Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Honor 70
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | Honor 70 is slightly taller but narrower and thinner, potentially feeling more sleek in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 178g | Both feel very similar in weight, not a significant difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.67" | Honor 70's larger screen is better for media consumption and multi-tasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp images with the same pixel density. |
| PPI | 409 | 395 | Both screens are sharp, differences are not noticeable to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both screens provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 70 provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers much better screen visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Honor 70's chipset is significantly faster, offering better performance for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 600,525 | Honor 70 is much more capable of handling heavy apps and games with its higher score. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 642L | Honor 70's GPU provides better graphics performance, improving the gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 54MP | Redmi Note 10S has a slightly higher resolution but real world image quality depends on other factors. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | Redmi Note 10S slightly better in low light performance |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.49" | Honor 70's larger sensor captures more light, offering better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 13MP | 32MP | Honor 70's front camera captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | Honor 70's slightly wider aperture lets more light in for slightly better low-light photos. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.06" | 1/3.2" | Redmi Note 10S has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 8MP | 50MP | Honor 70's significantly higher resolution wide-angle lens captures more details. |
| Portrait Mode | Yes | No | Redmi Note 10S is better for capturing depth-of-field photos |
| Macro Camera | 2MP | 2MP | Both provide similar macro photo capabilities |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Both record high quality videos but Honor 70 has electronic image stabilization for smoother videos |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 115 (Mobile), 115 (Photo), 129 (Video) | Honor 70 has a tested camera performance which is good |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4800 mAh | Redmi Note 10S has a slightly larger battery, potentially lasting a bit longer. |
| Charging | 33W | 66W | Honor 70 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | Yes | Both phones support reverse charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 12, upgradable version unknown | Honor 70 has a more recent OS version, may offer more updated software features |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Honor 70 supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster and more efficient connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor 70 has the benefit of better performance. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Honor 70 offers more storage options to better store your photos, videos and other files. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Honor 70 offers more RAM options to enhance multitasking experience. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No support for expandable storage in both devices |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer comparable audio output. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a more advanced fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi Note 10S is more protected against screen scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Proximity | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S additionally features Ultrasonic proximity virtual which provides better virtual performance, whereas Honor 70 has better real-world Proximity sensor performance |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Better outdoor visibility: Higher display brightness (1100 nits) makes it better for use in bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery (5000mAh vs 4800mAh) may offer a marginally better battery life.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Arguably faster and more reliable for some users.
- Portrait Mode (depth) lens: Additional dedicated lens provides better bokeh effects.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides better protection against scratches and damage.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor: Offers more accurate virtual performance
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 778G+ 5G) and higher AnTuTu score for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for a more fluid visual experience.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger main camera sensor (1/1.49") and wide angle camera with (50MP) for better low light performance and more detailed wide angle pictures
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: 32MP front camera for more detailed selfies.
- Newer Software: Starts with Android 12, offering more recent software features
- More Storage Options: Comes in 256 GB and 512 GB variants, more than Xiaomi's 128 GB maximum.
- More RAM Options: Comes in a 12 GB variant offering better multitasking
- Newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: Supports newer standards (Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6) for better connectivity and performance
- Video Stabilization: EIS for smooth video footage
- Tested Camera: Honor 70 camera is tested by DxOmark
- Better Audio Support: APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S sacrifices performance and smoother display for better outdoor visibility and battery.
- The Honor 70 lacks a depth sensor for portrait mode and screen protection, but delivers a superior user experience in most other areas.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a reliable phone with a good display for outdoor use without needing the absolute best performance.
- Users who value battery: Users who prioritize a slightly longer battery life.
Users who use Portrait mode frequently: Users who value a dedicated depth sensor and more advanced virtual proximity sensor.
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing, communication, and casual gaming.
- Taking photos and videos in well lit conditions.
- Users who are okay with slightly slower performance.
Honor 70 Ideal Users:
- Performance-oriented users: Those who value fast performance, smoother display, and faster charging.
- Frequent content creators: Those who value a capable camera and enjoy creating photos and videos.
- Users who use their phone frequently: Those who need quick charge times.
Multitaskers: People who use a lot of different applications.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming and other graphically intensive tasks.
- High-quality photography and videography, especially in low light.
- Heavy multi-tasking with multiple apps.
- People who need to be connected at all times.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance and smoothness? If gaming and smooth animations are a priority, the Honor 70 is the better choice.
- How important is outdoor screen visibility? If the phone is mainly used outdoors in sunlight the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is the better option due to its brightness.
- How important is battery charging time? If charging speed is essential, the Honor 70's faster charging is a significant advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious & Casual Use: If budget is the primary concern and the user does not need top-tier performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is adequate, provided that outdoor usage is minimal.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Camera Focused: If performance, camera quality, and smooth animations are the priority, the Honor 70 is a much better choice, with the drawback of lacking screen protection and depth sensor.
- Scenario 3: Long Battery Life and Outdoor Use: If long battery life and outdoor usability are of paramount importance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S may be preferred, though the user must sacrifice performance and smoothness.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor 70. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a brighter screen and slightly larger battery, the Honor 70's advantages in performance, display smoothness, camera quality (especially in low light and wide angle) and faster charging outweigh these. The smoother display, more capable camera, and significantly faster performance of the Honor 70 provide a much better overall user experience for most use cases, especially for frequent users and those who multitask or engage in graphically intensive tasks. Additionally, the much faster charging capability of the Honor 70 is a very useful feature. While it lacks the portrait lens and better screen protection, these are trade-offs I am willing to make for the overall improvement in user experience and newer technologies. The tested camera of the Honor 70 is also a factor in this decision.
