1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | ROG Phone 8 Pro is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands and pocketability. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 225g | Redmi Note 10S is significantly lighter, better for prolonged use and portability. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have identical screen sharpness. |
| PPI | 409 | 388 | Redmi Note 10S is negligibly sharper |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers much smoother scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro is much more visible under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly faster in all tasks, including gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro is drastically more powerful for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much more powerful GPU, allowing for high frame rate gaming. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5500 mAh | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly larger battery for longer usage. |
| Charging | 33W | 65W | ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Redmi Note 10S can charge other devices, but ROG Phone 8 Pro cannot. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger sensor with bigger pixels for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 32MP, 1/3.2", 0.7µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a higher-resolution front camera, but smaller pixels |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 0.7µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities not present on the Redmi Note 10S. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | None | Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more expansive shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10S includes a macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3", 1.12µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps, with HDR, EIS | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers higher resolution and stabilization. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes (HDR, EIS, OIS and Gimbal) | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers video stabilization |
| Slow Motion | 960 fps | 480 fps | Redmi Note 10S offers higher slow motion capture. |
| Other Features | Quad Camera, Digital Image Stabilization | Triple Camera, Optical Zoom, OIS, Gimbal | ROG Phone 8 Pro has advanced features for more professional photography and video. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry around.
- Reverse charging: Can be used as a power bank for other devices.
- Dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses: Offers versatility for different shooting scenarios.
- Higher slow-motion frame rate: Offers more detailed slow motion footage.
- More affordable: Better value for budget-conscious users.
- Side mounted fingerprint sensor: Faster and more convenient than basic fingerprint sensor.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly higher performance: Smoother gaming and app usage thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and 16 GB or 24 GB of RAM.
- Much faster charging: 65W charging means less time plugged in and more time using the phone.
- Superior display: Higher refresh rate and brightness make for a more enjoyable viewing experience, especially in bright conditions.
- Larger battery: Longer battery life for demanding use.
- Advanced camera system: Higher-quality photos and videos with superior zoom and stabilization.
- Better video capabilities: 8K recording and advanced video features for professional content creators
- Newer Bluetooth version: Supports newer audio codecs
- Future-proofed hardware: Ensures longevity and compatibility with future apps and games
- Better Wi-Fi: Faster speeds, lower latency.
- Multiple satellite systems for GPS: Better location accuracy.
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- Stereo speakers with DTS/DTS X: Better Audio quality.
Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10S: Offers a more versatile camera system in terms of different lenses (wide-angle, macro, depth) but lacks in video quality and overall image quality in comparison with the ROG Phone 8 Pro. Suffers greatly in performance.
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: Much more expensive, is bulkier and heavier, lacks reverse charging, and some of the dedicated lenses that Redmi Note 10S offers.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Seeking good value for money, especially in the mid-range segment.
- Casual users: Individuals primarily using their phone for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
- Users who prefer lighter phones: For those who value comfort and portability.
- Users needing versatile camera lenses: Individuals who like exploring wide-angle or macro photography, even if the quality is not top-tier.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Ideal User:
- Mobile gamers: Requiring top-tier performance, a high refresh rate display, and long battery life.
- Content creators: Those who need high-quality video recording and photo capabilities, especially in low light.
- Power users: Individuals who heavily multitask, use demanding apps, and want the best possible performance.
- Users seeking a premium experience: Those willing to pay for high-end features and top-tier performance.
- Users who prioritize screen quality: Individuals who need a bright, high refresh rate screen for gaming, media consumption, and outdoor visibility.
Specific Use Cases:
- Redmi Note 10S: Ideal for daily commutes, casual photography, social media browsing, and light gaming.
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: Best suited for high-end gaming, 8K video recording, demanding applications, and use in bright outdoor settings.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The price difference is significant; understanding budget constraints is crucial.
- What is your primary use case? Gaming? Photography? Daily tasks? Your use will dictate whether performance or more camera lenses is needed.
- Do you prioritize performance or portability? A gaming-focused phone may not be the best option for comfort and portability.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight budget, everyday use. If your budget is limited and you need a phone for basic tasks, the Redmi Note 10S is a practical choice.
- Scenario 2: Gaming & Performance are Priority: If gaming and top-tier performance are non-negotiable, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the best option.
- Scenario 3: Camera versatility: The Redmi Note 10S is better if you prioritize wide-angle and macro lenses over the best image quality.
- Scenario 4: Professional Video: ROG Phone 8 Pro is far superior for quality of video, with 8K recording, stabilization and HDR.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Reasons:
- Future-Proofing: The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a much more powerful device with a top-tier chipset, ample RAM, and better display technology. It's designed to handle demanding tasks for years to come, while the Redmi Note 10S is already showing its age in terms of performance.
- Gaming and Performance: While I'm not a hardcore gamer, I value a responsive and smooth experience. The ROG Phone 8 Pro's 165Hz display, significantly better GPU, and much faster processor make for a smoother user experience across the board. I also appreciate the faster charging and larger battery, as it is more future-proof in terms of battery needs.
- Superior Display Quality: The higher brightness of the ROG Phone 8 Pro would make outdoor use much more practical, and the higher refresh rate contributes to a more pleasant user experience.
- Better Camera System: While I appreciate the wide angle and macro lenses on the Redmi, the larger sensor size, pixel size, better video capabilities and OIS of the ROG Phone 8 Pro is far better for general purpose use and photography when light conditions are not optimal.
- Overall Experience: Although the ROG Phone 8 Pro is more expensive, the difference in overall user experience, performance and video quality is significant.
While the Redmi Note 10S is a great value phone, I am willing to invest more for the benefits of a high-end phone, and the ROG Phone 8 Pro provides significantly better performance, a superior display, a better camera, and overall better user experience, especially over time.
