Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Honor Magic4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-28 | 2022-04-09 | Honor Magic4 Pro is significantly newer, with potentially more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 163.6 x 74.7 x 9.1 mm | Honor is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand, but larger display size may be preferred by some |
| Weight | 178.8g | 209g | Xiaomi is significantly lighter making it more comfortable for prolonged use, whereas the Honor is heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.81" | Honor's larger display is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking, but may be less comfortable for single-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1312 x 2848 | Honor's higher resolution provides a sharper and more detailed viewing experience. |
| Pixel Density | 409 ppi | 460 ppi | Honor's higher pixel density means text and images will look sharper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor's higher refresh rate provides smoother animations and a more fluid user experience, especially in gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1000 nits | Xiaomi's display is slightly brighter, potentially offering better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor’s chipset offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 945,832 | Honor offers a much faster experience, with faster app loading, better multitasking, and more capability in demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | Honor's GPU offers better graphics performance, especially in demanding 3D games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Honor's larger sensor and larger pixel size capture more light for better low-light performance, despite lower resolution. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.7µm | Honor has a dedicated telephoto camera for better zoom capabilities, Xiaomi doesn't have any dedicated zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi has a marginally higher resolution, while Honor has a slightly wider aperture, resulting in better performance in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more of the scene, Honor has a macro lens. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Honor has a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor for depth sensing which can assist in focusing. Xiaomi has a macro and portrait lens instead. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi uses a dedicated depth sensor to improve portrait mode, Honor uses the ToF sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos, whereas the Honor has an ultrawide with macro capabilities. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2 | Honor has a versatile ultrawide lens which also has macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Honor offers higher frame rates and video stabilization for smoother, higher-quality video. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | 126 (Mobile) | Honor's camera has received a good score, though the Xiaomi was not tested. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | Xiaomi’s larger battery may offer slightly longer usage, however, this would depend on use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Honor charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | 100W Wireless, Reverse Charging | Honor offers faster wired and wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 | Honor has a newer base OS, with potential for longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Honor has faster and more efficient Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor has a more recent Bluetooth version with improved features and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Honor supports more systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 256/512GB | Honor offers significantly more storage for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8/12GB | Honor has higher RAM options, providing smoother multitasking and better app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither support expandable storage, therefore users will need to consider if the available storage will be enough for them. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers for good audio, but have different enhanced audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Xiaomi's sensor may be more convenient for some users. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi's screen is more likely to withstand scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi has an additional sensor compared to the Honor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: More comfortable for single-hand use and carrying.
- Slightly brighter display: Better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Larger battery: Potentially longer battery life, but could be negated by the more powerful and efficient chip of the Honor.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially easier and more intuitive access.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: A dedicated lens is included for capturing more of a scene.
- Screen Protection: Offers Gorilla Glass 3 for enhanced durability.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly faster performance: Provides a smoother and more responsive user experience, especially for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Larger and sharper display with higher refresh rate: More immersive experience, smoother animations, especially when gaming.
- Superior camera system: Better image quality, telephoto lens with optical zoom, and better video recording capabilities, in addition to a ToF sensor.
- Much faster charging: Rapid charging speeds (100W wired and wireless) minimizing downtime.
- More storage and RAM: Allows for more apps, files and better multitasking performance.
- Newer Software: The Honor comes with newer software that may be supported for longer.
- Better connectivity: More advanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- Ultrawide and Macro lens Offers more versatility with a ultrawide and macro in one sensor.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: Compromises on performance, camera quality, and charging speeds, but is more budget-friendly.
- Honor: Larger size and weight may be less comfortable, and will likely be significantly more expensive than the Xiaomi.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those looking for a reliable smartphone at a lower cost.
- Casual users: Individuals who prioritize basic smartphone functions (calls, texts, social media, web browsing) over high-performance tasks.
- Users preferring smaller and lighter devices: Those who prefer easy handling and portability.
- Those who require a dedicated wide angle lens.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Daily social media use and web browsing
- Light gaming
- Basic photography
- Good for those who need a long battery life without worrying about the speed of charge
- Users who want a side mounted fingerprint sensor.
Ideal User for Honor Magic4 Pro:
- Performance-oriented users: Gamers, content creators, and users who require smooth multitasking and fast processing.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with excellent image quality.
- Users who value fast charging: Those who want a phone that can charge quickly and reduce downtime.
- Users who prefer larger and more immersive screens: Those who want an enhanced viewing experience.
Use Cases for Honor Magic4 Pro:
- Mobile gaming
- High-quality photography and videography
- Video editing and content creation
- Heavy multitasking and demanding app usage
- Frequent travel with the need for fast charging
- Users who want a more robust and versatile camera system.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S: Offers a good value for the budget, providing decent performance and functionality at a lower price point.
- Honor Magic4 Pro: Is likely a much more expensive option, but delivers premium features and performance that some users will feel is worth the higher cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? This is a major factor, as the Honor is likely considerably more expensive.
- What is my priority? Is it performance, camera quality, or portability?
- How do I use my phone? What are the primary tasks I perform regularly?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are looking for a reliable and affordable phone for basic tasks: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a good option.
- If you need a high-performance phone for gaming, photography, and demanding tasks and have a higher budget: The Honor Magic4 Pro is worth the investment.
- If you require a smaller, lighter device which prioritises battery life: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a better fit.
- If fast charging and a great camera system is a priority The Honor Magic4 Pro is the better option.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. While I acknowledge the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a decent device, the Honor offers significant improvements across almost every category which are worth the higher price point. The superior performance, significantly better camera system, faster charging, larger display with a 120Hz refresh rate, more storage and RAM, and newer software are all crucial improvements. Although the Honor is larger and heavier, the overall better user experience, and more robust feature-set make it a better choice in my opinion. The price difference is an important factor, however, if the user can afford the Honor, the benefits outweigh the price.
