1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Honor X8b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 161.1 × 74.6 × 6.8 mm | Honor X8b is noticeably thinner, which can feel more comfortable in hand and pocket; Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is slightly more bulky. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 166g | Honor X8b is lighter, which may be preferred for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Honor X8b offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both have similar sharpness; real-world difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 409 | 394 | Both are very sharp; difference in PPI is negligible for most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical vibrant and deep blacks on both devices. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Honor X8b has smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid visual experience, especially for social media and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2000 nits | Honor X8b offers significantly better visibility in direct sunlight, improving outdoor usability. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S's chip is more powerful for gaming and intensive tasks despite being older. Honor X8b is more power efficient due to its smaller node size |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 250,000 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers noticeably better performance, especially for gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 610 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S's GPU performs better in graphically intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 64MP | 108MP | Honor X8b can capture more detail and larger photos; Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is no slouch either. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.75 | Honor X8b has a wider aperture that may improve low-light photos. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 13MP | 50MP | Honor X8b captures significantly more detailed selfies with much higher quality. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.1 | Honor X8b has a wider aperture for brighter selfies in low light |
| Wide Angle Lens Res. | 8MP | 5MP | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S captures wider shots with more detail. |
| Portrait Mode | Yes | No | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers more versatility for capturing portraits with depth effects |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both provide basic macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S records higher quality videos; Honor X8b limited to 1080p. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S likely provides longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 33W | 35W | Honor X8b charges slightly faster, but real world difference is marginal. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | No | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S can act as a power bank to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 13 | Honor X8b ships with a newer Android version out of the box, which provides modern features and security updates |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S features MIMO which can provide faster and more reliable connection |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | 5.0, LE, A2DP, SBC, AAC | Both have similar Bluetooth versions; differences in codecs are not usually noticeable |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS (L1+L5), A-GPS, GLONASS | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S supports more satellite systems for more accurate location; Honor X8b supports a better GPS band (L1+L5) for more reliable connection. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Honor X8b offers more storage options; great for users with many apps and media files. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB | Both are suitable for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers the option to expand storage via microSD card |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers a richer, immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both provide basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S has enhanced screen protection against scratches and impacts, while Honor X8b's screen protection is unknown, which is concerning. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity sensor, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gravity, Ultrasonic proximity sensor, Fingerprint | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers gyroscope, which provides better support for gaming and VR apps. Honor X8b offers a gravity sensor for additional motion sensing capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Higher Performance: The Helio G95 chipset offers significantly better performance, making it suitable for gaming and demanding apps.
- Better Audio: Includes Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers, providing an enhanced audio experience.
- More Versatile Camera System: Features a dedicated portrait lens and 4K video recording for more creative shooting options.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides longer usage times.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, adding convenience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides more robust protection.
Honor X8b Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched more recently, potentially offering longer software support.
- Brighter Display: 2000 nits brightness offers excellent visibility in direct sunlight.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother.
- Better Selfie Camera: 50MP front camera produces higher quality and detailed selfies and video calls.
- Larger Storage Options: Available with up to 512 GB of internal storage, more space for apps and media.
- Thinner and Lighter: Easier to handle and carry due to its slimmer profile and lower weight.
- Slightly Faster Charging: 35W fast charging compared to the Xiaomi's 33W.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S: Older chipset, lower refresh rate screen, older Android OS, not as good selfie camera, and bulkier design.
- Honor X8b: Lower performance, basic audio, no reverse charging, screen protection is unknown.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Ideal User: Gamers, media consumers, power users who value performance and audio quality.
- Use Cases: Playing intensive mobile games, watching movies, video editing, using apps requiring fast processing.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good performance for its price, but may feel dated due to the older design and software.
Honor X8b:
- Ideal User: Everyday users, social media enthusiasts, selfie lovers who value design, display quality, and storage.
- Use Cases: Browsing social media, taking selfies and video calls, consuming multimedia content, daily phone tasks.
- Price-to-Value: Offers modern features and design at a competitive price, but performance may not be ideal for heavy users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance for gaming and demanding tasks or is daily use smoothness your focus?
- Is camera quality, especially selfie quality, a major factor for you?
- Is having more storage crucial or do you not mind having less and use cloud storage?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and intensive apps are crucial. Choose Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S for its superior performance and better GPU for gaming.
- Scenario 2: Daily use, social media, and selfies are key. Choose Honor X8b for its brighter, smoother display and superior selfie camera.
- Scenario 3: Need the best all-arounder with balanced features? Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S if you care more about performance, or Honor X8b if you want better screen and selfie quality.
- Scenario 4: You want to use the phone on a bright day. Choose the Honor X8b because it will have better outdoor visibility.
What I Would Choose and Why
I would choose the Honor X8b.
While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S offers better performance and a more versatile camera system on paper, the Honor X8b caters better to my personal priorities. I value the newer device with a brighter and smoother display for a more enjoyable daily experience, which is my main use case for a phone. I do not play many games and therefore I will not benefit from the extra performance offered by the Redmi Note 10S.
The superior selfie camera on the Honor X8b is also appealing because I prefer to capture high quality selfies. The extra storage, while I may not use all of it, provides peace of mind. Although the performance is not as good as the Xiaomi, the Snapdragon 680 should be adequate for my typical daily use and offer better battery efficiency. Ultimately, I value a modern design with good media consumption experience and selfie capabilities more than just raw performance. The slimmer, lighter design also makes it easier to handle.
