superior and it's a more future-proof device.
