1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm | Infinix is taller and wider, Redmi is slightly thicker. Infinix may feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 185g | Redmi is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Infinix has a larger display, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness and clarity for daily use. |
| PPI | 409 | 393 | Both have very similar pixel density, meaning similar sharpness levels. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, good for media. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have a standard 60Hz refresh rate, suitable for general use, but not as smooth as higher refresh rate displays. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 650 nits | Redmi is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 | Mediatek Helio G96 | Slightly different chipsets from the same family. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 307,000 | Redmi is slightly faster for app loading and multitasking based on AnTuTu scores. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Redmi has a more powerful GPU, which would provide smoother gaming experience on high graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Redmi has higher resolution, larger sensor but smaller aperture and pixel size. Infinix has wider aperture which allows more light to come in. |
| Front Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.0 | Infinix has higher resolution and wider aperture for better selfies in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | None | Redmi has an extra wide-angle camera for more flexible photography. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | Redmi has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer comparable depth effects for portrait mode. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 1440p@30fps | Redmi captures higher quality video at 4K. |
| Slow-motion | 960 fps | 120 fps | Redmi offers far more frames for higher slow-motion effect |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity for similar endurance. |
| Charging | 33W | 33W | Both have similar fast charging speeds, with slightly different battery tech. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | Redmi can charge other devices wirelessly |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 | Infinix comes with a slightly newer Android OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5, MiMO | Wi-Fi 5 | Redmi has better WiFi tech |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Infinix has a slightly newer version of bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS | Redmi has additional satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Both offer the same maximum RAM options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Both provide stereo sound, but with different additional sound technologies. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both use side-mounted fingerprint scanners. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi is more resistant to scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Redmi has a wider array of sensors, including a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher peak brightness (1100 nits vs 650 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
- More Powerful GPU: Mali-G76 MC4 provides slightly better graphics performance for gaming.
- Higher Video Quality: Supports 4K video recording and higher slow-motion capture (960fps vs. 120fps).
- Wider Camera Lens: Features a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in each shot.
- Additional Camera Features: Includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly
- Better WiFi: Supports newer WiFi standard
- Better GPS: Has access to more location tracking satellites
- Better screen protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Practical Implications: The Redmi Note 10S excels in environments with bright light, gaming, and video recording, offering a more versatile camera setup and overall better performance.
Infinix Note 12 G96 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Slightly larger 6.7" screen for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Slightly Newer OS: Comes with Android 12
- Newer Bluetooth: Has slightly newer version of bluetooth.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: Front facing camera is slightly better.
Practical Implications: The Infinix Note 12 G96 offers a larger screen, and a slightly better selfie camera for users primarily focused on media consumption and selfies.
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10S sacrifices a slightly larger screen for higher brightness and a more capable camera system.
- The Infinix Note 12 G96 sacrifices some performance and outdoor visibility for a slightly larger display and newer OS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize outdoor visibility and screen brightness.
- Mobile gamers and users who need slightly higher performance for games and apps.
- Content creators who need higher quality video recording, particularly 4K.
- Users who want a more versatile camera system with a wide-angle and macro lens.
- Users who want a device with a comprehensive suite of sensors and better GPS tracking.
- Users who want a phone with better screen protection.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography and videography in sunny conditions.
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Recording high quality videos for vlogs or other content.
- Using GPS navigation in urban areas and other environments.
Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prefer a larger screen for media consumption.
- Users who take a lot of selfies and want a higher resolution, wider aperture front camera.
- Users who want a device with a more recent version of Android.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos.
- Social media and casual browsing.
- Taking selfies in various lighting conditions.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Both phones occupy a similar price range. The Redmi Note 10S has a slightly better performance and camera setup, making it a better value for performance-oriented users. The Infinix Note 12 G96 is a better option if you favor a larger screen and a slightly newer OS.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is outdoor visibility for your usage? If you spend a lot of time outdoors under the sun, the Redmi Note 10S is the better choice.
- What kind of camera usage do you prioritize? If you need versatile camera features like wide angle and macro modes, the Redmi Note 10S is superior. If you take more selfies, the Infinix may be more suitable.
- Is a larger screen size or a slightly newer OS important for you? If you watch many videos and movies, then the slightly larger screen of the Infinix might be more desirable. Also if a newer OS is more important, Infinix has that edge.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A user who spends most of their time outdoors and is looking for a phone with good performance and a versatile camera system should choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S.
- Scenario 2: A user who primarily uses their phone for watching movies and taking selfies, and values a slightly larger display should pick the Infinix Note 12 G96.
- Scenario 3: A user who plays games and needs a phone with the best performance should choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S. While the Infinix Note 12 G96 offers a slightly larger display and newer OS, the Redmi Note 10S provides a more well-rounded experience with its significantly brighter screen, more powerful GPU, better video capabilities, wider camera setup, reverse charging, better GPS and overall better performance. The brighter screen of the Redmi is important to me since I spend time outdoors. The better camera setup is also important for my versatile photography and video recording needs. Also, I prefer better screen protection, and reverse charging is a convenient feature. Overall, the Redmi offers a more compelling package for my usage scenario, despite the slightly older OS.
