Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S vs. Huawei nova 11 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | Huawei is slightly taller and thinner, might feel slightly different in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 188g | Xiaomi is lighter, which could be noticeable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | Huawei offers a more immersive experience, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2652 | Huawei's display is sharper, providing clearer text and images, with more detail. |
| PPI | 409 | 429 | Minimal difference in pixel density, both are reasonably sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; AMOLED is generally considered slightly superior in color accuracy and black levels, but practically the same for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced games and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 950 nits | Xiaomi is better in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Huawei's chipset is newer and more efficient, resulting in snappier performance and better battery management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 592,297 | Huawei is significantly faster, providing a more fluid user experience, faster app launching, and smoother gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 642L | Huawei's GPU offers better graphical performance in games and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Xiaomi has a higher resolution sensor, but Huawei has better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45 | 60MP, f/2.4, 1/2.8" | Huawei offers far better detail and image quality for selfies, and better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei's ultrawide lens doubles as macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | 720p@960fps EIS | Xiaomi provides higher resolution video recordings, but both have slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple, Night Mode | Dual, Continuous AF, PDAF, Dual Front Camera, RAW | Huawei provides additional photography tools and autofocus capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Xiaomi has larger battery capacity and might offer longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 33W | 100W | Huawei charges much faster, allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | Android (Version Not Provided) | Huawei's OS version is missing, so no comparison can be made, but Xiaomi is upgradable to Android 13 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Huawei has faster Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency and better performance in crowded networks, especially beneficial for gamers and heavy streamers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Huawei has more modern Bluetooth, which may offer better connection and audio quality on supported devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei provides more precise location data, suitable for professional mapping and GPS-heavy applications, or more reliable location in remote areas. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Huawei offers significantly more storage, essential for users with large media libraries and numerous apps. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Huawei offers higher RAM options for smoother multitasking and running demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi offers slightly higher audio quality for audiophiles. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Side mounted is generally regarded as a bit faster and more convenient. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi offers known scratch-resistance, which Huawei doesn't, so protection is unconfirmed. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi has a slightly more advanced Proximity Sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Better visibility in outdoor sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
- Hi-Res Audio: Superior audio quality for music lovers.
- Wide Angle, Portrait & Macro Lenses: More versatility in photography.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Generally regarded as faster and more convenient.
- Gorilla Glass 3 screen: Offers known scratch and minor impact resistance
- Better Proximity sensor: Features ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:
- Faster Performance: More powerful chipset resulting in a smoother user experience.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother display with 120Hz.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and better pixel density.
- Significantly Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and better low-light performance
- Faster Charging: Significantly shorter charging times.
- More Storage Options: Up to 512GB internal storage, beneficial for heavy media users.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standard: Faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency
- More Precise GPS: More reliable location data.
- More Advanced Bluetooth: newer Bluetooth with audio codecs.
- More advanced camera features: Continuous AF, PDAF, Dual Front Camera, RAW
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: sacrifices performance and display smoothness for a slightly better camera, battery life, and brightness.
- Huawei: sacrifices battery capacity and screen brightness for significantly better performance, selfie camera, and charging speeds.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Seeking a reliable device with a good screen and long-lasting battery.
- Photography enthusiasts on a budget: Wanting a versatile camera system with macro, wide-angle and portrait lenses.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Heavy users who need a phone that lasts all day without needing frequent charging.
- Audiophiles: Those that want higher quality audio.
- Those in sunny conditions: Benefit from a higher brightness display.
Use Cases:
- General daily use, social media browsing, basic gaming, taking occasional photos, watching online videos.
- Taking photos in various conditions: wide angle, close-ups, portraits.
- Long commutes/travel days where a power bank is not always an option.
- Music streaming
Huawei nova 11 Pro Ideal Users:
- Performance-focused users: Gamers and multitaskers who demand a fast and smooth experience.
- Selfie lovers: Those who prioritize a high-quality front-facing camera.
- Users who value quick charging: Wanting to charge their phone quickly.
- Users who prioritize connectivity: benefit from faster Wi-Fi 6 speeds and better location accuracy
- Users who prefer photography with advanced tools: Continuous AF, PDAF and RAW features provide more professional control.
Use Cases:
- High-intensity gaming, smooth multitasking, capturing high-quality selfies, and rapid charging
- Video conferencing
- Precise navigation or location-based activities such as Geocaching.
- Downloading and streaming large files.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., Gaming, photography, everyday use).
- How important is battery life vs. charging speed?
- What is your budget? (Price information is missing, but this will heavily influence the choice).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you prioritize performance, fast charging, and a superior selfie camera: Choose the Huawei nova 11 Pro.
- If you prioritize longer battery life, brighter display, and a versatile main camera: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S.
- If you are on a tight budget and looking for a basic all-rounder: Consider the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S.
- If you have no budget concerns: The Huawei nova 11 Pro will likely provide more value due to having a more modern and powerful configuration.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Huawei nova 11 Pro. My primary use case involves both day to day general usage, and gaming, where performance and a smooth display are crucial. While the slightly smaller battery and lower brightness of the Huawei is not ideal, I highly value the faster charging speed, which is more practical for me. Additionally, the higher quality selfie camera and newer connectivity standards on the Huawei are very appealing. The added storage capacity is also a significant advantage, as I tend to carry many files on my phone. Although the Xiaomi offers better battery and brightness, the performance and other factors outweigh these benefits for my needs.
