Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs Apple iPhone SE (2022) - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 28, 2021 March 18, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 99.25 cm³ 67.99 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.6 "/g 3.26 "/g
Weight 178.8 g 144 g
Height 160.5 mm 138.4 mm
Width 74.5 mm 67.3 mm
Thickness 8.3 mm 7.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Shadow Black (Onyx Gray)
  • Deep Sea Blue (Ocean Blue)
  • (Frost White) Pebble White
  • Red
  • Starlight
  • Midnight

Display

Screen Size 6.43 " 4.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 750 x 1334
Aspect Ratio 20:9 16:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.5 % 65.4 %
Pixel Density 409 PPI 326 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness 450 nits 625 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1100 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 120.93 mAh/in² 91.35 mAh/in²
Battery Density 50.38 mAh/cm³ 29.68 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 2018 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Hexa-core (2x3.22 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
GPU Mali-G76 MC4 Apple GPU (4-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 Lightning 2.0

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 11 15.4
Maximum OS Version 13 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureXiaomi Redmi Note 10SApple iPhone SE (2022)Practical Impact
Dimensions160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mmThe Redmi Note 10S is larger and may feel less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. The iPhone SE is significantly more compact and pocketable.
Weight178.8g144gThe iPhone SE is noticeably lighter and more comfortable for one-handed use over long periods.
Build MaterialNot SpecifiedNot SpecifiedPractical implications could not be assessed.

Display

FeatureXiaomi Redmi Note 10SApple iPhone SE (2022)Practical Impact
Size6.43"4.7"The Redmi Note 10S offers a larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. The iPhone SE has a smaller, more compact screen.
Resolution1080x2400750x1334Redmi Note 10S has a noticeably sharper display, providing clearer images and text.
PPI409326The Redmi Note 10S has a higher pixel density which results in a sharper image on the display.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDThe Redmi Note 10S's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the iPhone SE's LCD display.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth offer a standard 60Hz refresh rate which provides smooth animations
Brightness1100 nits0 nitsRedmi Note 10S offers significantly higher brightness, offering much better visibility outdoors, especially under direct sunlight. iPhone SE brightness is not available and hence this practical impact comparison is not conclusive.

Performance

FeatureXiaomi Redmi Note 10SApple iPhone SE (2022)Practical Impact
ChipsetMediatek Helio G95 (12 nm)Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)The A15 Bionic in the iPhone SE is significantly more powerful, providing a much faster and smoother experience in apps, games, and multitasking.
AnTuTu Score409,8741,225,939The iPhone SE has substantially higher benchmark scores, translating to significantly better real-world performance in demanding tasks and graphics intensive games.
GPUMali-G76 MC4Apple GPU (4-core graphics)The iPhone SE's GPU offers significantly more powerful graphics performance, suitable for heavy gaming and graphics-intensive tasks.

Camera

FeatureXiaomi Redmi Note 10SApple iPhone SE (2022)Practical Impact
Standard Camera64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70 µm12.2MP, f/1.8, 1.22 µmThe Redmi Note 10S offers higher resolution, while the iPhone SE has larger pixels, often better for low-light performance. The iPhone SE is known for having excellent image processing and good quality images despite the lower resolution.
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12 µm7MP, f/2.2, pixel size not providedThe Redmi Note 10S provides higher resolution and a wider aperture. However, Apple is known for it's image processing algorithms.
Wide Angle8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14 µmNot availableThe Redmi Note 10S offers more versatile shooting capabilities with its wide-angle lens, allowing to capture more of a scene, which is not available on iPhone SE.
Portrait Mode2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µmNot availableThe Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, which enables enhanced blurred background images, which is not available on iPhone SE.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µmNot availableThe Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
VideoUp to 4K@30fps, No stabilization, Slow-motion 960 fpsUp to 4K@60fps, OIS, Stereo Sound, Slow-motion 240 fpsThe iPhone SE has better video recording capabilities, with better stabilization, and excellent audio performance, better for videography. The redmi Note 10S has more frames per second for slow motion.
DxOMark ScoreNot availableOverall: 100, Photo: 126, Video: 106The iPhone SE has a solid camera score according to DxOMark tests, indicating reliable performance in image and video capture, with a slight edge in photography.

Battery

FeatureXiaomi Redmi Note 10SApple iPhone SE (2022)Practical Impact
Capacity5000mAh2018mAhThe Redmi Note 10S has a much larger battery, likely resulting in significantly longer battery life. The iPhone SE will need more frequent charging.
Charging33W fast charging18W fast chargingThe Redmi Note 10S charges faster, reducing downtime.
Battery TypeLi-PolymerLi-IonThere may be a difference in cycle life. However, the difference in real-world usage between these technologies are negligible for end-users.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:

  • Larger and Sharper AMOLED Display: Superior visual experience with better contrast, color, and detail, ideal for media consumption and gaming.
  • Versatile Camera System: Offers a wide-angle, macro, and dedicated portrait mode lenses for creative photography, and higher resolution front camera.
  • Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Provides significantly longer battery life and faster charging speeds, making it more reliable for all-day use.
  • Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Better audio quality for media consumption and entertainment.
  • More RAM: Better multitasking performance.

Apple iPhone SE (2022) Advantages:

  • Significantly Faster Performance: The A15 Bionic chip offers unparalleled speed and responsiveness, ideal for demanding apps and gaming.
  • Superior Video Quality: Offers significantly better video quality with OIS and stereo audio for better stabilization and audio performance in videos.
  • Compact Size and Lightweight: More comfortable for single-handed use and easier to carry around.
  • Long-term Software Support: Apple provides consistent updates for an extended period of time which can be a huge plus for the consumer.
  • High-Quality Camera despite Lower Resolution: Known for having great image processing capabilities, and great quality photos.
  • eSIM Support: Allows for easy switching between carriers without a physical SIM card.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • The Redmi Note 10S trades performance for a larger screen, better audio, and significantly longer battery life. The camera is also more versatile.
  • The iPhone SE trades a smaller screen, a smaller battery, and less versatile cameras for performance and long term software updates.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:

  • Media Consumers: Users who frequently watch videos, movies, or play games on their phone.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy taking photos with different lenses and modes.
  • Power Users: People who need a phone to last a full day without frequent charging.
  • Budget Conscious: Users seeking the best value for money in terms of features and capabilities.
    • Use Case: A college student who watches lectures on their commute, takes pictures of class notes, and needs a long-lasting battery throughout the day.

Apple iPhone SE (2022) Ideal User:

  • Performance Seekers: Users who prioritize speed and responsiveness for demanding apps and gaming.
  • Compact Phone Lovers: Those who prefer smaller, lightweight phones that are easy to use with one hand.
  • Apple Ecosystem Users: Individuals already invested in Apple's ecosystem and who value long-term software updates.
  • Those who value excellent video quality.
    • Use Case: A professional who needs a fast and reliable device for work, values excellent video recording, and prefers a smaller, more manageable phone size.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is my priority: Performance or Features? If performance is paramount, the iPhone SE is the clear winner. If you value features like a larger screen, versatile cameras, and a large battery, the Redmi Note 10S is the better choice.
  2. What size of phone do I prefer? If you like a bigger, more immersive screen, the Redmi Note 10S is better. If you prefer small, lightweight and compact phone, the iPhone SE will be the best.
  3. How important is the ecosystem and long-term software updates? If you are already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem or appreciate long-term software support, the iPhone SE will be a great option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Media Consumption & Photography on a Budget - The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is better suited because it offers a superior screen, versatile cameras and longer battery life.
  • Scenario 2: Fast and Responsive Performance with Compact Design - The Apple iPhone SE (2022) is the better choice with its flagship-level performance.
  • Scenario 3: All-Day Power and Versatility on a Budget - The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S will be ideal, owing to a larger battery, a better display and versatile camera system.
  • Scenario 4: Best Video Recording with Compact Form Factor - The Apple iPhone SE (2022) is better suited for this purpose, because it delivers excellent quality video recording with OIS and stereo audio.

My Choice and Why

If I had to choose, I would choose the Apple iPhone SE (2022).

My Rationale:

While the Redmi Note 10S offers a compelling array of features, including a larger screen, versatile camera system, and a larger battery, my personal priorities lean more towards the raw performance and long-term reliability that the iPhone SE offers. The A15 Bionic chip provides unparalleled speed and efficiency, which is essential for demanding tasks and smooth multitasking. Additionally, Apple's ecosystem and long-term software updates provide a great user experience. Although the smaller display and battery are drawbacks, the compact design and superior performance make the iPhone SE a better choice for me, because it fits my personal requirements. For users who want long-term usability and reliability, the iPhone SE would be a great choice.

However, it is important to note that this is a personal preference and users who want the best possible features, like versatile cameras, a superior display and a bigger battery, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S would be a great pick.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.