1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-28 | 2024-04-16 | Huawei nova 12i is significantly newer, likely with more up-to-date software (if specified) and potentially better components. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | The nova 12i is slightly taller and thicker, but not enough to be significant for most users. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 199g | Redmi Note 10S is noticeably lighter, which may be preferred for extended handheld use and feel more comfortable to handle all day. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Huawei nova 12i offers a slightly larger viewing area, which may be preferable for media consumption and multitasking but is not a major difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both offer sharp displays; the minor difference in resolution is negligible in real-world use. |
| PPI | 409 | 391 | Both have very similar pixel density, meaning the screen clarity is comparable for daily tasks. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Redmi Note 10S offers superior display quality with deeper blacks and richer colors, enhancing the viewing experience. The IPS LCD of the nova 12i is still good for everyday use but lacks the contrast of AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Huawei nova 12i provides a slightly smoother visual experience, particularly when scrolling, gaming, and animations compared to the Redmi Note 10S. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10S is significantly better for outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. The lack of information on the Huawei model makes it hard to determine how good it is in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 | Snapdragon 680 4G | Redmi Note 10S generally offers slightly better performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 289,000 | Redmi Note 10S provides noticeably better overall performance (42% higher score), leading to smoother multitasking and faster app loading. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 610 | Redmi Note 10S's GPU generally performs better in graphically intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, meaning similar battery life can be expected. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | Huawei nova 12i has slightly faster charging speeds, reducing downtime when charging. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | Redmi Note 10S can act as a power bank to charge other devices which is a convenient extra feature. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79 | 108MP f/1.9 | Huawei nova 12i's main camera has higher resolution for more detailed photos. The Redmi has a slightly wider aperture and larger pixels allowing more light to reach the sensor |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP f/2.45 | 8MP f/2.0 | Redmi Note 10S has higher resolution front camera but the Nova 12i has slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2 | None | Redmi Note 10S allows for wider field of view shots, very useful for landscapes or group shots. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both phones have same depth sensor, adding slight bokeh effect to photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Redmi Note 10S allows users to take close-up shots of objects and details. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Redmi Note 10S can record higher-resolution video, which is better for video enthusiasts. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 13 | Huawei Nova 12i might have more up to date software although the Redmi Note 10S can be updated to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac + MIMO | 802.11ac | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities. The Redmi Note 10S supports MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE + HID | 5.0 LE + LDAC/AAC/SBC | Huawei offers additional audio codecs for higher quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei nova 12i has additional QZSS support for better accuracy in some regions. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Huawei nova 12i offers more storage options, especially for users who download lots of apps and media. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8GB | Both phones have ample RAM for efficient multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via SD Card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio + Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | Redmi Note 10S offers superior audio quality with Hi-Res support and stereo speakers, ideal for music lovers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both provide convenient fingerprint authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi Note 10S offers superior screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope | Gravity | The Redmi 10S offers more sensors including a gyroscope useful for gaming and AR applications, whereas the Huawei includes a gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers better color accuracy, contrast, and deeper blacks compared to the IPS LCD on the nova 12i. It also has much higher brightness of 1100 nits vs the Huawei's 0 nits
- Better Performance: The Mediatek G95 chipset delivers significantly better performance in benchmarks (42% higher AnTuTu score), leading to smoother multitasking and more responsive gaming.
- Enhanced Audio: The Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers provide a superior audio experience, great for media and music enthusiasts.
- Versatile Camera System: The Redmi includes wide angle, macro and a better selfie camera. It also shoots 4K Video
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, offering more utility.
- Screen Protection: The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protects against screen scratches and damage.
- Gyroscope: Better gaming experience and AR applications
Huawei nova 12i Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched almost 3 years later, which could mean better software support (though not clear) and newer components but not necessarily better.
- Faster Charging: The 40W fast charging is slightly quicker than the 33W on the Redmi Note 10S.
- Larger Internal Storage: Comes with 128 GB or 256GB storage options, which may appeal to people with large media collections.
- 90Hz Refresh Rate: Slightly smoother visual experience compared to the 60Hz on the Redmi.
- Additional GPS and Bluetooth Codecs: The phone includes QZSS GPS support and has LDAC/AAC/SBC bluetooth codecs
Trade-offs:
- Redmi Note 10S sacrifices refresh rate (60Hz vs 90Hz) for a superior AMOLED panel, and much greater brightness
- The Huawei Nova 12i loses some screen quality and performance for better battery charging speed and slightly larger storage
- The Redmi Note 10S does not include the newer LDAC/AAC/SBC Bluetooth codecs present in the Nova 12i
- The Huawei does not have a wide angle or macro camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is Ideal For:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos and enjoy vibrant colors, higher contrast and deeper blacks thanks to the AMOLED screen.
- Gamers: Those who require the best performance in the mid range, enjoying more responsive and smooth game play and better frame rates.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Those that care about higher quality audio via headphones and stereo speakers.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those that want a more versatile camera system with wide angle and macro capabilities.
- Outdoor Users: Those that require a bright screen to see clearly in direct sunlight
Use Cases:
- Watching streaming content in vivid colors
- Playing graphically intensive games with better frame rates
- Enjoying music with high quality audio
- Taking a wide variety of photos
- Using the phone in direct sunlight without issues.
Huawei nova 12i is Ideal For:
- Users Prioritizing Storage: Users who want a larger storage capacity for all their media.
- Users who Prioritize Battery Charging: Users that find the 40W charging speed more useful to quickly get up and running again after draining their battery
- Users wanting a newer device: The device is 3 years newer than the Redmi note and might offer additional software updates.
Use Cases:
- Storing large media libraries locally
- Quick battery top-ups for people on the go
- Users wanting a new device
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Redmi Note 10S generally provides better value for performance, display, audio and versatility for its target audience.
- The Huawei nova 12i may appeal more to people with larger storage and battery charging needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Quality: Do you prefer better colors, deep blacks and high brightness (Redmi Note 10S) or slightly smoother refresh rate (Huawei nova 12i)?
- Performance Needs: Do you need the best performance in the mid range for gaming (Redmi Note 10S) or is the slightly less powerful performance of the Huawei satisfactory?
- Storage and Charging: Do you need more storage (Huawei nova 12i) and/or faster charging (Huawei nova 12i), or are these less of a priority?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy media consumption, gaming, demanding usage - Choose Redmi Note 10S for its superior display, performance, and overall versatility.
- Scenario 2: Need for large local media storage and fast charging, less priority for display and performance - Choose Huawei nova 12i for its larger storage and faster battery charging.
- Scenario 3: Balanced use between performance, display, and price, prefer better screen protection and versatility of camera - Choose Redmi Note 10S
What I would choose and why:
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. While the Huawei nova 12i is newer and has some advantages in charging speed and storage capacity, the Redmi Note 10S offers a significantly better overall experience for my typical use. The AMOLED display with its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and much higher brightness is a major advantage, especially for media consumption and outdoor use. Additionally, the superior performance provided by the Helio G95 chipset and enhanced audio capabilities, the inclusion of a wide angle and macro camera, and 4K video recording, all add up to a device that is much more appealing and versatile. While the 60Hz refresh rate is lower than the 90Hz on the Huawei, the benefits of an AMOLED panel and greater brightness far outweigh this for me. The reverse charging capability is also a nice-to-have feature. Therefore, for my needs and priorities, the Redmi Note 10S is the better choice.
