Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Huawei Mate X3
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Mate X3's foldable design offers a larger screen in a more compact form when folded, while the Note 10S is a traditional single-screen phone. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mm (Unfolded) | The Note 10S is taller but thinner when compared to the Mate X3. The Mate X3 is significantly wider in its unfolded state, which provides a tablet-like screen size. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 239g | The Note 10S is much lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. The Mate X3 feels heavier due to its foldable mechanism and larger screen. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 7.85" | The Mate X3 has a much larger display, ideal for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity, offering a more immersive experience. The Note 10S is smaller, better suited for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 2224x2496 | The Mate X3 has a significantly sharper and clearer display thanks to a higher pixel density resulting in better image detail and text clarity. |
| PPI | 409 | 426 | Both displays are sharp, with the Mate X3 having a marginally higher pixel density but negligible difference to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | The Note 10S with AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to an unknown display type of the Mate X3. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Mate X3 has a smoother display with a higher refresh rate, making scrolling and animations feel much more fluid than the 60Hz of the Note 10S. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The Note 10S has a brighter screen making it easily visible even under direct sunlight, while the Mate X3 brightness is unknown and might struggle with visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) | The Mate X3 has a much more powerful processor, offering superior performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Note 10S's chipset is less powerful and designed for everyday tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 1,238,400 | The Mate X3 has a significantly higher benchmark score, translating to much smoother performance, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 730 | The Mate X3's GPU offers significantly better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | The Mate X3 has a larger sensor and larger pixel size, leading to better low-light performance and overall image quality, despite having slightly lower megapixels. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.4, Unknown Sensor Size Unknown Pixel Size | The Note 10S has higher resolution for selfies, while the Mate X3 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 16MP, f/3.4, 1/3.09", 1.00µm | The Mate X3 includes a telephoto lens offering optical zoom capabilities, which is absent on the Note 10S. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | No | The Note 10S has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for capturing more in a single shot. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | No | The Note 10S includes a dedicated portrait mode camera |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | No | The Note 10S includes a dedicated macro camera for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 12MP, f/2.2, Unknown Sensor Size, Unknown Pixel Size | Mate X3 has an ultrawide with macro capabilities for versatile photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps, No EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | The Mate X3 has superior video capabilities with higher frame rates and electronic image stabilization (EIS). |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Main camera for Selfies, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | The Mate X3 has more advanced camera features including optical zoom and stabilization (OIS). |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | The Note 10S has a slightly larger battery, however, due to the more powerful chipset and larger display the Mate X3 might have a lower battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless Charging | The Mate X3 supports significantly faster wired charging, and also features fast wireless charging capabilities. |
| Battery Features | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable, 50W Wireless Charging | The Note 10S can reverse charge other devices, but the Mate X3 has wireless charging capabilities. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Unknown | The Note 10S has a clear Android OS path, while Mate X3's OS is unclear |
| WiFi | Up to Wi-Fi 5 | Up to Wi-Fi 6 | Mate X3 supports the latest WiFi standards, ensuring faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | The Mate X3 has a newer Bluetooth version, which provides better power efficiency and more advanced audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Mate X3 provides better location accuracy with more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | The Mate X3 allows both SIMs to be active simultaneously, while the Note 10S only has one active SIM at a time. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB/1TB | The Mate X3 has much larger storage options and thus much higher storage capacity compared to the Note 10S. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | The Mate X3 offers more RAM, which makes it better for multitasking and more demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage options. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Note 10S offers slightly better audio quality with Hi-Res support. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer similar biometric security through a side-mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | The Note 10S has a screen with good scratch resistance. The screen protection of the Mate X3 is unknown. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall, RGB | The Mate X3 has a more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for single-handed use and prolonged periods.
- Brighter Display: Offers better outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- AMOLED Display: Provides deeper blacks and richer colors.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers better audio output.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Lower Price: Generally more affordable, making it accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
- Known OS: Clear Android OS and upgradability path.
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages
- Foldable Design: Provides a larger screen in a portable form, offering a unique user experience.
- Larger Display: Ideal for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity.
- Higher Resolution and Refresh Rate: The display is sharper and smoother compared to the Note 10S.
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: Offers superior performance in gaming and demanding applications.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor results in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
- Telephoto Camera: Provides optical zoom capabilities.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Significantly faster charging speeds, plus convenient wireless charging.
- Higher Storage and RAM options: Better for users needing more space and performance.
- Dual SIM Full Active: Can use both SIMs simultaneously.
- More advanced connectivity: Supports WiFi 6.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Has a more comprehensive sensor suite for advanced features.
Trade-offs
- Mate X3: Is much more expensive, heavier, bulkier when unfolded, may be less comfortable to hold, and has an unknown OS and screen protection.
- Note 10S: Has a weaker chipset, lower quality main camera, smaller and lower refresh rate display, and lacks modern features like wireless charging and optical zoom.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize affordability, basic performance, and a lightweight design.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks (browsing, social media, messaging).
- Casual photography.
- Basic gaming.
- Users who prefer a smaller and more traditional phone.
- Price-to-Value: Offers great value for its price point, providing a reliable phone for basic use cases.
Huawei Mate X3
- Ideal User: Users who need a high-performance device with a large screen, a versatile camera, and modern features.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile professionals who require multitasking, a large screen, and productivity features.
- Enthusiasts who enjoy mobile gaming and multimedia consumption.
- Photographers who want a versatile camera with optical zoom.
- Users who want the latest technology in a premium device.
- Price-to-Value: A premium device with a high price tag, its value lies in its unique design, cutting-edge performance, and advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is your budget? The Mate X3 is significantly more expensive.
- Do you need a large screen and premium performance? The Mate X3 excels here.
- How important is portability, battery life, and advanced features? The Note 10S is lighter but the Mate X3 offers a more modern features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Budget-Conscious User: If you need a basic, reliable smartphone for everyday use and are on a tight budget, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is the better choice.
- Power User: If you require high-end performance, a large display, cutting-edge features, and are willing to pay a premium, the Huawei Mate X3 is the better option.
- Photography Enthusiast: If you want a versatile camera setup and optical zoom capabilities, the Huawei Mate X3 is a strong contender.
- Casual User: If you simply want a lightweight device for browsing and basic tasks, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S would be suitable.
My Choice
I would choose the Huawei Mate X3.
While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is a respectable budget phone, the Huawei Mate X3 offers a far more compelling experience for someone who appreciates cutting-edge tech. The sheer difference in processing power, the innovative foldable design with its larger, smoother screen, and the significantly enhanced camera capabilities outweigh the drawbacks of its higher cost and bulkier build. Even with its unknown screen protection and operating system the user experience would be miles ahead of the Note 10S.
The primary reason is performance; the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is so much more powerful than the Helio G95 that it's a night and day difference for gaming, multitasking, and even basic app usage. The larger, high-refresh rate screen and advanced camera system only reinforce this decision, making the Mate X3 the clear winner for a user who prioritizes a top-tier smartphone experience.
