Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Honor Magic5 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-28 | 2023-03-31 | Honor Magic5 Pro is significantly newer, with access to newer technologies and features. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 162.9 × 76.7 × 8.8 mm | Honor Magic5 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 219g | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.81" | Honor Magic5 Pro offers a larger screen for more immersive viewing and better multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1312x2848 | Honor Magic5 Pro has a sharper display with more detail, better for viewing high-res content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 460 | Honor Magic5 Pro display appears noticeably crisper and clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks, with no practical difference in this case. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor Magic5 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1800 nits | Honor Magic5 Pro offers much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Honor Magic5 Pro offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance due to its much more powerful processor. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,406,562 | Honor Magic5 Pro provides a much higher level of performance, making it far more future-proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 740 | Honor Magic5 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, enabling better graphics rendering and gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.70µm | 50MP f/1.6, 1/1.12" sensor, 1.40µm | Honor Magic5 Pro's larger sensor and wider aperture should capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance and more detail, despite the lower megapixel count. |
| Telephoto | None | 50MP f/3.0, 1/2.51" sensor, 0.64µm | Honor Magic5 Pro has dedicated zoom capabilities, a significant advantage for capturing distant subjects. |
| Selfie | 13MP f/2.45, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.12µm | 12MP f/2.4, 1.22µm | Similar selfie quality expected, with Honor Magic5 Pro potentially performing slightly better in low-light due to the wider aperture and larger pixels. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 1.14µm | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape and group photos. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Honor Magic5 Pro has a depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2" sensor, 0.70µm | Honor Magic5 Pro offers a versatile wide-angle and macro capabilities in one lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS | Honor Magic5 Pro provides higher video recording quality with better stabilization and HDR capabilities. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Main: 152, Selfie: 123 | Honor Magic5 Pro has proven to offer an excellent camera experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, likely providing a full day of moderate usage. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 66W fast charging, 50W wireless | Honor Magic5 Pro charges significantly faster and offers convenient wireless charging. |
| Features | Reverse charging | Wireless charging 50W, Silicon-carbon battery, Reverse Charging 5W | Honor Magic5 Pro provides a higher-tech battery with better wireless capabilities |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 13, upgradable to 14 | Honor Magic5 Pro comes with a newer version of Android, offering the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | Honor Magic5 Pro supports the latest WiFi standards, offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor Magic5 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with broader audio codec support. |
| 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 Magic5 Pro supports more satellite systems, offering more accurate location tracking, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Honor Magic5 Pro provides an eSIM option, making it easier to switch between carriers while travelling. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Honor Magic5 Pro offers more internal storage options, which is better for storing large media files and apps. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Honor Magic5 Pro provides more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better performance for demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Both phones offer stereo speakers. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers Hi-Res audio while Honor Magic5 Pro offers DTS/DTS X audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has screen protection but Honor Magic5 Pro's screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S features an Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor. Honor Magic5 Pro has a proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for extended use and better for one-handed operation.
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable, suitable for budget-conscious users.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers more specific camera capabilities for photography enthusiasts.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially more convenient for some users.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Practical Implications:
The Redmi Note 10S excels as a budget-friendly device for users who prioritize affordability, comfort and value for money.
Honor Magic5 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Higher Resolution and Smoother Display: Larger, sharper screen with a 120Hz refresh rate for a much more fluid visual experience.
- Far Better Camera Quality: Improved image quality, telephoto zoom capabilities, and advanced video features.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Significantly faster wired charging and convenient wireless charging.
- More Internal Storage and RAM: More storage for media files and more RAM for smoother multitasking.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: Comes with a newer Android version and faster WiFi & Bluetooth standards.
- eSIM Support: More convenient for frequent travellers
Practical Implications:
The Honor Magic5 Pro is designed for users who require top-tier performance, the best possible camera experience, and all the latest features. This includes tech enthusiasts, content creators, and demanding users.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S: Offers fewer premium features like fast charging, high refresh rate, optical zoom and top-tier performance. It's also an older device with less future software support.
- Honor Magic5 Pro: Is much more expensive and slightly heavier.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S - Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Users who need a capable smartphone for basic tasks at a low price.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, messages, social media, and browsing.
- Users Who Prioritize Comfort: Users who prefer a lighter and more compact device for easier handling.
- Users who want to use their wide angle and macro camera: For those who need specific camera capabilities such as dedicated macro and wide angle lens
Use Cases:
- Daily Communication: Ideal for calls, texts, and social media.
- Casual Photography: Suitable for taking everyday photos and videos.
- Media Consumption: Fine for watching videos and browsing the web.
- Light gaming: Can run lighter games without issue.
Honor Magic5 Pro - Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Users who demand top performance for multitasking, gaming, and content creation.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality, features, and zoom capabilities.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest features, software, and connectivity standards.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who need eSIM support and accurate GPS navigation.
- Users who want the best screen and refresh rate: For users who want a fluid visual experience.
Use Cases:
- Mobile Gaming: Can handle demanding games at high settings.
- Professional Photography and Videography: Suitable for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Heavy Multitasking: Efficiently runs multiple demanding apps simultaneously.
- Content Creation and Consumption: Excellent for editing videos, photos, and viewing high-quality media.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use Case: What will you primarily use the phone for (e.g., basic communication, gaming, photography)?
- Performance Needs: How important are top-tier performance, fast charging, and smooth display to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S
- Reasoning: Provides good value for basic smartphone tasks at a much lower price.
Scenario 2: Moderate Budget, Everyday Use:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S
- Reasoning: This phone provides the most value and offers a light and ergonomic design.
Scenario 3: High Performance, Advanced Features:
- Recommendation: Honor Magic5 Pro
- Reasoning: If you need the best performance, camera, and latest features, this is the clear choice.
Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Honor Magic5 Pro
- Reasoning: Provides more versatile cameras and better video capabilities.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Honor Magic5 Pro. While it is significantly more expensive, the difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall user experience is so significant that it justifies the added cost. As someone who values a fluid experience, excellent photo quality, and future-proofed performance, the Honor Magic5 Pro fits my needs perfectly. The faster charging, larger screen, and access to newer connectivity options also add to the overall appeal, despite the slightly heavier design. I am also not a fan of side-mounted fingerprint sensors, and the Honor Magic5 Pro's traditional fingerprint reader works well for me.
