Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 146.6 × 70.6 × 8.3 mm | Redmi Note 10S is larger, may feel less comfortable for one-handed use. iPhone 15 Pro is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 187g | Redmi Note 10S is slightly lighter, but difference is minimal during practical use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.1" | Redmi Note 10S offers a larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking; iPhone 15 Pro is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1179x2556 | iPhone 15 Pro has a sharper display. Text and images appear clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 409 ppi | 461 ppi | iPhone 15 Pro has visibly higher pixel density for a sharper viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both technologies offer good contrast and colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | iPhone 15 Pro offers smoother animations and scrolling, making daily usage feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Pro is significantly more visible in bright sunlight, while Redmi Note 10S may struggle outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) | iPhone 15 Pro is dramatically faster, better for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. Redmi Note 10S will handle basic daily tasks well but struggles with resource intensive apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,641,883 | iPhone 15 Pro offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking and superior gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Apple 6-core GPU | iPhone 15 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, allowing for high-end mobile gaming and other graphics-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 48MP, f/1.78, 1/1.3", 1.22µm | iPhone 15 Pro has larger sensor pixels and aperture, theoretically performing better in low light. Higher resolution isn't always an advantage as pixel size matters in low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 12MP, f/1.9, Sony IMX714 | iPhone 15 Pro has a wider aperture which allows more light in, improving low light photos. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.8, 1.00µm | iPhone 15 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for better image quality when zooming in, a feature missing on the Redmi Note 10S. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | None | Redmi Note 10S offers a wider field of view, useful for landscape shots but quality is inferior. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S includes a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode separation. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S can capture close-up images, while iPhone 15 Pro lacks a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | iPhone 15 Pro features a high-quality combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 4K@60fps with HDR, 1080p@240fps with HDR | iPhone 15 Pro offers more advanced video recording capabilities, with better stabilization and HDR. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 154, Selfie: 149 | iPhone 15 Pro demonstrates superior camera performance based on DxOMark scores. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3650mAh | Redmi Note 10S has a larger battery for potentially longer battery life. Actual use will vary based on software and usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 27W Fast Charging, 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging | Redmi Note 10S has slightly faster wired charging. iPhone 15 Pro offers convenient wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | iOS 17 (up to 18) | Different ecosystems; iOS is generally smoother with more frequent updates. Android offers greater customization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | iPhone 15 Pro offers faster Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | iPhone 15 Pro has newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | iPhone 15 Pro offers greater location accuracy via advanced GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | iPhone 15 Pro has eSIM option for greater flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | iPhone 15 Pro offers significantly more storage. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8 GB | Both phones are sufficient for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so choose the variant based on your use case. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | iPhone 15 Pro has superior audio quality, useful for high-quality recording and better experience for consuming media. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic security features (Face ID, PIN) | Redmi Note 10S has convenient fingerprint unlock. iPhone 15 Pro uses FaceID. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi Note 10S has better known screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | iPhone 15 Pro has environmental sensors while Redmi Note 10S has Fingerprint. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Larger Screen: More immersive for content consumption.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
- Wired Charging: Slightly faster wired charging.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient side-mounted fingerprint unlock.
- Wider Angle, Depth and Macro lenses: Offers more versatility in camera capabilities.
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster processor and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density.
- Smoother Refresh Rate: 120Hz display provides fluid user experience.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Superior Main Camera: Better low-light performance, larger sensor and higher quality
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom capability.
- Better Video Recording: HDR, more stable, higher frame rate video.
- Better Audio: Enhanced spatial audio, noise cancellation.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient MagSafe and Qi charging.
- More Storage Options: Up to 1TB of internal storage.
- Newer Software: iOS offers consistent performance and security updates.
- Better Connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Advanced GPS: More accurate GPS capabilities.
- Premium build quality and materials: Known for it's premium design and durable materials.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10S trades performance and display quality for battery life and cost savings.
- The iPhone 15 Pro trades some battery capacity and a higher price for top-tier performance, display, and camera quality.
- Redmi Note 10S lacks a telephoto lens for optical zoom, and a dedicated wide-angle/macro lens.
- iPhone 15 Pro does not feature a fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users
- Users who prioritize battery life over top-tier performance.
- Users who want a larger screen for media consumption.
- Users who desire a fingerprint unlock option.
- Users who need more versatile camera capabilities including wide angle and macro lens.
Use Cases for Redmi Note 10S:
- Everyday social media browsing
- Watching videos
- Casual gaming
- Long-lasting phone for travel
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Ideal User:
- Users willing to pay a premium for the best performance and camera quality.
- Users who value a smooth and responsive user experience.
- Users who want the best smartphone photography and video.
- Users who need a compact but powerful device.
- Users invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Users who need large storage capacity
Use Cases for iPhone 15 Pro:
- High-end mobile gaming
- Professional photography and videography
- Demanding productivity tasks
- Users who value seamless integration with Apple products
- Content creators and visual media professionals.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: Do you need a high-performance phone for gaming and demanding tasks, or are you content with a more basic performance for daily tasks?
- Camera Quality: How important is camera quality to you? Do you need a zoom lens?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If budget is the primary concern, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is the clear choice. It offers decent performance, a large battery, and a capable camera system at a fraction of the price.
- If performance, display quality, and camera are top priorities, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is the better option. It is significantly more powerful, offers a superior display, and better imaging capabilities.
- If you need a phone for basic everyday use, the Redmi Note 10S is an excellent, affordable option. It is great for consuming media and light tasks.
- If you’re a professional content creator, the iPhone 15 Pro is the superior option. It offers advanced features like pro-video modes and more advanced color capabilities for editing photos and videos.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro.
My reasoning is as follows:
- Performance is paramount: As someone who uses their smartphone for demanding tasks like video editing, photo editing and mobile gaming, I need the raw power and responsiveness that the A17 Pro chip provides. The Helio G95 in the Redmi Note 10S would feel sluggish and limiting.
- Superior Camera: I heavily rely on my phone's camera for content creation, and the iPhone 15 Pro's advanced sensor and image processing are a must-have for me. The telephoto lens is a deal-breaker, and the image quality and video recording options are far superior on the iPhone.
- Long-term software support: Apple's long-term software updates ensure the device remains secure and reliable for years. I value a seamless user experience that does not feel outdated after a short period.
- Better Display Quality: The higher resolution and refresh rate are important, as I consume a lot of video content on my phone. The improved outdoor visibility on the iPhone 15 Pro is valuable, as well.
- Ecosystem: I am already integrated with the Apple ecosystem, so the seamless integration between iPhone and other Apple devices would be ideal.
While the Redmi Note 10S offers great value and a larger battery, the performance and camera capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro outweigh these benefits for my specific use case. The price difference is a factor, but the long-term advantages and the quality of experience justify the higher cost.
