Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Apple iPhone 14 Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.8 mm | iPhone 14 Plus is wider, slightly thinner, Redmi Note 10S is more compact; iPhone may be harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 203g | Redmi Note 10S feels lighter and more comfortable for extended use. iPhone 14 Plus will feel more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | iPhone 14 Plus offers a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and better readability. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1284x2778 | iPhone 14 Plus provides a sharper image with more detail; less pixelated than the Redmi Note 10S. |
| Pixel Density | 409 ppi | 458 ppi | iPhone 14 Plus offers slightly crisper text and images due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide excellent contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors, a difference is not very significant in user experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard smoothness, neither offers the smoother scrolling of higher refresh rate displays. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | iPhone 14 Plus is slightly easier to see outdoors in direct sunlight, but both are bright enough for most conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | iPhone 14 Plus offers drastically better performance, faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,330,312 | iPhone 14 Plus has significantly more processing power, and is much more future proof than the Redmi Note 10S, resulting in a snappier experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | iPhone 14 Plus offers a superior graphics performance, handles graphically intensive tasks much better, especially gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4325mAh | Redmi Note 10S has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life despite a less efficient chip. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Redmi Note 10S charges much faster, getting you back up and running quicker. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable, MagSafe & Qi wireless | iPhone 14 Plus offers convenient wireless charging. The Redmi Note 10S is able to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP (f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm) | 12MP (f/1.5, 1/1.66", 1.9µm) | iPhone 14 Plus has a lower resolution, but larger sensor and pixels, resulting in better low-light performance and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP (f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm) | 12MP (f/1.9) | iPhone 14 Plus has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies, however the pixel size of the sensor is unknown. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm) | 12MP (f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.40µm) | iPhone 14 Plus offers slightly better resolution, larger pixel and slightly less light for better wide angle performance. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP Depth Sensor | None | Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated depth sensor, which will improve portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP Macro Lens | None | Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated macro lens, for close-up photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo sound | iPhone 14 Plus offers better video quality with higher frame rate, HDR and stereo sound, as well as enhanced stabilization. |
| DXoMark | No Data | Mobile: 133, Selfie: 144 | iPhone 14 Plus has a superior camera based on dxoMark. |
| Camera Features | Multiple features | Multiple Features | Both offer various features; iPhone offers additional features like OIS and RAW, whilst the Redmi Note 10S offers digital stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | iOS 16 (up to 18) | iPhone 14 Plus offers a different user experience with a better ecosystem and better software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | iPhone 14 Plus offers faster Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | iPhone 14 Plus has a newer Bluetooth standard for better reliability and energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | iPhone 14 Plus offers slightly better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 14 Plus offers an eSIM for convenient carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | iPhone 14 Plus offers far more storage options for users. Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB | Redmi Note 10S offers more RAM in one of its variants, which may help with multitasking and gaming. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | iPhone 14 Plus provides better spatial audio, surround sound and call quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | Redmi Note 10S offers a convenient fingerprint sensor for unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi Note 10S uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection which should be durable, unlike the iPhone 14 Plus whose screen protection is unknown |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | The Redmi Note 10S offers more sensors which may enhance the user experience |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable, providing a budget-friendly option.
- Larger Battery & Fast Charging: Offers longer battery life and faster charging.
- More RAM: Some models come with 8GB of RAM, which may improve multitasking.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lenses: Provides more versatility for photography.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable to handle for extended use.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a quick and convenient way to unlock the phone.
- Reverse charging: can charge other devices
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster processor for better gaming and app performance.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper and more detailed screen for better viewing.
- Better Main Camera: Superior image quality in low-light conditions despite the lower resolution.
- Higher Quality Video: Offers much better video recording, with HDR, stabilization, and stereo sound
- Better Audio: Offers features like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and better quality microphones.
- More Storage: Offers significantly more internal storage options.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi: More reliable connectivity with newer standards.
- eSIM support: Convenient for users who switch carriers or travel often.
- Better Operating System iOS is known for being much more reliable than Android
- Wireless charging: More convenient charging
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10S trades raw processing power and overall camera quality for a lower price and battery capacity.
- The iPhone 14 Plus demands a higher price for its premium performance and features, with more storage options at a premium.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Seeking a functional smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Everyday users: Prioritize battery life and fast charging for daily tasks.
- Casual photographers: Like the versatility of macro and depth lenses for everyday use.
- Users who prefer Android: Those familiar with or preferring the Android operating system.
- Those needing reverse charging
- Gamers who dont play intensive games: The RAM is beneficial for those gaming casually.
Use Cases:
- Long days away from a charger.
- General social media and browsing.
- Taking casual photos with macro and portrait options.
- Playing less intensive mobile games.
- For those who want a fingerprint scanner
- For those who want to be able to charge other devices
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Ideal User:
- Power users: Need fast performance for demanding apps and games.
- Multimedia consumers: Enjoy streaming movies and content on a high-resolution display.
- Photography enthusiasts: Want high quality camera, video and audio
- Users within the Apple Ecosystem: Those heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem with other devices
- Professionals
- Those that need higher quality audio and call clarity
Use Cases:
- Gaming and content creation.
- Capturing high-quality videos.
- Professional use with demanding applications.
- Enjoying multimedia content with HDR and immersive audio.
- Frequent traveling requiring an eSIM.
- Those who prefer wireless charging
- Those who need the most reliable OS
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance: How important is performance for your daily usage?
- Ecosystem: Are you invested in a particular ecosystem (Android/iOS)?
Scenario Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious): If budget is a primary concern, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers great value for basic functionality with its good battery, fast charging, and fingerprint sensor.
- Scenario 2 (Performance-Oriented): If you need top-tier performance and a premium camera/video experience, the Apple iPhone 14 Plus is the clear choice despite the higher price.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced): If you prefer the Apple ecosystem but are not willing to spend on the iPhone 14 Plus, you should consider an older model of the iPhone as it would still be a step up from the Redmi Note 10S.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Apple iPhone 14 Plus.
My reasoning is as follows:
- Performance: As a user who multitasks frequently and enjoys playing graphically intensive games, the superior performance of the A15 Bionic chip is very important to me.
- Camera Quality: I value high-quality photography and video for both professional and personal use. The iPhone 14 Plus's main camera with its larger sensor and computational photography is a major advantage.
- Software Experience: I prefer iOS, the user experience, security, and update policies.
- Ecosystem: I am deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, and its seamless integration with other Apple devices would make the iPhone 14 Plus a more convenient choice.
- Audio and Video Quality: The enhanced quality of the audio and video recording features on the iPhone 14 Plus also make it a better choice for me.
- Future proofing: I would like to use the same phone for a long time without having to upgrade often.
While the Redmi Note 10S has its merits, offering a better battery, fast charging, and a fingerprint sensor, the raw performance and ecosystem benefits of the iPhone 14 Plus make it the better long term investment for me despite the higher price.
