1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 173 x 77 x 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 7 is significantly larger, less pocketable, and bulkier. |
Weight | 178.8g | 239g | Redmi Note 10S is much lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 7 provides a more immersive experience due to a larger viewing area. |
Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2448 | Both are sharp; difference is negligible. |
Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 395 PPI | Both have very similar sharpness. |
Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 7 offers much smoother scrolling and animations. |
Brightness | 1100 nits | 1500 nits | ROG Phone 7 is much more visible in bright sunlight. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 7 has dramatically better performance, faster app loading, and handles demanding games effortlessly. |
AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,603,292 | ROG Phone 7 has significantly higher benchmark score, indicating vastly superior real-world performance. |
GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 740 | ROG Phone 7 has a vastly superior GPU for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh | ROG Phone 7 has a much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life. |
Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ROG Phone 7 charges much faster. |
Features | Reverse charging | Bypass charging, Reverse charging, USB power adapter | ROG Phone 7 allows for direct power for gaming to reduce battery heat and has faster charging adapter included. |
Camera | |||
Rear (Main) Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Redmi Note 10S captures images with higher resolution, but sensor quality is key. |
Rear (Main) Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.56" | ROG Phone 7 uses larger sensor, generally meaning better low-light performance. |
Rear (Main) Pixel Size | 0.70 µm | 1.00 µm | ROG Phone 7 has a larger pixel size meaning better light capture, leading to less noise and better clarity. |
Front Camera Resolution | 13MP | 32MP | ROG Phone 7 captures significantly higher resolution selfies. |
Front Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.06" | 1/3.2" | Redmi Note 10S has slightly larger sensor. |
Front Camera Pixel Size | 1.12 µm | 0.70 µm | Redmi Note 10S has larger pixel size, better low-light performance in theory. |
Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 8MP | 13MP | ROG Phone 7 captures higher resolution wide-angle photos. |
Wide Angle Lens Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | 1/3.06" | Redmi Note 10S has slightly larger sensor. |
Portrait Mode (Depth) | Yes (2MP) | No | Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated depth sensor, potentially better portrait mode. |
Macro Lens | 2MP | 5MP | ROG Phone 7 captures higher resolution macro photos. |
Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | ROG Phone 7 supports higher video quality and features. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (Upgradable to 15) | ROG Phone 7 has a newer OS with more updates guaranteed. |
Connectivity | |||
WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 7 supports the latest WiFi, faster speeds, better performance. |
Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | ROG Phone 7 has newer Bluetooth standard, better range/speed. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 7 has more accurate and faster GPS. |
SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards. |
Storage | |||
Internal | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | ROG Phone 7 offers significantly more storage space. |
RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | ROG Phone 7 has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio | |||
Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ROG Phone 7 has a more advanced audio system. |
Security | |||
Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Redmi Note 10S features more precise fingerprint sensor. |
Build Quality | |||
Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ROG Phone 7 uses superior screen protection for increased durability. |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Both feature a suite of sensors, with slight differences |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Significantly easier to handle and carry around, better for users who prioritize portability.
- Slightly better front camera low-light performance on paper: The larger pixel size on the front camera sensor may lead to better low-light selfies.
- Dedicated depth sensor: Provides better portrait mode photos, though actual results depend on image processing algorithms.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Provides convenient and faster unlock.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Advantages:
- Significantly superior performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides dramatically better processing speed, making the phone faster and more responsive, especially during intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.
- Much higher refresh rate: The 165Hz display provides a much smoother user experience, particularly noticeable in gaming and scrolling through content.
- Significantly brighter display: 1500 nits brightness makes the screen much more visible in bright sunlight.
- Larger battery and faster charging: The 6000mAh battery and 65W fast charging mean much longer battery life and significantly faster top-up times.
- Superior camera system overall: Though the Redmi has a higher resolution main sensor, the ROG 7's larger main sensor generally produces better image quality, while offering 8k video. It also has a significantly better front-facing camera, and improved video capture capabilities.
- Newer OS and guaranteed updates: Android 13 with a likely upgrade to 15.
- Latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards: Offers cutting-edge connectivity for fast speeds and improved performance.
- Superior build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection is more durable than Gorilla Glass 3.
- More RAM and storage: Offers much more RAM and storage space.
- Advanced audio system: DTS / DTS X and noise cancellation mic provide better audio quality.
- Bypass Charging: Can be powered directly from the charger for better gaming performance.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10S is a budget-friendly phone, offering basic functionalities at a more affordable price but it sacrifices performance and screen quality.
- The Asus ROG Phone 7 is a high-end gaming phone, providing top-tier performance, but is much bulkier and expensive. The Redmi Note 10S has a more compact design, making it more pocketable and easy to handle but lacks performance and better technology.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Users who prioritize affordability over top-tier specs.
- Casual users: Those who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
- Users who prefer a smaller, lighter phone: People who find large phones cumbersome and prefer something more portable.
- Users who want better low light selfie performance and a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode
Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Daily communication and social media use.
- Basic web browsing and email.
- Casual photography in good lighting conditions.
- Light gaming and multimedia consumption.
Ideal User for Asus ROG Phone 7:
- Hardcore gamers: Users who need the highest level of performance, responsiveness, and refresh rate for mobile gaming.
- Power users: Those who frequently engage in demanding tasks such as video editing, graphic design, or heavy multitasking.
- Users who prioritize display quality and brightness: People who need a great display for media consumption and use their phone outdoors often.
- Users who prefer best in class connectivity: The latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth ensure fast, reliable connections.
- Those who want a better quality camera: The ROG 7 offers better camera performance.
Specific Use Cases for Asus ROG Phone 7:
- Competitive mobile gaming.
- High-resolution video editing and playback.
- Extended use in bright sunlight.
- Multitasking with demanding applications.
- Mobile content creation and professional photography.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 10S is a more budget-friendly option, while the ROG Phone 7 is a premium device with a higher price tag.
- How important is performance to you? If you are a gamer or a power user, the ROG Phone 7 will provide a much better experience.
- Do you prioritize portability or screen size and quality? The Redmi Note 10S is more compact and lighter, while the ROG Phone 7 provides a larger, higher quality screen with better refresh rate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic user, limited budget: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a good option for users who need basic smartphone functionalities at an affordable price.
- Scenario 2: Moderate user, need for decent performance: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S would be adequate if performance is not a priority, however for a moderate user the better option is the ROG Phone 7.
- Scenario 3: Hardcore gamer or power user: The Asus ROG Phone 7 is the clear winner, offering top-tier performance, a superb display, and other features tailored for demanding users.
- Scenario 4: Need top camera system: The Asus ROG Phone 7 would be the better option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 7. Although it is significantly larger and more expensive, the performance difference is so vast that the user experience is far superior.
While the Redmi Note 10S is a decent phone for basic tasks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip in the ROG Phone 7 is a game-changer, providing significantly better performance in every aspect of the phone’s usage. The 165Hz display also creates a much smoother and enjoyable user experience, especially when navigating or playing games. For me, the much-improved display and audio, combined with superior performance and much better battery life, make it a more worthwhile investment for a user who wants a top of the line smartphone.
Even though the Redmi Note 10S is more compact and has a theoretically slightly better low-light front camera, the practical impact of the higher-end components on the ROG Phone 7 such as the better main camera sensor, faster performance, and improved display outweight the benefits of the Redmi.